Professor in Management (Challenge-Based Learning)
DCU Business School
Permanent Contract
Dublin City University
Dublin City University (DCU) is a leading innovative European University, proud to be one of the world’s leading Young Universities. DCU is known as Ireland’s University of Impact, with a mission to ‘transform lives and societies’ and focuses on addressing global challenges in collaboration with key national and international partners and stakeholders.
DCU has over 20,000 students in five faculties spread across three academic campuses in the Glasnevin-Drumcondra area of North Dublin. Thanks to its innovative approach to teaching and learning, the University offers a ‘transformative student experience’ that helps to develop highly sought-after graduates. DCU is currently No. 1 in Ireland for Graduate Employment Rate, and for graduate income (CSO).
DCU is a research-intensive University and is home to a number of SFI-funded Research Centres. The University participates in a range of European and international research partnerships. DCU is also the leading Irish university in the area of technology transfer as reflected by licensing of intellectual property.
As a ‘People First’ institution, DCU is committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion - a University that helps staff and students to thrive. The University is a leader in terms of its work to increase access to education, and is placed in the world’s Top 10 for reducing inequalities in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.
Overview of the Department
DCU Business School is a young, vibrant, industry focused, research-intensive business school that holds the prestigious triple-accreditation (EQUIS, AACSB, AMBA) and the Small Business Charter (CABS). The School’s success is underpinned by our core strengths:
- Degree programmes that develop ‘work-ready’ graduates for the global marketplace.
- Internationally recognised faculty whose research has strong academic and industry impact.
- Extensive collaborations with the local and internationally oriented business eco-system.
- A collegial culture, with faculty and staff (17 nationalities) who are committed to supporting our students and stakeholders.
The School has over 3,700 students across bachelors, masters and research programmes. Our students experience an applied and internationally oriented education, and we are committed to further developing Challenge Based Learning across our programmes. Our Executive Education unit offers bespoke education and training to industry partners. The School recently launched the DCU Institute for Business and Society, to further develop our international reputation for engaged research on trustworthy, innovative, and sustainable practices in business and society.
Further information concerning DCU Business School is provided in the Information Pack for Candidates available here.
Role Profile
The successful individual will be a thought leader in challenge-based education, driving the co-creation of learning experiences with industry partners and empowering students to tackle global workplace challenges. This role is open to candidates from any business discipline, provided they have a strong understanding of challenge-based learning methodologies and a track record of integrating these approaches into teaching, research, and industry collaboration. They will play a strategic role in shaping the school’s approach to challenge-based learning and industry collaboration, leading initiatives that positions DCU Business School as a global leader in challenge-driven education. The candidate will play a pivotal role in fostering an ecosystem where students, faculty, and industry professionals collaborate on meaningful, real-world projects. Leveraging an existing industry network, they will leverage domestic and international industry networks to support the co-design of learning experiences. The role-holder will also engage externally to develop partnerships with businesses, public sector organisations, and NGOs to provide students with authentic, real-time workplace challenges. They will act as a key liaison between the Business School and external stakeholders, ensuring academic programmes remain industry-relevant and impactful.
Duties and Responsibilities
The duties and responsibilities of the position include, but are not restricted to, the following:
Teaching and Learning
To contribute to the leadership of teaching and learning activity in DCU Business School by:
- Designing and delivering modules that incorporate real-world challenges and industry collaborations, maintaining the highest academic standards while enhancing students' problem-solving capabilities.
- Embedding challenge-based assessment methodologies that encourage critical thinking, creativity, and the application of knowledge to real-world business problems.
- Cultivating and leveraging a strong domestic industry network (and global network where appropriate) to support challenge-based learning, providing students with exposure to real-time business issues and opportunities.
- Enriching the scholarship of teaching within the discipline and School by actively contributing to research and best practices in challenge-based education.
- Fostering a culture of teaching innovation by promoting experiential learning, industry engagement, and the use of technology to enhance student learning outcomes.
- Contributing to the teaching activities of the School’s Centre for Executive and International Education, ensuring programmes remain industry-relevant and challenge-driven.
Research and Scholarship
To contribute to the leadership of research activity of DCU Business School by:
- Publishing new ideas and findings in top tier international peer-reviewed journals.
- Achieving measurable research impact via citations and other means.
- Leading the dissemination of research via the hosting of research conferences, seminars etc.
- Enhancing the reputation of the School in the international research community via conference presentations, journal editorships, external examining, etc.
- Translating academic research into insights for the world of practice.
- Seeking funds from external agencies and/or organisations to support personal and School research initiatives.
- Developing and leveraging national and international research networks to enrich the research activity of the School.
- Attracting and supervising high-calibre postgraduate research students and contributing to the School’s PhD supervision process.
- Enriching the research culture and environment in the School.
Service and Contribution to the University and Society
To contribute to the management and administration of the School by:
- Designing and leading initiatives that strengthen the School’s relationships with industry, public and non-profit sectors through structured student engagement.
- Delivering assigned leadership, management and service roles in the School to a high standard.
- Contributing proactively to relevant School and University committees, working groups and meetings.
- Enhancing the reputation and impact of DCU Business School through leadership and engagement in external academic, business, professional, public sector and community activities (approved by the Executive Dean, where appropriate).
Leadership
To contribute to the leadership of the School by:
- Leading the design, development, and delivery of undergraduate and postgraduate modules in partnership with external organisations, ensuring a challenge-based learning approach through a variety of industry interactions.
- Leading the development of new modules and programmes that integrate industry-driven challenges, while proactively and collaboratively enhancing existing curricula to align with evolving business needs.
- Expanding the School’s engagement with industry through applied research, executive education, and challenge-led teaching initiatives.
- Contributing to the leadership of collaborative and interdisciplinary research within the discipline and School.
- Mentoring and supporting new staff, particularly in the integration of challenge-based learning methodologies.
- Leadership of, and/or participation in, programme/discipline and School accreditation activities.
- Leading and participating in School marketing, alumni and stakeholder relationship activities, for example, programme promotion events, INTRA (work placement) visits, events with partner universities etc.
Qualifications and Experience
Essential
Academic Qualifications:
- Candidates must have a PhD or equivalent (NDQ Level 10) in a business discipline or a closely related field from an accredited institution.
Research Excellence:
- Proven excellent track record of high-quality research outputs, particularly peer-reviewed journal publications.
- A current pipeline of research projects expected to lead to publications in high-impact international journals.
- Demonstrated leadership capability in research, with evidence of shaping and driving research agendas, and the capacity to lead and mentor junior faculty.
- A track record in supervising PhD students or other research teams.
Teaching Experience and Excellence:
- Depth and breadth of teaching experience in higher education, ideally including applied learning, experiential modules, or consultancy-based education.
- A proven track record of excellence in teaching, with evidence of the ability to inspire students and foster an engaging real-world learning environment.
- Evidence of leading teaching and learning innovations, including curriculum design aligned to industry collaboration, applied learning, and challenge-based education.
External Engagement:
- Demonstrated experience in designing, leading, or delivering structured student engagement initiatives with external organisations (e.g., applied consultancy projects).
- A proven ability to build and sustain effective relationships with industry, public sector, or community partners.
- Evidence of translating academic expertise into impactful external engagement and student-facing applied learning experiences.
Interpersonal and Communication Skills:
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills suitable for high-quality teaching, research collaboration, management responsibilities, and external engagement.
- Evidence of successful teamwork and a collegial approach in an academic environment.
Leadership Attributes:
- Clear leadership attributes and skills that will contribute to the enrichment of the School’s national and international reputation.
- Demonstrated ability to inspire and motivate colleagues, particularly in applied teaching, strategic initiatives, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Desirable
Professional Qualifications and Experience:
- Relevant professional or industry experience in designing or delivering consultancy, applied research, or experiential learning.
- Recognised teaching in higher education qualification, fellowship or other evidence of professional development in teaching and learning(e.g. Advance HE Fellowship).
International Research and Professional Networks:
- Active participation in international research networks and established collaborations with researchers across various institutions globally.
- Active participation in international networks or global education initiatives involving industry collaboration or applied learning.
- Experience working in international or cross-cultural settings, enhancing the global reach of teaching and external engagement.
Research Funding:
- A track record of securing research funding from external sources, including government grants or industry collaborations.
National and International Impact:
- Demonstrated impact in academic or professional communities through research, publications, and engagement with the wider academic or professional community.
Experience in Strategic Initiatives and Development:
- A track record of contributing to the development and execution of strategy in an academic environment and evidence of capabilities to lead strategic initiatives.
Experience in Programme Leadership:
- Experience leading academic programmes or applied learning initiatives, contributing to strategic educational innovations and growth.
- Evidence of managing cross-functional or interdisciplinary projects involving students and external organisations.
Global and Cross-Cultural Experience:
- Experience working in international or cross-cultural settings, enhancing the global reach and influence of research and teaching.
Essential Training
The postholder will be required to undertake the following essential compliance training: Orientation, Health & Safety, Data Protection (GDPR) and all Cyber Security Awareness Training. Other training may need to be undertaken when required.
Salary Scale:
Professor - €103,481 - €138,313 refer to DCU Payscales for the applicable payscale.
Appointment will be commensurate with qualifications and experience and in line with current Government pay policy.
Closing date: Monday, 30th June 2025
Provisional Interview Dates: September 2025
Remote Working Policy
From the 1st of November 2024, DCU will operate its newly agreed Remote Working Policy. Employees may be approved for up to 2 days of remote working per week (or an appropriate pro rata amount for those part time). Any remote working arrangement will be reflective of the predominant on-campus working environment and the core University value of 'Student Focused'. Employees will be based on campus for the majority of their working week to ensure a sustained on campus engagement and experience. The terms of the remote working policy will apply.
For more information on DCU Business School, please visit: https://business.dcu.ie/
Informal Enquiries in relation to this role should be directed to:
Professor Dominic Elliott, Executive Dean, DCU Business School, Dublin City University.
Phone: + 353 (0)1 7005659
Email: dominic.elliott@dcu.ie
Please do not send applications to this email address, instead apply as described below.