Department Chair. Head of Department. Head of School.

Line managing a big group of staff. Making sure the teaching gets allocated and done in accordance with the QA framework. Balancing that against research expectations and ambitions. Dealing with hiring, leave, performance…

There’s always SO much to do it can feel like you’re spinning plates, while juggling fire, inside a tumble dryer.

And it’s really important for people like me, Deans and PVCs to remember that’s what it feels like, measure our expectations accordingly and help make sure these things are done, done right and done on time.

But.

The Department Chair role is also one of the most important jobs in the University.

Because if you’re the Head of Department you’re the most important voice defining what your discipline MEANS at your institution.

What does a modern Computing masters look like in 2026?

How do we keep delivering History courses in the face of falling demand?

How do we align our Engineering research with the needs of industry?

How do I reach out across subjects to create a new interdisciplinary course or research programme?

These are much harder questions than: Who is going to teach ABC101 next semester?

Great Department Chairs find ways to answer both.

Great Deans and PVCs find ways to help them do so.