Role Specification

Key responsibilities

• Provide executive, academic, and representational leadership to TU Dublin.
• Build a culture of respect, trust, collaboration, understanding, shared accountability and purpose across TU Dublin.
• Lead the University to a position of financial sustainability, ensuring it can continue fulfilling its vital mission of delivering differentiated, practice-based education, research and innovation for learners, enterprises and society at large.
• Diversify funding streams for TU Dublin to include competitive research funds, philanthropic commitment and commercialisation.
• Encourage strong collaboration with industry in the commercialisation of University research and further develop relationships with industry to provide students with real world practice-based learning opportunities.
• Lead a significant campaign of external stakeholder engagement to introduce TU Dublin to a wide range of audiences including industry and policymakers; alumni and prospective students; state bodies and not-for-profit NGOs; academia in Ireland and globally as well as the wider Irish public.
• Sustain, enhance and recognise excellence in teaching and learning within TU Dublin.
• Enhance institutional research through the systematic collection, analysis and use of data to inform decision-making and improve institutional effectiveness by evaluating various aspects of TU Dublin’s operations, performance and outcomes to support planning, policy development and strategic initiatives.
• Enhance student recruitment both nationally and internationally.
• Strengthen the competitiveness of the University’s part-time, professional and postgraduate course offerings to increase market share among these key student cohorts.
• Establish a strong research profile for the University by identifying existing strengths and areas for growth, and work to enhance research funding from domestic, European, and international sources.
• Promote gender balance and equality of opportunity among students and staff of the University.
• Develop the University’s international footprint, including North-South Ireland, UK and European relationships, and provide leadership in the University’s global outreach activities.
• Develop a culture of openness and transparency where information is freely shared, communication is clear and decision-making processes are open to scrutiny. Such a culture will promote integrity, build trust, and enhance engagement among all members of the organisation.
• Lead the development of the University’s next strategic development plan.
• Attend Governing Body meetings and, as required, Governing Body Committee meetings.
• Fulfil the responsibility, under legislation and otherwise, to attend at the Oireachtas, including Oireachtas Committees, to apprise the members of the work of the University.
• Prepare and implement an annual budget, working closely with the Chief Financial Officer and other key staff.
• Maintain a robust system of financial controls, audit and culture of value for money.

Person Specification

Prerequisite Requirements

• A distinguished academic record, including a Ph D qualification
• Experience of working at a senior leadership level in a complex organisation with extensive experience of successfully leading and delivering strategic change in a large organisation
• Comprehensive knowledge of the Higher Education landscape, with human resource management, financial management and operational experience at senior level in higher education, or allied sectors
• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the national, European and international environment for research and innovation and sources of public and private funding to develop the University’s research footprint
• Operating at and working with senior level leadership in Government, the Public Sector, in external organisation(s) or in industry
• A proven track record of developing strong, productive and sustainable relationships across a wide range of higher education-relevant stakeholders such as students, staff, governing bodies/equivalent & associated committees, funders/regulators, Government and state agencies, industry and social partners, other academic institutions and alumni
• Knowledge of the University’s regional, national and international remit, including its focus on international collaborations and student recruitment
• Comprehensive understanding of the legislative, financial and governance responsibilities of the role, including implementing a sound structure to measure, manage and report on financial and organisational performance in a timely manner
• Capability to lead the implementation of the University’s strategic and financial plans, including growing existing sources of revenue and generating new income streams

Additional Requirements

• A genuine understanding of and identification with the mission and vision of TU Dublin and the unique position it occupies in the Irish higher education landscape
• A proven capacity and orientation to work collegially and collaboratively with high levels of emotional intelligence
• Experience of leadership in advancing and championing equality, diversity and inclusion
• Effective communication, advocacy, negotiation and listening skills

Core Competencies

• Managing Relationships
• Strategic Thinking
• Delivery Focus
• Exemplifies Public Service Values
• Specialist Expertise & Self-Development

How to Apply