The Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) is a specialist Higher Education Institution dedicated to the study of art, architecture, design, media and performance, with an enviable national and international reputation. The University has just over 4,000 students based at an attractive, striking and modern, 11-acre campus. AUB offers courses at further, higher, postgraduate and research levels and also provides a range of short courses. It runs about 20 undergraduate courses and about 10 graduate courses in a full range of creative disciplines. 

As well as being offered a first-class education in their chosen subjects, students are encouraged to be curious and risk-taking in their work. All over the campus students are busy sharing ideas and creating, whether designing costumes, 3D printing, drawing, model-making, preparing a film script or rehearsing a play. The University places great importance on collaborative study across course boundaries and provides access to the most up-to-date technologies and digital tools.

AUB's vision is to be a world-class art, design and media university working with professional partners to create excellence, relevance and impact, and it aims to develop a national and international distinctiveness by embracing innovation, collaboration and connectedness. As it looks ahead, the University has an ambitious "Strategy 2030" and will be looking at diversifying sources of income, developing apprenticeships and widening its commercial activities. With its commitment to a global future, and to creating new overseas opportunities for students and staff, now is an excellent time to join AUB. 

The Board oversees the strategic development of the University and ensures the effective use of resources and the general solvency of the institution.

The Board comprises members from within higher education, industry and commerce as well as representatives of the students and staff (both academic and professional services staff). The Vice-Chancellor and certain members of the University Executive Team are Board Members.

All members of AUB work towards implementing the three key goals of the University’s strategy:

• To enhance its standing as a globally-leading independent arts, design, performance and media university
• To create opportunity for its students, alumni and staff through a passionate belief in collaboration, creativity and innovative practices
• To impact positively on society, industry and its stakeholders through the excellence and relevance of its practice and research

The Board seeks to appoint a committed Governor with senior strategic-level experience in financial and commercial management. They will offer insight and support to the Board and executive team on various matters regarding resource management, cost control, procurement, capital projects management (estates and IT), treasury management and enterprise risk management.

The successful candidate will be an experienced senior financial leader and a qualified accountant. In addition to offering support and challenges on budgeting, risk, audit and other financial matters, they will also contribute to the University's broader commercial strategy. The role would particularly suit someone who has worked in a range of different organisations, and who can appreciate the challenges faced by large and complex organisations as well as the constraints faced by smaller ones. They will bring strong commercial acumen coupled with an innovative mindset to advise on future business models and the University's strategic development, planning and investment. They will understand the importance of governance, and may have Board experience in either an executive or non-executive capacity. In time, they may be considered for the Chair of the Finance & Resources Committee.

All Governors will need to be completely committed to the vision and forward direction of the University, and be willing to advocate and lobby on its behalf. They will also demonstrate excellent communication skills and the ability to relate to a wide range of different people and constituencies, both inside and outside the University.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a lively, engaged, university board whose members believe their contributions are useful and valued, and who enjoy their interactions with staff and students who are current and future leaders in their fields.

Information on the University's governance, including profiles of current Board members, can be found here. 

There are five Board meetings per year, which take place in-person at the University on weekdays between 10:30am - 3:00pm. It is expected that the Governor will also join the Finance & Resources Committee, which meets a further four times per year, generally in a hybrid format. There is an annual strategy away day, plus other ad hoc events to attend. The role is not remunerated, but travel and similar expenses incurred in attending meetings / events can be reimbursed. The appointment will be for a three year term, which can be renewed twice at the discretion of the Board's Search and Governance Committee.

Location: Candidates don't need to be based in Bournemouth, however they should live within a reasonable commuting distance of the University in order to attend meetings.