Staff news

Applications open for new University Court position

A new position, Senior Lay Member, is being introduced to the membership of Court and will play a leading role in the governance of the University.

The role of Senior Lay Member is similar to that of a Chair and will be responsible for the overall leadership of Court, the University’s governing body. They will ensure that Court conducts its business in an effective and efficient manner, with due consideration of appropriate legal and compliance issues.

Under the Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Act 2016, all higher education institutions must have a Senior Lay Member.

Roles and responsibilities

The Senior Lay Member will play a leading role in the governance of the University, and has specific responsibility for the leadership and effectiveness of Court.

The roles and responsibilities include:

  • Ensuring that Court fulfils its objectives in a proper and efficient manner
  • Presiding over Court meetings in the absence, or at the request of, the Rector (whose existing responsibilities remain unchanged)
  • Ensuring members of Court work together and conduct themselves in accordance with accepted behaviour in public life
  • Acting as a critical friend to the University, the Principal and members of the senior team
  • Ensuring the University is well connected and represented with its partners, stakeholders and other external bodies including the UK Committee of University Chairs and the Scottish Funding Council

Criteria

Requirements for applicants include:

  • Experience of strategic leadership and governance within a complex organisation
  • Professional expertise in matters relevant to the operational running of the University, for example Human Resources, finance, risk management and organisational change
  • The ability to engage with and command different internal and external groups
  • A commitment to higher education, and an alignment with the University’s strategy and values

In accordance with the legislation, this lay position is open to applicants who are not staff or students at the University.

Further information

The full details of this role, and the application process, can be found via the links below.

Related links

Senior Lay Member vacancy page

University Court

Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Act 2016