Lay Council Member - University of Hull (LCM-UOH)

Application link - here

About University of Hull

Founded in 1927, the University of Hull is a public research university and is England’s 14th-oldest university. It has a proud heritage of academic excellence, and a history of creating and inspiring life-changing research and helping to build a better world. The University now has more than 15,000 students and 1,952 employees, including 976 academic staff. With its Strategy 2030 initiative - shaping a fairer, brighter and carbon neutral future - the University sets out a plan to position itself as an institution that will tackle critical societal challenges, particularly around sustainability and social justice, through inclusive growth and meaningful regional, national, and global partnerships.

The University of Hull is proud to hold a Gold rating for student experience in the 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), reflecting its commitment to delivering an exceptional academic environment. The University plays a leading role in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and is ranked among the top 100 institutions globally in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings. The University has invested £2 million in health sciences education, delivered in partnership with the Department of Health, and includes state-of-the-art virtual clinical environments - such as live X-ray training rooms - supporting the UK’s first accelerated degree in diagnostic radiography. In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, 82% of the University’s research was rated world-leading or internationally excellent, with the proportion of 4* research doubling since 2014.

The University of Hull's renewed mission focuses on excellence in learning, teaching, research and enterprise, a transformative student experience and being an internationally-engaged anchor institution for its surrounding regions. Its ambitions are bold and challenging – the University will pursue its vision with a determination to exceed expectations, to contribute ever greater outcomes towards shaping a better world, and to encourage its students to strive for excellence.

Role specification

Council and its Sub-Committees play a vital role in supporting the University’s long-term success, providing strategic oversight, assurance, and constructive scrutiny.

Main duties:

Ensure that Council exercises control over the strategic direction of the University, and that the performance of the University against its strategic objectives is properly assessed on a regular basisEnsure that the University maintains its long-term financial viability, safeguards its assets and operates proper mechanisms to ensure effective internal control, risk management and value for moneyContribute to debate, and make their knowledge and expertise available to Council as needs and opportunities ariseAct fairly and impartially at all times, in the interests of the University as a whole, using independent judgement and maintaining confidentiality as appropriateObserve the seven “Nolan Principles” of behaviour in public life, embracing selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadershipAccept collective responsibility for the decisions reached by Council.Key responsibilities:Attend meetings of Council and participate in discussions, acting as a “critical friend,” contributing to the development, implementation and monitoring of University strategyQuestion intelligently, debate constructively, challenge rigorously and decide dispassionately, listening respectfully to the views of others, inside and outside meetings of the Council serve as a member of at least one Council CommitteeAttend some of the formal or informal events of the University, including degree ceremonies, as may be organised from time to timeAct as an ambassador for the University, promoting its activities in the wider community including, for example, assisting with philanthropic activity and fund raising projectsAttend any induction and training as may be required by the University to carry out effectively the role of a member of CouncilContribute to regular reviews of the effectiveness of Council, both collectively and individuallySubmit an annual Registration of Interests return, and to ensure that the University is notified promptly of any material changes to these details as may arise during the year.Person specification                                                                                                                                                                                            The University of Hull is looking for three new Lay Council Members to join its Council and Sub-Committees with backgrounds across one or more of the following skills: technology / digital, investment / finance, property (investment, management, or planning), fundraising (public or private sector), or health and safety. They will bring constructive challenge and strategic oversight to Council and senior colleagues, and will help shape the University’s ambitious future.

Candidates will demonstrate a commitment to high standards of governance, in accordance with the Nolan Principles of Standards in Public Life, as well as the ability to communicate effectively in discussions, holding the University's Executive to account and contributing to collective decision-making. Candidates can come from a range of sectors and the University is open to both individuals looking to take on their first non-executive role and those with more experience.

Candidates will be collaborative, committed and above all will be aligned to the mission and vision of the University to build a fairer, brighter and carbon neutral future. Candidates who are located in the North East of England or who have connections to the local region are particularly welcome to apply.

Board composition

To find out more about the Lay Council Members including their biographies, please view here.

Diversity

University of Hull welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, belief or disability. Due to Council Members coming to the end of their terms, the University particularly welcomes female candidates. 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.

Terms of appointment

There are five Council meetings and two to five Sub-Committee meetings per year. Council meetings are normally held in person, but there is flexibility for virtual attendance. There is also one away day per year.

If also on a sub-committee, then there will be two to five meetings per year of those. For sub-committees of Council, the online / in-person expectations are more relaxed and although the majority are planned for in-person, online is always an option and is often used.

The role will mostly involve daytime commitments, although there may be occasional evening engagements and prior reading. Lay Members of Council are unpaid roles but they will be eligible to claim reimbursement of travelling expenses for attendance at meetings of Council and any University Committee they are appointed to along with other events they may be invited to attend. The role is for a three-year term which may be renewed up to two times, with the maximum length of service being nine consecutive years.

Process

After we have closed the application window on the Nurole platform, our team of experts carefully assess your application against the criteria outlined in the role specification. We will select a group of the most suitable candidates to present to the organisation, who will then be able to view the full application. We will always get in touch to let you know the outcome of your application.

As the organisation will view the applications without edits, we therefore advise applicants to avoid using ‘see CV’ or ‘please call me to discuss further’ in your application as it may restrict your chances of progressing to the next round. To read more about what to expect from the Nurole process, click here.

Take a look at Nurole guides on how to submit a strong application here.

Connected parties

This organisation has requested that candidates do not contact them directly. Instead, if you know someone at the organisation, please mention it in your Reason for Application. Nurole members who do not respect this may risk having their membership terminated.

Role timetable

Deadline for applications: Midnight on 29th May

Candidates can expect to be contacted by: 13th June

Application link - here

Closing Date: 30 May 2025

Subject Group/Team: Professional, Management and Snr Admin

Salary: Pro bono