Chair of Council

Vacancy terms: 3 years with the possibility of extension

Hours per week: 7.5

Advert closes midnight on: 09 August 2024

About the role 

We are seeking an exceptional candidate for the position of Chair of Council. This vital role holds the honorary title of Pro-Chancellor and is responsible for the leadership of the Council, as the governing body of the University, and ultimately for its effectiveness.  

Council is the University's supreme governing body, responsible for taking all final decisions on matters of fundamental concern to the University, including our academic mission, strategic direction and financial sustainability.

The role of the Chair of Council is to promote the efficient operation of the Council, ensuring that its members work together effectively and that they, and wider stakeholders, have confidence in the procedures laid down by the University for the proper conduct of public business. The Chair is also responsible for ensuring that the Council establishes oversight and scrutiny of University leadership, at all times ensuring that the Council conducts its own affairs in accordance with accepted standards of behaviour in public life, embracing selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

The nature of the role of Chair of Council requires a commitment of time as well as regular attendance on campus. This is expected to be approximately one day a week with the majority of the work being undertaken during University term-time. As such we anticipate the successful applicant being located within, or commutable distance to, the city of Leicester.

About you 

As the ideal candidate, you will embody the values of the University, have a proven track record of effective senior leadership at board level in a large, diverse and complex organisation and professional experience of a range of factors in the successful operation of large organisations. You will be able to demonstrate an awareness of the demands of the modern regulatory environment and expectations, so that the need for legitimate scrutiny and accountability is respected and discharged effectively by Council and its committees.

You will be an excellent communicator with the ability to network and negotiate effectively and have the ability to deal with differences of opinion in a constructive, diplomatic and sensitive manner. Whilst previous experience of management/governance in higher education is not essential, you will have an awareness of the political, economic and social dynamics of Leicester and the East Midlands and have a commitment to the values, aims and culture of the University of Leicester.

Additional information

Informal enquiries are welcome and should be made to Geoff Green, Registrar and Secretary on Registrar@leicester.ac.uk.

Interviews will be held on 6 September 2024

The University of Leicester has been changing the world, and changing people’s lives, for 100 years. When you join us, you’ll become part of a community of Citizens of Change, which includes not only our staff and our current students but also thousands of Leicester graduates around the world.

As a diverse and forward-thinking employer, we embed the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion into everything we do. That includes not just our core missions of teaching and research, but also our support for staff, students and our local community through our values of Inspiring, Impactful and Inclusive.