Heads of Department FAQs

1) What are the benefits of being a Head of Department?

Being a Head of Department provides a positive opportunity for an academic to contribute to the overall success of the University by directing the academic and business development of the department.
In a 2011 survey, Heads of Department identified that the key benefits of the role was the ability to shape the vision and strategy of the department and to make a positive difference through their actions or through influencing the actions of colleagues.

2) Is there an expectation that all Professors become a Head of Department?

The University looks to all Professors to provide academic leadership within their department and discipline area and to make a sustained contribution to shaping and influencing University and departmental academic strategy. Whilst undertaking the role of Head of Department is in keeping with these academic leadership expectations, it is recognised that this senior level of contribution can be made in a variety of different ways and it is therefore not an explicit expectation that all Professors should become Heads of Department.

3) What does the role entail?

The Head of Department has overall responsibility for leading and managing the department supported by relevant academic and support teams. Main areas of responsibility include:
• Planning and strategy development
• Academic leadership
• People management
• Financial/resource management
• Personal research and scholarship
• Communications and external relations
• Statutory compliance

A detailed overview of the role can be found here.

4) When will the role start?

Ordinarily, Heads of Department start their term in August / September, having had approximately 1 year of shadowing the outgoing head of department.

5) How long does a term as Head of Department last?

Ordinarily, the term of office is 4 years.

6) What specific support is there to enable me to undertake the Head of Department role?

The University does all it can to ensure that Heads of Department are provided with the necessary support to be able to balance and meet the variety of commitments and demands of their role. This support is wide ranging and includes, a comprehensive induction, the opportunity for a tailored development plan, specific support from professional and support service departments. Additionally, each Head will ordinarily have the support from departmental managers and administrators in respect of the running of operational activities and processes within their department.

7) Is there any additional reward or remuneration for being a Head of Department?

The University is mindful of the key leadership role undertaken by Heads of Department. Reward for Headship performance is dealt with separately from the reward for the regular academic role. Performance against agreed objectives is assessed at the end of the year by the Faculty Pro-Vice-Chancellor. Reward takes the form of a one-off non-superannuable annual bonus which is payable in January each year and reflects performance in the role during the previous 12 months.

Additionally, Heads of Department would ordinarily be eligible for two periods of study leave at the end of their term of office (see below).

8) What happens at the end of my term as Head of Department?

Recognising the commitment required by Heads of Department at the end of their 4 year period of office, Heads of Departments will be entitled to apply for up to two semesters of study leave, for approval by the Faculty Pro-Vice-Chancellor.
Ordinarily, the next Head of Department will be appointed at the start of the current Head of Department’s last year and there will be approximately a year to allow for shadowing and hand-over.

9) Other questions

If you have any other questions about the Head of Department role then please do not hesitate to send them directly to hr-enq@sheffield.ac.uk.