Post Title: Associate Dean External Engagement
SBU/Department: School of Physics, Engineering, & Computer Science
FTE: 1.0fte (37 hours per week)
Duration of Contract: Permanent on a 5 year renewable tenure
Salary: AM2 £74,481pa with potential to progress to £79,901pa by annual increments on achieving designated skills and experience
Annual Leave: 35 days plus standard public holidays and an additional 4 days including the closure of our office between Christmas and New Year
Location: Hatfield
The School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science (SPECS) offers a rich and diverse portfolio, combining strengths across its core disciplines. We pride ourselves on a research rich environment that enables us to deliver an innovative learning and teaching experience, underpinned by hands-on, practical engagement. Our students, both international and home, consistently give excellent feedback, reflected in high numbers of good honours degrees and strong employability outcomes.
SPECS supports a vibrant undergraduate and postgraduate community. Our postgraduate provision includes an established MSc framework, professional doctorates, and PhD programmes. A distinctive feature of the School is our emphasis on fundamental research with real-world application, an approach that consistently delivers meaningful impact.
As one of five Academic Schools at the University of Hertfordshire, SPECS has grown significantly since the University’s inception in 1992. We enjoy a strong national and international reputation for creative, industry-focused teaching and research. The School recently relocated to Spectra, a new £100M purpose-built facility for the 2024 academic year providing an exceptional resource that enriches our teaching and research capability.
Main duties & responsibilities
This senior leadership role within the School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science (SPECS) offers an exciting opportunity to shape and enhance the School’s engagement with a wide array of external stakeholders, with a particular focus on strengthening undergraduate student recruitment and building Hertfordshire’s brand reputation. The successful candidate will, in collaboration with the Dean, Deputy Dean, CMO, Marketing and Communications (M&C) colleagues, and the International Office (IO), maintain oversight of the external environment relevant to SPECS and ensure the School projects a consistent and compelling profile. They will play a lead role in developing and implementing initiatives that deliver the School and University strategic objectives, while also cultivating sustainable collaborative relationships and partnerships with business, industry, government, third-sector organisations, cultural institutions, and individuals. The role also carries responsibility for contributing to the School’s business planning and shaping of the course portfolio across UG, PG, DA and CPD, to generate new opportunities for recruitment and diversification of income in line with market needs. The Associate Dean will be a member of the School’s Senior Executive Group and other groups relevant to the portfolio.

Skills and experience required
The successful candidate will have a strong track record of delivering against commercial objectives and proven leadership experience in external engagement, marketing or recruitment. You will have experience of working internationally and be able to demonstrate successful collaboration with international and external partners. You will be able to demonstrate a high level of strategic thinking in order to deliver against the University’s strategic plan as well as the ability to inform the school’s student recruitment and partnership plan and develop opportunities for growth and income generation. You will have a positive, inclusive and collegial leadership style and be able to demonstrate your commitment to inclusivity and equity. You will have a highly developed sense of professionalism with a can-do attitude and excellent diplomacy skills.

Qualifications required
You will have an honours degree and a postgraduate qualification or equivalent professional experience.

Please view the job description and person specification for a full list of the duties and essential criteria. Please attach a personal statement showing clearly how your skills and experience match the Person Specification
Internal applicants – please ensure you apply via your employee self-service portal.
Please apply as soon as possible, as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the position may close before the advertised deadline.
Contact Details/Informal Enquiries Professor Daniel McCluskey (Dean) d.mccluskey@herts.ac.uk or Felix Zhu (Deputy Dean) q.f.zhu@herts.ac.uk.

Closing Date: 08 December 2025
Shortisting calls 11 & 12 December. Interviews 18 & 19 December
Reference Number: REQ000024
Date advert placed: 12 November 2025

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