Head of School of Law

Queen’s Law School is one of the top law schools in the UK and Ireland – it is 5th in the UK for Law Graduate prospects (Complete University Guide 2025) and prides itself on a range of world-class undergraduate and postgraduate education. Law is ranked in the top 150 in the QS World University Rankings, and was 8th in REF, with all our impact case studies achieving the highest 4* grading. We enjoy unrivalled relationships with the senior judiciary and professions in Northern Ireland and highly value the opportunity to contribute to the development of the law and doctrine in our own jurisdiction; and our work also reaches much further afield, thanks to established strengths in human rights, transitional justice, and criminology; and more recently developed expertise, for example in intellectual property and world trade, which reflect the vibrant and dynamic opportunities presented by the study of law in Belfast.

Our high standard of teaching, coupled with our modern facilities, supports a first-rate student experience. In 2024/25 almost 1100 students are enrolled in the School – 864 undergraduates, 185 taught postgraduates, and 36 PGR students. The Law School has a diverse and talented staff comprising 73 academics and 20 professional support and clerical staff. Many of our staff are international, and we have a strong track record in supporting equality, diversity, and inclusion. In 2024, Queen’s was the first law school on the island of Ireland to receive an Athena SWAN Silver Award, having held Bronze since 2018.

About the person:

The Head of School will lead all operational and strategic initiatives within the school and shape and lead the future direction of the school as it builds on its strong Education and Research reputation. The Head of School is accountable for the management of all aspects of school performance - academic, budgetary, people and risk.

As a member of the Faculty Management Committee the Head of School reports to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Arts Humanities and Social Sciences). They will contribute to the development and implementation of Faculty plans and provide the linkage between the school and the Faculty structures. The successful candidate will be a Professor of significant academic distinction in a discipline relevant to the school.

For further information including how to apply please visit https://candidates.perrettlaver.com/vacancies/ quoting the reference 7838 or contact Chris McCann on chris.mccann@perrettlaver.com . The closing date for all applications is 12pm GMT Friday 16th May 2025.

To be successful at shortlisting stage, please ensure you clearly evidence in your application how you meet the essential and, where applicable, desirable criteria listed in the Candidate Information.

What we offer:

Beyond a competitive salary, the University offers an attractive benefits package including a holiday entitlement of up to 8.4 weeks a year, pension schemes and development opportunities. We support staff wellbeing with flexible working options, work-life balance initiatives and support for physical and mental health. You can find more detail on all of this and more at https://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/HumanResources/pay-reward-andbenefits 

Queen's University is committed to promoting equality of opportunity to all. We subscribe to Equality Charter Marks such as the Diversity Charter Mark NI and Athena Swan and have established staff networks such as iRise (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and International Staff Network) and PRISM (LGBTQ+) which help us progress equality.

For further information on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, please visit www.qub.ac.uk/diversity . 

If you are an international applicant and don't already hold a visa that permits you to take up the role you are applying for, please use the information provided on our website to self-assess whether the University is likely to be able to support a visa application - http://go.qub.ac.uk/internationalstaffsupport  

Candidate Information