About University of Staffordshire
The University of Staffordshire is the UK’s foremost digital university, with campuses in Stoke-on-Trent, Stafford, Lichfield and HereEast in East London. Over 20,000 students study on its programmes across the globe and, as an anchor institution, it acts as a ‘catalyst for change’, changing lives locally, regionally, nationally and around the world.
The UK higher education sector is evolving rapidly. An increasingly competitive market, combined with changing student demographics and post-pandemic reverberations, makes higher education a challenging environment. The University of Staffordshire believes that as an innovative university, taking a business-driven approach to its fundamental contribution to the economy and society, it could lead the field in this new world.
As it looks forward, the University is focused on its Towards 2030 Strategy, which was launched in 2022, and focuses on becoming a ‘catalyst for change’. With a host of awards and nominations under its belt, the University of Staffordshire is continuing to build on the impressive progress made over the last few years and has much to look forward to in 2025 and beyond. In recent years, the University launched its new £40m Catalyst building, opened its net zero carbon forest school and nursery, and continued the expansion of the University of Staffordshire: London.
Link to Strategy: https://www.staffs.ac.uk/about/corporate-information/strategic-plan
With a solid financial footing, and ambitious targets to grow its undergraduate, postgraduate and apprenticeship student numbers, the University also plans to expand its international research profile. In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, 68% of its research was classed as “internationally excellent” or “world-leading”, and 87% of its research impact was “outstanding” or “very considerable”. In league tables, the University aims to be one of the top 50 UK universities, based on a consistent, first-class student experience. The University is also looking to build on its silver status in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), setting its sights on achieving gold in the next TEF.
Role specification
The Board of Governors is made up of independent Governors, two staff Governors, two student Governors, and the Vice Chancellor (ex officio). The Independent Governors bring valuable and diverse experience from business, community, education and industry.
As well as being advocates for the University, its staff and students, Governors have strategic oversight of the Institution’s activities, which are delivered and managed by the University Executive Board. They make sure that the strategic plan is being delivered, that the University is delivering on its mission to transform people, transform places and transform society and that the University’s KPIs are delivered. You can find out more information about becoming a Governor here: https://www.advance-he.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2019-07/Information_to_Support_the_Induction_of_New_Governors.pdf
In return, Staffordshire’s Governors receive support to develop their professional skills, gain valuable board-level strategic experience within a successful organisation with a £170m turnover, and have the chance for considerable networking opportunities. Furthermore, the University supports Governors with a comprehensive onboarding programme together with professional development opportunities which are fully-funded.
Person specification
The University of Staffordshire is seeking a new Governor with a background in higher education to further strengthen the Board in consideration of the impact of evolving government policy on the Higher Education sector. They will provide strong governance, constructive challenge and act as a critical friend to the Board and Executive team.
The successful candidate will have experience of the higher education, in an executive or non-executive capacity. Experience can come from within the sector or from an organisation which supports the sector more broadly. Candidates currently employed within a University will not be considered as this would likely represent a conflict of interest.
Candidates should showcase the ability to provide strategic advice in complex environments with multiple stakeholders, along with excellent communication skills and the ability to positively influence others. New Governors will be passionate, driven advocates for the organisation as a civic University, helping to open up opportunities and generate real social value.
Board composition
You can find out more about the current Governors and their profiles here: https://www.staffs.ac.uk/about/governance/board-of-governors
Diversity
University of Staffordshire welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, belief or disability. 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
Governors attend four Board meetings a year in person, plus one to two strategic events. There are usually a further three to four Sub-Committee meetings per year which are also in person. Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed, including those incurred while undertaking the role, such as reimbursement of the reasonable cost of care arrangements for dependents where necessary in order to attend a Board or committee meeting. New Governors at the University of Staffordshire serve an initial term of one year, to be converted to a full three-year term by mutual agreement. Currently, Governors are entitled to serve three terms of three years.
To apply for this position, please contact:
Brigitte Stundner
brigitte.stundner@nurole.com
