Appointment of Non-Executive Members of Court and a General Council Assessor at The University of St Andrews

University of St Andrews University

Court Appointment of Non-Executive Members of Court and a General Council Assessor

The University of St Andrews is Scotland’s first university and one of the oldest in the world. It is one of the top-rated universities globally for research, teaching quality and student satisfaction and is consistently ranked among the UK’s top five in leading independent league tables. It is also Scotland’s most international university, with around one-half of the student body coming from overseas. The Court, which is the senior governing body of the University, is seeking expressions of interest from highly skilled individuals with experience of leadership in significant organisations, companies or Higher Education institutions to serve as lay (independent) members.

Vacancies exist for two Non-Executive positions and a General Council Assessor. The appointments will be until 31 July 2024 and renewal for a further four years is possible. Members of the University Court must be able to attend five Court meetings each year and will be expected to participate in additional Court committees and working groups. They also play a visible role in key events in the University calendar, such as Graduation ceremonies. In total, Members of Court tend to commit between 20-25 days per year to their role.

General Council Assessors are distinct positions amongst the lay membership of Court, appointed from the over 70,000 members of the General Council, the body of all graduates and senior academics of the University.

Applicants for this post must be graduates of the University and will be expected to bring the perspectives of General Council to Court and to engage with the General Council, including as an ex officio member of its Business Committee.

The University is committed to equality for all, embodied in the Diverse St Andrews theme of the University Strategy for 2018 to 2023 and demonstrated through an extensive portfolio of diversity and inclusion initiatives. We currently hold several diversity awards, including multiple Athena SWAN awards, the Race at Work Charter, the Carer Positive Employer award, the LGBT Charter, and the Stonewall Diversity Champion award. Applications are especially welcome from women, people from the Black, Asian, Minority or Ethnic backgrounds (BAME), the LGBT+ community, and people with other protected characteristics who are currently under-represented on Court.

Experience of governance in Higher Education management; financial investment; managing major projects; and commercial and procurement are particularly desirable skills. Lay Members of Court, including General Council Assessors, are not remunerated but they are entitled to reclaim the cost of all expenses reasonably incurred in the course of their Court duties and there are many rewards from contributing to the strategy and governance of one of Scotland’s most respected institutions and one of the world’s leading universities.

How to Apply: Enquiries or applications can be made, in confidence, to Mary Comer on mcomer@wittkieffer.com The closing date for applications is Friday 18 September 2020.