University College Roosevelt (UCR) is looking for a new dean. A respected scholar and professor dedicated to excellence in teaching, with substantial experience in strategic leadership and change management. They should possess strong business acumen, an entrepreneurial mindset, and excel as a collaborative team player with a hands-on approach.

Your job
The Dean and Managing Director are jointly responsible for leading UCR. The Dean is chairperson of the Executive Board and chiefly responsible for:

• UCR strategy and in particular the successful execution of the above-mentioned transformation plan;
• the academic quality of the college and the accountability for the quality to Utrecht University;
• development of academic leadership at all levels and of a culture and practice of continuous improvement and innovation, in both teaching and undergraduate research;
• internal relations with UCR’s Board of Studies, Board of Examiners, UCR Council, Academic Affairs Council, Programme Committee and RASA;
• strategic (external) relations, such as the Municipality of Middelburg, Province of Zeeland, the University of Applied Science (Hogeschool) Zeeland, Utrecht University and other partners in the Delta Climate Center and on an (inter)national level; and representation of UCR externally in academic, social and political networks both in and outside the Netherlands.

The full job description and background can be found in the comprehensive job profile.

The Dean:

• has ample experience and competences in strategy and change management, in a professional and preferably academic setting;
• has an established academic background, the rank of Full Professor, and a strong passion for teaching;
• is able to lead and inspire UCR and its professionals;
• has strong business acumen and an entrepreneurial mindset;
• understands financial figures and funding models and is able to manage finance at a strategic level;
• is a strong advocate of Liberal Arts and Sciences education where students and their Bildung (formation) are central;
• is an excellent team player and team builder with proven strong communication skills, is able to assume a connecting role and enjoys the challenges of open debate with students, faculty, and staff;
• understands that UCR is a relatively small college which is socially demanding;
• has a hands-on mentality, due to the small size of the UCR organisation;
• has a visible presence in Zeeland;
• is fluent in both English and Dutch; non-Dutch speaking applicants must be able to gain proficiency in the Dutch language.

It is recommended that the Dean:

• lives in Middelburg or its direct vicinity.

Preferably the Dean:

• will be actively involved in extracurricular activities, essential to the UCR experience, such as workshops, congresses, sports events, theatre, music concerts etc.;
• is experienced in educational innovation;
• has excellent insight into the world of international education;
• is used to working in an international environment.

The appointment is for a term of four years with the possibility of reappointment for an additional period. Candidates who meet the qualifications and are available for at least two years are also encouraged to reply, provided they have substantial experience in implementing a meaningful organisational change.

The Dean of UCR will be appointed as a professor at Utrecht University, with the position level determined by experience according to the Dean 2 or Dean 1 UFO profile. The salary corresponds to scale 17 or 18 under the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (effective as of 1 July 2024). Additonal benefits include an 8% holiday allowance (8%) and an 8,3% year-end bonus. Pension contributions are made through ABP. The Dean UCR is appointed by Utrecht University in agreement with the UCR Board of Trustees.

The position has a standard scope of 0.5 FTE. However, implementing the transformation plan will require dedicated time and focus from the Dean, particularly in the first two years, allowing for an appointment of up to 1.0 FTE during this period. If the candidate has expertise in environmental studies or business economics, an additional teaching role for the period of the dean-ship is possible and encouraged.

Universiteit Utrecht

University College Roosevelt (UCR) is a residential university college, conveniently located in the historic center of Middelburg, the capital of Zeeland. It offers its students an English-taught, three-year Utrecht University undergraduate program in the Liberal arts and Sciences (LAS), which leads up to diplomas as Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Sciences. UCR educates for academic excellence, personal growth, and global citizenship. Well over 80% of UCR’s graduating students complete their studies in the nominal three years. About half of UCR alumni continue their studies at Dutch universities, about half do so at universities abroad.

UCR is employer of approximately 90 employees. UCR Faculty is teaching courses in Arts and Humanities, Social Science, and Science and Engineering. Administrative staff run our student office, communications and recruitment, human resources and finance, and facilities and ICT. The faculty, staff, and students are international. English is the official language on campus. Students, management, faculty, and staff form a close-knit and engaged community. The college is residential for 550 students, of which over 65% come from outside of the Netherlands.

The full job description and background can be found in the comprehensive job profile.

Utrecht University and UCR have engaged Chasse Executive Search to lead the executive search for the new Dean of University College Roosevelt. A Selection Committee has been established for this process. Ferdi de Lange, partner at Chasse Executive Search, is overseeing the procedure. The vacancy is simultaneously open to internal and external candidates.