The University of Northampton

PERSON SPECIFICATION FOR GOVERNORS

Generally

  • Governors will have a strong interest in higher education and the development of provision at the University and will be able to commit sufficient time to attend formal meetings, to have an involvement in the work of the University by attendance at University and external events, visits to Schools and Departments, and to take part in induction, briefing workshops and other training and development activities.
  • In addition to their broad experience Governors are expected to bring some areas of particular expertise, together with regional, national or international networks of contacts; and those appointed will be able to demonstrate a clear interest in or connection to the University’s main catchment areas across Northamptonshire and the wider region.

Experience

Essential /
  • Experience of leadership and executive management in organisations within the private, public sector or not for profit organisations
  • Experience of chairing committees/boards and committee and governance good practice

Highly Desirable /
  • Experience of Higher Education
  • Recent and relevant experience, at a senior level, especially in the following areas:
Audit, Assurance and Risk Management
Business and Resource Management
Change Management
Financial management
Higher Education
IT and communications infrastructure
International business and Foreign investment
Legal and Governance
Organisational development and Human Resources
Public Relations and Strategic Marketing
Social Enterprise**
Social Media and use of Information Technologies
Strategic project leadership
Strategic planning
  • Experience gained in an area of the University’s activities in a local, national or international context

Essential skills and personal qualities

  • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • Ability to communicate effectively
  • Board level numeracy skills and information technology literacy
  • Ability to network effectively
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality, as appropriate
  • An ability to think creatively and apply strong analytical and problem solving skills
  • Strong personal commitment to Higher Education and the values, aims and objectives of the University and the success of its students
  • An interest in Social Enterprise/Social Impact**
  • An interest in future technological developments
  • Commitment to working as part of a team

**See

BOARD Recruitment 2015

PERSON SPECIFICATION/SEARCH CRITERIA: LEGAL

Experience

Essential / Experience of leadership and executive management either
in organisations within the private or public sectors, in roles which have carried significant responsibility for legal services or in legal partnerships at the senior management/ partner level.
A legal or similar professional qualification
Highly Desirable / Recent and relevant experience, at a senior level, especially in the following areas:
Strong technical understanding of an area of law relevant to the University such as – commercial, charitable, employment etc;
Strategic analysis and board level advisory activity;
Developing, building and managing senior client relationships;
Negotiation, tendering, procurement, contracting or mediation;
Experience of chairing committees/boards/high level work groups

Skills and personal qualities

Essential
Desirable /
  • Ability to analyse arguments, review material forensically and make balanced judgements
  • Capacity to gain deep understanding of the legal context in the changing higher education environment and of the University’s broad legal obligations and issues of potential concern.
  • An interest in and understanding of Social Enterprise/Social Impact and the legal and charitable implications for such activities

PERSON SPECIFICATION/SEARCH CRITERIA: GENERAL COMMERCIAL / INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES/ ESTATES DEVELOPMENT

Experience

Essential / Experience of leadership and executive management in organisations within the private or public sectors, in roles which have carried significant responsibility, preferably at Board level, for an area of commercial activity including sales, information technology, facilities and estates and other forms of change management or organisational development
Highly Desirable / Recent and relevant experience, at a senior level, especially in the following areas:
Relevant knowledge and experience of managing complex systems, processes and projects;
Understanding of development of business processes in a competitive environment;
Experience in strategic planning and development for commercial or industrial ventures, major information and communications development or major building programmes;
A record of significant achievement in leadingchange in an organisation;
Commercial or industrial experience in an international context; including working outside the UK;
A demonstrable interest in future technological developments and experience of harnessing modern technological approaches to problem solving;
Professional status in the estates or IT sectors
Experience of chairing committees/boards/high level work groups

Skills and personal qualities

Essential
Desirable /
  • An ability to think creatively and apply strong analytical and problem solving skills
  • A deep understanding of how commercial or industrial professionalism could be used for higher educational purposes
  • Ability to act as an exemplar to others in the use of social media, information technology,
  • An interest in and understanding of Social Enterprise/Social Impact as applicable in a University context