HEAD OF

ACCOUNTING
AND FINANCIAL
MANAGEMENT

CANDIDATE APPLICATION PACK

A MESSAGE FROM THE

VICE-CHANCELLOR

Thank you for your interest in the role of Head of Accounting and
Financial Management at the University of Portsmouth.
vision that maps out our ambitions as a leading UK university. Naturally,

achieve great things. As Vice-Chancellor, I continue to be impressed

by the potential of this University, and the ambition and commitment
education and excellent research and innovation.

Professor Graham Galbraith

Vice-Chancellor

city and the region.

Our bustling and diverse city has a strong maritime tradition, brought
up to date by Ben Ainslie Racings choice of Portsmouth as the base
for their Americas Cup bid. As a place to live, Portsmouth offers a
stimulating environment thats perfect for career and lifestyle.

Professor Graham Galbraith

Vice-Chancellor

In the top 2% of
universities and top
150 under 50 years old
in the world
(Times Higher Education)

THE UNIVERSITY OF
PORTSMOUTH

In the top 2% of
universities and top 150
under 50 in the world

89% student
satisfaction

(National Student Survey 2016)

(Times Higher Education)

25,000 students,

110 education

300 million

2,500 +

including nearly 3,000

international students
from over 120 countries

partnerships in 25
countries

University staff

annual economic
benefit to the local
community

OUR MISSION, VISION AND VALUES

challenges in an ever more competitive

common vision of our future priorities.
and values to give us clarity of purpose over the next 15 years.

Our mission:

We are:
Ambitious

Responsible

We pursue bold ideas in

creativity, innovation and
success is encouraged
and celebrated.

We nurture and value

relationships and
partnerships that foster
a global outlook.
We inspire and support
staff and students to
achieve their potential
and meet the challenges
of society.

Open

the greater good.

We insist on upholding
the highest academic
and professional
standards.
We respect and
celebrate diversity
and equal opportunity
through an inclusive
culture.
We aim for sustainability
across all our activities.

and collaboratively
perspectives.

We share ideas and

maintain transparency.

do.

We listen and respond

to the needs of our
students and staff.

We never settle for

second best.

You can read more detail on our plans for shaping the Universitys future at
www.port.ac.uk/vision.

PORTSMOUTH BUSINESS SCHOOL

Portsmouth Business School has a track record of sustained excellence in teaching and
research as evidenced by the consistently high student satisfaction scores in the National
Student Survey, the excellent employability record of our graduates, and the results of the
provide leadership in the development and dissemination of sustainable business and
management practice.
The School has a vibrant environment and is ambitious. It has seen a rise in student

International
FT
UG

PT

FT

PT

199

Postgraduate
taught

153

350

322

32

2834

549

1171

80

School provides executive education and collaborative programmes. The

breadth of provision and expertise are key strengths of the School as is the
learning studio and a business simulation suite.
FTE support staff and has an annual income of around 41m. It comprises
that supports effective and accountable management and deployment of
resources, including a cross-disciplinary collaborative approach to the
design and delivery of degree programmes.
A comprehensive portfolio of business and management programmes is
delivered from the Foundation Degree in Business and Management to
of specialist undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, for example in
marketing, innovation and entrepreneurship, and project and quality
management.

RESEARCH

Portsmouth Business School played an important role in the Universitys

the University of Portsmouth to REF2014.

of our impact submission as outstanding (4*) and 42 per cent as having an

terms beyond academia. This placed us in the top 10 per cent for impact
Strathclyde and Reading) among the 39 largest Business and Management
internationally excellent in terms of strategy, staff, the provision of support
to research students, and the development of national and international
collaborations.

Policy, and Area Studies Units of Assessment.

audit processes
number of major UK companies

ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

context. Previous professional experience of members of staff include roles such

managers, senior business analysts and business valuation experts.

Delivering for our students

We deliver modules to undergraduate and postgraduate students on specialised
Portsmouth Business School. The groups extensive experience and close
Institute for Securities and Investment ensures that course delivery and

further study.
Over 1,000 students are currently studying undergraduate and postgraduate

management.
one of the professional accounting bodies such as the Institute of Chartered
Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), Chartered Institute of Management
Our postgraduate programmes provide further development for professional
increasing global demand for specialists.

Our research

research tends to have a practically relevant bias, and this has helped to attract funding
from leading UK professional accountancy bodies.
For example, Professor Lisa Jack successfully applied for funding to the Chartered
Institute of Management Accountants to investigate risk and inter-organisational

Education Innovation Funding (HEIF) Investment Panel to develop a suite of courses

for industry around that theme. Lisas other research interests include management
information for decision-making, accounting communication and the history of fair value
accounting.

committee chairs in UK-listed companies. The publications from this project have
Professor Lisa Jack

submitted to the REF2014.

aims to identify the effects of seventeenth and eighteenth century naval accounting on the

research-active colleagues.

We make a positive
impact on the lives of
many across the world

THE ROLE OF HEAD OF ACCOUNTING AND

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
The current Head of Accounting and Financial Management has recently been appointed
appoint an equally outstanding individual to lead this Subject Group.

a group of around 40 academic staff to deliver excellence in teaching, research and

innovation. The Accounting and Financial Management Group includes an excellent range

The candidates discipline must be relevant to the teaching and research activities
undertaken in the Subject Group. The overriding objective is to appoint the best candidate
are already Professors or meet the University of Portsmouths criteria for a Chair.
in a period of rapid change for the School, University and the higher education sector

the University. Responsible to and line-managed by the Dean, the Head of Subject Group
has formal responsibility for leading and managing the academic business of the Group in
role in: the formulation of academic strategy, policy and planning at the Group and School
are in place for their delivery.

strategic opportunities.
The post is offered on an open-ended (permanent) basis. The intention is that the role
of extension for further terms. If further extensions are not mutually agreed, the role

The post
Main purpose of the role
The key responsibilities of Head are in the areas of academic leadership, strategy and
policy development, resource management and the quality of the student experience. It
Subject Group and Faculty circumstances.

Key responsibilities:
Strategic
To be a member of the School Executive Management team, contributing to the
objectives.
To contribute to the planning and implementation of the Schools strategies and
policies as part of the School Executive Management team.

programmes and units offered.

To promote collegiality and mutual recognition of the diverse contributions from

Taught Programmes and the Dean, to allocate academic staff duties and resources
experience.

To provide leadership in research, scholarship and curriculum innovation.

staff agreeing individual objectives and development needs that support institutional
aims and goals.

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Research
Research Strategy.
Directly contribute to the research and scholarship output of the Subject Group.
Quality and the student learning experience
Maintaining an oversight of the Subject Groups students satisfaction, and
achievement.

and pedagogic development of the Facultys academic programmes.

coordinate implementation of the Subject Groups activities and to update staff on

changes to regulations, policies, procedures and practices.
General

Communication of budgetary needs to the Dean and input into School budgets.

academic and research needs.

and the safety of others.

To support the Universitys commitment to equality, diversity, respect and dignity,
merits, abilities and potential, regardless of gender, racial or national origin, disability,
religion or belief, sexual orientation, age or family circumstances.

the requirements of the role.

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We use real-life
learning to enhance
knowledge and skills

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

ESSENTIAL

DESIRABLE

Understanding of the role of the

Subject Group in implementing the
Facultys Strategy.

Experience of chairing
committees and meetings.

Understanding of Universitys
processes for staff and student
recruitment, performance and

Understanding of University

planning.

Understanding of the national

context for higher education.
strategic and operational plans of
the Faculty and University.

Record of academic achievement,

continuing scholarly activity.

Experience of line management

and/or staff leadership.

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Skills and abilities

ESSENTIAL

DESIRABLE

Excellent management and

leadership skills and the ability to
delegate responsibilities effectively.

Ability to plan strategically for

the management of key divisional

Ability to facilitate a collegiate and

Ability to produce clear, concise

documentation and the ability
to communicate to a range of
beyond the Subject Group and
Faculty.

Ability to apply analytical and

problem solving skills to a range of
contexts.

Ability to represent the Subject

Group in a Faculty or University

interpersonal and presentation

skills.

ESSENTIAL

DESIRABLE

appropriate discipline.

appropriate discipline, or a
commensurate level of research
achievement.

Relevant professional

Other requirements
ESSENTIAL

DESIRABLE

Commitment to the development

of high quality teaching,
scholarship.

Commitment to supporting staff

in the Faculty and to providing
a high quality student learning
experience.

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TERMS AND CONDITIONS

demonstrate their suitability for the post.

and to ask successful candidates to submit documentary evidence of their

It is a condition of the appointment for the proper performance of the duties of

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

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A lively
and vibrant
waterfront city

THE UNIVERSITY AND THE CITY

looking and dynamic. Its changing fast and the University is playing its part in making
this transformation happen.
Quarter in the city centre. Students and staff love being connected to the bustle of
city life. Many of our staff live in Portsmouth and students often settle here after they
graduate, bringing their creativity and vitality to the area.
An island city with everything you need at hand

Other attractions include numerous shops, bars, restaurants and cafs. The key

food outlets.
A maritime history and future
Home to the Royal Navy, Portsmouths maritime heritage has shaped its past and is

Well connected

cities of Winchester and Chichester.

For more information about the city and surrounding areas, visit
www.visitportsmouth.co.uk.

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