As part of the process to reorganise our schools into seven large academic divisions, we will shortly start work on recruitment to the Director of Division and Divisional Director of Operations roles. More details on the recruitment process for these are outlined below.

Directors of Division

An internal advert for this will go live on Monday 5 August, with external leadership consultancy Wickland-Westcott supporting us with the assessment process. The key selection and assessment dates are outlined below:

• 5 August: Job advert live
• 26 August: Closing date for applications
• 27-29 August; 2-5 & 10 September: Initial telephone interviews with Wickland-Westcott
• 17 September: Shortlisting meeting
• 18-22 September: Shortlisted candidates to complete pyschometric tests
• 23-25 & 30 September; 2 October: Assessment centres (case study and interview) run by Wickland-Westcott
• Mid-end October: Final panel interviews and stakeholder presentations

If you wish to find out more about the assessment process and what will be involved, Wickland–Westcott will be on campus holding briefing sessions on the following days / times:

• 1 August, 13.30 – 14.30 – Darwin Boardroom
• 6 August 12.30 – 13.30 – Darwin Boardroom

For those unable to make these briefing sessions, a Q&A document will be made available on the Organising for Success webpages shortly afterwards.

A reminder of the new academic divisions can be found on the Organising for Success webpages.

Divisional Directors of Operations

Recruitment to these roles will also be for internal candidates only, with the assessment process managed by external consultancy Minerva. The advert is expected to go live on Monday 12 August, with more details to follow on the selection process.

Message from the Vice-Chancellor

Recent announcements stated that we would be seeking to make interim appointments to cover two DVC positions until the outcome of open recruitment processes.

We are looking at external and internal options for these roles in this period and I am now writing to invite colleagues who may have the relevant skills and experience to make formal expressions of interest in the following interim roles:

DVC Academic Strategy, Planning & Performance

This will be a new role with the post holder providing leadership on, and implementing structural frameworks for, a broad range of institutional planning and horizon scanning activities. This will help ensure that Kent is well-placed to respond to sectoral changes and provide an outstanding student-centred experience.

The DVC Academic Strategy, Planning and Performance will also develop frameworks to support the delivery of academic and research excellence in our new school groupings. The key accountable areas for this role will include strategy and planning, as well as academic leadership, working closely with the emerging school groups and their leadership teams, to ensure that Kent maintains a competitive offering to students.

A full job description is available here

DVC Education & Student Experience

The post holder will be responsible for the University’s continued excellence in student experience and will be accountable for developing and delivering further innovations in educational programmes.

The interim DVC Education and Student Experience will work across the University to implement new strategies and impact our education offer alongside student support.  The role holder will ensure that our educational programmes are relevant for the graduates of the future, and of an excellent standard; that student needs are met both curricular and co-curricular dimensions and that we are working towards our ambition of offering one of the best student experiences in the UK.

A full job description is available here

Both positions will be interim until appointments are made following open recruitment processes and offer an excellent opportunity to step up into a more senior role and take on a new challenge which will play a key part in shaping these roles for the future.

Should you wish to express interest in either or both of these interim appointments please provide an up-to-date CV, together with a covering letter setting out how you feel you would contribute in the role to s.power@kent.ac.uk.

Please note that the closing date is 12 noon on Friday 30 August 2019.  Interviews will be held on Tuesday 10 September (DVC Education and Student Experience) and Friday 13 September (DVC Academic Strategy, Planning and Performance).

If you would like to have an informal, confidential conversation about either post, then please feel free to email me or Ruth Johnson, so that a suitable date / time can be arranged.

The latest issue of the Leadership Bulletin, designed to give an overview of key developments at Kent, is now available.

This edition features a ‘Long Read’ from Senior Deputy Vice Chancellor and Provost David Nightingale, focusing on a step-change in our approach to marketing and recruitment activities and our preparations for Clearing.

The Bulletin is distributed fortnightly to all members of the Senior Leadership Forum to cascade to staff in schools and professional service departments. If you haven’t received your copy yet, you can read the bulletin online.

The School of European Culture and Languages has been successful in its application for a Bronze Award under the Athena SWAN Charter. The award will be presented at a ceremony at the University of York on 24 June 2019.

The Athena SWAN Charter was established in 2005 to encourage and recognise commitment to advancing the careers of women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM) employment in higher education and research. In May 2015 the charter was expanded to recognise work undertaken in arts, humanities, social sciences, business and law (AHSSBL), and in professional and support roles, and for trans staff and students. The charter now recognises work undertaken to address gender equality more broadly, and not just barriers to progression that affect women.

Bronze awards recognise that the School has a solid foundation for eliminating gender bias and developing an inclusive culture that values all staff. This includes initiatives such as working to promote the number of female students on courses, ensuring an even balance of male and female teaching and academic staff, and putting equality policies in place for all staff.

Dr Lubomira Radoilska, Senior Lecturer in Philosophy, Deputy Head of School and Athena Swan lead, said: “The Athena SWAN Bronze Award is an important milestone toward the advancement of gender equality within SECL. The four year Action Plan that this Award supports will guide our continued efforts developing a working and learning culture where everyone feels welcome and respected.”

Congratulations to University of Kent Sports Development Officer for Medway, Jemma Whyman, who smashed the Brighton marathon on 14 April 2019 in just 3 hours and 14 minutes. We asked about herself and the experience.

How would you describe your job?

I put on sports and activities for student and staff, to help encourage them to be more active. For details of the May and June Medway activities see the timetable here: https://www.gkunions.co.uk/pageassets/activities/clubs/Team-Medway-Social-May-June_.pdf

Why did you do the marathon?

It helps with my mental health.I like to challenge myself and have a target to aim for. I have never been able to get a place in the London marathon, so I wanted to try and get championship entry by running a good time at Brighton marathon.

What training did it involve?

I have spent about six months training and I have a running coach who writes me a plan each week. Her name is Liz Weeks and she really has helped me to achieve my goals. I was training 5-6 days a week which included running and circuits. I had to increase the volume of food I eat and eat more carbohydrates. Especially before the long runs I would carbohydrate load and take on energy gels. I also stopped drinking alcohol. My endurance and speed increased throughout my training. I did several races in preparation where I placed 2nd and 3rd lady in a couple, which really gave me a confidence boost.

How did you do at the event?

The event went very well. My time was 3 hours 14 minutes which means I will get automatic championship entry into London marathon next year. I came 13th in my age category and 21st lady overall.