As it plans for the long term, Jisc now seeks three new Trustees to join its Board. Two will bring senior strategic technology experience to join its Board and will be able to guide and challenge the executive leadership to help Jisc adapt to rapidly-changing consumer needs. The third will bring senior strategic finance experience and provide scrutiny, advice and oversight to the Board and executive leadership. (Deadline: 13 December)
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Jisc is the UK digital, data and technology agency focused on tertiary education, research and innovation. A not-for-profit organisation, it believes education and research improve lives and that technology improves education and research. Its vision is for the UK to be a world leader in technology for education, research, and innovation.
To achieve this, Jisc provides UK universities and colleges with shared digital infrastructure and services, such as the superfast Janet Network, as well as helping the sector save time and money by negotiating sector-wide deals with IT vendors and commercial publishers and offering expert and trusted advice on digital technology for education and research, built from over 30 years of experience. Jisc knows that digital technology has the ability to transform the student experience, and it has the expertise and know-how to drive that transformation.
The majority of Jisc's funding comes from the UK's HE and FE funding bodies, with additional support coming via membership subscriptions from education institutions across the UK. In 2019, it merged with Eduserv, a not-for-profit provider of industry-leading technology advice, engineering, and support; in early 2020, it also merged with the Higher Education Careers Services Unit (HECSU), and most recently in autumn 2022 completed a merger with the Higher Education and Statistics Agency (HESA).
Going forward, Jisc looks to maintain its high member satisfaction rate while ensuring its long-term sustainability and reducing its dependence on government funding. As it continues to evolve, with the CEO, Heidi Fraser-Krauss and Chair, Professor Paul Boyle both having joined in 2021, now is an exciting time to join Jisc.
Jisc's Board of Trustees is made up of senior leaders working in UK further and higher education and the commercial sector. These experts determine its strategic direction and priorities to reflect the present and future needs of the education and research communities.
The Jisc board meets to:
They include nominations from appointments of representative members meaning Jisc is owned and guided by the communities it serves, truly delivering against their priorities.
Technology
Jisc is open as to the successful candidate's background, but they will have worked in a fast-changing organisation with constantly evolving markets and customer needs. They will have a strong understanding one or more of the following: telecommunications networks, cloud technology, cyber security, and data. They could have held a senior position in a large technology company and have led a digital transformation for an organisation as a CEO or Chief Technology Officer, for example. Alternatively, they could be an EdTech or Tech entrepreneur with experience as a start-up founder or leader. Experience in the education sector isn't essential.
Finance / Commercial
As it plans for the long term, Jisc now seeks a new Trustee with senior strategic finance experience to join its Board and to provide scrutiny, advice and oversight to the Board and executive leadership. In addition, there will be an opportunity to become Chair of the Finance and Treasury Committee in 2024 when the incumbent Chair steps down.
The successful candidate will bring strong financial acumen and commercial experience, ideally gained from a large profit-making organisation in the private sector. They should have worked in an operational finance role at a senior level and may have been a Chief Financial Officer or Finance Director. An accounting qualification would be ideal, but is not essential.
For both roles the successful candidates above all will be strong collaborators, offering advice and support as well as being able to provide effective challenge where necessary. Applications are particularly welcomed from those with an interest in education and the way in which digital solutions can transform the student experience.
A list of current Trustees members can be found here.
There are a minimum of five meetings of the board per annum which usually take place in central London. Of these meetings, one is a strategy two-day event usually taking place in Bristol. A quorum for a meeting is 50% of trustees. Strategic stakeholder events are held as appropriate throughout the year. Board representation is expected wherever possible.
Board members need to commit approximately 5-10 days to Jisc per annum in the first instance. The additional time commitment for participating in stakeholder engagement events and / or a supporting committee may vary according to the role. Supporting committee meetings take place four or five times a year for two to four hours and are usually held virtually with some meetings taking place in person usually in central London.
Appointments are for an initial period of three years. The appointment may be extended for a further three-year period subject to performance review and the recommendation of the Nominations and Governance committee.
The role is unremunerated, but reasonable, pre-agreed domestic travel expenses will be reimbursed.
Candidates will ideally be UK based and able to attend in-person Board meetings.
Jisc welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith, or disability. As 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.
The deadline for consideration is 13 December 2022.
If you would like to register your interest in this role, please fill in the form below. A member of the Nurole team will be in touch ahead of the deadline to let you know whether it would be worth submitting an application and to discuss the process further.