Professorial pay review

Overview

The University recognises and values the hard work, commitment and achievements of all our staff.

Whilst noting that the promotion process is the main recognition scheme, the Professorial Pay Review process is designed to encourage and recognise excellent contributions for Band 3 professors and of more limited scope than the promotion scheme covers for Band 1 and 2 professors. The Professorial Pay Review is designed to recognise contributions in the last 3 years or since the last promotion or pay review award (whichever is more recent) that are substantially beyond expectations for the current grade.

Eligibility

This scheme is open to Professorial staff who are not at the top of the current salary range for their band.

Professors on clinical contracts are paid on the NHS pay scale and are therefore not eligible to apply for this scheme.

Heads of Department in Professorial bands are able to make an application for a Pay Review.

Heads of Department may discuss submitting an application with Professors in their department as part of the annual Performance Development Review process.

Application process

Making an application

Applicants will be asked to use 2 to 3 pages to set out their evidence of exemplary achievements against the criteria for their current band in a clear, succinct and impactful way.

The criteria for making a Professorial pay review application is the same as for promotion. This criteria sets a clear expectation of performance and enables the demonstration of areas of excellence that should be recognised through a pay review. Details of the criteria can be found on the Promotions webpages.

Applicants are also required to submit a copy of their current academic CV.

It is recommended that HoDs making an application for a Professorial Pay Review focus on the Leadership elements of the criteria for their Professorial band.

Heads of Department statements

Heads of Department will receive a copy of applications from their department and will be asked to provide a statement to confirm the content of the application form and to advise on the applicant's general performance in their Professorial role.

Heads of Department may seek input from other senior academic staff within the department to ensure these are a fair and accurate reflection.

Criteria

The University's promotion criteria is also used for considering Professorial Pay Review applications.

The criteria can be found on the promotion web pages.

Professors are invited to demonstrate outstanding achievement in a number of promotion criteria, going beyond the expectations of the current grade and contract type (both A and B criteria can be used in this exercise). For an application to be successful the panel will normally be required to judge that the application demonstrates, in addition to continuing to meet the criteria for the current Band, the following:

• For a Band 1 professor: there is at least one criteria at which the performance is at Band 3 (recognising the emphasis on using the scheme to recognise outstanding performance)
• For a Band 2 professor: there are at least three criteria at which the performance is at Band 3
• For a Band 3 professor: noting the high level of performance expected of band 3 professors, the panel will judge what constitutes exceptional performance beyond the expected, placing a particular emphasis on disciplinary or institutional leadership

Whilst there is no specific requirement on how much evidence should be provided other than the limitation of 3 pages, the expectation is that applicants will demonstrate how they are continuing to meet the criteria for their Professorial level, in addition to proving evidence of exemplary performance in some areas.

Heads of Department, Associate PVC's and Associate Deans are asked to note the Senior Leadership criteria in the Band 3 criteria to assist them in making a case should they wish.

Individual circumstances

It is recognised that some individuals have personal circumstances that may have an impact on performance, whether by reduction in the volume or range of activities undertaken, or in other ways.

If you have circumstances that you feel should be considered, please describe these in the Individual Circumstances section of your application. Keep the focus on the impact of any individual circumstances on your academic output - if you have a particular circumstance that you do not think has impacted your ability to provide clear evidence of meeting a criteria, then there is no requirement for you to share this information.

Individual circumstances can fall into two categories:

• Personal: such as your health, equality issues, or having a personal background that you think is different from other academics.
• Career: such as employment contract type changes, working part time, having a Research buyout, having a career background that you think is different from other academics and that you feel has impacted how you have demonstrated achieving the criteria.

Who will see my individual circumstances?

Some Individual Circumstances may be sensitive. Any information provided as part of an application will be kept in strict confidence and only used for the purposes of reviewing your application.

In order for the process to successfully take account of your circumstances, those with access to this information will include:

• Head of Department (HoD) or a Senior staff member asked to complete the HoD Form
• Members of the Remuneration Executive Group
• HR Staff that work on the professorial pay review process

Head of Department Report

A copy of your application will automatically go to your HoD (or Dean, if you are a HoD). The HoD / Dean is then responsible for completing a factual report, which is submitted to Human Resources.

HoDs may consult with other appropriate senior colleagues, including colleagues in any other department with which an applicant has (or has had) a significant connection.

The applicant will be asked by their HoD to review the report and sign it to confirm they accept the HoD's comments, or alternatively to add additional comments of their own.

Consideration of applications

Application forms with CV's and Head of Department Statements will be considered by the Remuneration Executive Group (REG). This group includes Deans, who will present cases from their faculty and make a recommendation for full group discussion.

Panel members will consider the evidence of exemplary achievements provided against the expectations as set out in the criteria. They will decide whether the evidence provided is outstanding and worthy of recognition above the standard annual pay review process. REG are the final decision makers.