Based in the heart of England, the University of Northampton aspires to offer its 20,000 students transformative learning experiences. What matters most to the University is ensuring that students and graduates have the opportunity to make their mark on the world, and that’s why in 2012 it was the first university in the UK to be named as a Changemaker Campus, one of only 50 such universities in the world. This puts social impact at the heart of its work.

The University began life early in the 20th Century, when new educational initiatives in science, technology and art education were developed to help support the needs of the region’s industries. It achieved full university status in 2005. In Autumn 2018, it welcomed the first cohort of students to the brand-new Waterside Campus, at the heart of Northampton’s Waterside Enterprise Zone, which provides an innovative 21st century space for students and staff to study and work. The University offers exciting, industry-relevant courses from foundation to doctoral level, excellent and passionate lecturers, and face-to-face teaching is enhanced by the latest developments in technology to give students flexibility in the way they learn. It is proud to be a widening participation university: 46% of its students are the first generation in their family to go to university. In April 2022, the University of Northampton was named one of the world’s top 25 higher education providers for tackling inequality by the 2022 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.

The University welcomed a new Vice-Chancellor, Professor Anne-Marie Kilday in August 2022 and under her leadership, it is developing its new strategy to launch later in 2023. This will be an exciting time to join the Board and be a key part in driving the new strategy forward.

The members of the Board of Governors work together to oversee the activities of the University. The Board ensures the future sustainability of the University and safeguards its good name and reputation. As part of this work, the Board:

• Approves the mission, vision, strategy and values of the University
• Approves and monitors the University’s operational plan and key performance indicators
• Appoints the Vice Chancellor as chief executive, and oversees their executive direction of the University
• Is the trustee of the University’s property and assets
• Ensures that the University’s resources are used effectively and efficiently, that the University is solvent over the long-term, and that its assets safeguarded
• Receives assurance about the welfare of students
• Ensures that there are effective systems of control and accountability and monitors them - this includes financial controls, audit systems, risk assessments, academic governance, legal and regulatory compliance and accountability for public funding
• Appoints other senior post holders, and oversees their work

In addition to taking collective responsibility for the work of the Board as outlined above, the Board expects its individual members to:

• Offer insight, expertise and an external view
• Act fairly and impartially in the interests of the University as a whole
• Contribute to the development of strategy
• Evaluate and monitor the work of the University in a constructively critical fashion
• Be impartial, unbiased, and open-minded whilst being respectful of approved policy and procedure
• Offer challenge whilst maintaining positive and constructive relationships with university employees
• Contribute constructively to debate
• Identify risks and the consequences of actions
• Be objective in analysing information and courses of action
• Operate with tact and diplomacy
• Understand the distinction between governance and management, avoiding involvement in the executive management of the University
• Participate fully in procedures for review of the Board of Governors, the senior post holders and individual board members
• Display commitment to the University and identification with its vision, mission and values

The University of Northampton is looking for a Governor with a legal background who will join the Board and play a key role in providing scrutiny and driving forward the University’s mission and new strategy. They will bring experience, skills and knowledge of the legal issues facing a large and complex organisation.

The successful candidate could be a lawyer with broad expertise or someone who is legally qualified but has moved on to another field. Applicants will also have experience of creating and implementing a strategy in a complex environment with multiple stakeholders. The successful candidate will bring an ability to work in a collaborative manner, debating constructively, and will be an excellent communicator with the ability to influence others.

The University of Northampton has a great on-boarding and induction programme and is therefore open to those who haven't had experience on a board previously. Additionally, the University is open to hearing from those who bring wider skills and will be a leader in their field. They will reflect the Board’s culture by being open, honest, team players, and bringing a strong passion for education and making a social impact.

To find out more about the Board of Governors, please click here.

The University of Northampton values diversity and the range and depth that it brings to the University. The University believes strongly that having Board members from a wide range of personal and professional backgrounds ensures the diversity of thought and rigour of debate which characterises a high-performing Board. It is keen to continue diversifying the membership of the Board of Governors. Applications from women, those with global ethnic majority backgrounds, with declared disabilities, and LBGTIQ candidates will be warmly received. The University is seeking a broad and diverse range of previous professional and personal skills and experiences.

This role is unpaid. Expenses will be reimbursed in line with the University’s policy, which could include cover should applicants have caring responsibilities. There are currently six Board meetings per year in September, November, January, March, May and July. The September meeting is an away day preceded by dinner the previous evening. Other meetings take place between 4pm and 7pm. Board members will join one Committee, which is a further three meetings per year. Whilst remote participation for Committee meetings is possible, it is expected that Governors are visible and engaged with one another and with the University, and this means the ability to commit to spending some time on campus. The appointment is for a three-year term, which can be renewed twice at the discretion of the Board.

Location: Candidates can be based across the UK but will be able to attend Board meetings in person and will be expected to commit some time to an appropriate involvement to understand the work of the University through attendance at induction and also at events such as degree shows, conferences or graduation ceremonies.