Professional identities of middle managers

Abstract

This article presents and discusses the findings of a recent study on the professional identities of middle managers in a school of healthcare in a selected Chartered (pre-1992) UK university. Attention focuses on the career backgrounds of the middle managers, perception of identity and the interactional balance between the professional, academic and managerial aspects of their role. The study adopted an interpretive approach, in line with social constructivism, exploring their beliefs, feelings and perceptions with regard to their career background, identities and role. The data suggest that this group of middle managers were influenced by a complex array of circumstances and social processes, but also by critical incidents, key people and opportunities. There was evidence of very high levels of job satisfaction, and the respondents gave examples of core personality traits that contributed to their sustained career success. The data portray these middle managers as hybrid characters attempting to juggle multiple identities; however, this identity was being shaped by the university’s strategic vision to be an elite, research-led learning environment. If senior leaders of higher education institutions wish to aspire to excellence in healthcare education it is essential they recruit middle managers who demonstrate a complex interweaving of personal and professional qualities within a context of moral purpose, described in this study as, ‘loving the job’.