Executive Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences Full Time

Brighton, Sussex
Massey University

The University of Sussex is looking to appoint an Executive Dean for its new Faculty of Social Sciences.

From Sussex’s beginnings over 60 years ago, its distinctive ethos has informed its work. The University set out to disrupt traditional ways of creating and organising knowledge and, in doing so, developed its own distinctive identity which fostered a strong sense of community and purpose. Under the leadership of Professor Sasha Roseneil, Vice-Chancellor and President since summer 2022, the University is introducing a new academic structure, with the establishment of four Faculties (Media, Arts & Humanities; Social Sciences; Science, Engineering & Medicine; and Business). Each is to be led by an Executive Dean. The drivers of this change are to ensure that all disciplines are represented in the senior leadership team, to provide greater resilience, agility, and capacity for strategic planning through larger academic units, and to better support interdisciplinary research and teaching across the University.

The new Executive Dean will be the first leader of this new Faculty. They will be responsible for bringing together academics from the existing Schools of Global Studies, Education & Social Work, and Law, Politics & Sociology, and for developing and delivering the University’s academic vision and strategy at Faculty level.

Priorities will include: creating a shared sense of purpose and collective identity; enhancing excellence in education and research; developing interdisciplinary programmes across the Faculty; cultivating relationships with external partners; growing research income; and ensuring effective and efficient organisation and operations across all Faculty activities. Reporting to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Provost, the Dean will sit on the senior leadership team (the ‘University Executive Team’). Strong candidates will be highly respected academics with an impressive personal research profile in a cognate field. They will evidence a successful track-record of leadership, with significant management of people and resources. They will know how to engage others in developing an exciting strategy and shaping the future direction of the Faculty. Superb communication and influencing skills will be critical, as will patience and resilience. Candidates must be committed to providing the best experience for their students and the best environment for all members of the new Faculty. They will demonstrate enthusiasm for the distinctiveness of the University of Sussex and will have a good understanding of the challenges facing universities in the current economic, political, and cultural climate. They will be personally committed to creating an inclusive and equitable environment in which diversity of background, identity, belief, thought, discipline, and method are understood to be foundational to the Faculty’s success. A PhD, and professorial standing are essential.

This is a major leadership role and a unique opportunity to establish and embed a new Faculty within an ambitious and progressive university, to shape the future of Social Sciences at Sussex, and to contribute to the wider development of the University.

For more information about the role, including how to apply, please visit Minerva at:

The closing date for all applications, which should be in the form of a CV and cover letter and addressed to is Friday 12 th January 2024.

The University of Sussex is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and, through this appointment process, it is the Council’s clear stated aim to develop candidate pools that include applicants from all backgrounds and communities. The University particularly welcomes applications from women, people from black and minority ethnic communities, the LGBT+ community and from disabled people.