Vice Dean

TIAS School for Business & Society is the Business School of Tilburg University (TiU) and Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). It is a place for leaders, professionals, and managers who are looking for change. Who want to get the best out of themselves and create impact for their organization and its environment.

With our up-to-date knowledge, challenging education, and powerful network, TIAS is an international hub for lifelong learning that inspires and stimulates you to strengthen your leadership and develop a transformation mindset.

The day-to-day management of TIAS School for Business & Society is entrusted to the Executive Management Team consisting of the Dean, Vice Dean and Director Business Operations.

As member of the Executive Management Team and reporting to the Dean & Director, the Vice Dean assumes responsibilities delegated by the Dean & Director, in the general area of education, research and faculty administration within TIAS Business School.

Accordingly, the Vice Dean actively contributes to the strategic and budget planning cycles by providing the Dean & Director and the Director Business Operations with timely and relevant input, and by acting as sounding board, enabling the Executive Management Team to identify and formulate initiatives and actions that contribute to the overall development and advancement of TIAS Business School.

To further the mission of TIAS and improve its overall standing and reputation, the Vice Dean is exceptionally well-equipped to build and maintain fruitful and sustainable collaborations with internal and external stakeholders. This should be evidenced for example by demonstrated experiences in developing (corporate and institutional) partnerships, and a natural ability to effectively build and leverage academic and professional networks, advisory board positions and community engagement initiatives.

The Vice Dean will therefore be a dynamic, collaborative, and energetic leader responsible for faculty (faculty management), educational and research (education and faculty office), and in close collaboration with the other Management Team members, responsible for further enhancing and invigorating the School’s academic portfolio by inspiring, energizing and mobilizing fellow faculty, staff, clients and participants, as well as engaging in the impact-driven business and society mission.

To be successful in this demanding role, the Vice Dean must engender trust and respect through a mature leadership style that is rooted in strong values and high integrity. (S)he is expected to display a balance of self-assuredness and self-awareness, combined with a deep sense of service to TIAS and its mission.

The Vice Dean will possess an earned doctorate and be appointed as full-professor, for example in the social and behavioral sciences, economics, or business administration, coupled with a sustained record of academic accomplishments and complemented with an outstanding track-record of senior corporate experiences and achievements.

The Vice Dean is expected to work across the Tilburg campus with the other schools of Tilburg University and Technical University Eindhoven to identify additional multidisciplinary project opportunities (in both education as well as research) that could be of relevance and benefit to the further advancement of TIAS’ thematic domains and which contribute to a strengthening of ties between the institutions.

Prompted by the needs and requirements of employees, participants, clients and other principal stakeholders, and inspired by social and digital developments taking place across the educational space, the Vice Dean (supported by internal departments) is expected to spur and advance the overall business transformation agenda of TIAS, in close collaboration with the other EMT members. An essential area of focus in this regard will be the digital transformation of the School, including education, research and faculty.

Further leadership efforts are expected from the Vice Dean in prompting the formulation and implementation of a mission-driven strategic HR framework for faculty that is aligned with the School’s long-term objectives, and which touches on aspects such as culture, inclusiveness and diversity.

 Another important area of work central to this position, includes the identification and engagement of key external (corporate and academic) partners that have the potential to extend TIAS’ programs and activities domestically and across the globe. This (business) responsibility requires careful cultivation and nurturing of partners, sponsors and donors that may lead to new forms of collaboration for the School, and global learning in general.

• Offer visionary and strategic thinking from a global business school perspective, with the skills to convert visions into goals and actions, while appreciating the delicate balance between the (often conflicting) academic and commercial ambitions and considerations that apply to TIAS Business School;

• In line with the strategic direction of TIAS Business School, enabling and developing state of the art/latest teaching methods (e.g. microcredentials, AI, etc.), identify innovative initiatives and synergies within the School’s organizational context and its portfolio and, both alone and in collaboration with the Executive Management Team, be able to ensure that the organization realizes them;

• Provide leadership and supervision to faculty members, including Faculty & Education Office and Education Innovation Office;

• Participate in the School’s effort in the articulation and implementation of a clear, cohesive and actionable HR strategy commensurate with the future direction of TIAS Business School;

• Coordinate and monitor, in tandem with internal stakeholders (i.e. Faculty & Education Office, Cluster Managers, Associate Deans and faculty), the development of an institutional research strategy;

• Help build, improve and maintain the quality of the School’s portfolio of programs and other academic engagements and initiatives (including research and community outreach) and ensure organizational cohesion between them;

• Strengthen existing and identify new relationships with institutions in business, social and academic communities (domestically and internationally) in order to support TIAS’ overall activities and engagements in education, research and outreach;

• Participate in activities that help advance the School’s domestic and international visibility, while effectively acting as an ambassador for TIAS Business School within the public domain (e.g. events, meetings, conferences and other professional engagements and interactions).

Integrative and strategic thinker with hands-on mentality

• A well-rounded and integrative thinker with an independent mind, who has an ability to challenge and advise the Dean & Director academically and strategically, while faithfully executing decisions that may be different from those advised or desired. Has demonstrated experience with bringing vision to execution.

• Has an ability and natural authority to inspire cooperation, innovation, creativity, and respect among faculty, staff, partners, clients and participants;

• Exhibits excellent interpersonal and communication skills with an authentic personality and style characterized by transparency and professional integrity, enabling her or him to work effectively with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders;

• Has an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset with an appreciation for, and strong desire to, promote both traditional and non-traditional didactical methods, curricula development and delivery modes of learning (e.g. blended, gaming, etc.). Preferably has experience in a commercial context relevant to TIAS School for Business & Society.

• Has the drive and ability to successfully gain buy-in from a range of internal and external audiences and communities (with potentially conflicting interests), including but not limited to faculty colleagues, staff, the executive management team, deans and management of schools and departments at Tilburg University campus, corporate and academic partners, alumni, current and prospective clients, students and participants, sponsors, etc.;

• is fluent in both English and Dutch and has an international orientation. International experience is a preference.

Scholary achievement and business success

• Brings a distinguished record of academic, managerial, and entrepreneurial success, as well as a record of scholarly achievement;

• Is business savvy with significant experience in building long-standing, trust-based relationships at C-suite level with key local, regional and global stakeholders;

• Combines relevant academic and business acumen, skills and competencies with a sound understanding of today’s global business school landscape and the dynamics that drive the success of top business schools;

• Has knowledge of (the dynamics of) local and regional economic development and is experienced in partner engagement and working with advisory boards;

• Shows a distinguished record of scholarship and teaching and has an earned doctorate in social and behavioral science, economics, business or a related field;

• Combines thorough knowledge of general educational methods and theory (and the current trends and developments) with knowledge of curriculum development and the training and development needs of business and industry.

For the selection procedure, priority will be given to candidates who can demonstrate a qualified and proven track record in human resource development and strategy, acquired through outstanding academic achievement and/or through managerial experience. In view of the composition of the Executive Management Team and in case of equal qualifications, priority will be given to candidates who add to the (gender and/or cultural) diversity of the EMT.

This is a full-time (0.8 – 1.0 FTE) appointment for a period of four years. Reappointment for a second term may be possible. The Vice Dean is appointed as a full professor at Tilburg University in accordance with the UFO profile Dean 1 or 2.

In accordance with the importance of this position, TIAS School for Business & Society will conduct an open recruitment procedure.

The procedure is supported by Ferdi de Lange of Chasse Executive Search. Please submit your application, consisting of a motivation letter and curriculum vitae at the latest by Friday March 27th 2026 via info@chassesearch.nl. An assessment and/or reference check may be part of the procedure.

Chasse will present the longlist of candidates to TIAS School for Business & Society on April 6th 2026. Interviews with selected candidates will be held on Thursday April 16th 2026, 13.00 – 17.00h in Utrecht (first interview round) and Tuesday April 28th 2026, 13.30 – 16.30h in Tilburg (second and final interview round).

The new Vice Dean will start work no later than September 1st 2026.