Vice-Chancellor & President

University of York; York and North Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 250,000 - 450,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of York invites applications for its next Vice-Chancellor and President, a landmark leadership role designed to sustain academic excellence, deliver an outstanding student experience and secure long-term financial resilience. The appointee will guide strategy, governance and external relationships at a time of growth and diversification.

They will champion equality, diversity and inclusion, uphold the principles of open inquiry, and work with staff, students and partners to

Responsibilities

• Lead the university's strategic direction, governance and external relationships.
• Champion equality, diversity and inclusion across the institution.
• Uphold academic freedom and open inquiry in research and teaching.
• Drive sustainability, financial resilience and growth in a complex higher education landscape.

Job description

The University of York is a world-leading research-intensive university and proud member of the Russell Group, with approximately 20,000 students, over 5,000 staff and an annual income of over £550 million. Founded in 1963 on principles of excellence, equality and opportunity, York has built a distinctive reputation for outstanding interdisciplinary research, excellent teaching and its collegial culture. Our researchers are tackling some of the most pressing challenges of our time, from sustainable energy and food systems to AI safety, rail innovation, and health and the biosciences. York Central, one of the UK's largest brownfield regeneration projects, positions the University as a key partner in a major new innovation district, and our growing partnerships with the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority reflect our deepening role as an anchor institution and civic leader in the region. Our global alumni community numbers over 190,000 across 180 countries.

Our Council is now seeking to appoint our next Vice-Chancellor and President. Building on strong foundations and a clear sense of institutional purpose, the incoming Vice-Chancellor will champion York's identity as a University for the Public Good, sustaining its research-intensive character and academic excellence, delivering an outstanding student experience, ensuring long-term financial resilience and pursuing the bold agenda for growth and diversification that the University's next chapter demands. The Vice-Chancellor will be a compelling voice for York in the sector, in government, internationally and in the civic and economic life of the region, whilst remaining connected to the values and community that define this institution.

This is an exceptional opportunity for an outstanding leader to shape one of the UK's most purposeful universities at a defining moment for the sector. Candidates must demonstrate: substantial senior leadership experience in a research-intensive university or comparable environment, underpinned by academic credibility; a strong record of strategic and financial leadership, with the commercial acumen to secure long-term sustainability and pursue growth in a challenging sector environment; a visible, values-led and collaborative approach that builds trust across a complex community; the ability to communicate with clarity and confidence across diverse audiences, from students and staff to government, civic and strategic partners; sound judgement in navigating an uncertain national and international landscape; and a demonstrable commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and to the principles of academic freedom and open inquiry that are fundamental to this institution.

We welcome applications from outstanding candidates of all backgrounds. The University of York is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and actively encourages applications from candidates who will add to the diversity of our leadership.

The University of York has retained the services of Perrett Laver to help identify the widest possible field of suitable candidates and to assist in the assessment of candidates against the requirements for the role.

The deadline for the receipt of applications is 09:00 am BST on Wednesday 7th October 2026.

Competitive