Join us and make your mark

Are you looking for a new and exciting opportunity to guide an ambitious, global university?

The University is looking to appoint an individual with experience of strategic risk management or Cyber Security/ IT audit background and with a strong commitment to Higher Education, as an external member of its Audit and Risk Committee.

The Audit and Risk Committee is a sub Committee of Court, which is the university’s governing body and oversees our strategy and vision. You can help us in delivering our  Vision and  Values - placing these at the heart of everything we do. 

This is a unique opportunity to become a critical friend, provide expert guidance and assist in taking the University forward. Ideally, candidates will demonstrate a range of skills and have significant strategic leadership experience gained within large, complex organisations. We would particularly welcome applications from those with expertise in Audit and Risk.

If you share our values and can help the University achieve its ambitious goals and deliver positive change, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Equality and diversity

The University of Glasgow is committed to equality and ensuring all students, staff and visitors have a positive experience of the learning, teaching, research and work environment.

We are keen to hear from people excited by the opportunity to add value irrespective of their sex, gender identity, gender re-assignment, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race and traditionally under-represented groups, and to preserve gender balance on the Court in accordance with the Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Act 2018, we would welcome and encourage applications from women.

The University of Glasgow

We’ve been making history since 1451

Founded in 1451, the University of Glasgow is the fourth oldest university in the English-speaking world.

The University:

  • has an annual turnover of more than £959m, including research income of £221m
  • is in the top 100 in both the QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
  • significant investment plan of circa £1.8bn over the next 15 years.
  • welcomes students from more than 140 countries worldwide
  • has c33,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students
  • has excellent ratings for student satisfaction, per the National Student Survey
  • is a major employer in the city of Glasgow with more than 8,000 staff, including 2,500 active researchers
  • is a member of the prestigious Russell Group of leading UK research universities
  • is a founder member of Universitas 21, an international grouping of universities dedicated to setting worldwide standards for higher education; and of the Guild of European Research Intensive Universities.

 

The University Court

The Court is the University’s governing body and is the legal persona of the University. Its powers have been defined over a number of years, commencing in 1858 when the Court was first established, and are set out in the Universities (Scotland) Acts 1858-1966 and the Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Act 2016, and subsidiary ordinances, resolutions and regulations.

Court is the University’s legal authority and collectively it is responsible for the proper conduct of the University’s public business, for strategic vision, monitoring effectiveness and performance of the University, approving Finance, Estate, People & OD strategies including diversity and inclusion and ensuring the good name and values of the University. The Court has 25 members with each playing an integral role.

Court has a number of sub committees which help it to fulfil its responsibilities, and Audit and Risk Committee is one of these.

Audit and Risk Committee Remit and Terms of Reference

Introduction 

Appointed by Court, the Audit and Risk Committee (ARC) will oversee the University’s arrangements for corporate governance, financial reporting, systems of internal control and risk management and the activities and processes related to these systems. This will include arrangements to ensure the University’s compliance with the requirements of the Financial Memorandum between the University and Scottish Funding Council. 

Committee remit 

The mandate for the ARC is as follows: 

Financial reporting  

Ahead of consideration by the Finance Committee and recommendations by the Finance Committee to Court regarding approval of the annual financial statements: 

  • Monitor the integrity of the annual financial statements of the University, reviewing significant financial reporting issues and judgments which they contain. In particular, the Committee shall review and challenge where necessary: 
  • The consistency of, and any changes to, accounting policies on a year-by-year basis; 
  • The methods used to account for significant or unusual transactions where different approaches are possible; 
  • Whether the University has followed appropriate accounting standards and made appropriate estimates and judgments, taking into account the views of the external auditor;  
  • The clarity of disclosure in the University’s financial statements and the context in which the statements are made; and  
  • All narrative reports presented with the financial statements, such as the operating and financial review and the corporate governance statement (as it relates to matters within the remit of the Committee) 

Internal control and risk management arrangements 

  • Keep under review the adequacy and effectiveness of the University’s internal financial controls and internal control and risk management arrangements. In relation to the latter, the Committee shall consider:  
  • the scope and effectiveness of the systems established by management to identify, assess, manage, and monitor financial and non-financial risks - to include regular review by the Committee of the University risk register, and attendance by a member or members of the Committee at University-level risk workshops; and 
  • The internal auditors and, where applicable, management’s assessments and reports on the effectiveness of the systems for risk management 
  • The Court retains responsibility for the review of the effectiveness of these systems of control and must form its own opinion despite aspects of that review being delegated to the Committee; 
  • Review the oversight and governance arrangements for risk areas on an annual basis. 

Internal Audit 

  • Monitor and review the effectiveness of the University’s internal audit function in the context of the University’s overall arrangements;  
  • Recommend to Court the appointment or removal of the internal auditors;  
  • Consider and approve the remit of the internal audit function and ensure that adequate and appropriate resources are made available for its work and that it has appropriate access to information to enable it to perform its function effectively and in accordance  with relevant professional standards. The Committee shall also ensure the function has adequate standing and is free from management and other restrictions;  
  • Review and assess the annual internal audit plan and the annual report and conclusions and opinions arising from activities and findings;  
  • Review reports addressed to the committee from the internal auditor;  
  • Review and monitor management’s responsiveness to the findings and recommendations of the internal auditor, including the extent to which recommendations have been implemented 
  • Develop, implement and monitor a policy for the supply of non-audit services by the internal auditor, taking into account any relevant ethical guidance on the matter; 
  • Review and assess value for money as part of the annual internal audit plan and annual report. Promote value for money through economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in the management of the University’s resources and the management and quality assurance of data. 

 

External Audit 

  • Consider and make recommendations to Court for the appointment, re-appointment or removal of the University’s external auditor. The Committee shall oversee the selection process and criteria for a new auditor and if the auditor resigns, the Committee shall investigate the issues leading to this and decide on any action required;  
  • Oversee the relationship with the external auditor, including (but not limited to):  
  • scope of work and terms of engagement;  
  • remuneration and its appropriateness to enable an adequate audit to be conducted;  
  • assessing annually independence and objectivity considering relevant professional and regulatory requirements (including mandatory requirements in the University’s Financial Memorandum with the Scottish Funding Council);  
  • the qualifications, expertise and resources of the auditor and the effectiveness of the audit process;  
  • seeking to ensure coordination with the activities of the internal audit function;  
  • Meet regularly with the external auditor, including at the planning stage before the audit and after the audit at the reporting stage;  
  • Review and approve the annual audit plan and ensure that it is consistent with the scope of the audit engagement;  
  • Review the findings of the audit with the external auditor, including a discussion of any major issues which arose during the audit, any audit and accounting judgments, levels of errors identified during the audit and the effectiveness of the audit.  
  • Review any representation letters requested by the external auditor before agreement by Court;  
  • Review the management letter and management’s response to the auditor’s findings and recommendations;  
  • Develop, implement and monitor a policy for the supply of non-audit services by the external auditor, taking into account any relevant ethical guidance on the matter. 

Other matters 

Consider the effectiveness of arrangements for:  

  • the investigation of fraud or other questions of loss, financial irregularity, or impropriety;  
  • University employees to raise concerns, in confidence, about possible wrongdoing in financial reporting or the operation of internal controls. The Committee shall ensure that these arrangements allow proportionate and independent investigation of such matters and appropriate follow up action;  
  • the safeguarding of the assets of the University and of the use of its funds, particularly funds deriving from the public sector;  
  • proper corporate governance.  
  • Consider any matters falling within its remit arising from reports of external bodies such as the Audit Committee of the Scottish Parliament, Scottish Funding Council, Audit Scotland, National Audit Office or UK Research Councils. 
  • Regularly review the University’s policy on fraud and irregularity, including being notified of any action taken under those policies. 
  • Monitor other relevant sources of assurance for example other external reviews 
  • Receive reports of the outcomes of any investigations under the University’s Whistleblowing procedure. 
  • Receive an annual report on any cases of research misconduct considered under the University’s Policy and Procedures for Dealing with Allegations of Research Misconduct.  

Further details on the Audit and Risk Commitee and the Governance structure of the University can be found here

Audit and Risk Committee member responsibilities and Candidate requirements

Your knowledge and experience will assist our inspiring people to change the world together

The Audit and Risk Committee is one of the main sub-committees of the University Court (governing body) and fulfils a key role in the University’s corporate governance. The Committee has a mix of specialist skill sets and a vacancy currently exists for an individual with broad senior management experience and strategic Risk management. The individual concerned will also be required to contribute to the committee’s duty regularly to oversee internal audit and risk management. The Audit and risk Committee normally meets four times in a year.  Members may also be involved in risk management workshops.

For this important role, we are keen to hear from candidates with the following attributes, qualities, and experience:

  • Senior management experience, including risk management, ideally within a large organisation or with a Cyber Security/ IT audit background.
  • Knowledge and demonstrable experience of corporate governance arrangements including financial and risk management
  • High level of objectivity, integrity and discretion
  • Ability to question and challenge effectively
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Understanding and experience of complex business environments
  • Enthusiasm for the University’s commitment: to deliver excellent research; to provide an excellent student experience; and to extend its global reach and reputation

In addition, the following knowledge and experience would be advantageous:

  • Recent professional experience of major capital investment projects.

Committee member benefits and terms

Membership of the Committee would be for four years in the first instance.  

The position is available from October 2025, and candidates will be expected to commit to around 6 half-days per year to effectively fulfil the duties.

Membership of the Committee is non-executive and brings with it following benefits:

  • It is a unique opportunity to become our critical friend, provide expert guidance and assist in delivering innovative solutions.
  • As a Committee Member, the University offers the platform to engage, inspire and influence regionally, nationally and internationally whilst expanding personal and professional horizons. 

This position is non-executive and unremunerated, however the University will meet reasonable expenses, including child/ dependent-care costs and lost earnings.

Candidates must not be employees or current students of the University of Glasgow.    

How to apply

Closing Date: 23:45 on Friday 29th August 2025

Interviews: Tuesday 23rd September 2025

To apply, please submit a comprehensive Curriculum Vitae along with a Covering Letter setting out your interest in the role and details of how you match the required criteria. Applications should be submiited via the below link: 

Click here to apply 

For a confidential, informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact University Secretary, Dr David Duncan