Goodenough College is London’s finest postgraduate residential community, providing award-winning student accommodation in the heart of London. It is an educational charity where the brightest global minds come together in one community.

Goodenough resident ‘Members’ are post-graduate international (and a few UK) students studying at any of London’s universities and colleges. They are encouraged to share their skills, knowledge and experience, contributing to a stimulating programme of cultural, social and academic activities open to all. Over the last ninety years, Goodenough College has offered talented postgraduates a supportive community in which to live, study and access outstanding opportunities. Since its inception, it has given its Members the chance to make global connections while learning, to share cultural and social experiences and to benefit from the strength found in mutual support. Its legacy is seen in the impact which its alumni have had, and continue to have, in communities and countries across the globe.

The College operates through a significant estate focused on Mecklenburgh Square, London WC1N. This comprises two main buildings, providing high-quality student accommodation and common spaces, a home to over 700 postgraduate international Members and their partners and families. These buildings are also used to generate funds for the charity through commercial letting of College venues for events and from short-stay guests. The College’s 65-bed hotel, The Goodenough on Mecklenburgh Square, is a fully commercial operation which provides a substantial annual surplus to support the operations of the charity. The College’s property in Scotland, The Burn, is managed as an academic retreat and study centre with the aim of enhancing education by providing a unique study and short-break venue to student groups from around the world.

Each year, the College invests some £1.8m in the life of the College to ensure that each Member has the best possible experience. Its Members benefit from a vibrant events and activities programme, access to pastoral support when they need it, and subsidised dining facilities that encourage them to meet and eat together. The College provides excellent facilities in beautiful surroundings, encouraging a sense of community. 

Goodenough College is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee. Under its new governance arrangements, the Board will act as the single unitary governing body for the College. Board members are the Trustees of the charity and Directors of the company.  

The appointees will work co-operatively with and in support of the Board Chair, the College Director, the College Executive team and fellow Trustees. They will have the confidence, knowledge and skill to constructively challenge the College's senior staff and provide appropriate mentoring and guidance. The appointees will assume the role of Trustees in a complex charity with some £14m annual turnover.

Trustees are expected additionally to sit on one of the standing committees of the College, which include the Academic Committee, Audit Committee, Finance and Investment Committee and EDI Committee. Trustees with particular skills may be invited to support additional executive-led advisory committees or specific project steering groups.     

The key duties of Trustee board members are to:

• Ensure that the College complies with its governing document (its Memorandum and Articles of Association), charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations, pursues its objects as defined in its governing document and applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects
• Contribute actively to the Board of Trustees by giving firm strategic direction to the College, setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets, and evaluating performance against agreed targets, working as an effective team, using the appropriate balance of skills, experience, backgrounds and knowledge to make informed decisions
• Make sure that decision-making processes are informed, rigorous and timely, and that effective delegation, control and risk-assessment, and management systems are set up and monitored
• Exercise a clear, agreed and effective approach to supporting equality, diversity and inclusion throughout the College and through their own practice
• Safeguard the good name and values of the College
• Ensure the financial stability of the College
• Support the College through exercising their skill and knowledge as a member of one or more of the College’s standing committees or project steering committees
• Trustees with particular skills may additionally be asked to assist the College through attendance at executive advisory committees

Goodenough College is looking to appoint two Trustees who can provide the Board, senior leaders and other key stakeholders with expertise and guidance on delivering the overall objectives of the charity as well as assess and mitigate risks.

Although experience in estate management, human resources management or IT is a preference, candidates with other relevant skills are asked to set out how their skills and experience will support the work of the College. Experience in senior-level positions in the higher education and / or the student accommodation sector are also particularly welcome. They could come with backgrounds in the provision of student accommodation, welfare and educational support for the higher education sector or experience within a collegiate setting would also be helpful.

Candidates will bring experience as a Non-Executive Director or Trustee in a similarly-sized / complex organisation or demonstrable skills and experience that show the ability to be ready to act as such along with an understanding of the distinction between the role of the Executive and that of Trustees and advisors.

Above all, successful candidates will have an interest in and understanding of the Higher Education charitable sector and will be enthusiastic in their support, in particular, of international postgraduate study in London. 

A list of current Trustees is available here. 

Goodenough College welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. It especially welcomes applications from women and those from minority ethnic backgrounds which are currently under-represented on its Board. All appointments will be made on merit of skill and experience relative to the role following a fair and transparent process.

Trustees are expected to attend four Board meetings each year. In-person attendance is preferred in Central London, but exceptional attendance through video link can be facilitated. Meetings are usually held from 5pm and last around two hours. Additionally, Trustees are normally expected to join one of the College's standing committees, which generally meet twice per year and are often organised within the working day. Executive advisory committees and project steering committees meet as and when necessary. Occasional additional ad hoc correspondence or meetings may be required to discuss urgent matters; they will be either online or hybrid in nature. The role is unremunerated, but reasonable domestic expenses will be reimbursed.

Trustees will be expected to be keen to engage in College life, including attendance at receptions with Members following Board meetings, attending occasional College events at the invitation of the College Director, College Members and the College Dean.