The University of Lincoln is a public research university in Lincoln, England, with origins dating back to 1861. It gained university status in 1992 and its present name and structure in 2001. Situated in the heart of a beautiful and historic city, the University of Lincoln is placed among the top 20 universities in the UK for student satisfaction in both the Complete University Guide 2022 and the Guardian University Guide 2022.

With inspirational teaching, excellent staff and modern facilities, the University of Lincoln provides close links with business and pioneering research. The University's striking city centre campus provides a modern student-centred community. Based on the picturesque Brayford Pool waterfront, significant investment in buildings and facilities have been made to provide the best learning environment for students. Over the past two decades, the University has invested more than £375m in its campus, with further plans to invest in additional facilities and refurbishments of existing buildings. The brand new, purpose-built Lincoln Medical School Building was completed in March 2021.

Following an impressive period of growth and a new Vice-Chancellor who joined eight months ago, it's an exciting time for the University as it embarks on its next five-year strategy. The University will continue to look at growth opportunities for example in international student recruitment as well as increasing income through research-related activities and the Board of Governors will very much be involved in overseeing the University's ambitions.

The Board of Governors is responsible for overseeing the activities of the University, including determining its future direction and educational character, and securing its solvency.  

Collectively, the Board must:

• Act at all times in accordance with the Instrument and Articles of Government and the University’s internal rules and regulations
• Take responsibility for all decisions reached as a Board
• Set the strategic direction of the University
• Ensure that the standards of the academic awards given in the University’s name are appropriate to those of a UK Higher Education institution
• Secure the effective and efficient use of resources and safeguard the University’s assets 
• Agree and monitor high-level University KPIs against the agreed objectives 
• Carry out its business efficiently, effectively and in the manner appropriate to the proper conduct of public business
• Recognise and respect the proper separation between governance and executive management  

The two new Governors will bring strong financial acumen and an ability to constructively challenge the Board and senior colleagues. They will be a full member of the Board as well as joining the Audit Committee. 

Candidates will ideally be a qualified accountant (or be qualified by experience) and could come from traditional accountancy firms, or have worked in-house as a CFO or financial leader and could come from the public or private sectors in similarly large or complex organisations. They will have the ability to form good relations with internal and external auditors, have a forensic approach and will mitigate risk. Any experience in commercialisation and estate management would be desirable. 

Applicants will ideally have some governance experience but the University is also open to people with the right skills and experience as they will offer a strong on-boarding programme and provide support for people with no previous board experience. Above all, they will have a specific commitment to the values, aims and objectives of the University of Lincoln and bring a strong personal commitment to higher education as a public good.

Individually, Governors are the members of the University of Lincoln Higher Education Corporation and trustees of the University as a charity. As such, they are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with the accepted standards of public life as set out in the Nolan Principles, and to ensure that the University’s strategy, performance and use of resources are directed towards furthering its charitable purposes.

The University of Lincoln welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. It especially welcomes applications from those from minority ethnic backgrounds which are currently under-represented on its Board. All appointments will be made on merit of skill and experience relative to the role following a fair and transparent process.

The Governor roles are unremunerated; reasonable, pre-agreed domestic travel expenses will be reimbursed. The Board of Governors meets six times per year in person, and the Governors will also join the Audit Committee which will meet four times per year. The Audit Committee meetings normally take place in person and coincide with other Board Committee dates, but should this not be the case or if in-person attendance is not compatible with members’ other commitments, members can attend virtually. There will also be one Committee Member development day as well as a strategy day per year. Appointments are for a four-year term and can be renewed once. An induction session will be held in September and the University also provides a ''Buddy Scheme'' for new Governors.