Time commitment: c. 24 days per year

Remuneration: TBD

Deadline: Tuesday 22nd February 2024

Magdalen College was founded in 1458. It is one of the oldest and most beautiful colleges in Oxford, set within 100 acres, including numerous buildings, new and ancient, the famous Magdalen Tower, the Deer Park and Addison’s riverside walk. The College has over 640 students, providing an inclusive and supportive culture, allowing creativity and scholarship to thrive.

Magdalen College enjoys a world-leading academic reputation through outstanding student results, the calibre of its Fellowship and the achievements of its Alumni, with numerous Fellows of learned societies, alongside ten Nobel Prize winners. A strong tradition of excellence in science, innovation and entrepreneurship is exemplified by companies founded by Magdalen Fellows, which include current companies OrganOx, Moa Technology and Oxford Endovascular, all of which have flourished at The Oxford Science Park.

The Oxford Science Park is majority owned by Magdalen College, in partnership with GIC since Oct 2021, and represents a strategic asset in the College’s endowment portfolio. The concept of The Oxford Science Park was developed by the College in the late 1980s, with the first building, the Magdalen Centre, opening in 1991. Three decades of development since, with sought-after proximity to the world’s leading university, has seen The Oxford Science Park grow to become one of Europe's leading science parks, now with a focus on the exciting life sciences sector. The Oxford Science Park is currently embarking on the next phase of development of c.600,000 sqf of state-of-the-art R&D laboratory facilities to accommodate the rapid growth of life science companies from the UK and abroad. New developments will also feature a train station, which will be transformational for Park occupiers and the local community. 

The Chair will be engaged by Magdalen College as a College-nominated Director to lead both the Board of The Oxford Science Park Ltd and the joint venture (JV) Board of The Oxford Science Park (Properties) Ltd. The Chair will:

• Ensure that the Boards are effective and fulfil their responsibilities for the overall governance of The Oxford Science Park
• Work closely with the CEO and executive team of The Oxford Science Park, ensuring that they are supported, challenged and held accountable
• Apply extensive property development and asset management experience to add value to the strategic leadership and the management of The Oxford Science Park
• Liaise closely with the College Bursar and other College-appointed Directors and ensure effective communication with two Directors appointed by GIC on the JV Board
• Perform duties faithfully, diligently and to a standard commensurate with the function of the role and with one’s own knowledge, skills and experience
• Lead discussions around the remuneration of the management team

Magdalen College, University of Oxford is the majority shareholder of one of Europe's leading science parks, The Oxford Science Park which has two boards: The Oxford Science Park Ltd (development and asset management company, 100% wholly-owned by the College) and The Oxford Science Park (Properties) Ltd, a joint venture with GIC. The College now seeks an experienced individual with significant property investment expertise, as well as development and asset management experience to chair the two boards for the Science Park.

The successful candidate will bring extensive and recent experience of large-scale property investment, development and asset management. This may have been gained in a variety of backgrounds, such as a fund manager, property investor and developer or agency. They will be a strategic thinker, an astute business-person, and an effective advisor to the College regarding the development of The Oxford Science Park.

The individual will also bring the following personal characteristics:

• Energetic, but not overbearing, with a real interest in adding value to the Park’s activities
• A collaborative and consensual style with the ability to communicate clearly and concisely
• Excellent at building interpersonal relationships with high levels of integrity and sensitivity
• Strong convictions without being dogmatic
• Gravitas, with the ability to demonstrate credibility and a reassuring seniority

Whilst the College is open to engage a first-time Chair, the successful individual will bring proven non-executive board experience.

Finally, the College will encourage the appointed candidate to develop an active relationship with the wider College community, including the Fellowship.

This role is remunerated, and reasonable, pre-agreed travel expenses will be reimbursed. It is anticipated that the successful candidate will spend up to 24 days per year in relation to this role. This could be slightly higher in the first year. This will include attendance at Board meetings, pre-Board reading, site visits and ad-hoc engagements. The expectation is an initial three year term.

Location:This organisation is based in Oxford and meetings will take place in person and virtually. Candidates will therefore be UK based.