Job Title: Head of School/Dean
Sector: Education
Location: Dublin City Centre (Hybrid)
Role Type: Permanent
We are working with a Higher Education institution that are seeking a Head of School to lead the higher education function for one of Ireland’s leading enterprise-focused institutions. This is a pivotal senior leadership role focused on shaping academic vision and ensuring operational excellence while aggressively driving institutional growth and hitting key KPIs. The ideal leader will thrive in a fast-paced environment, combining strategic academic oversight with a hands-on approach to deliver a world-class student experience and commercial success.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and implement the Higher Education (HE) school's academic strategy, ensuring it aligns with institutional priorities and enhances the colleges national and international reputation.
- Take full accountability for academic quality, ensuring all programs meet regulatory and awarding body requirements, including QQI standards.
- Lead the design, validation, and review of academic programs to ensure they remain market-relevant and meet the needs of a student-centered learning environment.
- Lead and inspire the Higher Education team, overseeing staff performance, professional growth, and the equitable allocation of duties.
- Oversee the entire student lifecycle from induction to alumni engagement, ensuring an impactful, engaging, and high-quality learner journey.
- Deliver an annual operational plan and manage school resources effectively to meet defined Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
- Identify and drive new income streams, research opportunities, and enterprise activities to support the school's growth and financial sustainability.
- Build and sustain collaborative relationships with industry partners, external stakeholders, and regulatory bodies to support strategic objectives.
Job Requirements:
- Must hold a Master's level qualification; a PhD is considered highly desirable for this senior academic role.
- A proven record of academic leadership and strong people skills and extensive experience in delivering education and research programs.
- Preferably has experience of QQI policies and experience with the validation and revalidation of academic programs.
- The ability to translate strategic priorities into operational objectives and achieve "added value" through coordinated partnerships.
- Proven ability to lead organisational change and identify ways to improve service and performance in a complex environment.
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage and inspire multidisciplinary teams from diverse cultural backgrounds.
- Excellent communication and organisational skills, including proficiency with both Microsoft and Google work applications.
- On-Campus Presence: Ability to work a hybrid schedule with a minimum of 3 days per week on-campus in Dublin City Centre and travel between campuses as needed.
