Pro-Vice-Chancellor Regional Engagement - Vice-Chancellors' Office - 103073

Position Details  

Vice-Chancellor's Office

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK 

Competitive salary

Full Time, Permanent 

Closing date: 15th January 2024

To view Further Particulars please see here

Background

The University of Birmingham’s Strategic Framework ‘Birmingham 2030’ sets out the ways we will pursue our aspiration to establish Birmingham in the top 50 of the world’s leading universities.

With world-class research and outstanding global education as our core mission, we will strive to increase the volume and quality of our research to make an even greater difference to the world around us. We will be the UK’s exemplary civic university, remaining firmly committed to our foundations in the highly diverse communities, people and economy of the city of Birmingham and the West Midlands. 

We aim to provide a model of how a global university can create meaningful change in the world, demonstrably improving the economy, society and the environment, and contribute to human health and wellbeing.

The twin roles of an exemplary civic and leading global university will be mutually reinforcing- strengthening our research excellence, student opportunities and reputation.

Role and Key Responsibilities 

The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Regional Engagement) is an executive-level leadership role critical to the successful delivery of the Birmingham 2030 strategy. Reporting to the Vice-Chancellor, the successful candidate will be responsible for leading the vision and strategy for regional and civic engagement and contribute to the strategic development of the University as a member of the University Executive Board, together with maintaining and fostering relationships with new and existing external partners.  

Main Duties

• Develop and deliver the vision and strategy for regional engagement
• Act as institutional leader for the delivery of the vision and strategy for regional innovation and civic engagement, and encourage collaboration, engagement and commitment to this agenda from colleagues across the institution
• Develop, and capitalise upon, strong and beneficial relationships and partnerships with key external stakeholders, regionally and nationally, and senior policy makers and opinion formers.
• Contribute to the University’s ability to influence national policy in relevant areas
• Strengthen connections within the West Midlands region, including through making the most of our flagship assets in this area
• Identify and exploit research opportunities which benefit both the city, the region and the University.
• Strengthen the University’s relationships with major partner organisations, including Birmingham City Council, NHS trusts, West Midlands Combined Authority and other major professional services firms
• Establish the University as a leader for and with the City of Birmingham in a global context
• Identify education opportunities, including working with major regional employers to address skills gaps, curriculum opportunities and employment opportunities for our graduates
• Play an active role as a member of UEB to develop and deliver University strategy, taking the lead on cross-institutional issues from time to time and taking cabinet responsibility for UEB decisions
• Lead major institutional programmes and projects, as agreed with the Vice-Chancellor, convening and leading groups of academic and Professional Services staff from across the University as required. Examples might include academic restructures, significant capital projects or major new partnerships
• Support the philanthropic endeavours of the University
• Any task or duty required by the Vice-Chancellor from time-to-time. 

The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Regional Engagement) is to be appointed on an open-ended basis, with a Professorial title.

Skills and Experience

The role of Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Regional Engagement) requires an exceptionally skilled and experienced individual capable of providing academic and executive leadership of a portfolio of regional engagement activities, within a comprehensive, research-intensive university with a global influence.

Bringing an excellent academic track record, the postholder will have a commitment to regional and civic engagement. They are likely to have proven and substantial leadership and management experience; the ability and presence to act as an ambassador for the University; demonstrable success in building positive relationships internally and externally; a strong understanding of significant experience and understanding of resource management; an inclusive and collaborative approach.

The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to motivate and work with staff across the University community and will exemplify the University’s ambitious and collaborative leadership style. This is an exceptional opportunity for a dynamic, team-focused, individual to join the leadership team of the University and contribute to maximising its potential as a world-leading institution. 

The successful candidate will demonstrate the following:

• A significant academic track record.
• Substantial experience of leadership gained working in a large and complex organisation.
• The credibility and experience required to be successful as a Pro-Vice-Chancellor in a large, complex Russell Group university.
• A flexible and authentic leadership style combined with outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, with a track record of encouraging professional and personal development within a large team.
• A deep commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion; a genuine desire to make these a priority.
• The ability to accelerate the attraction and stewardship of external sources of income to further enhance research quality and scale.
• The ability to influence positively both internally and externally to promote the interests and development of the University and to forge collaborative and productive working relationships regionally, nationally and internationally.
• A strong political awareness, with clear examples of influencing in this area
• Significant experience of academic and business resource planning with sound financial acumen, and the ability to integrate academic and financial planning in order to support performance in a large (£900m+) and complex organisation. 
• The ability to work effectively with senior colleagues, leading and convening through persuasion and negotiation, and working collaboratively as a team member.
• A track record of successful people leadership and management with the ability to motivate and work with colleagues and communicate ideas effectively.
• Proven ability to lead successfully large, complex institutional programmes and projects, for example: major changes in academic disciplines or structures, developing major new facilities in UK or internationally, or chairing major capital projects. 
• In depth understanding of emerging national and global trends in Higher Education and the impact this has on the University’s academic direction, priorities across all discipline areas, and decisions.
• Empathy and understanding of differences across academic disciplines and the ability to tailor solutions accordingly.
• Proven ability to represent and advocate effectively on behalf of the University to a diverse spectrum of external stakeholders both within the UK and internationally.
• Evidence of excellent judgement with an ability to evaluate conflicting viewpoints and demands, make decisions and apply effective solutions.
• Resilience and ability to take tough decisions and maintain a clear, well evidenced position in the face of disagreement and challenge, alongside demonstrable evidence of an ability to engage with others in a manner which builds support for change when this is necessary.
• An approachable and open personal style, with the ability successfully to convene groups from across academics and Professional Services.
• The ability to establish productive relationships and work collaboratively with other members of UEB, and with the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar & Secretary and Chief Operating Officer in particular. 

Relationships

Within the University, the role holder will work closely with the Vice-Chancellor and Provost, with the other thematic Pro-Vice-Chancellors and the Heads of College. There is also close working with the Registrar and other senior professional services staff. 

It will also be essential to convene other academic and professional services colleagues from across the University to deliver the strategy for regional engagement. 

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website .