Dean for Umeå School of Business, Economics and Statistics at Umeå University

The Business School at Umeå University (Umeå School of Business, Economics and Statistics, USBE) has just over 150 employees, distributed across three main disciplines (business administration, economics and statistics) and an administrative office. We provide education from undergraduate to doctoral level in all three disciplines, and about 4,000 students study here. The Business School is AACSB-accredited and sustainability-certified according to the environmental management standard ISO 14001.

The vision of the Business School vision is to, as an internationally respected, nationally influential and regionally rooted part of Umeå University, contribute to societal development through education and research of a high international standard. We focus on sustainable development and educate responsible individuals who, with insight into society’s challenges, can make a difference both locally and globally.

We are looking for a new Dean

We are looking for a Dean who will take overall responsibility for realizing the vision of the Business School and for leading and developing the institution by offering a high‑quality learning environment, providing a dynamic research environment and serving as an attractive partner at international, national and regional levels. Below are the experiences, competencies and qualifications we expect the incoming Dean to demonstrate.

Academic qualifications

A doctoral degree (PhD) or equivalent in a subject relevant to the School of Business’s disciplines is required. It is an advantage to hold the title of docent or professor and to have a good familiarity with the Swedish higher education system.

Leadership experience

Well documented experience of leading and developing educational and research activities is required. Experience of personnel and financial operational responsibility and of leading quality assurance work is meritorious.

Other merits

Experience of collaboration with actors in academia, industry and society is of great importance, as is a strong ability to communicate in Swedish and English, both orally and in writing. Collaboration merits at regional, national and international levels, good collaborative contacts with industry and the surrounding community, and experience of internationalization work are advantageous.

Desired qualities and abilities

As Dean of the Business School you are a strong role model and a visible representative with the ability to build trusting relationships and stimulate new collaborations in internal, external, national and international contexts. You create the conditions for a sustainable and attractive study and work environment. You uphold collegial processes, academic freedom and staff and student influence.

At the same time, you are responsible for driving change and giving the Business School a clear direction. You therefore have the ability to secure support for, as well as make and implement, decisions that develop the Business School as a whole. You are skilled at involving others in decision‑making processes, can delegate with accountability and possess strong communication skills. You are clear and have good administrative capabilities, take responsibility for the Business School’s resources and results, and work towards the shared goals of the Business School and the university.

Terms of appointment

The position as Dean of the Business School is normally held within the framework of a permanent position as a professor or senior lecturer at Umeå University. The term of office for the position is four years, with the possibility of extension for one additional term.

In the case of external recruitment, a permanent position may be offered, provided that the applicant meets the eligibility criteria, assessment criteria and requirements for the position in question. Recruitment for appointment as a professor or senior lecturer then follows Umeå University’s recruitment process for the employment of teachers and the Employment Regulations at Umeå University.

Nominations and expressions of interest

If you are employed at Umeå university, or belong to another organisation, you may nominate suitable candidates for the position. These candidates may already be employed at the Business School, at other departments/units within Umeå University, or at other universities and colleges in Sweden. The proposed candidate does not need to have been contacted in advance.

An expression of interest may also be submitted by the candidate him/herself. Nominations and expressions of interest are documented and handled in the same way in the process.

Nominations and expressions of interest are submitted anonymously and should include the following information about the candidate:

• Name, title and current place of employment.
• Contact details such as email address and telephone number (mobile preferred).
• A short justification based on the main competencies and experiences you consider make the proposed candidate suitable for the position.

Nominations and expressions of interest must be received by the HR specialist, who also serves as secretary of the preparatory committee for the Dean appointment, Anton Forsberg, no later than March 31 2026. Send nominations and expressions of interest via the following link:

Nomination or expression of interest for the position as Dean for Umeå School of Business, Economics and Statistics at Umeå University – Fill in form

For questions, contact the chair of the preparatory committee Ulrika Haake; ulrika.haake@umu.se, 090-786 9621 or Anton Forsberg; anton.forsberg@umu.se, 090-786 7253.

Would you like to know more about the Business School at Umeå University?

The Business School is part of the Faculty of Social Sciences, but has its own delegation of authority from the Vice-Chancellor of Umeå University. The Business School has a board on which the Dean of the Business sits together with other internal and external members, including a chair. Read more about the Business School at Umeå University here: www.umu.se/en/usbe/.