About University of Roehampton:
Located on a beautiful campus in southwest London, the University of Roehampton is a supportive, diverse and inclusive community, where everyone can be inspired. With a proud history in higher education stretching back more than 180 years, the University’s four Colleges were founded in the 19th century and were pioneers in teacher training. Whitelands was the first higher education college in the UK to admit women in 1841. The educational missions of its colleges are inspired by the values of social progress. These values inform the academic life of Roehampton today, including its teaching, research and engagement with communities and organisations locally, nationally and internationally. Roehampton was eighth in England for undergraduate student satisfaction in the most recent National Student Survey, ranked the number one modern university in London by the Times Good University Guide 2022 and joint number one modern university in the UK for research in the Research Excellence Framework 2021 exercise.
Roehampton builds on its community, engagement and partnerships, with a belief that no matter their background, it can help its students realise their ambitions. Widening participation is at the heart of Roehampton’s mission, with many of its students coming from deprived areas and being the first in their family to attend University, Roehampton is very proud of its student outcomes. Its graduates are part of a thriving global community of alumni adding huge value to businesses, the public and not-for-profit sectors and the creative industries. With around 13,500 students on campus as well as a further 6,500 studying off-campus and online, the University provides an engaging portfolio of courses across social sciences, law, healthcare, humanities, literature, education, business, psychology, human and life sciences and engineering. Roehampton also has an excellent research profile. With an international reach, its world-class research informs policy, enriches culture and improves people’s lives.
To achieve its long term goals, the University has developed a strategic plan built on the themes of student education, research and knowledge exchange and sustainability. More information about the University is available here. As it looks forward, Roehampton aims to achieve gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework after it was awarded silver in September 2023 for delivering high quality teaching, learning and outcomes for its students. The University will also seek to expand its academic portfolio, continuing to grow its on-campus student population as well as further developing its international partnerships and transnational education (TNE) provision. With a clear strategy, the University is in a good position to tackle the challenging environment universities operate in, which is characterised by intense competition and a rapidly evolving policy landscape.
Role specification:
Council is responsible for determining the ongoing strategic direction of the University and for gaining assurance from the executive leadership on delivery of the strategy. Council considers proposals for major developments and seeks regular and timely information on the overall performance of the University, together with other information, including student education, research and knowledge exchange activity and the long-term sustainability of the organisation.
Council is chaired by Phil Walker. The University’s Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive is Professor Jean-Noël Ezingeard, who is also a member of Council. The remaining members of Council are appointed from academic staff, professional services staff and student bodies or are independent non-executives (including some nominated by the University’s College providing bodies). More information about the Council and the University, including a copy of our most recent annual report and financial statements, can be found here.
The Finance and Resources Committee (FRC) monitors and advises Council in respect of the finances and other resources of the University. The FRC also advises Council on related matters of a general nature that do not fall to other standing Committees, or are referred to it by Council. In addition, the FRC has oversight of matters relating to staffing, including staff wellbeing and engagement, as well as the University’s IT infrastructure and other technological assets.
Person specification:
The University of Roehampton is looking for a new Member of Council and Chair of the Finance and Resources Committee who will act as a critical friend and bring gravitas, have excellent negotiation skills and be commercially minded.
The ideal candidate will bring senior financial and operational leadership experience and they will have operated in large and complex organisations (minimum of c. £100m turnover). Previous non-executive experience either as a Board or Committee member is essential and chairing experience would be seen as advantageous. Capital markets experience would be desirable. Though previous experience of the higher education sector isn’t necessary, an understanding of organisations that are influenced by external factors and bring an element of uncertainty is important and candidates will therefore also bring change management expertise. In addition, they will have strong leadership and relation-building skills as well as having an ability to bring people together.
Above all, they will understand and be committed to the accepted standards of public life, have high levels of integrity and probity and an ability to act fairly, impartially and always in the best interests of the University, its students and staff. They will have a commitment to the values of the University, a passion for the transformative nature of higher education and an understanding of the needs of its stakeholders. They will have a strong personal commitment to the Nolan Principles of public service and the principles of diversity and equal opportunities.
All Council members are required to confirm before appointment that they’re ‘fit and proper’ persons as defined by the Office for Students. They act as Directors of the University under company law and as its charitable Trustees under charity law and will therefore be asked to confirm that they are not disqualified from acting in this capacity. They will also be required to work in accordance with the University’s Council Members’ Code of Conduct and Statement of Responsibilities.
To apply for this position, please contact:
Brigitte Stundner: brigitte.stundner@nurole.com
The University of Roehampton is partnering with Nurole, the leading board-level search specialist, to find a new Member of Council & Chair of Finance and Resources. To arrange an informal conversation or in case of any other queries, please contact Brigitte.Stundner@nurole.com
