Join us and make your mark

We are looking for a Convener of Court to join the University Court and help us achieve our ambitious plans.

You can help us in delivering our Vision and Values - placing these at the heart of everything we do. We are seeking someone who is excited by our ambitions, has the talent to think in a different way and demonstrate innovative thought with the ability to challenge.

If you share our values and are in a position to meaningfully contribute to supporting these, we would be delighted to hear from you.  

We would like to attract applications from candidates with experience of Higher Education, particularly from traditionally under-represented groups to ensure a broad range of experience and views are represented and heard within the University Court.

The University of Glasgow & UK HE

We have consistently been ranked as a top 30 university in the UK and top 100 in the world.

  • 81st QS World University Rankings 2023
  • 82nd THE World Rankings 2023 
  • 23rd Complete University Guide 2023
  • 11th Guardian UK University Rankings 2022

We’ve been making history since 1451

We have been changing the world for more than 500 years and plans to continue to developing the world changers of the future.

The University of Glasgow fostered the talents of seven Nobel laureates and many political leaders who have had a profound impact on life in Scotland, the UK and across the world.  Scotland’s first female medical graduates completed degrees at the University in 1894 and the world’s first ultrasound images of a foetus were published by Glasgow Professor Ian Donald in 1958.  In 1840 the University of Glasgow was the first in the UK to appoint a Professor of Engineering and first in Scotland to have an electronic computer in 1957.

More recently, the University has invested in academic facilities, including the newly completed James McCune Smith Learning Hub and the Advanced Research Centre.  We aim to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030, and intend to consolidate our position as a diverse, inclusive institution which welcomes staff and students from around the world.

Glasgow is in an elite group of globally leading research-intensive universities. Over the last few years we have made great strides in our  performance. Our strategic plan sets out our ambitions to build on our current strong academic and financial position to be a world-changing university.

UK Higher Education

The UK is a global leader in higher education research and teaching. The sector generates more than £30bn of revenue for the UK economy; in Scotland, the annual economic impact now stands at £6.7bn gross value added. The Scottish HE Sector currently employs around 50,000 people and supports over 144,000 jobs in the Scottish economy.

Scotland has a world-renowned education system, top-class universities and a reputation for producing creative thinkers and innovators. More than 241,000 chose to study in Scotland, including more than 50,000 are international students from over 180 different countries. Scotland is home to 15 campus-based universities, as well as three specialist institutions and to 2 of the world’s top 100 universities [Times Higher World University Rankings 2023].

The Scottish HE sector has pioneered developments in teaching including an ‘enhancement-led’ approach that makes  students a key partner in the quality of their education. Scotland’s universities are also a world-class research force, pushing the boundaries of discovery and placing the sector at the very top of international rankings for the citation of research findings.

Higher education in Scotland is devolved to the Scottish Parliament, with funding and policy decisions affecting higher education taken primarily by the Scottish Government, Scottish Parliament and Scottish Funding Council.

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.

 

Click here to view the current membership of University Court

Click here to view the Statement of Primary Responsibilities of the University Court

The role of Convener of Court

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

 The Convener is responsible for the leadership and effectiveness of Court and for ensuring that the University is well connected with its stakeholders.    The Convener should ensure that Court members work together effectively and efficiently, and that they observe the seven principles of public life: selflessness; integrity; accountability; objectivity; openness; honesty and leadership.   The Convener of Court plays a key leadership role in University business, although is not responsible for day-to-day executive management of the institution, and must establish an effective working relationship with the Principal, by which they support each other but observe the balances imposed by their different roles within the University’s governance framework. 

There is also a close working relationship between the Convener of Court and the University Secretary, who has a reporting link to the Convener in relation to the conduct of Court business. The University Secretary provides guidance to the Court in terms of its responsibilities under the University’s governing instruments.

The performance of the Convener is reviewed annually by the Court, in accordance with the Scottish Code for Good Higher Education Governance.

The legislation governing the ancient Universities in Scotland provide that the Rector - who at Glasgow is elected by the student body - is the ordinary President of Court.  The Rector may therefore elect to preside at/chair Court meetings. 

The current Rector attends meetings and acts as a spokesperson for students however they do not preside at/chair any items of Court meetings. In recent years Rectors have attended Court, and there had been a convention that the Convener chaired those parts of the meeting that relate to the main committee business, as well as being the key liaison between Court and the University senior management, outside the meetings of Court.   The Rector had chaired other parts of Court meetings and had acted as a spokesperson for students.

As a founding member of the Russell Group, Glasgow is one of the UK's leading research universities. It has a strong and growing international profile with over 9,000 employees and an annual turnover of £928M, having a powerful impact on the Scottish economy. The succesful candidate will be contributing to the University’s development at an exciting time following the publication of our new Strategic Plan and major redevelopment plans for the campus.

Convener of Court responsibilities and candidate requirements

The Convener of Court Responsibilities are: 

  1. To be responsible to the University’s stakeholders for the leadership and effectiveness of the University Court.
  2. To ensure that members work together effectively and cohesively.
  3. To ensure that Court discusses all of the key issues affecting the University and that its business is conducted smoothly and in accordance with Standing Orders.
  4. To ensure that Court operates efficiently and effectively, with all members having the opportunity to express their views and to participate in, and contribute to, decision-making.
  5. To monitor on an ongoing basis the performance of the Court, and ensure that it both observes the principles of public life and operates in a manner consistent with the concepts of good practice in corporate governance in higher education.
  6. To develop and maintain a constructive, but appropriately challenging, relationship with the Principal that is mutually supportive but properly distinct.
  7. To develop and maintain a constructive, but appropriately challenging, relationship with the University Secretary and those officers that support the work of Court.
  8. To work with officers to ensure the induction of new members and to conduct an annual reviewinvolving members that considers their contribution to the work of Court and identifies opportunities for further development in accordance with their individual needs.
  9. To appraise, on an annual basis, the performance of the Principal in line with University policies and procedures for career development and taking into account the views of other members of Court.
  10. To be a member of a number of Court committees including the Finance Committee, Nominations Committee, Remuneration Committee and be involved as a member of such other committees, appointment panels and working groups as Court may determine from time to time.
  11. To act as an ambassador for the University at internal and external meetings, events and other occasions as appropriate.
  12. To represent the University on the Committee of University Chairs (CUC), the Committee of Scottish Chairs (CSC) and on such other bodies as Court may determine from time to time.

For this integral role, we are seeking candidates with the following attributes, qualities, and experience:

  • Significant strategic leadership gained within large, complex organisations with experience of convening strategic board and committee meetings, and relevant professional expertise in such an organisation e.g. commercial understanding, risk management and organisational change experience;
  • Knowledge or understanding of governance in organisations 
  • Experience of Research Councils, relevant charities or public/government organisations.
  • Familiarity with the strategic issues affecting universities in the UK.
  • Demonstrable commitment to equality & diversity.
  • Strong personal commitment to Higher Education & empathy with the values and aims of the University of Glasgow.
  • Integrity, sound judgement, tact, diplomacy and sensitivity
  • Ability to establish cordial relationships with a diverse range of people across all stakeholder groups.
  • Strong networking, influencing and advocacy skills with ability to challenge appropriately.

Convener benefits and terms

In accordance with the Act, Section 9 – the governing body of a higher education institution is, on the request of a person appointed to the position of senior lay member of the governing body (Convener of Court), to pay such remuneration and allowances to the person as the governing body considers to be reasonable (which are to be commensurate with the nature and amount of work done by the person in the capacity as senior lay member (Convener of Court)).

This is an important role which requires commitment and a willingness to be flexible.  The time commitment will vary from week to week, but is likely to amount to at least one day a week, with additional time for reading Committee and other papers.    There will be some travel within the UK to HE-related meetings, including meetings of the Committee of University Chairs, and of the Committee of Scottish Chairs, of which bodies the Convener is ex officio a member.   A requirement for meetings at short notice may occur from time to time. 

Secretarial and diary support for University-related business will be provided.

The Convener holds office for four years and is eligible for re-appointment for a further four years.   

The Court meets five times a year (each meeting requiring a full day for the Convener), with an additional Awayday to focus on strategic issues.   There are occasionally additional Court half-day briefings on areas such as governance and funding, and a Court induction day annually which the Convener would normally attend to welcome new members. 

Membership of the University court 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 Court Member, the University offers the platform to engage, inspire and influence regionally, nationally and internationally whilst expanding personal and professional horizons. The Convener of Court will also be supported from day one in their role by the Vice-Convener of Court and the Chairs of Sub-Committees of Court 

The University will meet all reasonable expenses incurred in connection with membership of the Court or activities on behalf of the University, including childcare costs.

How to apply

Closing Date: Monday 15th May 2023

Interviews: Tuesday 30th May 2023

Please click the following link to view a full timetable of dates for the selection process: Appointment and Election Timeline.

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 sent via the below link: 

Click here to apply 

For a confidential discussion about these opportunities, please contact Amber Higgins, Executive Officer and Clerk of Court, Court Office:

To view Election and Appointment Rules for the Convener of Court, please visit the following link: Policy for the Senior Lay member election

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 gender, gender identity, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief, ethnic origin and traditionally under-represented groups.