Head of Department of Languages and Cultures, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (Ref: F[...] in London

About BNBU

Strategically located in the heart of China’s most vibrant Greater Bay Area, our campus is within the one-hour livelihood circle that encompasses Hong Kong, Macau, Shenzhen and Guangzhou. Founded in 2005, BNBU is jointly established by Beijing Normal University and Hong Kong Baptist University and enjoys a fine reputation as a pioneer in liberal arts education. Attracting prestigious scholars from around the world, it is a campus of robust international culture, where all classroom lessons are taught in English. Long a magnet for students with ambitions of studying overseas, BNBU sees many of its graduates snapped up by the world’s leading universities. Our Faculty of Business and Management, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, School of Culture and Creativity, School of AI and Liberal Arts and School of General Education together offer a total of 30 undergraduate programmes and more than a dozen postgraduate programmes. Growing rapidly in size, quality and diversity, BNBU now attracts over 9,000 students to its picturesque campus in the coastal city of Zhuhai, and is actively recruiting first‑class faculty members to make it a top‑tier liberal arts university in China.

The Head of Department (HoD) will provide academic leadership to the Department, especially in curriculum development and innovation, research enhancement, and faculty development. The HoD will work with the Faculty and University leadership to deliver academic strategies at the department level.

Key Responsibilities

• Academic Leadership: Provide academic direction and oversee departmental strategic planning; develop and update curricula to reflect the latest academic and technological advances; assess teaching and research performance, and drive continuous improvement; oversee research direction and strengthen external academic engagement; work with faculty leadership to maximize programme development and market relevance.
• Administration & Management: Manage departmental administration and implement university policies; be responsible for budget, workload allocation, staff recruitment, staff mentoring and professional development; ensure quality assurance, examination, attendance and code of conduct requirements; handle staff and student disciplinary issues and complaints; fulfil committee and review roles assigned by the university; comply with laws and university health and safety regulations.

Job Requirements

• Be educated to PhD degree level in one of the academic disciplines of linguistics, literature or translation studies.
• Have successful record of higher education administrative and managerial experience, including effective line management and team building, as well as strategic planning and budget management.
• Have substantial experience with programme development and curriculum design.
• Outstanding record of publication and research grant applications.
• A demonstrated commitment to education excellence.
• Significant experience in international higher education.
• Familiarity with China and Chinese higher education.
• Familiarity with the Hong Kong system or the British system of higher education.

Benefits and Appointment Terms

Commencing salaries will be commensurate with qualifications and relevant experience. Fringe benefits include housing allowance, leave, social insurance and commercial insurance. Appointments to these positions will initially be made on a fixed‑term contract with mutual agreement.

Application Procedures

Please complete the job application form and upload the requested documents online. All information provided will be treated in the strictest confidence. If you failed to submit your application online, please send your application by email. Applications should include a curriculum vitae and a completed "Job Application Form," which can be downloaded from the university's website. Please indicate the position being applied for, including the field of expertise, level and reference number. The University reserves the right not to fill this position, or to extend the search until suitable candidates are identified or to make an appointment by invitation. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse environment.