Provost

Gresham College has been providing free public lectures of exceptional quality since 1597 when Sir Thomas Gresham founded the College to bring ‘new learning’ to Londoners. Today the College carries on Sir Thomas's vision, bringing some of the world's most brilliant minds to speak in fields ranging across the arts and sciences. With a new Executive Director and Chair of Council, this is an exciting time in the College’s history. Gresham has expanded its online provision, and continues to grow its audiences both within London and across the globe. The College currently serves in-person audiences of c. 9,000 people annually, and around 7 million virtual views drawn from the over 2,700 lectures available via online channels. The College is committed to taking the highest-quality academic programme to growing audiences in person and online.

Gresham College seeks an exceptional academic as its new Provost. Reporting into the Executive Director, the Provost will provide academic leadership to the College, chairing Gresham’s Academic Board and overseeing the public lectures which are so integral to Gresham’s identity. The new Provost will curate the academic programme, determining its content and quality. They will be responsible to the Nominations Committee for managing the appointments of Professors, Visiting Professors and Lecturers, in conjunction with the College’s partners, funders and stakeholders. The appointee will be responsible for maintaining the highest academic standards of the College and for translating the Executive Director’s strategy for the College into reality. They will liaise closely with Gresham College’s sponsors (the Mercers’ Company and the City of London Corporation), and will foster crucial academic relationships on behalf of Gresham College. The new Provost will also be tasked with expanding Gresham College’s outreach goals, boosting engagement with schools and young audiences in line with Gresham’s founding mission. The Provost is a key member of the College’s Management Team.

The new Provost will bring a high level of academic credibility and a strong research profile of their own. They will be diplomatic in their approach, with the ability to network across a variety of stakeholders, and to command the respect of both academics and sponsors. They will be dexterous and compelling. Ideal candidates will have academic leadership skills and experience, as well as an awareness of and enthusiasm for audience engagement. They will be an effective external ambassador for the College. They will be motivated by Gresham’s mission and ethos, as well as excited by the opportunity to promote Gresham’s academic programme, both in the UK and abroad.

This is an opportunity to build on the 400-year tradition of Gresham College, while at the same time developing innovative ideas to realise its vision of providing high-quality free education for all.

This is a part-time appointment equivalent to two days a week and will require regular attendance at evening lectures. This is a three-year appointment (extendable by mutual agreement).

Gresham College wholeheartedly supports the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion throughout the recruitment and employment of our employees and workers, as well as ensuring that it is afforded to all job applicants.

Applications must consist of a curriculum vitae accompanied by a statement in the form of a letter (no more than two sides of A4) outlining (a) your vision for Gresham’s academic programme under your leadership and (b) explaining your suitability for the role as against the information and criteria specified in the Job Description and Person Specification.  Please send your application to gresham@minervasearch.com by Friday 25^th April 2025.