Procedure for the appointment of Deans

Advertising the post

A Vice-Principal (as determined by the Principal) will be responsible for instigating the recruitment process. (S)he will:

• prepare a job description and person specification in discussion with the Principal and the Director of HR;
• ensure that the vacant post is advertised appropriately, with the intention of attracting a strong field of internal and external candidates; and
• encourage suitably experienced internal staff to submit an application.

Shortlisting

A shortlisting panel will be convened by the Principal and will include the relevant Vice-Principal, the Secretary of Court, a Senate Assessor, the Director of HR and two senior members of Faculty staff who are not candidates for the post of Dean. For posts in the Medical Faculty the panel will also include a representative from the NHS. The shortlisting panel will:

• decide which candidates should be taken forward to the final stage of selection; and
• determine the nature of that final stage, which will include a presentation to members of the Faculty.

Interview

The Principal will chair an interview panel, which will comprise the shortlisting panel plus one lay member of Court and one Dean. The Panel will decide:

• who should be offered the post;
• the appropriate remuneration package;
• the term of office, which is likely to be four or five years, with the possibility of a further period of engagement thereafter, subject to Court approval; and
• the arrangements, if appropriate, for a continuing appointment in an academic position following the period of office as Dean.