University College of Estate Management (UCEM) is the leading provider of supported online education about the Built Environment. It has over 100 years’ experience of providing the highest quality learning opportunities. At any one time, it has 4000 students from more than 100 countries benefiting from its qualifications, which are taught by tutors with extensive industry experience. 40% of its students are international. UCEM helps to enhance Built Environment professional careers through accredited property-related and construction programmes offered at Postgraduate and Undergraduate levels, including apprenticeships; a growing area now representing 60% of the organisation's income. Next year will see the introduction of UCEM's MSc Innovation in Sustainable Built Environments.

UCEM has undertaken a significant transformation during the last decade; with key achievements including moving its teaching model from correspondence courses, to being fully delivered online. It has also established its full independence as a Higher Education Institution (HEI) through the implementation of its Taught Degree Awarding Powers (TDAP), effective from 1 January 2013. UCEM will gain a University College title through its successful registration with the HE regulator - the Office for Students (OfS) — as an Approved (fee cap) provider. In autumn 2020, UCEM launched its revised portfolio of programmes through the Transform project, bringing in a number of additional benefits to students. The institution has responded quickly to changing market conditions by adapting existing programmes to provide Built Environment aligned apprenticeships at higher (degree) level. All programmes continue to focus on enabling education about the Built Environment, in line with its Royal Charter and aligned to the professional standards and vocational needs of the sector. 

Moving forward, UCEM will look to develop an improved market position whilst expanding its product portfolio. In addition, long-term financial sustainability will be a focus, whilst improving student outcomes and cost effectiveness. In 2019, UCEM launched its ambitious Vision and Strategy to 2025, as part of its mission to become the Centre for Excellence for Built Environment Education. Following a period of significant growth and change, the organisation is refining its financial plans to ensure it remains in a strong financial position during a challenging time for the education sector. 

The Board is responsible for the overall governance, monitoring and strategic direction of University College of Estate Management (UCEM). The Board works together with the Executive Team to ensure that UCEM achieves the objects defined in the Royal Charter and governing documents. Trustees provide non-executive oversight of all UCEM activities, and have oversight of institutional strategy and future vision.

The Board is responsible for ensuring that UCEM meets the regulatory requirements of the Office for Students (OFS), the Charity Commission, the ESFA and Ofsted, and fulfils the expectations of the CUC Higher Education Code of Governance.

In addition to being an Independent Trustee, this role will also include the duties of Honorary Treasurer. This involves chairing the Finance Committee and advising, guiding and reassuring the Board on all aspects of the institution’s financial management, reporting, control systems, solvency and investments.

UCEM is looking for a new Treasurer who will provide advice on its finances. They will ensure quality accounting and reporting, and help to maintain focus on long-term financial performance and sustainability. They will use their financial acumen to provide advice and guidance to the Executive Director of Finance. They will also chair the Finance Committee, which oversees the financial sustainability of the organisation, and ensure it complies with regulators such as the OfS and Ofsted. The Committee also monitors budget, reviews financial returns, and deals with USS pensions and property.

Successful applicants will have gravitas and bring senior strategic experience as a Chief Financial Officer or equivalent, in highly regulated organisations in either the corporate, charity, or Higher Education sector. They will either have a financial qualification or be qualified by experience. They will ideally bring some knowledge of the Higher Education and / or Built Environment sectors. As they will be chairing the Finance Committee, they will have governance experience and ideally bring some chairing experience as well.

Above all, they will be passionate about education and the power of online learning, and will bring an interest in the Built Environment sector. They will be aligned to the mission of UCEM and its values of passion, integrity, excellence and support. They will have the time to commit fully to the role.

Diversity: UCEM are committed to improving the representation of different groups on its Board, and as such diversity will be an important consideration in this search. Please see the Diversity section for more information.

To find out more about the board, please view here. 

The time commitment for the role is four Board meetings per year which are held in-person (in London or Reading), and three Finance Committee meetings per year which are held virtually. There will also be one strategy day per year, and an expectation to act a mentor to the Executive Director of Finance, which could represent about one hour per month. The expected time commitment will therefore be c.10 days per year. This is a three-year term from the date of appointment, renewable for a further three-year period.

This is a voluntary role with no employment status. The role is not remunerated, however incidental travelling and subsistence expenses may be claimed. This vacancy is only open to UK-based applicants.

UK - South East (London and Reading)

UCEM welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. As women and those from an ethnic minority group are currently underrepresented on the Board, applicants from these groups are particularly encouraged to apply. 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.