Dean - School of Business & Economics at Zetech University

Job Objective

The University invites applications from visionary, commercially astute and results-oriented academic leaders to fill the position of Dean, School of Business and Economics. The successful candidate will lead the School through a strategic turnaround, repositioning it as a competitive, sustainable, student-centred and industry-responsive business school. S/he is a transformative leader who can effectively balance academic excellence with commercial discipline and can diagnose performance challenges, inspire staff, strengthen the Schools market position and deliver measurable improvements, academic quality and sustainability. The position-holder will primarily be employed as a teaching staff on permanent and pensionable terms but will hold the Dean of School position on a three-year renewable contract. They will be reporting to the DVC-Academics, Research and Student Affairs and will be responsible for:

Duties and responsibilities

Academic Excellence

• Provide leadership in curriculum review, programme development and delivery in line with best practice, industry needs, national and international standards;
• Promote innovative approaches to teaching, learning and assessment;
• Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and University quality assurance policies;
• Strengthen academic advising, student support, timely completion and graduate employability;
• Promote evidence-based decision-making using student performance, graduate outcomes, employer feedback and programme evaluation data.

Strategic Transformation

• Develop and implement a time-bound School turnaround strategy aligned with the University's Strategic Plan and sustainability agenda;
• Assess the School's academic portfolio, enrolment trends, cost structures, operational efficiency, staffing model and competitive position and implement interventions;
• Identify untapped market segments and opportunities for strategic repositioning, restructuring and growth;
• Drive enrolment growth, student retention, programme sustainability and efficient utilisation of academic and physical resources;
• Prepare and manage the School's annual budget, ensuring prudent expenditure, and cost optimisation;
• Grow alternative revenue streams, including executive education, corporate training, professional development programmes, consultancy, research grants and industry-sponsored initiatives;
• Review programme viability and recommend evidence-based decisions on programme expansion, consolidation, redesign or discontinuation;
• Strengthen the School's market positioning, brand visibility and value proposition in the higher education environment;
• Collaborate with Enrolment, Admissions, Student Affairs and other departments to improve lead conversion, admissions, student experience and progression;
• Monitor enrolment pipelines, conversion rates, student attrition and completion rates, implementing timely corrective interventions;
• Develop flexible, market-responsive and differentiated learning pathways that respond to market needs including working professionals, entrepreneurs, emerging markets and CBE.

Research, Consultancy and External Funding

• Strengthen the School's research culture, scholarly output and participation in externally funded research;
• Promote collaborative research, grant acquisition, consultancy and commissioned studies;
• Support academic staff in developing research proposals, publishing in reputable journals and translating research into practical solutions for societal challenges;
• Build partnerships with local and international universities, research institutions and industry stakeholders;
• Establish and oversee early-career researchers mentorship programme in the school. Industry Engagement, Innovation and Enterprise Build strategic partnerships with the private sector, public institutions, professional bodies, entrepreneurs, development partners, other Universities and research institutions;
• Position the School as a preferred partner for executive education, management development, business advisory services and organisational capacity building;
• Establish and strengthen business incubators, entrepreneurship initiatives, innovation hubs and industry-linked learning opportunities;
• Promote applied research, consultancy, case development and knowledge transfer that address real business and societal challenges;
• Expand opportunities for internships, mentorship, networking and employment pathways for students and graduates.

Leadership, Talent and Performance Management

• Establish clear performance targets, accountability mechanisms and periodic reviews to track implementation and outcomes;
• Lead change, staff engagement and performance improvement initiatives to build a high-performing and results-oriented School;
• Lead, motivate and develop academic and administrative teams to achieve agreed performance targets;
• Review the School's staffing structure, workload distribution, skills mix and succession plans to ensure alignment with strategic priorities;
• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, collaboration, ethical conduct and continuous improvement;
• Strengthen performance management, staff development, mentorship and recognition of high-performing employees;
• Address performance gaps constructively while promoting staff engagement, wellbeing and change readiness.

Qualification and experience

• A minimum of a relevant earned PhD?in Business from a recognised University;
• Must be at least a Senior Lecturer or Senior Research Fellow by academic rank;
• Possesses a strong record of academic achievement, including of teaching or research experience at the university level, attraction of research funds (evidenced), scholarly publications (evidenced), postgraduate supervision and curriculum development;
• Demonstrable experience in leadership;
• A track record of building effective partnerships and managing relationships with industry, professional bodies, government agencies or other relevant stakeholders;
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, organisational transformation, performance improvement or institutional turnaround; Proven ability to grow enrolment, manage budgets, optimise resources and deliver measurable results;
• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, manage change and foster a high-performance culture;
• A sound understanding of Kenya's higher education regulatory environment and the competitive dynamics of university business education;
• Is an active member to a relevant professional body and is in good standing.

OR

• A minimum of a relevant earned PhD in Business or a related area from a recognised University;
• At least 6 years of professional experience post PhD;
• Must have an interest in academia;
• A minimum of 5 years in a senior management position;
• Has a track record of successfully managing an institution or department sustainably, having successfully implemented a turnaround strategy is an added advantage;
• A track record of building effective partnerships and managing relationships with industry, professional bodies, government agencies or other relevant stakeholders;
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, organisational transformation, performance improvement or turnaround;
• Proven ability to grow enrolment, manage budgets, optimise resources and deliver measurable results;
• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, manage change and foster a high-performance culture;
• A sound understanding of Kenya's higher education regulatory environment and the competitive dynamics of university business education;
• Is an active member to a relevant professional body and is in good standing.

Key Competencies 

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Ability to translate challenges in the school into practical, measurable recovery and growth plans;
• Commercial acumen with an understanding of financial sustainability, programme economics, revenue diversification and resource optimisation;
• Ability for evidence-based decision-making, using data, interpreting performance indicators, identifying root causes and implementing interventions;
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a capacity to identify new markets, develop innovative programmes and establish mutually beneficial partnerships;
• Academic credibility with a commitment to research, quality teaching, academic integrity and student success;
• Ability to build trust, influence stakeholders and lead difficult but necessary changes;
• Communication, negotiation and relationship-management skills for stakeholder engagement;
• Accountable with a demonstrated ability to deliver results within agreed timelines and resource constraints.