HEAD OF SCHOOL Harper and Keele Veterinary School

Job Description

School: Harper and Keele Veterinary School

Responsible to: Pro Vice-Chancellor & Executive Dean of Natural Sciences (Keele University) and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Harper Adams University)

Responsible for: All staff within the Veterinary School

Grade: Grade: Professorial Hours: Full time Salary: Competitive and Commensurate with the Seniority of the Role

Role Summary: The Head of the Harper & Keele Veterinary School will be responsible for all aspects of educational leadership and management of the School and ensuring compliance with University and Statutory regulations. The Head of School will be responsible jointly to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Harper Adams University and the Pro Vice-Chancellor & Executive Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences at Keele University.

An outstanding individual, you will lead the development of the newly established School working between two campus environments and implementing the curriculum in preparation for the first cohort of undergraduates due to arrive in September 2020. As the founding Head of School, you will have the rare chance to shape the strategic direction of a new Veterinary School in the UK, as well as being responsible for ensuring successful accreditation of the Veterinary degree programme by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).

Key relationships will be with the PVC Executive Dean (Keele), the DVC (Harper Adams), the Veterinary School’s Director of Operations and Heads of Schools/Divisions/Departments in other areas of both universities, as well as with the Chair and members of the Joint Management Board. At School level key relationships will be with the School Executive and senior management team; together with the RCVS and private sector partners.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

Principal Areas of Responsibility:

SCHOOL LEADERSHIP

Provide clear leadership in all aspects of the School’s activity, including in relation to providing a visible lead for students enrolled on the School’s joint programme

Development

 Take a lead in developing and guiding the School through its first years of operation and clearly articulating a strong vision for the School  Ensure the curriculum is current, and meets the needs of industry as well as providing graduates with the skills necessary to flourish in the modern veterinary landscape  Ensure that the School is successful in attaining accreditation by the RCVS in time for its first cohort of graduates  Ensure the work of the School supports the aspirations for multi-professional working including engagement with other curriculum areas across both institutions (e.g. Veterinary Nursing and Physiotherapy at Harper Adams and programmes in the Faculties of Natural Sciences and of Medicine and Health at Keele University)

Communication and Joint Working

 Ensure effective communication both for all School staff and for all School students based across two campuses  Work closely with the School Director of Operations to ensure that the School operates effectively across a two campus environment  Build effective and close working relationships across both institutions

Effective and efficient Multi-site operation

 Ensure appropriate academic, clinical and pastoral support for all students  Enable an infrastructure for organising teaching and its evaluation across the School that supports flexible, high quality education that continually enhances the quality of learning

External Partnership building

 Develop effective links with appropriate external professional and regulatory bodies for programmes hosted by the School, including the RCVS  Develop and sustain productive relationships with clinical providers and other key partners  Seek opportunities to expand the School’s activities, which might include growth in student numbers, in line with opportunities and government policy

Strategic Planning

 Lead on development of a strategic plan for the School, reviewing, monitoring and reporting on implementation against the plan  Ensure the School meets its objectives as set by the Joint Management Group

 Ensure that strategies for the School are consistent with those of both universities

Ambassadorial role

 Represent the School and University effectively at local, regional and national level, including on committees where appropriate  Operate in a way which commands the respect of colleagues across both universities  Act as an effective ambassador for the Harper & Keele Veterinary School in the external environment  Represent the School at the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons

MANAGEMENT OF RESOURCES

 Have overall budgetary responsibility for the School  Accountable for the School budget and financial performance, whilst ensuring that any devolved budgetary responsibility for the School is managed effectively and in line with objectives agreed by the Joint Management Group  Have overall responsibility for line management of members of the School  Have responsibility for line management of academic staff during any period of substantive secondment into the School from other departments across both institutions  Operate cohesively with other Heads of School/Departments to share line management responsibilities for seconded staff, where agreed and appropriate  Have knowledge and understanding of research and to support its development along strategic lines, working closely with other Schools and Departments across the institutions  Manage the staffing resource for the School in line with University policies and procedures and best practice, including recruitment, performance management, appraisal and development  Ensure all members of the school have access to appropriate staff development  Facilitate the promotion of equality of opportunity and diversity throughout the School

QUALITY ASSURANCE

 Implement effective and consistent procedures for quality assurance, which comply with professional body and both universities’ QA requirements  Manage the processes of quality assurance as specified by the Universities’ IQA and external bodies, ensuring that they are working to maintain quality and standards, having regard to the requirements of the RCVS  Embrace quality enhancement as a key educational tool and embed principles at all levels of the School  Ensure appropriate quality placement opportunities in partnership with our industry providers

GOVERNANCE

 Ensure relevant matters are brought before the Joint Academic Board and Joint Management Group  Ensure that the School complies with all University Policies and Procedures including those that the two universities have sanctioned as bespoke for the School and those that apply to each University  Ensure that the School operates effectively within the standards set by the RCVS, including in relation to the curriculum, student achievement and student fitness to practise requirements  Act as School risk manager for governance purposes and to ensure compliance with risk management policy and procedures laid down by both institutions

 Ensure the implementation of effective health and safety procedures in line with the universities’ policy  Adhere to the universities’ environmental policy and procedures and seek to promote environmental sustainability within area of responsibility

CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

 Continue to pursue personal academic and/or clinical activities, as agreed by the University  Where engaged in university research, to do so as a member of an appropriate Research Group  Demonstrate a commitment to continuing Personal/Professional Development

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, HEALTH AND SAFETY AND STATUTORY

 Possess a strong commitment to the principles and practice of equality and diversity;  Possess a thorough understanding and application of the Dignity and Respect Framework;  Take reasonable care of the Health and Safety of yourself and that of any other person who may be affected by your acts or omissions at work;  Co-operate with Keele University and Harper Adams University in ensuring as far as is necessary, that Statutory Requirements, Codes of Practice, University Policies and School/Departmental health and safety arrangements are complied with.

This is not intended as an exhaustive list of duties or a restrictive definition of the post but rather should be read as a guide to the main priorities and typical areas of activity of the post-holder These activities are subject to amendment over time as priorities and requirements evolve and as such it may be amended at any time by the line manager following discussion with the post holder.

References You are asked to provide details of two referees (three if you are applying for an academic or research post), including your current or most recent employer, on your application form. Referees should be able to comment on your work and/or educational background and may be approached before interview. In providing these details you are giving the University permission to request personal information about you from your referees, which may include confirmation of your previous salary, disciplinary and work history.

Please note this appointment is subject to both medical clearance and on-going medical surveillance by the University Occupational Health provider and Disclosure and Barring Service checks.

Two Ticks Scheme Harper Adams University and Keele University is committed to taking positive steps to employ, keep and develop the abilities of disabled staff and has been awarded the disability symbol. We undertake to offer all applicants with a disability and who meet the minimum essential criteria an interview. If you wish to be considered under this scheme, please state this, providing specific information of any requirements/adjustments you may require to assist you during the recruitment process or to enable you to carry out the duties of the post, within your letter of application.

The information you provide on your application will be forwarded to the recruiting area so that they may consider whether they can facilitate your requested adjustments. Please note that if you do not state that you wish to be considered under the Two Ticks Scheme in your supporting statement, you will not be considered under this Scheme.

Evidence Key A = Application I = Interview R = References T = Test P = Presentation PERSON SPECIFICATION (or a combination)

HEAD OF HARPER & KEELE VETERINARY SCHOOL

Criteria Evidenced Evidenced Headings Essential by Desirable by Qualifications/  Appropriate veterinary A Education/ qualification leading to Training MRCVS registration A  Further/post graduate qualification

Experience  National/international A, R  Personal track A, I reputation for excellence in record of the leadership of research or veterinary education scholarship, and/or in clinical leadership outputs at  Demonstrable, strong track A, I appropriate level record in Veterinary (highly Education desirable)  Demonstrable track record A, I  Experience of A, I of successful working with risk Academic and clinical management partners  Demonstrable A, I  Experience of coping with track record of organisational complexity A, I working  Demonstrable track record successfully with of providing clear and A, I, P colleagues from strong leadership other health  Experience of successfully professions managing complex staff A, I  Experience of A, I structures change  Experience of budget and management resource management A, I  Experience of A, I  Experience, expertise and successful recognition as someone A, I project who can integrate clinical management knowledge and research and translate it into the educational arena

Skills/  A strong commitment to an I, P  Understanding I, P Aptitudes/ interdisciplinary and inter- of quality Competences/ professional basis in management Veterinary education  Evidence of I, P together with the ability to good negotiating make a positive and influencing contribution to this agenda skills  Be creative, imaginative  A vision for and inspiring in your vision I, P developing the I, P of what the Veterinary Veterinary School can aspire to School achieve in delivering vets  Have the for the future capacity to I, P  Ability to lead on strategic appreciate the planning A, I, P value (and  Be able to stimulate limitations) of thought and debate about I, P technologies in important strategic veterinary decisions medicine  An understanding of and commitment to the I, P importance of research

Other  Commitment to staff I, P development  Strong commitment to I, P Equality and Diversity  Ability to meet the travel A, I requirements of the post

For informal enquiries:

Professor Jonathan Wastling, PVC Executive Dean, Keele University Tel: 01782 734583, [email protected], or

Professor Peter Mills, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Harper Adams University, Tel: 01952 815328, email: [email protected]

For further details on the role, please visit www.perrettlaver.com and contact Dr Urvashi Ramphul at [email protected], quoting reference number 3977. Applications should consist of a letter of application together with a curriculum vitae and a publications list.

Closing date for applications: 12noon (GMT) Monday 18th February 2019

Promoting Equality, Valuing Diversity.