PVC, Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences University of Essex

United Kingdom

3 Jun

Whilst we value being ranked 12th in the UK (The Guardian University Guide 2026), having five subjects in the UK top 10 for research power (Times Higher Education 2022), and in the world’s top 20 for international outlook according to the THE World University Rankings, we know that what we do next is even more important than what we have achieved in the past.

Dear Candidate
Thank you for your interest in the role of Pro-Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Essex.
This is an appointment of exceptional importance for our University. It comes at a pivotal moment for both higher education and Essex as we continue to strengthen our academic portfolio, build on our research excellence and position ourselves for long-term success in a rapidly changing environment.
Like universities across the UK and internationally, we are navigating significant challenges, including financial pressures, changing student expectations, technological transformation and increasing global competition. Addressing these challenges requires thoughtful and confident leadership.
Essex has never been an institution that simply responds to change. Since our foundation, we have been recognised for questioning convention, embracing new ideas and bringing together people committed to making a difference through education, research and public engagement. Our values of intellectual independence, social purpose and international outlook continue to define us today.
We are proud of our academic community. Our researchers address some of society’s most pressing challenges, our students come from around the world to study in a diverse and inclusive environment, and our colleagues demonstrate remarkable dedication, resilience and creativity.
This role reflects one of the most significant developments in our academic leadership structure for many years. We have taken the strategic decision to create a new Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, bringing together two successful faculties within a single academic community. This is not simply an organisational change; it is an opportunity to create a faculty with a distinctive identity, ambitious vision and enhanced capacity for interdisciplinary collaboration.
The breadth of the new faculty encompasses internationally recognised strengths across the arts, humanities and social sciences. Leading such a community will require someone who values disciplinary excellence while fostering a shared sense of purpose and ambition.
As Pro-Vice-Chancellor, you will be a member of the University’s Executive Committee, helping to shape institutional strategy while providing visible and collegiate leadership across one of our largest and most diverse academic communities. We are seeking an academic leader with intellectual credibility, strategic judgement and the ability to build confidence across a wide range of disciplines.
Leadership in today’s universities requires ambition, resilience and sound judgement. It demands the ability to balance innovation with academic rigour, navigate complexity with confidence, and bring people together around shared goals.
This is a rare opportunity to establish the direction of a newly created faculty, strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, support colleagues and students to thrive, and help shape the future of one of the UK’s leading research-intensive universities.
If you share our belief in the transformative power of higher education and are excited by the opportunity to help shape the next chapter of Essex’s story, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Thank you once again for your interest in joining our community. We look forward to learning more about you.
Professor Frances Bowen
Vice-Chancellor
Professor Chris Greer
Deputy Vice-Chancellor
We like making history
And we’ve been challenging convention from the start
‘A new kind of university… where students could live and learn… and research really mattered’ – this was the founding vision of Essex’s first Vice-Chancellor, Sir Albert Sloman. His commitment to research and education remains at the heart of our mission.
Essex Spirit
In 1964, 122 students arrived at our University for the very first academic year, attracted by its bold vision. Over the next six decades over 120,000 students from more than 140 countries have graduated and, inspired by the inquisitive and ambitious Essex Spirit, they have gone on to make a real difference in the world.
We have a proud tradition of encouraging students to challenge convention and think differently, such as our graduate, Nobel Prize winner and economist Professor Sir Chris Pissarides.
Today, the University has some 12,000 students at our three campuses in Colchester, Southend and Loughton, with a further 5,000 students studying at our strategic partners, and an academic staff base in excess of 2,900. In our University Strategy we have set out our ambition to be acknowledged nationally and internationally as a leading research-intensive university.
Research pioneers
Our academics have produced work which has
inspired entire generations and helped establish Essex’s reputation for research in the UK. This ranges from the work of Professor Jean Franco, Essex’s first female professor who spearheaded the study of Latin American literature, the pioneering work on poverty and inequality by Professor Peter Townsend, the development of the world’s first publicly available computer language by Professor Tony Brooker, the work of Professor Richard Lipsey which revolutionised the study of economics, and the work of philosopher Professor Onora O’Neill on ethics, international justice and bioethics.
We continue to push the boundaries – from promoting human rights around the world, to improving lives with authoritative social and economic research, to pioneering the use of big data in developing countries.
Click here to read the Job Pack
All applications must include:
- A full curriculum vitae/resume
- Quoting the relevant role reference number: A042102
- A covering letter highlighting the aspects of the job description and the University of Essex that particularly attract you to the post (Microsoft Word document)
- Contact details for three referees, these will not be contacted without your permission. (References should validate a minimum period of six years employment)
- A completed Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form (which you will be redirected to once you have submitted your application) *
Monitoring
One of Alumni Global’s and the the University of Essex’s objectives is to ensure that its workforce is reflective of the local community and therefore we actively encourage applications from under-represented groups. So that we can successfully achieve these aims, while it is not mandatory we would encourage every applicant to complete the “Equal Opportunities Monitoring form” so that we can measure the effectiveness of our efforts. The Recruiting Manager does not have access to the Monitoring Information Sections of the application form at any stage of the process and the information provided will be kept entirely confidential.
For a confidential discussion on this role please contact:
Owen Francis, Director on +44 73 8702 2263
Candidate adjustment
If you require any reasonable adjustments to be made as part of the recruitment process please can you advise us so that we can ensure this is accommodated.
Closing date: 21st August 2026 - TBC
Final Interviews: w/c 21st September 2026 - TBC
Please ensure you have made a note of the final interview date(s). We recommend that you bookmark this microsite, as any potential updates regarding the role will be posted online.