The University of Sussex is a leading higher education and research institution near Brighton, in the south of England. Sussex was the first of the new wave of UK universities founded in the 1960s, receiving its Royal Charter in 1961. From the very start, the University intended to be a new kind of university: challenging convention and fostering critical thinking through new interdisciplinary pathways. It set out to disrupt traditions, create new ‘interdisciplinary’ pathways, and redraw the map of learning. Today its courses, research, and culture aims to stimulate, excite and challenge. From scientific discovery to global policy, from student welfare to career development, Sussex innovates and takes a lead. The University has 18,510 students, of which around one-fifth are postgraduates; 70% of its student population is from the UK and the remaining 30% are overseas students from over 150 countries. Its global engagement has led to more than 300 academic partners in 59 countries.

Sussex received excellent REF2021 results. It ranked by Times Higher Education (THE) as 27th in the UK for Research Power and Market Share, up from 34th in 2014 and placed 32nd for research impact. 89% of its research is ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’. Also, 93% of its research impact was assessed to be ‘outstanding’ or ‘very considerable’ – up from 80.7% in 2014. The University has an exceptionally strong international profile for its research, being ranked first in the world for Development Studies in QS World University Rankings (2022) for the sixth year running. Sussex has been named among the top 50 universities in the world for delivering on the UN Sustainable Development Goals in research, teaching, stewardship, and outreach in the (THE) World Impact Rankings 2022. It also ranked joint 26th in the world for sustainability in the 2024 QS Global Sustainability Rankings. In addition, its thriving new Business School received the highest research grant income of any Business School in the UK in 2022. The values of the University of Sussex – courage, collaboration, inclusion, kindness and integrity – which Sussex pledged, in its 2025 strategy, to place at the heart of everything it does, sit alongside other powerful motivators, most notably a commitment to incorporating sustainability into every aspect of its activity – from course modules to green campus initiatives.

The University is developing a new strategy - Sussex 2035 - with plans to be formalised in Summer 2024. The University has an exceptional, highly engaged, Council which, in addition to 15 independent members, includes strong representation from both staff and students. With a new Chair, Rosemary Martin, and a new strategy being devised, this is an exciting opportunity to take part in shaping the future of this thriving University.

Council’s role is to act in the best interests of the University as a whole, ensuring it strategically delivers its mission to high standards with the necessary financial stability and long-term sustainability. It does this by:

• Discharging its responsibilities in relation to all relevant legislation, including the Higher Education and Research Act 2017 (HERA), and other statutory and regulatory requirements
• Determining the University’s mission, strategic direction, strategic objectives, and values. It seeks and receives assurance that the strategic plan is in line with the above and will meet the prevailing legislative and regulatory requirements
• Ensuring that an effective framework is in place for risk management, control, and governance
• Meeting the requirements deriving from the Charter and Statutes
• Monitoring the Institution’s and its own effectiveness.

Council is collectively responsible and accountable for all institutional activity and conduct. Council delegates its powers and responsibilities to individuals and bodies within the institution to ensure the effective operation of the University and delivery of its charitable objectives.

There are currently six Sub-committees of Council:

• Audit and Risk Committee
• Student Experience Committee
• Strategy and Performance Committee
• Remuneration Committee
• Chairs’ Committee (which also fulfils the function of a Nominations Committee)
• Finance & Resources Committee

The University of Sussex is looking for new Members to join Council. They will provide advice and be a sounding board to the Non-Executive and the Executive team. They will bring senior expertise in one of the following areas: digital transformation / technology, human resources or government relations / policy. They will have sound judgement, an ability to challenge constructively and to influence strategically internally with tact and discretion.

The new Council members will have proven leadership skills gained at board level, either through professional roles or volunteer experience, whether executive or non-executive. There is a particular interest in the following areas but the University is open to bright, ambitious and committed individuals from all sectors and backgrounds.

Digital Transformation / Technology: As the University embarks on a programme of modernisation, individuals will bring demonstrable experience in digital transformation and the digital / technology review processes. The successful candidate could be a Digital Director or Transformation Director, for example. Alternatively, they could have operated in a CEO or COO capacity, running a digital organisation. Individuals could come from any sector but an appreciation for digital transformation in an educational context is welcome. They will have operated in similar sized organisations. Finally, they will bring a strong interest in innovation, entrepreneurship and will have an understanding of how new and disruptive technologies can impact learning, research and the student experience.

Human Resources: Individuals will bring strategic HR experience and will have a solid understanding of issues relating to people, remuneration and culture. In addition, they will have experience in change management and / or organisational development. They could have experience as an HR / People Director or have operated as a CEO or COO responsible for HR. Experience of dealing with a unionised environment would be beneficial but not essential.

Governmental relations / Policy: Individuals will have a political or government background in UK politics, ideally and will have been involved in influencing policy. They will have strong political nous and will advise the University on its strategy for greater external engagement, locally and internationally. They will help Sussex navigate complex situations, effect policy change and ideally be connected to those in power. Individuals could be former MPs, members of the House of Lords or retired civil servants, for example.

Above all, the new Council members will have a strong commitment to higher education in general and to the goals and objectives of the University of Sussex in particular. They will bring an understanding of the complexity of university governance and of the strategic, political and economic context in which the University operates. They will bring enthusiasm for the University's vision to become Inclusive Sussex, where all members of the community feel enabled to fully meet their potential and contribute accordingly. Individuals will have an ability to dedicate sufficient time to the role and to attend meetings regularly.

To find out more about the Council members, please see here. 

Council meets three times a year for meetings over a full day plus a briefing the night before. Independent members are also expected to join one Sub-Committee which will meet between three to five times per year; most Sub-Committees are now held online or have hybrid joining options. Most in-person meetings take place on campus outside Brighton. Members of Council are not remunerated, but they may reclaim all reasonable travelling and similar expenses incurred in the course of University of Sussex business. The University supports members travelling to the University by offering overnight accommodation. The role is for a three-year term and Members of Council may be re-appointed for three periods up to a maximum of nine years’ service. 

UK - South East (Brighton, Sussex)

The University of Sussex is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and through this appointment process it is the Council’s clear stated aim to develop candidate pools which include applicants from all backgrounds and communities. The University particularly welcomes applications from women, people from black and minority ethnic communities, the LGBT+ community and from disabled people, who are under-represented on Council. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process.