As a founding member of the Russell Group of research intensive universities, and a Global Top 110 university (QS World University Rankings 2024), Newcastle University exists for the public benefit to advance education, learning and research. Newcastle University is dedicated to excellence, creativity and innovation, pioneering solutions that can change our world. Delivering world-class research and teaching, the University is tackling some of the biggest challenges facing society globally, including ageing and health, data, energy, cities, culture and creative arts whilst nurturing the next generation of creative practitioners, clinicians, scientists, engineers and educationalists.  

Newcastle University has a global reach; Home to a vibrant international community of 29,000 students from 140 countries worldwide, the University has three campuses: Newcastle, Singapore, and Malaysia. It is also connected to and networking with strategic partners, industry collaborators and employers around the world. Proud to be a University of Sanctuary it promotes a culture of welcome, engagement and safety for people fleeing persecution and violence. It was one of the first universities to sign up to the UK Government’s Emissions Reduction Pledge and is working to reach net-zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2030.

Newcastle University is proud to be a values-led, research-intensive university that makes a significant contribution to its city, region and globally. The University’s core values of equality, diversity, inclusion, social and environmental justice and academic freedom are at the heart of everything it does. As the University looks ahead, some capital projects and significant stakeholder engagement are on the horizon with a big initiative to regenerate the West End of Newcastle, as well as a new student accommodation project over the coming years. The University is also investing in a new engineering building to drive the electrical revolution. With a strong relationship with its student union, student experience and satisfaction is key and the University is constantly looking at how it can continue to improve and develop. To find out more about its strategy, please see here. 

Council is the supreme governing body of the University. It is specifically charged with control of the University's finances and property and reviewing the work of the University. The lay members of Council, who by statute form the majority of the membership, have a vital part to play in the governance of the University and bring a knowledge and experience of particular value, given the nature of the environment in which universities work. It has 25 members and meets six times a year.

Council Member (Higher Education or Healthcare)

Newcastle University now seeks a new Council Member who will bring senior leadership experience in healthcare and / or higher education. They will be a critical friend, collaborative and have the ability to constructively challenge other Council Members and the senior leadership team. This is an excellent opportunity to make a considerable contribution to advancing the University’s core mission. They will be a strong external and internal ambassador for Newcastle University and will be able and keen to contribute to a broad range of University matters. This is an excellent opportunity to make a considerable contribution to advancing the University’s core mission.

The University is particularly interested in individuals who bring senior strategic experience across the healthcare or higher education sectors. They will bring a strong regulatory understanding as well as experience of different funding councils and ideally have experience in policy. They could be senior executives of other higher education institutions such as a current or recently-retired Vice-Chancellor or Deputy Vice-Chancellor, a Dean or Head of School. They could also be a senior leader working for a Higher Education consultancy, umbrella body / membership, policy organisation supporting the sector.  Alternatively, they could come from the healthcare sector, working for the NHS or a pharmaceutical company in an executive or non-executive capacity. There could be a conflict of interest with individuals currently in decision-making leadership roles in higher education institutions that are directly competitive to Newcastle University. Prior governance experience would be advantageous, but not essential. A connection to the Newcastle region would be welcomed.

The ideal candidate will be collaborative, inclusive, and enabling in their approach. They will be aligned to the mission and values of the University which are equality, diversity, inclusion, social and environmental justice and academic freedom.

Council Member (Global Outlook)

Newcastle University is also seeking a new Council Member who will bring a global outlook to the Council and who has operated in organisations with an international reach. They will be a critical friend, collaborative and have the ability to constructively challenge other Council Members and the senior leadership team. They will be a strong external and internal ambassador for Newcastle University and will be able and keen to contribute to a broad range of University matters. This is an excellent opportunity to make a considerable contribution to advancing the University’s core mission.

The University is particularly interested in individuals with senior global leadership experience in at least one of the following areas: legal, human resources / people, marketing / communications and / or technology / cybersecurity. The successful candidate could also have operated in a C-Suite role within an organisation with a global footprint. They will have strong industry links and have operated in similarly large and complex organisations. They will bring an understanding of global regulatory and compliance issues. Prior governance experience would be advantageous, but not essential. A connection to the Newcastle region would be welcomed.

The ideal candidate will be collaborative, inclusive, and enabling in their approach. They will be aligned to the mission and values of the University which are equality, diversity, inclusion, social and environmental justice and academic freedom.

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

Newcastle University is committed to being a fully inclusive global University, which actively recruits, supports and retains staff from all sectors of society. It values diversity as well as celebrates, supports and thrives on the contributions of all its employees and the communities they represent. Newcastle University is particularly keen to increase the diversity of Council and welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process.

There are six Board meetings per year and Council Members will be expected to join at least one Sub-Committee. The board meetings and Committee meetings are mainly held in-person. The role of Council Member is not remunerated, but reasonable travelling and accommodation expenses will be reimbursed. The term of office is for three years and membership may be renewed for up to two more terms of three years.

Council Members can be based locally or across the country as long as they can attend meetings in person.