Provost

PROVOST

JOB DESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION

JOB DESCRIPTION

Title: Provost

Reports to: The President

Expected Direct Reports:

• Deputy Provost
• Registrar 
• HODs
• Director of Professional Development

Purpose

The Provost has primary responsibility for delivering the Business School’s learning and teaching strategy, research strategy, and for academic performance and reporting. The Provost is at the highest level of the Business School, reporting directly to the President and is also an ex-officio member of the Board of Directors. 

The Provost is expected to play a central role in Business School leadership and the delivery of the Business School’s vision, mission and values. He/she is expected to grow our students’ population. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serves as an Executive Officer and a Board Member of the Business School.
• Serves as a member of the Business School Standing Committee and participates fully in the strategic and operational management of the Business School and the delivery of its vision, mission and values.

• Represents the Business School externally and deputises for the President when required.
• Chairs the Academic Board of the Business School and ensures its effectiveness and that of its sub-committees.
• Takes a key role in developing and delivering the Business School’s strategy, with primary responsibility for Learning and Teaching and for Research.
• Guides the academic direction and development of the Business School, ensuring the quality and effectiveness of the academic programmes and instruction.
• In collaboration with colleagues, coordinates academic and academic-related aspects of the Business School’s relationship with key regulators, including the Office for Students. 
• Works with the Curriculum Manager, HODs and Directors of CERD and CMLD to develop and implement effective pedagogy for all the Business School’s academic programmes.  

• Works with the Head of Students Affairs to ensure integration of co-curricular and extracurricular activities with the academic programmes.
• Works with the Business School Board members to identify growth potential in educational and other programmes.
• Works with the Registrar and Deputy Provost for Academic Operations to oversee the development, review, and implementation of all academic policies and procedures, including ultimate responsibility for setting admissions standards.

• Works with the Registrar and Deputy Provost for Academic Operations to ensure the monitoring and delivery of retention, continuation and completion targets.

• Supervises the development of a comprehensive assessment plan for the Business School, in accordance with the requirements of all further and higher education regulators. 
• Supports the development of institutional strategy and planning.
• Supports the institutional accreditation and compliance (UNIUYO, NUC and the UK awarding bodies).
• Ensures effective use and management of the relevant budget and resources 
• The scope of the Provost’s responsibilities is subject to change at the discretion of the President and the Board of Directors.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Qualifications & Experience

• A PhD or equivalent.
• A proven record of publications (books and journals). 
• Knowledge and experience of the UK and Nigeria standards and teaching methods is essential.  

• Experience of both UK and Nigeria higher education systems is desirable.
• Proven track record of executive and strategic level of academic leadership, with the ability to articulate a clear vision and motivate colleagues at all levels.

• A leadership style that demonstrates warmth, integrity, transparency, collegiality and Confidence.

• Experience of successfully leading and managing the inter-relationships between different teams to achieve overall corporate objectives.

• Experience of leading and managing major change programmes.
• Financial acumen and experience of managing and developing budgets and associated financial planning skills.
• Experience of working with Non-Executive Directors/ Board Members
• Experience in engaging and influencing regulatory bodies, stakeholders, and professional advisers. 
• The values of the Business School are strongly international, so experience of living or working outside the UK and/or experience of working in diverse contexts will be an advantage. 

Able to demonstrate:

• Strategic thinking with a willingness to engage with detailed academic regulations where needed.
• A commercial mindset and ability to constructively challenge the status quo.
• Empathy to the mission, vision and values of the Business School, whilst recognising the range of stakeholders to whom the Business School is accountable.
• Credibility and authority to work effectively and liaise internally with faculty and senior staff and externally with the Board and other stakeholders.

• Strong communication skills including effective report writing and presentation skills; and 

• Diplomacy and political astuteness and the ability to navigate complex organisational structures and operate effectively within both the formal and informal networks of the Business School, both internally and externally.