Lay Member of Council

Guardian Jobs; North East; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

A prestigious educational institution in the North East of England is seeking three lay members for its University Council. The roles involve providing strategic insight and ensuring governance for the institution. Ideal candidates will have experience in audit, finance, or property development, with a formal finance qualification for the Audit Chair. Council meets six times annually in Durham. For more details or to apply, please contact our recruitment team or visit our online application portal.

Qualifications

• Experience in audit, finance, and property and estate development is required.
• Formal finance or accounting qualification is necessary for Chair of Audit Committee.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic insight and challenge to the Senior Team.
• Ensure effective governance and financial stability of Durham University.

Skills

Audit experience

Finance experience

Property and estate development experience

Education

Formal finance or accounting qualification

Job description

Overview

Durham University is a globally outstanding centre of teaching and research excellence. It is a collegiate community of extraordinary people in a unique and historic setting and continues to be one of the highest ranked universities in the country. Durham is truly a university like no other.

Role

Durham University is now seeking three lay members to join the University Council. The role of Council is to provide strategic insight and challenge to the Senior Team, and to ensure Durham University remains well governed and financially stable. The incoming lay members will include a Chair of Audit Committee (to start 1 August 2024), a Chair of the Finance Committee and an additional lay member. The Chair of the Finance Committee and the lay member will have the opportunity to join the Council as observers for one year, before fully joining Council in August 2025.

Responsibilities and requirements

Incoming lay members will have the skills, experience and connections to support the University to deliver its 2017 – 2027 strategy and prepare for the next era. Ideal candidates will have experience in one or more of the following areas: audit, finance, and property and estate development. The Audit Chair should have a formal finance or accounting qualification.

Time commitment

Council meets six times per year, in person in Durham, with a pre-meeting meal the evening prior. Committees typically meet five times per year in an online or hybrid setting. Council members serve an initial term of three years with the potential for an additional three year term.

How to apply / Contact

To read more about the role please visit our microsite by clicking Apply. For a confidential conversation about the roles, please contact: Sophie Hester ([e-mail]) or Mohamed Ebrahim ([e-mail])

Closing date for applications is Tuesday 7th May at 5.00pm