Job reference: JTR00257

Salary: Non salaried

Closing date: 01/05/2024

Department: Vice Chancellor's Office

Location: Whiteknights Reading UK

Employment type: PM-Other Related

Division: Not specified

Hours Per Week: Not specified

Employment Basis/Type: part time, 3 years

Apply link: UOR - Job Information | Apply for Lay Members of Council (reading.ac.uk)

Lay Members of Council

The University of Reading has an ambitious strategy up to 2026, its centenary year. Its governing body, the University Council, oversees the strategy and supports the University’s ambition to contribute to society regionally, nationally and internationally.

Two vacancies are available on the Council, to start from September 2024. This is a rare opportunity to join the governing body of one England’s most established universities at an exciting time in its history.

These positions would particularly suit those with experience of business transformation/change management, digital skills and/or land/investment. However, candidates from any career or professional background are welcome.

We recognise that governance is best done by a diverse governing body, and we are actively seeking candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences who will add fresh perspectives to the Council and will represent diversity in gender, race/ethnicity, religious and political beliefs, stage of career, education, socioeconomic backgrounds, sexual orientation, disabilities and cultures. We expect you to have a belief in the importance of Higher Education and a commitment to making a positive contribution to the University. A strong desire to support an open, diverse and inclusive community with staff and student welfare and good governance at is heart is essential.

The Council sets the University's strategic direction, ensures good governance including compliance with statutory requirements and approves constitutional changes. It holds the executive to account and has ultimate responsibility for financial and academic matters. Its membership includes a range of external members as well as staff and students of the University.

Becoming a lay member of the Council is not only an opportunity to inform the University’s strategy and guide Reading towards achieving its ambitions, but also to act as an ambassador for the University and to champion the strong values for which it stands. Appointments are unpaid but reasonable expenses are met, including travel and care commitments. A basic time commitment of around 10-12 days per annum is expected. Appointments are made for three years and are renewable.

For further information or to express an interest by 1st May 2024 through submission of a CV and a short piece (no more than 250 words) on why you are motivated to act in this capacity, contact Dr Richard Messer, University Secretary (r.j.messer@reading.ac.uk). Interviews will be held on 22 May or 24 May. The Candidate Pack can be found on www.jobs.reading.ac.uk [jobs.reading.ac.uk] search for JTR00257. It sets out more detail about the role and the University, while further information on the work of the University Council can be found from the https://www.reading.ac.uk/about/governance/university-council [reading.ac.uk]