The University
Founded in 1911, the University of Hong Kong has attained its pre-eminence as a research-led comprehensive university through upholding the highest international standards of excellence in its research pursuits, scholarship, teaching and learning, and service to the community. The University is consistently ranked amongst the world’s top universities: 11th in QS World University Rankings 2027, 1st in the QS Asia University Rankings 2026 and 33rd in Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026. In recent years, the University was ranked multiple times as the most international University in the world.
Home to ten disciplinary Faculties (Architecture, Arts, Business and Economics, Dentistry, Education, Engineering, Law, Medicine, Science, and Social Sciences), the University is committed to fostering interdisciplinary exchange with an outlook for transformative breakthroughs, innovations and global impact. There are 45,303 undergraduate and postgraduate students from 104 countries and regions, and more than 10,000 academic, academic-related and administrative staff. The University has embarked on a number of ambitious infrastructure and facilities projects for future expansion in Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis, Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Europe.
The Faculty
The Faculty of Business and Economics, known as HKU Business School, is one of Asia’s foremost business schools and a globally recognised centre for research and education in business and economics. Since its establishment in 2001, the Faculty has grown rapidly in scale, reach and academic standing. It is ranked 1st in Asia and 6th globally in the 2025 UTD Top 100 Business School Research Rankings, and 1st in Asia and 11th globally for research in the Financial Times Global MBA Ranking 2026. The Faculty holds AACSB International and EQUIS accreditation. There are 9,493 undergraduate and postgraduate students, and more than 840 academic, academic-related and administrative staff in the Faculty.
The Faculty brings together an internationally distinguished and diverse academic community across six academic areas — Accounting and Law, Economics, Finance, Innovation and Information Management, Management and Strategy, and Marketing. Its scholars produce rigorous and impactful research that advances academic knowledge and informs business practice and public policy. The Faculty offers a comprehensive portfolio of undergraduate, taught postgraduate, MBA, EMBA, DBA, executive education and research postgraduate programmes. Its research centres and institutes, together with the Wealth Management Academy, promote interdisciplinary scholarship and knowledge exchange across a broad range of fields, including Asian business and case research, economic policy and strategy, the Chinese economy and quantitative history, financial innovation and wealth management, entrepreneurship, the digital economy and innovation, sustainability, socio-economic inequality, and behavioural and decision science.
Deeply rooted in Hong Kong, closely engaged with the Chinese Mainland and internationally connected, the Faculty has established an extensive network through its centres in Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen and its representative office in Vietnam. It is further extending its global footprint through HKU Europe in Barcelona, HKU’s first European campus. The incoming Dean will lead the Faculty at an important stage of its development, including overseeing its phased transition to the new Pokfield Campus and advancing its continued growth in research, education, global engagement and societal impact. Further information about the Faculty is available at www.hkubs.hku.hk.
The Position
The Dean will provide academic and strategic leadership to the Faculty. He/She will provide a supportive research environment, commit to excellence in education, foster a collegial culture in the Faculty, and have a vision for developing and implementing new strategies for the Faculty. He/She will be responsible for building a close and extensive network with the business community, attend to the students’ experience, fund-raising, and furthering the mission of the Faculty and the University. The position carries the status and title of Professor. The successful candidate is expected to assume the position in the summer of 2027. The appointment will be for a five-year term, subject to renewal.
The Person
The successful candidate should be an outstanding scholar at full Professor level or above, with distinguished international standing.
Qualifications and Qualities
- A doctoral (Ph.D.) or equivalent degree in Business, Economics, or a closely related discipline
- Record of distinguished scholarship and professional excellence
- Active engagement with business and government for teaching, research and service
- Proven administrative experience, with demonstrated capacity in strategic planning, financial stewardship, talent development, and stakeholder engagement
- Global outlook combined with a commitment to excellence in business education and high-impact research for the University and Hong Kong as a whole
- Deep understanding and appreciation of the higher education landscape in Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, the Asia-Pacific region, and globally
- Excellent leadership, interpersonal, communication and team-building skills
- Demonstrable success in fostering interdisciplinary cooperation, fundraising, knowledge transfer, and partnership development.
Nominations and Applications
Nominations, expression of interest and applications should be directed to Odgers via email at HKU_DeanFBE@odgers.com in confidence. Review of nominations and applications will begin now and will continue until the post is filled. The University is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to equality, ethics, inclusivity, diversity and transparency.
