Associate Deans at Lancaster University

Charles Carter Building on Lancaster Campus

What is the role of an Associate Dean?

Being an Associate Dean (AD) is an excellent opportunity to play a leadership role at Lancaster University. AD's typically support and develop the faculty, whilst also having an opportunity to grow their skills through a number of development opportunities.

In an Associate Dean role, the key areas are:

  • Academic Leadership
  • Development and Implementation of operational plans
  • Encouraging and Developing excellence

Associate Deans (AD) are responsible for developing the Faculty’s strategy and policy in the area of your portfolio, in line with the Faculty and University strategy. The AD will lead on its implementation across the Faculty and monitor its effectiveness. The AD role usually operates in a matrix structure and focuses on the development priorities of the faculty. Line managed by the Dean, the roles also receive direction from the portfolio of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor.

The AD will be part of the Faculty’s senior management team and will be invited to be part of the Senate (the academic authority of the university) and the University Leadership Group. They may also be invited to join your Dean’s Steering Groups and Policy and Resources Committees (PRC) amongst others relevant to the role. Read the Associate Dean (AD) Job Descriptions below, to learn more about what they do. Please note the below list is not exhaustive of the different AD roles, also the AD roles within each Faculty vary.

The term of the position varies with each appointment, please refer to the job description for details. At the end of the term, the role holder ceases their AD responsibilities, returning to their substantive role. During the final 6 months in the role, there will ideally be a handover with the new role holder.

The AD role often helps prepare individuals for other leadership roles, for example Dean of faculty or Pro-Vice-Chancellor. To find out more about the benefits of taking up an Associate Dean role, please see the Reward and Benefits Page.

I am interested in an Associate Dean role, what should I do?

If you are interested in taking up the role, then in the first instance please talk to your PDR Reviewer as part of your PDR conversation. You could also discuss this with a current Associate Dean or your HR Partner.

To help you progress on your journey into Academic Leadership Roles, the Organisational Development team can advise on what development is available to you. There are several leader and manager programmes.

Am I eligible to apply?

You are eligible for these roles if you are an academic colleague within the Faculty. You must also hold a substantive post that exceeds the duration of the term of the appointment. Applicants will normally be at professorial level, however appointments will be made depending on the context, objectives and circumstances of the faculty at the time and on the skills and experience of particular candidates.