Professor / Head of Department for Marketing and Entrepreneurship

Aston Business School is seeking to appoint an inspirational and collaborative leader to the role of Professor and Head of the newly established Department of Marketing and Entrepreneurship. This is a key leadership role, offering an exciting opportunity to shape the department’s future, champion academic excellence, and cultivate a supportive and innovative environment for impactful research and teaching in marketing and entrepreneurship.

This post is a permanent professorial appointment within Aston Business School. The appointee will report to the Dean of the School or nominee. As HoD, you will be responsible for leading and supporting staff, fostering a culture of growth and development, and delivering the strategic plans for the Department and School. You will also oversee budgets, ensure high-quality teaching and research, and create opportunities for knowledge exchange and external engagement activities.

This internationally respected leader will bring extensive experience in education, research, and people-centred leadership to the role. In particular, the candidate will have deep academic expertise in key areas of marketing and/or entrepreneurship, aligning with the department’s strategic strengths. They will demonstrate a strong research profile, a proven track record in shaping curricula, and the ability to build meaningful collaborations between industry and academia.

As the successful candidate, you will have the vision to anticipate future trends in marketing and entrepreneurship, identifying emerging areas of research and education. You will play a pivotal role in guiding the department’s growth and fostering a thriving academic community, while making a meaningful contribution to the strategic goals of Aston Business School through inclusive leadership in teaching, research, and external engagement.

Specifically, we are looking for individuals who want to empower and inspire academic colleagues and who can demonstrate:

• Ambition – A strong desire to enhance the impact and reputation of the Department, School, and Business and Social Sciences on a global scale.
• Vision and Purpose – The ability to make strategic choices, prioritising opportunities that will drive positive change, while effectively managing resources, securing investment, and supporting the department’s growth.
• Commitment to Excellence and Integrity – A dedication to ensuring the highest standards in student experience, mentoring, and team development, while fostering an inclusive and fair environment for hiring, promotion, and performance evaluation.
• Supportive and Engaged Leadership – Recognising that the role of Head of Department requires significant leadership commitment and balancing the position alongside other responsibilities with a people-focused approach.
• Commitment to Growth and Development – Understanding that leadership and management are evolving skills and actively seeking opportunities for continuous learning and collaboration while in the role.

This is an exciting leadership opportunity for those who are eager to shape the future of the Department and create a lasting impact within Aston Business School and beyond. The position will be a three-year appointment, after which the incumbent will transition into a substantive professorial role within the Business School.

The University is committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives are valued and drive innovation. We encourage applications from individuals who can bring fresh perspectives and lived experiences that enrich our community and contribute to our inclusive ethos.

For informal enquiries about the vacancy, please contact: Professor Marian Garcia, Dean Of Aston Business School by email: abs_dean@aston.ac.uk

The University celebrates the rights of freedom of speech and academic freedom and is committed to maintaining and protecting these rights within the law. An offer to work at Aston University will never be denied on the basis of an individual’s lawful expression of their beliefs, ideas or opinions. Aston University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. It promotes equality and diversity in all aspects of its work. We strive to have robust inclusivity strategies in place, to encourage colleagues to have the confidence and freedom to be themselves in the workplace.

We recognise the value of flexible working. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss what flexible working options are available for particular roles.