Head of School - School of Foundation

About the University

The University of Southampton Malaysia (UoSM) is the only international branch campus of the University of Southampton (UoS), a founding member of the UK's prestigious Russell Group and consistently ranked among the world's top 100 universities.

UoSM offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and professional programmes in Business, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Electronics and Computer Science, equipping students with the skills and knowledge to succeed in a globalised workforce. Our state-of-the-art campus in Iskandar Puteri features specialised laboratories, business and analytics suites, creative learning spaces, and a 10,000 sq. ft library, all designed to foster academic excellence and an exceptional student experience.

We are now at a defining moment in UoSM's journey. Guided by our ambitious Growth Strategy, we are reimagining the University not merely as a branch campus, but as a beacon of British higher education excellence in Malaysia and the wider region. At the heart of this transformation is the Triple Helix model of Education, Research and Knowledge Exchanged & Enterprise which integrates high-quality teaching, world-class research, and active collaboration with industry, government, and communities to deliver tangible societal and economic impact. The role of Head of School is central to this vision building academic communities of practice, fostering innovation, and laying the foundations for lasting institutional impact in Malaysia and Southeast Asia.

Job Description

The Head of School provides strategic, academic, and operational leadership for the School of Foundation in alignment with UoSM's growth strategy and the University of Southampton's global mission. The post holder will lead the School's academic excellence, financial sustainability, and reputation through innovative teaching, scholarly development, industry engagement, and strong team leadership.

As a key member of the senior academic leadership team, the Head of School is expected to foster a culture of collegiality, innovation, and excellence, positioning the School as a premier foundation-level education provider in Malaysia and Southeast Asia.

Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement school-wide strategies aligned with UoSM's growth objectives and UoS priorities.
• Identify new programme and pathway opportunities based on market demand and emerging trends.
• Strengthen partnerships with industry, government, and educational institutions to enhance visibility and student progression opportunities.

2. Financial Sustainability

• Lead budget planning and resource allocation for sustainable delivery of academic programmes.
• Collaborate with Finance and Academic Provost to develop and execute sustainable financial models.
• Drive new revenue opportunities including executive education and pathway programmes.

3. Teaching, Learning & Quality Assurance

• Lead pedagogical innovation, including technology-enhanced learning and experiential learning.
• Uphold UK academic standards while ensuring compliance with Malaysian regulatory frameworks (MQA, MOHE).
• Oversee assessment integrity, programme reviews, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure a high-quality student experience, including progression and satisfaction outcomes.

4. Research & Scholarly Development

• Foster a scholarly culture that promotes pedagogical research in foundation education and higher education transition.

5. People Leadership

• Provide inspirational leadership to academic teams.
• Manage performance, workload allocation, and staff development.
• Promote a culture of equity, diversity, inclusion, wellbeing, and collegiality.

Requirements

We are seeking a dynamic academic leader with:

• A PhD or equivalent professional qualification in a relevant discipline
• Extensive experience teaching at the foundation or undergraduate level, with a proven track record of curriculum development and pedagogical innovation.
• Demonstrated academic leadership experience, including managing teams, staff development, and performance oversight.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and stakeholder-engagement skills.
• Knowledge of the Malaysian higher education regulatory framework and international education context.
• Proven ability to build collaborations with industry partners, government agencies, and professional bodies.
• Experience with pedagogical innovation, scholarly outputs, or involvement in professional bodies will be an added advantage.

Application Submission

If you are enthusiastic about shaping the future of foundation education at a globally recognised institution, we welcome your application.

Please submit ONE (1) PDF document containing:

1. Cover Letter (addressing key responsibilities and requirements)
2. Updated CV

Applications must be submitted via the LinkedIn portal.

Application Deadline: 18 December 2025

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

The University is committed to equality of opportunity, diversity, and inclusion.