Department Manager HASS Cornwall

University of Exeter; Penryn; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 49,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working opportunities

Generous annual leave

Competitive pension contributions

Health and wellbeing support

Sustainability initiatives

Job summary

University of Exeter is seeking a capable Department Manager for the Cornwall campus. This 0.8 FTE, two-year fixed-term role reports to the Law School Manager and Head of Department, and leads the departmental admin team to support teaching, research and public engagement. The role requires strong leadership, strategic planning and effective stakeholder communication.

Hybrid working is offered with campus presence every week at Penryn, and the post is based in Cornwall.

Qualifications

• Experience in higher education administration.
• Proven leadership and management skills.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities

• Lead the departmental administrative support team.
• Coordinate Faculty, Campus and University Professional Services support.
• Build strong relationships with academic and professional services colleagues.
• Identify and resolve operational challenges and develop practical solutions.
• Contribute to longer-term planning and delivery of departmental strategies.

Job description

About the Role

Department Manager

INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY

The Department of Humanities and Social Sciences Cornwall is looking for a capable and collaborative Department Manager to join the leadership team.

This part-time post is available from January 2027. This role is offered at 0.8 FTE and as a two-year fixed-term appointment. Salary will be £44352 per annum pro rata on Grade F subject to knowledge, skills and experience. Applications for secondments will be considered subject to agreement from your current line manager.

This role offers the opportunity for hybrid working – some time on campus and some from home. The post is based in Cornwall and requires a visible campus presence, with an expectation of campus-based working every week

Bringing together a diverse range of disciplines, including Environmental Humanities, History, Law and Politics the department is home to a vibrant academic community with a strong commitment to research, teaching and public engagement.

Jointly reporting to the Law School Manager and the Head of Department, the successful candidate will be the Professional Services lead for the department. They will play a pivotal role in supporting its strategic and operational objectives.

The postholder will lead the departmental administrative support team, coordinate Faculty, Campus and University Professional Services support, and build strong and effective relationships with academic and professional services colleagues.

A key part of the role will be identifying and resolving operational challenges and developing practical solutions that support the department’s teaching, research and civic ambitions.

The Department Manager will also contribute to longer-term planning, helping to shape and deliver strategies and actions that support the department’s future development and success.

In addition, the postholder will act as a key Professional Services lead on the Penryn Campus, working in partnership with the Assistant Director Cornwall Operations and other colleagues in Cornwall to coordinate and deliver campus-wide initiatives, projects and institutional priorities.

The Department Manager is a key member of the department, working very closely with the Head of Department and as a member of the Department Leadership Team (DLT), their role will be to help develop strategic and operational plans while ensuring the day-to-day delivery of operations as the professional services lead for the department. They will work closely with other Faculty Department Managers and become part of a University-wide Department Manager network. This is the ideal role to learn more about and become part of a department's research, education and business engagement activities and is an ideal first step to more senior roles across HE.

The successful candidate will have proven problem-solving ability and leadership skills and be able to communicate effectively with a wide range of audiences including senior stakeholders. They will also need to have strong people and administrative skills. Those with non-HE transferrable skills are welcome to apply.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role. Further information

Please contact Tom Stevenson, [e-mail]

About the Division

Education and Academic Services

In collaboration with the academic Faculties, the Education and Academic Services (EAS) Directorate provides all of the key administration and education support and enhancing activities that underpin the student experience from Welcome Week to Graduation. Service divisions within EAS include Education and Student Support, Learning Experience and Innovation, Faculty and Cornwall Operations, Sport and Wellbeing.

About Us

We are committed to understanding different cultures and perspectives, supporting diverse leadership, and striving for social justice. We encourage applications from all groups underrepresented in our community, including racially minoritised individuals and those with disabilities. Our inclusive, merit based recruitment processes seek to embrace a diverse set of experiences to ensure colleagues feel supported equitably. With over 30,000 students and 7,000 staff from 150 countries, we foster a culture where everyone can thrive.

You can read more about our current accreditations and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here, including our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant.

Why our colleagues love working here

• Flexible working opportunities and leading parental leave initiatives
• Generous annual leave (39 - 41 days including bank holidays)
• Competitive pension contributions
• A genuine dedication to supporting the health and wellbeing of all colleagues - see initiatives here
• Sustainability and the environment being at the heart of what we do

How We Can Help

If you're considering applying and need support to do so, please get in touch with us at [e-mail]. You can request reasonable adjustments within your application or by contacting us. You can also choose to be considered under our Disability Confident Scheme and find out here how this is managed during our recruitment and onboarding process.