University Secretary

University of Suffolk; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 69,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

Pension scheme (USS)

Family friendly policies

Flexible working

Staff discounts

Learning and development opportunities

Discounted academic study

Cycle to Work

Electric vehicle salary sacrifice

Employee Assistance Programme

Staff recognition awards

Job summary

The University of Suffolk is seeking a senior University Secretary to lead governance, regulatory compliance, and board liaison across the organisation. This role sits in the Vice-Chancellor’s Office and requires strategic and hands-on delivery to ensure resilience and exemplary governance.

You will provide expert advice, manage secretariat functions, oversee regulatory engagement, and lead staff in supporting high standards of service, assurance and compliance.

Qualifications

• Strong track record in governance management, compliance assurance and organisational leadership.
• Ability to balance regulatory rigour with institutional priorities and practical delivery.
• Experience in board-level liaison and reporting to senior leadership.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior governance and compliance leadership to the Board, subsidiaries and committees.
• Lead secretariat activities, ensure robust governance records and timely statutory returns.
• Support high-quality decision-making at Board level and manage regulatory engagement.
• Lead and develop staff within the Vice-Chancellor’s Office to deliver services.

Skills

Governance management

Compliance assurance

Organisational leadership

Board liaison

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

Hours: Permanent, part time, 30 hours per week (0.81 FTE)

Salary: Band 8 (non-negotiable) - £59,967 to £69,488 per annum, pro rata (pay award pending)

About The Post

The University of Suffolk is seeking an accomplished, proactive, and highly credible University Secretary to play a central role in ensuring that our governance, regulatory and compliance arrangements are exemplary, resilient, and fit for the future. This senior role sits within the Vice-Chancellor’s Office and works closely with the Vice-Chancellor, Provost, Chief Operating and Transformation Officer, the Chair of the Board, and senior colleagues across the University. This is a pivotal opportunity for someone who combines strong technical governance and compliance expertise with excellent judgement, confidence in Board-level liaison, and the ability to build trusted relationships across a complex organisation. You will provide senior advice, guidance and assurance to the Board, its subsidiaries, and committees, ensuring that business is conducted professionally, effectively, and efficiently, and that the University remains compliant with relevant regulatory, legal and governance requirements. As the University’s senior governance and compliance lead, you will act as a key point of connection between the Board, executive leaders, regulators, legal advisers, internal auditors, and colleagues across academic and professional services areas. You will bring a calm, constructive and solutions-focused approach to complex issues, helping the University anticipate emerging regulatory and legislative change, manage governance risk effectively and maintain organisational resilience. The role requires someone who is both strategic and hands-on: able to support high-quality decision-making at Board level, coordinate effective secretariat arrangements, maintain robust governance records, oversee statutory returns and regulatory engagement, and lead improvement in governance practice across the institution. You will also provide leadership and management to staff within the Vice-Chancellor’s Office, ensuring that colleagues are supported to deliver high standards of service, assurance, and compliance.

About You

We are looking for a confident communicator and relationship-builder who can engage effectively with senior stakeholders, committees, regulators, and colleagues at all levels. You will have a strong track record in governance management, compliance assurance and organisational leadership, with the ability to balance regulatory rigour with institutional priorities and practical delivery. You will bring excellent attention to detail, sound political awareness, the ability to analyse evidence and present clear advice, and the foresight to anticipate issues before they become risks. Just as importantly, you will bring a positive, flexible and “can do” attitude, with the confidence to lead through complexity, support constructive challenge and help ensure that the University continues to meet the expectations of its Board, regulators, and wider stakeholders. This role would suit an experienced governance, compliance or company secretarial professional who is ready to make a significant contribution in a values-led university environment. Previous experience of acting as a Board or Company Secretary, leading legal relationships or working within higher education governance would be advantageous.

Benefits

• Generous annual leave entitlement of 25 days for Bands 1-4 and 30 days for Bands 5 and above, plus 8 bank holidays and any university closure days.
• Enjoy an extra day of paid leave on your birthday, subject to qualifying/service conditions.
• Flexible working, including family friendly policies.
• Competitive workplace pension scheme (USS) - with an employer contribution rate of 14.5%, tax relief on contributions and life cover.
• Staff discounts at a number of local amenitiesin Ipswich.
• Discounted membership at Adastral Park Leisure and Sports.
• Access to a range of high-quality learning and development opportunities
• Discountedrates for staff approved to study a UoS undergraduate or postgraduate course, subject to a set of criteria and conditions.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
• Staff recognition annual awards.

Closing date: Monday 14 September 2026

Interview date: To be confirmed

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We recommend that you apply as soon as possible, even if the closing date is in the future.

Applications received may be reviewed before the closing date and should we receive a high number of applications for this post, or high-quality applications which demonstrate suitability, we reserve the right to close the vacancy early. We may hold interviews as and when applications are received, and we reserve the right to offer to a candidate prior to the closing date.

We are a values driven organisation, committed to ensuring we remain a beacon for aspiration and achievement, while providing a great environment to work and study. We are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community and we encourage applications from under-represented groups.