University Board Member (Legal Specialism) | Bournemouth University

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University Board Member (Legal Specialism) Bournemouth University

Are you a leader with legal expertise seeking an opportunity to contribute your skills, social capital and time to enhance the experience of thousands of students every year?

• Location: Bournemouth, Dorset
• Closing date: 9 a.m. Wednesday 2nd April

Who we are.

Bournemouth University’s vision is to be recognised worldwide as a leading university for inspiring learning, advancing knowledge and enriching society through the fusion of education, research and practice.

The Board of Governors recently welcomed a new Vice Chancellor and CEO, Professor Alison Honour, and is working closely with Professor Honour and the Executive Team on the creation and approval of the University’s next strategic plan. This plan will focus on refreshing the vision of the institution and will drive the continued sustainability and success of the University over the next 10 years for the benefit of our students, staff and the communities we serve.

About the role.

The University is seeking to appoint a new Board Member with legal expertise to join them and contribute their knowledge and time to support and enable the effective governance of the University.

Board Members play an appropriate part in ensuring that the necessary business of the Board is carried on efficiently, effectively, and in a manner appropriate for the proper conduct of public business. You will have a responsibility for ensuring the Board acts in accordance with the instruments of governance of the University and its internal rules and regulations.

The Board acts as a corporate body and Members are required to accept collective responsibility for the decisions reached.

Board Members will have collective responsibility for ensuring that the Board exercises control over the strategic direction of the University through an effective planning process and that the performance of the University is assessed against objectives approved by the Board.

You will be expected to act independently, making rational and constructive contributions to the debate and making your knowledge and expertise available to the Board and/or Committee as opportunities arise. Members should establish constructive, supportive, but challenging working relationships with University employees, recognising the proper separation between governance and executive management.

Members may be asked to represent the Board and University externally and to use their personal influence and networking skills on behalf of the University.

The University Board and Committees:

Led by the Chair of the Board in collaboration with up to 13 independent Board Members, as well as student and staff representatives, the University Board oversees the strategic development of the University and ensures the effective use of resources and the general solvency of the institution.

The Board comprises independent members drawn from higher education, the public sector, industry, and commerce, as well as representatives of the students and academic and professional services staff.

The Vice-Chancellor and CEO, Professor Alison Honour, and certain members of the University Executive Team are also Board Members and are responsible to the Board of Governors for the conduct of the University.

The Board’s responsibilities include:

• Approve, uphold and advance the mission, strategic vision, and values of the institution and be its legal authority.
• Appoint the Vice-Chancellor as chief executive.
• Ensure an effective process for monitoring and evaluating the performance and effectiveness of the institution against the strategy.
• Promote equality and diversity throughout the institution.
• Ensure the University’s compliance with its OfS registration conditions.
• Ensure systems of control and accountability are in place, covering finances, operations, and risk assessment, and be the principal financial and business authority of the institution.
• Conduct business in accordance with best practices in higher education corporate governance and Standards in Public Life principles.

The Board is supported by the work of five Committees:

• Audit, Risk and Governance (4 meetings per year in person and online)
• Finance and Resources (5 meetings per year in person and online)
• Remuneration (3 online meetings per year)
• Student Experience, Quality and Standards (4 online meetings per year)
• Nominations (2 online meetings per year)

The Board of Governors meets in person five times a year, and this includes one strategy day. Board and Committee Members will receive an indicative schedule of meetings up to three years in advance, which may be subject to change.

Board Members will join at least one committee and, with varying time commitments depending on which committee you join, you can expect to commit up to 12 days per year to the role, which includes preparation time.

All Board Members are provided with a full induction, including mandatory training in areas such as safeguarding and IT Security. Further training opportunities are provided to develop in the role. You will also be invited to attend University events throughout the year, such as graduation.

These are not remunerated roles, but the University will reimburse reasonable expenses to fulfil the duties of the role. In return for your commitment, you will be provided with professional development and networking opportunities, as well as the opportunity to play an active part in the life of the University.

Who we are looking for.

Bournemouth University is seeking an individual with legal expertise to join them as a new Board Member.

Candidates will have a high skill level, hold a relevant professional qualification, and possess legal experience relevant to the University’s activities. Candidates will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the Board Members’ roles and responsibilities in seeking independent legal advice where required and be able to contribute effectively to discussion on these issues. We are keen to engage those with experience working at a senior strategic level across both the public and private sectors.

You will have a successful track record of senior or executive strategic leadership experience in your chosen field, sector, or industry and demonstrate a strong commitment to the mission and values of Bournemouth University and higher education in general. The University is a complex and multi-faceted business operating within a highly regulated sector subject to policy change. Therefore, we are keen to engage candidates who can demonstrate their experience of operating at this level within similarly sized and complex organisations.

With experience of operating at board level, candidates must demonstrate a good understanding of the difference between governance and executive management and a commitment to the accepted standards of behaviour in public life. As a critical friend of the institution, you will be able to offer support and challenge and bring the right level of scrutiny to debate and decision-making in the best interests of the University.

As part of our ongoing commitment to equality and diversity, we are keen to engage candidates who bring the requisite skills and experience to the Board and its Committees and are representative of the diverse communities we serve.

This is an opportunity to make a significant contribution to the development of the student experience at Bournemouth University, working alongside elected student representatives to improve the experiences and outcomes of thousands of students through robust governance and oversight.

For further information about the role, or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultant at Peridot Partners:

If you would like to know more about this role please contact Olivia Robson