Head of School - Southampton Malaysia Business School (SMBS)

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 SMBS in alignment with UoSM's growth strategy and the University of Southampton's global mission. The post holder will drive the School's academic excellence, financial sustainability, research and innovation, and reputation through pedagogical innovation, scholarly development, industry engagement, and 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 SMBS as a leading business 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 and develop new programme opportunities based on market demand, emerging trends, and academic strengths.
• Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with industry, government, and educational institutions to enhance visibility, research collaboration, and student placement 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

• Champion pedagogical innovation, including technology-enhanced learning, experiential learning, and industry-integrated projects.
• Uphold UK academic standards while ensuring compliance with Malaysian regulatory frameworks (MQA, MOHE,

Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies (PSRBs))

• Oversee assessment integrity, programme reviews, accreditation processes, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure an exceptional student experience, including academic performance, progression, employability, and satisfaction outcomes.

4. Research & Scholarly Development

• Foster a vibrant research culture, supporting faculty in developing competitive research profiles and securing funding.
• Promote interdisciplinary research collaborations within SMBS, across UoSM, UoS, and external partners.
• Ensure research initiatives address regional challenges and national priorities, enhancing relevance and impact.

5. People Leadership

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

Requirements

We are seeking a dynamic academic leader with:

• A PhD or equivalent professional qualification in a business-related discipline.
• Significant experience teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, with a proven record in curriculum development, pedagogical innovation, and quality assurance.
• Demonstrated leadership experience, including managing academic teams, staff development, and performance oversight
• Strong communication, influencing, and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build collaborations across industry, government, and professional bodies.
• Knowledge of Malaysian higher education regulatory frameworks (MQA, MOHE,

Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies (PSRBs)

• ) and international education standards.
• Research experience, scholarly outputs, or professional body involvement.

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:

• Cover Letter (addressing key responsibilities and requirements)
• Updated CV

Applications must be submitted via the LinkedIn / Jobstreet application portal.

Application Deadline: 18 December 2025

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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