Head of Department of Society and Environment

Job description

Post Title: Head of Department of Society and Environment

SBU/Department: School of Law, Education & Society

FTE: 1.0fte (37 hours per week)

Duration of Contract: Permanent

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: De Havilland Campus, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

The School of Law, Education and Society (SLES) is seeking an innovative, inspiring and collaborative academic leader to become the inaugural Head of the Department of Society and Environment. This is a unique opportunity to shape the strategic direction, culture and success of a newly established department encompassing Sociology, Geography, Environmental Management, Planning, Politics and International Relations.

While the School builds on the longstanding strengths and successes of Hertfordshire Law School and the Department of Education, its recent expansion to include Sociology, Geography, Environmental Management, Planning, Politics and International Relations has created exciting new opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, and growth. Reflecting the new disciplinary areas, the School has been renamed the School of Law, Education and Society, bringing together complementary disciplines that address some of the most significant social, environmental, legal, educational and policy challenges facing society today.

The School comprises three distinct departments:

• Hertfordshire Law School
• Department of Education
• Department of Society and Environment

As a member of the School's senior leadership team, the Head of Department will play a pivotal role in establishing and developing the Department of Society and Environment, shaping its identity, culture and strategic direction while contributing to the continued success of the wider School.

Main duties and responsibilities

The Head of Department for Society and Environment will provide strategic and operational leadership for a diverse academic portfolio within the School of Law, Education and Society. Reporting to the Deputy Dean, the postholder will be responsible for shaping the direction, performance and ongoing development of the department, ensuring excellence in teaching, learning, research, enterprise and the overall student experience.

Working collaboratively with the Dean, Deputy Dean and Associate Deans, the successful candidate will lead departmental planning and delivery, ensuring that the department's activities align with School and University priorities. They will oversee academic quality and standards, support curriculum innovation, and ensure the effective deployment of staff and resources to meet strategic objectives and operational requirements.

A key aspect of the role will be building a positive, inclusive and high-performing culture that enables staff and students to thrive. The Head of Department will provide leadership and support to academic colleagues, oversee workload allocation and staff development, and promote an environment that encourages collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement.

The postholder will play a leading role in enhancing student recruitment, retention and success, working closely with colleagues across the University to develop initiatives that strengthen admissions, conversion and progression outcomes. They will ensure that data and evidence inform decision-making and that the department consistently delivers an excellent student experience.

The role also includes responsibility for contributing to business planning, budget management and resource allocation. The successful candidate will work closely with the Associate Dean Research and Enterprise to advance the department's research and enterprise performance, foster a vibrant research culture, increase external funding opportunities, and strengthen partnerships and impact activities. They will represent the department within the University and externally, identifying opportunities to enhance the department's profile and reputation and ensuring engagement with relevant professional, community and sector stakeholder.

Skills and experience required

We are seeking an experienced academic leader with a strong understanding of the higher education sector and the ability to lead strategically within a complex and changing environment. Applicants will have a proven track record of leadership and management within higher education, alongside experience of delivering successful academic outcomes and leading teams to achieve shared goals.

The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to build effective relationships with colleagues across disciplines and professional services, while also engaging confidently with external organisations and professional bodies. They will possess excellent communication, organisational and interpersonal skills, together with the ability to influence, motivate and inspire others. You will demonstrate a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and act as a role model for the University's core values-Friendliness, Ambition, Collaboration, Enterprise and Student success (FACES).

Candidates should have experience of supporting programme development and academic quality, managing staff performance and development, and using data and evidence to inform planning and decision-making. It is essential to have experience of leading initiatives related to student recruitment, retention and success. Experience of contributing to strategic and financial planning will be highly advantageous.

Qualifications required

Applicants will hold a relevant first degree and master's qualification (or equivalents), with a doctorate and membership of a relevant professional or academic body being desirable. They will be committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive culture and will demonstrate the values, professionalism and collaborative approach needed to lead a successful academic department.

Most importantly, we are looking for an individual who combines strategic vision with a collegiate leadership style and who is passionate about developing people, enhancing academic excellence and ensuring outstanding outcomes for students, staff and stakeholders.

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.

An appointment to this role may require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate.

Contact Details/Informal Enquiries: Professor Penny Carey (Dean) [email protected] or Elizabeth Kirkbride (Deputy Dean) [email protected]

Closing Date: 1 October 2026

Interview Date: To be held in early November

Reference Number: REQ000878

Date advert placed: 10 September 2026

The University offers every individual the opportunity to succeed. We want our staff to represent diverse life experiences and different cultural heritage. We recognise that the field is not 'level' and want to actively address barriers to progression. We also challenge stereotypes through stimulating discussions on sensitive topics and partner with networks both within and outside of the University to enhance inclusivity in the workplace. We wholeheartedly encourage and welcome applications from individuals from Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) and LGBTQ+ backgrounds who are currently under-represented within our School.

We offer a range of employee benefits including generous annual leave, flexible location opportunities within the UK, discounted Sports Village memberships and free Active Staff Sessions,personal and professional development and family-friendly policies. #GoHerts