Vacancies within the BASES Heads of Department Advisory Group

Are you passionate about leading and supporting our Sport and Exercise Science Department Heads and Course Leaders? There are a number of current vacancies within the BASES Heads of Department Advisory Group (HoD AG) (Chair and two members) and we are seeking expressions of interest for BASES Professional members, who are also Department Heads, to join the Advisory Group, to start with immediate effect.

The Heads of Department Advisory Group is responsible for the technical content and planning of the annual Heads of Department Forum and annual Heads of Department event. The 20^th Heads of Department Forum took place last week at the University of Bedfordshire on 15 May 2024. The Advisory Group considers key topics, themes, and speakers for each Heads of Department Forum / event. Once the Advisory Group has agreed on the specifics, the Chair of the HoD AG will confirm the keynote speakers and invited guest speakers, liaising with them over their involvement in the event delivery. All members of the HoD AG will attend the annual Heads of Department Forum / event. Members of the HoD AG will chair any of the sessions, as appropriate. Following the event, the HoD AG will debrief the event, making recommendations for the successful planning of the next annual event.

For the Chair of the HoD AG, the role affords the opportunity to demonstrate leadership at a senior level. The Chair may find that the role enables them to enhance their own network and to add to their CV. Being Chair of the HoD AG provides an opportunity to shape the support offered by BASES to Heads of Department and Course Leaders, which in the medium to long term, can have an impact on the development, direction and standing of Sport and Exercise Science within HEIs. The role may be suited to those at or aspiring to be at the level of Professor or Dean.

The successful applicants (Chair and members) will commence the role straight away, planning the theme for the November 2024 online event and the next Heads of Department Forum in 2025.

The appointment of the above roles will be via a formal, open and transparent recruitment process, with the aim of attracting the widest range of the most suitable talent. At BASES, we are committed to Fairness, Professionalism, Honesty, Responsibility and Excellence. We strive to improve our ways of working to be more inclusive and diverse, to accelerate our impact on society and live up to our Values. We acknowledge that we lack representation from various underrepresented groups and therefore strongly encourage applications that will amplify the voices of people with a disability, those from culturally and ethnically diverse backgrounds, women or gender diverse people in STEMM and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Please notify the Chief Executive Officer (iwilson@bases.org.uk) if you require reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.

To apply for any of these roles, please submit a maximum of two pages of A4, outlining:

• why you are volunteering for this role (please state as the Chair or a Member),
• what skills and experience you would bring to the Heads of Department Advisory Group,
• how you will improve equity, diversity, and inclusion within the context of the Advisory Group,
• and any ideas you have about moving forward the work and priorities of the Advisory Group.

The roles are normally initially for a two-year tenure. Applicants must be Professional members of BASES and currently be a Department Head. You can find the Advisory Group terms of reference here (Appendix AG13, pages 56-57.)

Please submit your expression of interest by 10 am on Monday 10 June 2024 in a confidential email to iwilson@bases.org.uk. In the subject line, please include “Heads of Department Advisory Group” and state ‘Chair’ or ‘Member’. If you would like an informal chat about the roles, please contact BASES Chair, Prof Zoe Knowles FBASES (Z.R.Knowles@ljmu.ac.uk). Should you have any questions about the work of the HoD AG, then please contact Sue Watson, BASES Partnerships Manager (swatson@bases.org.uk).