Vice-Chancellor

Lancaster University is a leading global research institution, rooted in its local community. Modern and forward-thinking, the University consistently ranks among the top dozen UK universities and the top 150 globally, and is among the best on any objective measure. Our ambition is to be sustainable, academically excellent and recognised as one of the leading universities in the world. With a turnover of c.£400m, 3,350 staff, and more than 27,000 students (of which c.11,600 are studying through our international campus partnerships), we excel in innovative research, education, and engagement, as evidenced by our research ranking 21^st in REF 2021, our strong KEF performance, our TEF Gold rating, and strong NSS performance. Our collegiate system supports a diverse community, nurturing talents and personal growth, and our campuses in Lancaster and around the world attract brilliant minds who drive economic, cultural, societal, and environmental change. Committed to civic engagement, we make a positive impact locally, nationally and globally. Supporting over 8,800 jobs and contributing an estimated £2bn to the UK economy, we attract investment for regional, social, economic and environmental benefit, through initiatives such as the Health Innovation Campus and the Eden Project Morecambe.

We are seeking an exceptional leader to succeed Professor Andy Schofield as Vice-Chancellor. Our next Vice-Chancellor will take office in a challenging higher education environment. Building on our existing strengths, they will lead the development of our new strategy, ensuring Lancaster continues to excel and evolve during an era of significant external volatility. Important choices will need to be made, including balancing risks and taking bold steps to innovate and change, leading the University on a sustainable, upward trajectory. We expect the Vice-Chancellor to be in the vanguard of those making the case for its value to the UK both financially and in helping to define what a modern university is for.    

The University’s new leader will be chosen as someone who understands and embodies our values, can articulate our qualities to the wider world, and be utterly committed to delivering our ambitions for the highest quality research, teaching, student experience. With deep knowledge of higher education, they will have a proven ability to develop and successfully implement a vision and strategy, combined with senior strategic leadership within a research intensive environment and an organisation of comparable scale and complexity. With a track record of change management, excellent judgement, and commercial acumen, our next Vice Chancellor will demonstrate their ability to drive forward the next stage of our evolution. They will have the capacity and personality to inspire, enthuse and motivate a committed and collegial workforce, student and alumni community, and the communication skills and political awareness to extend our reach, reputation and impact locally and around the world.

Closing date: Friday 7^th February at 5pm

Lancaster University is fully committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of the community.

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