Senior staff changes
Tuesday, 16 July 2013
Colleagues, I have been reviewing our senior management structure over the last few months in the light of a number of planned changes, which I outline below, and the need to ensure that our decision-making processes are fit for purpose.
The Council, having consulted with the Senate, has now approved a number of changes. These include the creation of a University Executive Board to supersede the Vice-Chancellor's Executive Group (VCEG)/Senior Management Board (SMB), changes in the senior management structure and a number of changes to post holders:
University Executive Board
The University needs to be able to act with pace and urgency in these demanding and changing times. From 1 August 2013, the decision-making powers that currently reside with SMB will transfer to VCEG, which will in future be known as the University Executive Board (UEB).
UEB, which will continue to meet weekly, will be the vehicle through which management decisions are relayed and policy recommendations forwarded to the Strategy and Finance Committee and the Senate for onward transmission, as appropriate, to the Council.
Membership of UEB will accord with that of VCEG, comprising the Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Pro-Vice-Chancellors (PVCs) and the three Heads of Service - Chief Operating Officer, Head of University Administration and University Secretary. With the dissolution of SMB, the Heads of Service will use their own line management and briefing arrangements to ensure senior managers in their areas continue to contribute to decision making.
With regard to the Deans of the Faculties and the Dean of Postgraduate Research Studies, they remain senior members of staff and will continue to contribute to, and influence, day-to-day decision making as well as the future strategic decision of the University. Members of UEB will be expected to consult with the Deans on all major issues that will require ultimate decision by UEB. Both the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and I will also hold formal meetings with Deans ahead of all UEB decision-making meetings to seek their views.
Changes to senior management responsibilities
With a number of staffing changes scheduled to happen in 2014, I have decided that this is an opportune moment to review the responsibilities of the University's most senior managers.
Professor Tony Downes' period of office as Deputy Vice-Chancellor comes to an end on 31 July 2014, at which point he will take up full-time responsibility for our Malaysia campus as Provost.
Professor Christine Williams will be stepping down from her role as PVC with particular responsibility for Research and Innovation at the same time, after six years in post. Professor Mithen's term as PVC with particular responsibility for International and External Engagement also comes to an end in July 2014.
The responsibilities of the posts of PVC with particular responsibility for Research and Innovation and PVC with particular responsibility for Teaching and Learning will remain unchanged. The post of PVC with particular responsibility for International and External Engagement will focus solely on international responsibilities and will be designated as PVC with particular responsibility for Global Engagement. Whilst the duties attached to this post will remain unchanged for the period 2014-16, they will then be reviewed to ensure that they continue to meet the University's requirements. The external engagement element will be the responsibility of all senior managers. In addition, the Director of Marketing and Communication will have an oversight responsibility in this area to ensure that all key relationships with external parties are properly managed.
The role of Deputy Vice-Chancellor, from August 2014, will see considerable change. A fourth PVC role is being created and the designation of Deputy Vice-Chancellor will be accorded to one of the four PVCs on a two-yearly rotation (with a likely maximum of two rotations per individual), alongside their PVC responsibilities.
The new fourth PVC post is designated as having particular responsibility for Academic Planning and Resources. It encompasses responsibility for deployment of the University's academic resources, including leading the annual academic planning round, and the post holder will co-chair, along with the Director of Planning (see below), the development programme required to implement the University Strategy.
With regard to other changes in structures, the Information Technology Services (ITS) function will transfer from the Head of University Administration's management to the Chief Operating Officer's Group, where there is a more logical fit with other services. The Head of University Administration will also take up the Director of Planning responsibilities (although will continue to be titled as the Head of University Administration) and will work closely with the new PVC with particular responsibility for Academic Planning and Resources and the Director of Finance.
Changes to post holders
The Council, having consulted with the Senate, has also approved a number of other changes:
Professor Steve Mithen will take over the role of PVC with particular responsibility for Research and Innovation from 1 August 2014. In addition and in conjunction with his PVC role, Professor Mithen will become Deputy Vice-Chancellor for the period 1 August 2014 to 31 July 2016.
The posts of PVC with particular responsibility for Global Engagement and PVC with particular responsibility for Academic Planning and Resources will be advertised internally and externally in the autumn. Selection processes are due to be concluded by December 2013, with successful candidates taking up their roles in the summer of 2014.
SIR DAVID BELL
VICE-CHANCELLOR