Based at campuses in Wolverhampton, Walsall and Telford, the University of Wolverhampton has over 21,000 students and 2,200 staff. Thriving on diversity, the University has a tradition of providing opportunity and academic excellence dating back nearly 200 years. It welcomes a vast range of students — over 40% are over 25 years old on enrolment, many are the first in their families to attend university, and its alumni hail from hundreds of countries across the globe.

Research at the University of Wolverhampton is at its highest ever — the 2021 Research Excellence Framework judged more than half of its research as internationally excellent (3*) and world-leading (4*). 16 subject areas submitted had elements of world-leading research, amongst which featured research on changing perceptions of the Black Country, eliminating gender and race discrimination and improving health outcomes for all.

As it looks to the future, the University plans to continue focusing on student outcomes, to attract, retain and develop talent, and to consolidate its financial position. The University has recently appointed the experienced John Raftery as Vice-Chancellor and will seek to appoint a permanent Vice-Chancellor in the autumn. With a new strategy to be devised, now is an exciting time to join the University of Wolverhampton as a Governor and play a key role in shaping its future.

The Board of Governors has responsibility for ensuring that measures are in place for the effective ‌management of the University of Wolverhampton.

Governors are not managers of University business; this is the remit of the Vice-Chancellor. Governors operate at a strategic level, determining the University's mission and ensuring this is undertaken in a financially prudent way, to drive the University forward.

Under the Articles of Government the Board of Governors has responsibility for:

• The determination of the educational character and mission of the University and for oversight of its activities, including the exercise of degree-awarding powers
• The effective and efficient use of resources, the solvency of the University of Wolverhampton and the Corporation and for safeguarding their assets
• Approving annual estimates of income and expenditure
• The appointment, grading, appraisal, suspension, dismissal and determination of the pay and conditions of service of the Vice-Chancellor, the Clerk and the holders of such other senior posts as the Board of Governors may determine
• Setting a framework for the pay and conditions of service of all other staff

Governor & Chair of Audit and Risk Committee

Candidates will ideally have experience as a CFO or Audit Partner at a large, complex organisation. They could have experience in either the private or public sectors, but will have sat on finance and audit committees. A chartered accounting qualification is welcome but not essential.

Governor (Higher Education / Regulation)

Higher Education: The successful candidate will have knowledge of the Higher Education environment from having worked in the sector at a senior level. Alternatively, they could have provided advice or consultancy or held senior positions in HE sector organisations, such as, but not limited to, membership bodies or regulators. 

Regulation: They will have occupied a senior role in a regulated sector or regulatory body (e.g education, charity, finance, health, law or other highly-regulated sectors).

Human Resources / Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

HR: The successful candidate will bring extensive knowledge and experience of human resources and workforce development at a strategic level. They will likely have served as an HR Director or Director of People at a comparably complex organisation. The University is open as to the applicant’s sector background, but they will appreciate the central importance of nurturing and developing human talent.

EDI: The successful candidate will have a passion for, and knowledge of, equality, diversity and inclusion matters. They will be committed to promoting the wellbeing of all staff and students, and will have a track record of collaboration and influence at a senior level. They will help to ensure that there are appropriate EDI policies and procedures in place within the University and to champion best practice. The successful applicant may have professional experience in the EDI field, or may have a background in HR, academia, or EDI law. Candidates from all professional backgrounds are welcome to apply.

For all roles, the successful candidates will above will be passionate about Higher Education, and the University’s mission to maximise opportunity across the UK and globally through knowledge generation, innovation and enterprise.

Further details of current Governors can be found here.   

There are four in-person Board meetings per year and two strategy days. The Governors will be also be expected to serve on one of the Board's Committees, each of which meet four to six times per year. The Audit and Risk Committee meets five times per year. Committee meetings can be in a hybrid format. Additionally, candidates will be expected to attend university events such as graduations and open days. The appointment is for a three-year term, which can be renewed twice. The appointment is unremunerated but reasonable, pre-agreed, expenses will be reimbursed. 

The successful candidate will be UK-based and ideally able to attend in-person meetings.