Head of Department of Law & Associate Professor / Professor

Kingston University is passionate about the power of a university education to transform lives. We strive for our staff and students to be sought-after for their academic achievements and their ability to shape society and contribute to the economy. We are an inclusive university, and our ambitious Town House Strategy drives our mission to enhance students' life chances, support the ambitions of staff and strengthen the university's impact on our locality, industry, policy and associated professions to enable a sustainable future - socially, economically and environmentally. With an overall Gold Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) rating, we are recognised for our commitment to high quality teaching, providing an outstanding student experience and supporting our students to achieve successful degree outcomes.

The Faculty of Business and Social Sciences (BSS) is seeking to appoint a new Head of the Department of Law. The University's Town House Strategy has set an ambitious growth target in terms of student recruitment for the next three academic years. BSS is well positioned to contribute effectively to this target. Hence, we look forward to hearing from individuals with a successful track record of student recruitment within the higher education sector and particularly in Law.

The post of Head of the Department of Law is an opportunity to lead a remarkable academic team with excellent NSS results.

The Person

Candidates should have strong management experience and an academic profile that is relevant to the discipline of Law. This means understanding the trends and expectations of students and employers alike. You will have an appetite for innovation and the ability to stimulate and challenge staff in productive ways. You will have the ability to contribute to the Faculty's growth and student experience agenda both through your own activities and those instigated by you across the Department. You will have a clear understanding and appreciation of the wide range of contemporary issues in law and changes impacting on law in HE and law practice to ensure there is a relevant and meaningful portfolio that can be delivered to a high academic standard and support students who wish to pursue careers in law. The post sits within the School of Law, Social & Behavioural Sciences thus offering opportunities for inter-disciplinary work, and it is expected that the appointee will embrace this. The successful candidate will have strong leadership and people management skills are a prerequisite as is an appetite to fully embrace Kingston University’s Townhouse strategy.

Directorate/Function

The Faculty of Business and Social Sciences combines Kingston Business School and the School of Law, Social and Behavioural Sciences. Driven by a forward-thinking approach, the Faculty is dynamic, innovative and ambitious. We focus on business and social challenges that impact us all such as decision making, sustainable development and individual resilience.

Together, the Schools strive to nurture socially responsible, well-informed and actively engaged members of society who graduate as adaptable, ambitious and solutions-focused professionals.
Practical experience and real-life learning are at the heart of our degrees. Our graduates will be equipped with the skills to manage and navigate a world that needs employees to be digitally skilled and to have highly developed people management skills, emotional intelligence as well as innovative, entrepreneurial drive.

The School of Law, Social & Behavioural Sciences
The Kingston University School of Law, Social and Behavioural Sciences is based at the Penrhyn Road campus in Kingston upon Thames. The School brings together the disciplines of Law, Criminology, Psychology, and Economics, with a strong emphasis on research-informed teaching, diversity and employability. It aims to equip students with analytical, professional and problem-solving skills needed to address contemporary social and legal challenges. We are proud of being a diverse and inclusive environment catering for the specific needs of our students.

Further information

This is a full time, permanent position with a starting salary from £60,996 (Associate Professor) - £73,931 (Professor) per annum, plus a £6,000 per annum Head of Department supplement.

The Head of Department aspect of the role is a 4-year term, reverting to Associate Professor/Professor substantive as appropriate, or you may continue for a second term as Head of Department subject to the rules and regulations of the academic management framework.

The closing date for applications is Tuesday 23 June 2026 (midnight). 

Interviews will be held at Penrhyn Road campus of Kingston University London on Friday 3 July 2026. 

For informal enquiries about the role, please contact Professor Stephen Tong, Head of School of Law, Social & Behavioural Sciences.

Please apply by clicking the 'apply' button and follow the instructions.

Applications should consist of a concise covering letter (ideally no longer than two pages), addressing the criteria in the Person Specification; an up-to-date curriculum vitae; names and contact details of three referees (although referees will only be approached at the final stage of the process, and only with your express permission). 

If the interview date poses a problem for you, please let us know about this at the time of application. 

Bring your true self, expertise, and passion to Kingston where we are continuing to strive to build a university where authentic inclusion and belonging is at its heart. Every one of our staff and students’ identities, backgrounds and diverse experiences makes us who we are - so harness and embrace yours by applying today. We welcome applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQ+ communities and those with disabilities.

We are a place-based organisation, proud of our location in Kingston and the civic role we play in our community. Our campuses inspire collaborative, innovative and creative communities. Being present on campus is important to us because it helps us to create a sense of belonging for both our staff and students. Therefore, staff are expected to be on campus for the majority of their working week.

Candidates must be able to demonstrate their eligibility to work in the UK in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006. Where required, this may include entry clearance or continued leave to remain under the Points Based Immigration Scheme. 

To apply click on ‘Apply Now’. If, for accessibility reasons, you need to apply in an alternative format, please email jobs@kingston.ac.uk or call the HR Shared Services team on 020 8417 3118.