The University of Surrey (UoS) is a leading, research-intensive university committed to teaching and research excellence, with a focus on practice-based education programmes which reflects its history. Having received its Royal Charter in 1966, the University provides a world-class experience to its students, who go on to make positive contributions to society. Continuing the spirit of its Royal Charter, it is committed to working in partnership with students, business, government and communities in the discovery and application of knowledge. UoS is currently The Times' University of the Year for Graduate Employment and has the ninth highest student satisfaction rating in the UK. 

The University has always been a pioneer. Since its founding in the 1960s, and before that at Battersea College, its community has thrived through strong connections and collaboration with the outside world. It has formed close partnerships with other institutions and businesses, reaching across geographical boundaries, and has used those relationships to bring potential to life. The University's academics make extraordinary discoveries which address some of the world’s biggest challenges.

As society emerges from the global pandemic, UoS is continuing its focus on building the foundations for a better future. It is creating an environment where its community comes together as one to educate and develop future leaders and citizens who will make the world a better place. At the same time, the University is creating new knowledge, sharing its ideas and innovating to contribute to society in collaboration with UoS stakeholders and partners around the world. As it looks ahead, the University has refreshed its existing Forward Thinking. And Doing corporate strategy and has ambitious growth plans for expanding its faculties and student population.

The governing instruments of the University are its Royal Charter and its Statutes and Ordinances. The University is governed via a structure of sub-committees that have delegated authority to carry out key processes in support of the strategy and of the decision-making powers of the governing body (the Council), the academic body (the Senate) and the management body (the Executive Board).

The Council is the governing body of the University and is ultimately accountable for the appropriate use of all of the University’s resources. It is also responsible for the finances, administration, property, management and, subject to the powers of the Senate, has general control over the affairs of the University. The Council is comprised of 18 members, always with a majority of external (lay) members, including the Chair and Vice-Chair and Treasurer (lay officers), together with ex-officio and elected University Members. The primary role of a lay member is to advise and facilitate the work of Council.

The role must be undertaken in the spirit of commitment to, and collegiality within, the University. Members will be expected to build good working relationships with other members of Council and the University community. All members are required to understand and accept collective responsibility for the decisions of Council and to act in the interests of the University as a whole (not as a representative of any constituency). They also have a responsibility to ensure that the business of Council is carried out efficiently and effectively, in an appropriate manner and in accordance with the governing instruments and regulations of the University (seeking advice as necessary).

In practical terms, members will be expected to:

• Attend and participate in the meetings of Council, providing timely apologies if unavoidably absent
• Undertake appropriate preparation for meetings, including reading papers for Council meetings and any other committee to which they are appointed
• Participate in activities to review the effectiveness of Council and its members
• Maintain and develop their awareness of the activities of the University and higher education in general through induction, training events and other information which may be provided by the University
• Observe the confidentiality of Council (and University) business
• Declare any interest in matters under discussion at any meeting of Council or within University operations

The University of Surrey now seeks to appoint a new Lay Member of Council to provide both support and challenge to the Council and executive team. The successful candidate will have the relevant knowledge to specialise in one or more of the following areas, to support the University in ensuring its future success.

Government: This candidate will bring strong experience of working in Government and an understanding of the complexities of Whitehall. They may be a senior civil servant or a previous Permanent Secretary for Education, for example.

Further education / apprenticeships: This candidate will bring strong experience of working in further education and apprenticeships. The successful candidate will be able to provide insight into how Further Education (FE) and Higher Education can work more closely together and with industry. This person may be a senior educational expert in FE, such as Principal of a College or leader of an organisation specialising in vocational courses.

Digital: This candidate will bring strong experience in senior leadership positions in an IT or digital setting. This candidate may have been a CIO or Digital Director. They could, for example, come from an online learning provider, but may equally come from a wider digital background.

Above all, the successful candidates will be aligned with the University's mission to inspire young people to excel through education. Although prior board experience is welcome, the Trust is open to applications from first-time non-executives.

Members of the Council may be viewed here.

The Council meets six times per year. The meetings generally take place in the afternoon, in person at the university, and usually last three to four hours with a one-hour pre-meeting for members only. Members are invited to attend a dinner after these meetings where there is an opportunity to network with other members. Additionally, there are two away days / half days held in May and November focusing on strategic direction. Time for reading, preparation and travel to and from meetings should be taken into account.

Lay Members are expected to join one Committee and engage with university activities. Committees generally meet around four times per year. Both Council and Committee meetings are held in person (but can be attended virtually if needed). External members are appointed for a term of up to three years, renewable once, upon satisfactory performance and the members’ willingness to continue. This is subject to recommendation by the Nominations and Governance Committee and the approval of Council. This role is unenumerated, however reasonable, pre-agreed expenses will be reimbursed.

As Council and Committee meetings take place in person, candidates will need to be able to travel to attend meetings in person if they are not local.

The University of Surrey welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. As women and people from ethnic minority backgrounds are currently under-represented on the Board, applications from those individuals would be particularly encouraged. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process. In line with the Equality Act 2010, however, the organisation may employ positive action where candidates from underrepresented groups can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.