Head of Academic Department - Sports & Health (Interim)

Solent University has an ambitious research and knowledge exchange enabling strategy intended to ensure that the success of our students is shaped and inspired by our research and knowledge exchange. Building on our strengthening REF submissions, we are developing our research distinctiveness. In the next 5 years we intend to further grow our research culture by focusing on our core strengths and expertise within our research themes of environment, social issues and policy, sport and exercise science, and media and culture, and our knowledge exchange priorities of maritime, sustainable business, social justice, health and wellbeing, student entrepreneurship, and engineering. 

We would like to recruit a candidate who shares these research and knowledge exchange ambitions and can contribute to the research culture at Solent, joining our active research community. In your role, you will be supported to be involved in research, knowledge exchange and scholarly activity.  

Solent University has a unique and exciting opportunity for a talented and skilled academic from the subject area of sport or health sciences who has academic and commercial management experience. As part of the University’s Academic Leadership team, you will lead our Sport and Health Department and our dedicated team of academic staff. Working with the team, you will ensure that our academic portfolio remains current, relevant and attractive, and is fully integrated into a research programme working towards REF2027.

Central to the role is the use of the University’s £27M sports complex, which opened in 2019. Following the reopening after the pandemic, you will lead the use of the complex, ensuring that it is fully integrated into the department’s research and teaching. You will also work with relevant University bodies to ensure that the facility is used to it’s full potential, supports Solent’s student sports teams, encourages local community use and maximises commercial income. 

The successful applicant will normally have a PhD with extensive academic experience and preferably management experience and be able to demonstrate a good appreciation of commercial activities in the sports, health and leisure sector.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jonathan Ridley on [email protected]

This is a fixed term role until 31st July 2024

Solent University offers an excellent benefits package. More Information .

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