Director of Governance and Legal Services (University Secretary & Clerk to the Board)

University of Brighton; Brighton; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job description

Director of Governance and Legal Services (University Secretary & Clerk to the Board)

Governance and Legal

Location: Brighton - Moulsecoomb

Closing Date: Thursday 01 May 2025

Reference: A040035

Reporting to the Vice-Chancellor and the Chair of the Board of Governors, the Director of Legal & Governance Services is the primary liaison between the governing body and the university's executive board. They are the independent advisor to the members of the Board to ensure that they fulfil their responsibilities and duties.

The postholder is accountable for ensuring the provision of clear, resilient, and effective governance structures and processes. The role oversees the operational management of the Vice-Chancellor's office, including the executive support team and corporate legal, data compliance, governance, and internal audit functions, as well as serving as the University Secretary and Clerk to the Board of Governors.

They oversee the development and maintenance of regulatory and governance policies, including areas such as whistle-blowing and free speech, and serve as the University lead for data integrity and compliance. They are responsible for providing leadership, overarching guidance, and support to the staff within the Vice-Chancellor’s Office and for ensuring a high-quality support service is provided to University Executive Board members, the Chair of the Board, and Governors.

As University Secretary and Clerk, they ensure compliance with the Board’s legal and regulatory obligations, ensuring that Board decisions are well-informed and compliant with legal and regulatory requirements, and provide operational and legal advice regarding the University’s Instruments and Articles.

The role is integral to the smooth operation of the university, ensuring that governance structures and processes are robust, transparent, and effective. The role is directly accountable to the Board of Governors, and they will attend the University Executive Board. As a key senior leader, the Director of Legal & Governance Services will have a successful track record in managing a high-performance team in support of an executive or equivalent and extensive experience as a company secretary.