Head of Department - Entrepreneurship & Strategy - 0458-26-R

Head of Department – Entrepreneurship & Strategy

Location: Bailrigg, Lancaster, UK

Salary: Senior Salary (Full-Time/Secondment)

Closing Date: Friday 24 July 2026

Interview Date: Thursday 06 August 2026

Reference: 0458-26-R

We are seeking to appoint a Head of Department (HoD) for Entrepreneurship & Strategy from 1st August 2026 due to the current HoD’s tenure coming to an end on 31st July 2026.

This is an opportunity to take on a secondment in a senior leadership role within the Department and applications are invited from academic colleagues within the Department of Entrepreneurship & Strategy. Whilst applicants will normally be at professorial level, applications from Senior Lecturer or Senior Teaching Fellow levels are also welcomed.

The role of HoD provides academic leadership for the Department, managing and developing the Department, its staff and its activities. You will represent the Department to the Faculty and the University. As HoD, you will encourage and develop excellence in teaching, research and engagement across colleagues. Further details are included in the HoD ‘Description of Desirable Skills’ (Person Specification) and HoD ‘Role and Major Areas of Responsibility’ (Job Description) documents.

Your Statement and Application

It is a requirement of this post that applicants have a contract of employment at the University which extends for at least 4 years upon appointment to the role of HoD. You must be an existing member of academic staff within the Department of Entrepreneurship & Strategy.

To apply for the role, please complete the on-line application process on Stonefish which includes submitting your expression of interest in the role, outlining why you wish to apply, your vision for the Department and how you would approach the role and a short CV. Your expression of interest should also include a paragraph of text under each of the five headings of HoD Desirable Skills, articulating how you would intend to approach the areas listed, noting any relevant experience, and what professional development you would welcome in support. The closing date for applications is Friday 24th July 2026 and interviews will be held on Thursday 6th August 2026.

Between shortlisting and interviewing for the role, a consultation will take place in the department to obtain the views of staff. To this end, you will also be asked to prepare a tailored statement for sharing with staff outlining your vision and ambition for the department. Your statement should be submitted at the time of your application.

Reward and Recognition

In recognition of taking on the role, you will receive a non-superannuable salary supplement equivalent in value to one increment on your salary scale (professorial colleagues) or two increments (Senior Lecturer/Senior Teaching Fellow colleagues). Subject to successful performance this allowance may be consolidated into salary on a permanent basis. The role also attracts a Head of Department annual allowance which is non-superannuable.

For further details of the HoD reward or appointment processes, please contact Kay Bowen, Faculty Officer (k.bowen1@lancaster.ac.uk).

Sabbatical

HoDs are eligible, at the end of their period of office, to be considered for an additional term of sabbatical/AREL leave, to be taken in agreement with the Dean.

Term of Office

The position is for an initial term of four years, potentially renewable for one further term within the University’s HoD and Associate Dean appointment process. On completion of your term(s) of office as HoD you will revert automatically to your substantive position.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We are committed to promoting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion across the Department, and supporting family-friendly, flexible and agile working policies on an individual basis.

We warmly welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of their age, religion, gender identity or expression, race, disability or sexual orientation, and are committed to promoting diversity, and equality of opportunity.

Contact: Professor Claire Leitch, Dean – c.leitch@lancaster.ac.uk.

Please note: unless specified otherwise in the advert, all advertised roles are UK based.