About Canterbury Christ Church University
For more than 60 years, Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) has been a big part of the Kent community, providing education which makes a real and positive difference to people’s lives, welcoming students from all faiths and none. With over 1,500 staff, the University offers a wide range of programmes to over 30,000 students. As well as meeting the business and employment needs of regional employers and beyond, the University is a widening participation institution.
The impact of its research and enterprise is felt nationally and internationally as recognised by the recent national Research Excellence Framework and the Knowledge Exchange Framework. The Sunday Times Good University Guide for 2026 has revealed Canterbury Christ Church University is in the top 10 in the UK for teaching quality and student experience. It is also one of the largest providers of education, training and skills to public service in the South East. The University’s largest campus is in the centre of the historic city of Canterbury. The Canterbury campus sits at the heart of a World Heritage site and close to Canterbury Cathedral. In the past decade, the University has invested over £100m in facilities, including opening the Verena Holmes building, an award-winning building for science, technology, engineering, health and medicine, and the Daphne Oram building, a creative arts and cultural hub, on the Canterbury Campus. The award winning Augustine House, situated close to Canterbury City Centre, provides first class Library and Learning Resources for the academic community. The other campuses, all offering high quality facilities, are located at Medway and Royal Tunbridge Wells.
Following a period of significant growth and diversification through a range of partners, a new medical school (Kent and Medway Medical School), CCCU will now be looking to expand its post-graduate provision as well as its online offering. With an exciting future ahead with its strategy Vision 2030 and a stable financial position (£356m turnover and with a surplus), the University is on a major transformation journey, streamlining its academic structure as well as its corporate services function and reviewing digital systems and processes to enhance impact whilst reducing its costs. Looking ahead, innovation, diversification and cost control will be key priorities for CCCU as it navigates through uncertain times for the higher education sector.
Role specification
The Governing Body of Canterbury Christ Church University is responsible for determining the educational character & mission of the University and has oversight of its activities.
Specific Responsibilities:
-The determination of the educational character and mission of the University including the approval of the University’s Strategic Plan and the approval of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
-The approval of the annual estimates of income and expenditure
-Ensure the solvency of the University and the safeguarding of its assets
-The appointment or dismissal of the Vice-Chancellor, the Clerk to the Governing Body, the Chaplain and other such senior posts designated by the Governing Body
-Ensure that there are suitable arrangements for appraisal of the Vice-Chancellor’s performance
-The varying or revoking of the Instrument or Articles of Government (subject to provisions within those documents regarding the Archbishops’ Council)
-Ensure compliance with Company and Charity law, and in particular the duties of Directors under the Companies Act 2006
-Receive and approve annual accounts (financial statements) after they have been audited by the external auditors, and for forwarding the external auditors’ management letter
-Approve the constitution of the student body (Students’ Union) and receive the audited accounts of that body on an annual basis
-Approve the University’s Risk Management Framework, Risk Register and Risk Appetite Statement
-Review its own effectiveness and performance and that of its Committees, both in depth at regular intervals, and with a ‘light touch’ annually
-Regularly monitor the performance of the University against its planned strategies and operational targets including those contained in approved KPIs
-Review its terms of reference and work plan annually
Person specification
Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) seeks to appoint a new Governor to act as a critical friend, bring advice, scrutiny, sound judgement and constructive challenge to the Governing Body and Executive team. The University seeks to recruit a new Governor who will have extensive digital / technology experience at senior level to provide guidance and advice to the wider Board and executive team on the digital strategy of CCCU. They will bring a willingness to be challenging but constructive.
The successful candidate will bring experience in senior strategic leadership roles in IT / technology and will have some digital transformation experience. They may have operated in any sector but will ideally have experience from similarly sized / complex organisations. Individuals will bring a broad organisational perspective and could also come from a senior digital consultancy background. Though previous experience in the higher education sector isn’t necessary, candidates will bring an understanding of the challenges facing the sector and have an appreciation for its highly regulated nature. The University is open to hearing from first time non-executives who can demonstrate an understanding of the nuances between an executive and non-executive role.
Above all, candidates will bring a commitment to the University’s mission of pursuing excellence in higher education: transforming individuals, creating knowledge, enriching communities and building a sustainable future. In addition, they will have sympathy with the University’s Anglican Foundation.
Please do not contact this organisation directly. Instead, if you know someone at the organisation, please mention it in your Reason for Application. Nurole members who do not respect this may risk having their membership terminated and account closed.
Board composition
To find out more about the Governing Body and its Governors, please see here.
Diversity
Canterbury Christ Church University welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, belief or disability. The University is proud that it already has a diverse Board. To maintain this, the University particularly welcomes applications from women, Black, Asian, and other minority ethnic candidates. The University also welcomes expressions of interest from members of the Church of England in view of its Anglican Foundation status. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process. In line with the Equality Act 2010, however, the organisation may employ positive action where candidates from underrepresented groups can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.
Terms of appointment
This role is unremunerated, and reasonable, pre-agreed domestic travel expenses and and childcare costs will be reimbursed. There will be four Governing Body meetings and three to four Committee meetings annually, which are all held in person in Canterbury or Medway. The appointment is for a four-year term, which can be renewed at the discretion of the Board.
Location: As meetings are held in person, individuals will be UK-Based and will be in a commutable distance to Canterbury.
Interviews: Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed on 31st October.
To apply for this position, please contact:
Canterbury Christ Church University is partnering with Nurole, the leading board-level search specialist on this appointment. If you’d like to view the full spec click here.
If you’d like to informally find out more about the role please contact Brigitte Stundner, brigitte.stundner@nurole.com
