Chair of Audit and Assurance Committee and Council Member
About University of Leicester
The University of Leicester is a public research-intensive comprehensive university based in Leicester, England with 22,185 students and 3,800 staff. It is one of the very best British and global universities with an enviable record of research discoveries, a flair for teaching innovation and proven success in broadening access to higher education. Ranked the 22nd highest UK university by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023, the University is hugely ambitious for the future as it pioneers a distinctive and research-intensive institution, open to all who have talent.
The University’s research has wide-ranging impacts on society, health, culture, and the environment, which is judged to be internationally excellent. Whether it’s pioneering work in space, heritage, breakthroughs in the search for alternatives to antibiotics, or life-changing diabetes research, it demonstrates education and knowledge to be a power for good. To support the delivery of world-class academic activity and create an environment that fosters collaboration and achievement, the University of Leicester has invested £300m to update and refresh its facilities. This includes an expansion of its Students’ Union, a new home for the School of Business as well as new study and living spaces for students in Freeman’s Common.
The University can be described as modern, innovative, diverse and forward-thinking. In late 2021, it launched its exciting and ambitious 10-year strategy with a refreshed mission. Since the strategy’s launch, the University has continued to grow and out-perform its peers, with student numbers increasing by 2,000 last year, and plans for a further 12% growth this year. With a new Chair, Neil Goulden, a capital strategy for campus and digital infrastructure planned, an international strategy recently agreed and a governance review completed, now is an exciting time to join the University of Leicester.
Role specification
The University of Leicester seeks a Chair of Audit and Assurance Committee, who will also act as an independent member of Council.
The Audit and Assurance Committee plays a fundamental role in the University’s governance. On behalf of Council, the Audit and Assurance Committee provides oversight of the University’s risk management, control and governance arrangements, the arrangements to provide economy, efficiency and effectiveness (Value for Money), and the systems and controls for the management and quality assurance of external data returns. It also advises Council on the University’s internal and external audit arrangements, and audit aspects of the financial statements.
The Committee oversees the institutional controls in place to ensure compliance with all legal, statutory and regulatory obligations, providing assurance to Council on the same.
Responsibilities of a Council Member include:
* Providing assurance that the University conducts its affairs in accordance with its regulatory obligations to the Office for Students, its status as a charity and its public benefit objectives
* Contributing to debate and making knowledge, insight and expertise available to Council as needs and opportunities arise
* Maintaining constructive and supportive working relationships with the executive team, remaining both independent and challenging, and observing the proper separation between governance and management
* Acting fairly and impartially at all times, in the interests of the University as a whole, using independent judgement and maintaining confidentiality as appropriate
* Representing the University and its interests in external networks as appropriate
This role provides an opportunity for accomplished professionals to use their public or private sector experience to act as a legal Trustee of the University, to guide, influence and monitor the effectiveness of University strategy, development and compliance with regulatory requirements.
Person specification
With the current Chair finishing their term, the University of Leicester now seeks a new Chair of Audit and Assurance Committee who will also serve as an independent Member of Council. They will advise the University leadership and wider Board on audit, risk management and / or financial matters. They will support the University’s approach to risk management and internal controls. Acting as a critical friend to the University’s Executive, they will support a culture of sound and transparent governance, financial and reputational sustainability. All members of Council are responsible for driving its strategic aims outlined in its ambitious 10-year strategy.
The successful candidate will have a range of skills across audit, risk management and / or finance in organisations of similar scale and complexity. They will ideally bring Audit Committee experience and will ideally bring exposure to governance in the public or non-profit sectors. They will have led on large strategic projects and been through a period of organisational growth and development.
They will bring an outside perspective, diversity of thought and help facilitate opportunities for the University. First and foremost, they will be engaged with a passion to drive change whilst being aligned to the mission and values of Leicester: inclusive, inspiring and impactful.
Culture
The University of Leicester believes that equality, diversity and inclusion are integral to a successful modern workplace. By developing and implementing policies and systems that challenge stereotypes across all aspects of its work, it has a culture that recognises and values the diverse contributions of its staff which benefits everyone. Its strong values of inclusivity and equality support its efforts to attract a diverse range of high quality staff and students, and identify the University as a progressive and innovative institution.
Board composition
A list of current Council Members can be found here and to find further information on the Audit and Assurance Committee, please see here .
Diversity
In line with its commitment to diversity and inclusion, the University of Leicester is looking to broaden the profile and experience of the Board so that it better reflects the communities which it serves. As such, applications are particularly welcome from women and / or from minority ethnic groups. Those with an international background are also actively encouraged to apply. 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 per year, which are held in person and take place between 2-5pm. In addition to attending Council meetings, this person will chair the Audit and Assurance Committee, which meets five times per year, also in person, typically from 10am-1pm. There is also an annual strategy day that takes place in September. This is an unremunerated role, but reasonable, pre-agreed travel expenses will be reimbursed. The appointment is for a three-year term, which can be renewed twice at the discretion of the Council.
Location: Applicants will be UK-based and able to attend Council and Committee meetings in person.
To apply for this position, please contact:
Brigitte Stundner
University of Leicester is partnering with Nurole the leading board-level search platform on this appointment.
Unremunerated. Expenses will be reimbursed
Experience
* Audit and risk
* Financial Management
* Governance
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