Head of School Law, Politics and Sociology(UK Sponsorship)

Job Description

Overview of the Role

The University of Sussex is seeking to appoint a Head of School to lead the School of Law, Politics and Sociology through its next phase of development.

This is a senior academic leadership position with responsibility for guiding the School’s strategic direction, academic performance, and overall culture. The School brings together three dynamic disciplines—Law, Politics, and Sociology/Criminology—and plays a central role in delivering the University’s broader academic mission.

Reporting to the Executive Dean and serving on the Faculty Executive Team, you will work closely with colleagues across academic and professional services functions to ensure alignment with institutional priorities.

Leadership Responsibilities

As Head of School, you will:

• Provide strategic and academic leadership across all disciplines within the School
  Shape the School’s long-term vision in line with Faculty and University strategy
  Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing academic environment
  Oversee teaching quality, research performance, and student experience
  Manage staffing, resources, and operational planning effectively
  Strengthen partnerships with external organisations and stakeholders

This role offers a meaningful opportunity to influence the future direction of a large and diverse academic School.

About You

We are looking for an experienced academic leader, typically at Professorial level, who combines academic credibility with strong leadership capability.

You will bring:

• A distinguished record in research, education, or scholarship
  Proven experience in leading teams or academic units
  The ability to motivate, inspire, and support colleagues
  Strong organisational and decision-making skills
  A collaborative and inclusive leadership style
  Awareness of the evolving UK higher education landscape

An ability to respond strategically to sector challenges and opportunities will be key to success in this role.

About the School

The School of Law, Politics and Sociology is a vibrant and interdisciplinary academic community with a strong national and international reputation.

Law

• The Sussex Law School is recognised for its innovative teaching and impactful research across areas such as human rights, environmental law, and technology. It supports a large and diverse student population and has achieved strong outcomes in national assessments.

Politics

• The Politics department is highly regarded for its research excellence and teaching quality, with strengths in governance, political behaviour, and global political challenges. It hosts specialist research centres and a successful postgraduate portfolio.

Sociology and Criminology

• This department is known for its diverse research culture and strengths in areas such as social theory, inequality, and migration. It maintains a strong commitment to research-led teaching and student engagement.

Together, the School provides a rich, interdisciplinary environment that supports both academic innovation and student success.

Why Take on This Role?

• Lead a well-established, high-performing academic School
  Shape strategy during a period of change and opportunity
  Work within a collaborative and research-driven university
  Contribute to meaningful impact across teaching, research, and society

The campus is set near the South Downs, offering a supportive and inspiring environment for both professional and personal development.

Eligibility & Working Requirements

This role is open to internal candidates and requires all work to be undertaken within the UK.

For general guidance on working in senior roles within UK higher education and employment regulations, you may find the following official resources useful:

• Working in the UK
  Right to work requirements
  Employment rights overview
• Equality and workplace rights
  Public sector leadership and governance

Additional Information

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Rosie Cox.

The University is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds.