The Executive Director of Strategic Governance is now live, for further information about the role, please click here Executive Director of Strategic Governance
Applications should be submitted no later than 23.59 Wednesday 10th June 2026.
To apply, please register an account on right hand side of the advert, once registered please click apply at the bottom of this page.
Applications should consist of a CV (no longer than 3 pages) with a supporting statement (no longer than 2 pages of A4) demonstrating how you meet the criteria.
If you wish to have an informal conversation about the role please contact Jenny Storey at [email protected] to arrange a telephone call.
Closing date: 10th June 2026
Shortlisting: 11th & 12th June 2026
Interviews: 24th June 2026 – These interviews will take place in London.
The below information is a copy of the full job description
About the Role
The University of Gloucestershire’s core purpose is to be “The Connected University”, driving knowledge and careers through excellence in Education, Business, Applied and Social Sciences, Health and Wellbeing, Computing, and Creatives.
We are seeking an exceptional leader who combines high integrity and governance expertise with pace, creativity and a modern strategic mindset. As Executive Director of Strategic Governance sitting on the University Executive Committee, you will play a pivotal role in strengthening, modernising and elevating governance. You will protect the integrity of decision-making and regulatory assurance while redesigning how Council and Executive engage with strategy, risk and performance — enabling faster, clearer, better decision-making. Leading our governance team, you will bring energy, creativity and rigour: ensuring robust assurance and compliance while creating the conditions for bold, evidence led choices which generate impactful outcomes.
As Secretary to Council, you must be able to exercise care in separating your senior postholder function with your responsibilities as Secretary to Council. The Secretary will be required to establish effective working relationships with the Chair of Council, Council members, the Vice Chancellor, and other members of the University Executive.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Governance effectiveness
- Lead delivery of the University’s governance improvement roadmap, ensuring pace, prioritisation, measurable impact, and clear progress reporting.
- Evolve and embed an effective Governance Framework and Scheme of Delegations, ensuring clarity of decision-making responsibilities and delegated authority across Council, Executive, Academic Board and committees.
- Improve the quality and strategic value of Council and committee agendas, papers and reporting — ensuring the right information is brought into the room to enable strategic debate and sound decisions.
- Implement governance effectiveness reviews, translate recommendations into prioritised action plans, and track benefits realisation.
- Lead the Council member development programme, including induction, ongoing development and awareness of wider training opportunities.
- Manage appointment and resignations of Council members and support the Governance & Nominations Committee on succession planning.
University Secretary / Secretary to Council
- Providing the Council with authoritative guidance on its responsibilities under the Articles and all relevant regulations.
- Ensuring statutory and regulatory compliance, advising Council, University Executive , Academic Board and sub-committees on procedure and how responsibilities can be discharged satisfactorily. Act as the first point of contact for the Chair and Vice Chancellor and other Council members in relation to Council, Committee and University matters, and support the relationship between Council and the Executive
Strategy leadership and strategic enablement
- Play a lead role in the development and delivery of the University Strategy and ensure the development and management of coherent supporting strategies.
- Own and continuously improve the strategic planning and reportingrhythm so Council and Executive have clear sight of priorities, progress, risks and outcomes.
- Work in partnership with the Director of Commercial and Transformation to ensure transformation programmes support and deliver the overarching University Strategy
Risk, assurance and regulatory intelligence
- Lead and develop University risk management and reporting, ensuring appropriate measures are in place to mitigate institutional risk and strengthen foresight and action ownership.
- Monitor changes to government policy, regulation and relevant agency expectations; advise on implications and coordinate appropriate University actions.
Legal leadership, insurance and information governance
- Lead and coordinate the legal advice framework; advise on significant legal matters; secure external legal advice when necessary.
- Lead the University insurance cover: ensure appropriate cover is in place, achieve value for money, liaise with internal departments on insurance risks, manage relationships with the insurance provider, and lead re-tendering as required; act as Insurance Lead for Business Continuity purposes.
- Lead effective services for information governance and ensure effective processes, training, reporting and compliance risk management are in place.
Student casework, appeals and OIA
- Lead the academic appeals framework, ensuring alignment with educational best practice, including management of student casework.
- Make final determinations and provide guidance on appeals and other student casework, including matters referred to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator
Whistleblowing and related matters
- As University Secretary, act as a point of advice and contact for whistleblowing reports and ensure proper investigation and handling of any reports.
Leadership, culture and ways of working
- Provide inclusive leadership, strategic direction and management; respond dynamically and supportively to change; motivate and develop staff; manage performance effectively.
- Be an active, collaborative member of the Directorate senior leadership team, contributing to strategic development and championing equity, diversity and inclusion.
- Represent the University on relevant national or regional groups as agreed from time to time.
General responsibilities
- Undertake health and safety responsibilities and duties for the role as detailed in the University’s Health and Safety Responsibilities documentation and supporting risk assessments; take reasonable care of yourself and others affected by your acts or omissions.
- Undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade, as properly directed by the line manager; variations will not change the general character of the post or level of responsibility.
Person Specification
Essential
- Educated to degree level or equivalent qualification, or equivalent senior-level professional experience.
- Demonstrable understanding and appreciation of the complexity and diversityof the University (or comparable) context.
- Significant experience of senior stakeholder relationship management, including working with executive leaders, non-executive/board members and (where relevant) regulators.
- Proven ability to operate at Executive level in a collaborative and collegiate way, bringing credibility, independence of judgement and calm authority.
- Strong critical thinking and analytical skills with the ability to analyse complex issues and present evidence-based recommendations and solutions.
- Up-to-date knowledge of governance trends, regulation and best practice, with a strong commitment to high standards and integrity.
- Evidence of successfully leading governance improvement / modernisation (e.g., committee effectiveness, paper quality, decision routes, delegations), delivering measurable improvements to decision-making and oversight.
- Ability to design and enable high-quality governance and strategic conversations — improving agendas, papers and insight so senior groups focus on the right issues and make clear decisions.
- A courageous, constructive challenger: able to raise standards, ask difficult questions and create clarity while sustaining trust and effective relationships
- Highly organised with strong personal drive, resilience and persistence to lead and sustain change and improvement, delivering to deadlines.
- Demonstrable ability to lead, manage and motivate others to deliver team/organisational objectives, aligned with University values.
- Ability to work autonomously and proactively; customer-focused, responsive and cooperative with stakeholders.
- Ability to cope effectively with emotionally demanding situations, manage stress (self and others) and continue to deliver under pressure
- High levels of integrity and sound judgement, with appropriate handling of confidential matters.
