The University of Leeds is seeking an exceptional leader to fulfil the critical role of Head of the School of Earth and Environment. Located within the Faculty of Environment, the School of Earth and Environment is a vibrant, diverse academic community, consisting of over 285 academic and research staff, alongside a committed community of professional services staff and a diverse student body. The School is one of four Schools in the Faculty of Environment, which aims to tackle pressing global environmental problems.  

The School enjoys an outstanding global reputation, known for its cross-disciplinary research which addresses some of the most pressing and complex challenges facing humanity. Our subject areas regularly feature in the QS Global top 20 for their subject areas, with the 2024 exercise placing Earth and Marine Sciences 17th, Geology 16th, Geophysics18th and Environmental Sciences 46th in the world. Our research is carried out across five institutes spanning earth, physical, social and environmental sciences.

This is a key leadership role, and we are seeking an outstanding individual. Forming part of the senior executive of the Faculty of Environment, and the wider University Leadership forum, you will have the vision and ambition to maximise strategic opportunities arising from the changing landscape of Higher Education and the University’s strategic plan, while maintaining and growing excellence in our core activities of research and education.

We are seeking a leader with a sustained track record of excellence in research and/or student education in a relevant discipline, combined with excellent skills in team working and collaboration, capable of engendering the confidence of our academic community and leading the School through the next phase of its development.

At the University of Leeds you will be joining a world-class academic community of staff and students, drawn from across the world. Proudly part of the Russell Group, the University of Leeds was ranked 82nd in the 2024 QS Ranking, and is home to 40,000 students and 9,000 members of staff from nearly 140 countries. The University’s Strategy - ‘Universal Values, Global Change’ - sets an ambitious, transformative blueprint for a values-driven university, rooted in our desire to make a difference in the world – one that harnesses expertise in research and education to help shape a better future for humanity, working through collaboration to tackle inequalities, benefit society and drive change.  

For an initial and confidential conversation about the role, please contact Lucy Roper, Senior Research Associate, at Lucy.Roper@perrettlaver.com.

The closing date for applications is 11.59pm GMT on Sunday 15th December 2024.

Perrett Laver believes that excellence will be achieved through recognising the value of every individual. A broad range of perspectives, backgrounds and opinions amongst our global community of colleagues is crucial in maintaining our culture of openness, intellectual curiosity, and creativity. We take an active role in supporting under-represented communities and groups in becoming better and more fairly represented in the leadership of all organisations. We also know that diverse and inclusive teams have a positive impact on our ability to identify, engage and secure candidates from these groups. 

Our commitment to inclusion across race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, identity, and experience drives us every day – for clients, for candidate identification and in the recruitment, development and retention of colleagues.  

To ensure inclusion on the basis of age, disability, ethnic or national origin, family circumstance, gender, gender identity, marital status, nationality, political or religious beliefs, race, socioeconomic background, sexual orientation, we would like to specifically invite applications from under-represented groups. 

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