Governor, Arts University Bournemouth

Job description

AD1697

Our statutory commitments

AUB is committed to meeting its legal obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and to securing lawful freedom of speech and academic freedom in accordance with the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023. We are committed to providing a working and learning environment that is fair, respectful and free from unlawful discrimination.

We welcome applications from all sections of the community and, in accordance with the Equality Act 2010, particularly encourage applications from people from ethnic minority backgrounds and people who are disabled, who are currently underrepresented in our workforce.

AUB holds the Silver Award from Inclusive Employers in recognition of our work to support inclusive practice across the University.

Our commitment to Safeguarding

AUB is committed to maintaining the highest standards of safeguarding . We take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety and welfare of children, young people, and adults at risk who engage with us, as well as those who work with them.

About the role

Governor, Arts University Bournemouth

The AUB Board wishes to strengthen and extend its experience and expertise in two areas which are important to AUB's Strategy 2030+; those being academic partnerships, particularly those outside the UK, and research and knowledge exchange (including academic enterprise activities). While we very much value experience within higher education, and particularly in creative disciplines, we recognise that people who have worked outside universities could also have experience that would be very relevant to these evolving priorities.

About Arts University Bournemouth

Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) is a specialist Higher Education Institution dedicated to the study of art, architecture, design, film, media, performance and creative industries management, with an enviable national and international reputation. The University has just under 4,000 students based at an attractive, vibrant and modern 11-acre campus just outside of the town centre. AUB offers courses at further, higher, postgraduate and research levels and also provides a range of short courses for adults and young learners. The university currently offers 30 undergraduate courses and about 22 graduate courses (including online and on-campus) in a full range of creative disciplines.

As the creative industries continue to be a significant engine of growth in the UK economy, AUB is well positioned to prepare students for many of the most in-demand and specialised creative careers. Students at AUB benefit from first-class instruction in their chosen subjects and are encouraged to be curious and embrace risk-taking in their work. The University places great importance on collaborative study across course boundaries and provides access to the most up-to-date technologies and digital tools.

AUB's vision is to be an arts university that redefines creative education - combining artistic creative excellence, research & knowledge exchange, entrepreneurialism, innovation and social purpose to meet the future challenges of a changing world. Its dynamic new Strategy 2030+ sets out an ambitious but realistic path to become THE entrepreneurial arts university. With its commitment to a global future, and to creating new overseas opportunities for students and staff, now is an excellent time to join the AUB Board.

Role specification

The Board oversees the strategic development of the University and ensures the effective use of resources and the general financial sustainability of the institution.

The Board comprises members from within higher education, industry and commerce as well as representatives of the students and staff, including the Vice-Chancellor.

Our progress towards Strategy 2030+ is driven by the commitment and contribution of the whole AUB community.

- Core principle: Opportunity for All

- Pillar 1: Creative Excellence

- Pillar 2: Future Skills

- Pillar 3: Research and Enterprise

As with many universities, AUB is addressing the challenges of ensuring long-term financial sustainability through developing new income streams, building new partnerships and evolving a portfolio of courses that meet changing needs - while always delivering an excellent student experience, research & knowledge exchange. The Board is actively engaged with gathering insight and developing strategy, and every member has the opportunity to make contributions that are valued by the University.

The AUB Board has recognised that Strategy 2030+ will require additional Governor expertise within two specific areas: academic partnerships, particularly those outside the UK, and research and knowledge exchange (including academic enterprise activities). We are open to expressions of interest from anyone with relevant experience who can support the Board and the University in developing its work in these fields while maintaining due oversight and assurance.

Candidates should fulfil the following two general criteria:

• Understanding of how a UK university operates, including an appreciation of the importance of the interplay between academic delivery and professional services support.
• Experience of working at a senior level in higher education in the creative and performing arts, including involvement in academic partnerships across trans-national education or Research & Knowledge Exchange and Enterprise landscape.

To enhance the Board's experience in Academic Partnerships we are seeking:

• Leadership in building effective academic educational partnerships, including trans-national education (TNE).
• An understanding of the quality assurance, regulatory and reporting framework for English higher education including in relation to academic partnerships.

To enhance the Board's experience in Research, Knowledge Exchange and Enterprise we are seeking:

• Senior-level experience of research, knowledge transfer & enterprise, working with students, staff and industry partners to deliver significant commercial and other impacts.
• An understanding of the potential for AUB's knowledge and skills to have real world impacts, support graduate outcomes and generate income (e.g. new business start-ups; IP development & exploitation, commercial consultancy, short courses, CPD)
• An appreciation of what constitutes research, knowledge exchange & enterprise at AUB, how to deliver impact, prioritise and focus investment.

Promoting diversity

AUB has a genuine and active commitment to embedding equality and diversity into its work. The Board recognises the importance of reflecting this diversity. Expressions of interest are particularly encouraged from underrepresented groups, including ethnic minorities and disabled people. 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 backgrounds can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.

Other considerations

Candidates should be available and willing to participate in other relevant committees of the Board, including the Academic Matters Committee (3 - 4 meetings per year, online)

Candidates should be able to provide informal support, understanding and empathy toward senior staff responsible for delivering and achieving Strategy 2030+, but especially for the University's partnership plans or research and enterprise plans.

Deadline

11 Nov

Online interviews

19 and 20 Nov - we'll be as flexible as possible!

In-person interviews

16 Dec

Visa Sponsorship

This position does not meet the UKVI salary requirements for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants must therefore demonstrate their right to work in the UK without sponsorship.