Join us and make your mark

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

The University of Glasgow is seeking an appropriately qualified external member, to serve on its Finance Committee, which is a committee of the University Court (the governing body).  We would like to recruit candidates with senior management experience, including financial management, and if possible with recent professional experience of major capital investment projects and/or process and system transformation, ideally within a large organisation.

The Finance 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 financial management. 

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 the Finance Committee is one of these.

Finance Committee Remit and Terms of Reference

Introduction 

The Finance Committee (FC) is appointed by Court and monitors the income and expenditure of the University with oversight and pre-Court approval of the annual budget. 

The FC makes decisions on investment requests expenditure between £3 million and £25 million and makes recommendations to Court for expenditure above £25 million.   

Committee remit 

To provide oversight on the short and long-term financial sustainability and financial resilience of the Institution  

To monitor the income and expenditure of the University and risks to operating cash and financial sustainability 

Court: consider financial policies and issues and make recommendations to Court on:  

  • the annual budget  
  • banking, borrowing and lending
  • the investment of endowment funds and surplus cash funds 
  • the long-term financial position of the University 
  • academic partnerships with significant resource implications 
  • creation of new companies 
  • other financial matters, always having regard to the importance of financial sustainability 

and also:  

  • advise Court on the financial implications of policy decisions being considered by Court  
  • consider the financial statements of the University and make recommendations to Court thereon 
  • To review and report to Court on the recommendations of the Investment Advisory Committee 
  • To provide oversight and if requested by Court approval authority on other aspects of financial management including borrowing and similar arrangements. 

Expenditure: as reported by the Investment Committee,  

  • make recommendations to Court on the budget for infrastructure investment 
  • decide on all investment proposals (capital and revenue) involving expenditure of between £3million and £25 million and, where appropriate, having been approved by the Estates Committee and/or Information Policy & Strategy Committee 
  • make recommendations to Court on all investment proposals (capital and revenue) involving expenditure of £25m or above and, where appropriate, having been approved by Estates Committee and/or Information Policy & Strategy Committee 
  • decide on variances to budget of £0.5 million and above on individual projects 

Governance and Risk  

  • Ensure appropriate financial governance is being applied at the University  
  • Review and make recommendations to Senior Management Group and Court on key financial and commercial risks  
  • Review the oversight and governance arrangements for financial risk management areas on an annual basis 
  • Review debtor levels and associated sanctions  
  • Review scope and adequacy of insurance cover 

Innovation 

  • Review progress against strategy.  
  • Review and approve disposals and investments in university spin out companies above £0.25M 

Sub Committee Oversight  

  • Review decisions and recommendations from sub committees including:  
  • Student Finance Committee  
  • Investment Advisory Committee  
  • Other temporary Committees that may be created at the request of Finance Committee or Court  

Evaluation  

  • To undertake a review of its own remit, performance and effectiveness annually as part of the overall review of Court and its Committees and report thereon to Court  

Further details on the Finance Committee and the Governance structure of the University can be found here

Finance Committee member responsibilities and Candidate requirements

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

The Finance Committee is one of the main sub-committees of the University Court (governing body).  The Committee has a mix of skill sets including Financial management, University senior management, academic and student representatives and lay members with appropriate professional finance experience. The individual concerned will be required to make a significant contribution to the committee’s role. The Finance Committee normally meets five times in a year and there may be a small number of other meetings which members are asked to attend. 

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

  • Held senior level finance positions, including understanding and experience in a complex business environment and experience of decision-making at a strategic level (Board or Management Committee)
  • Strong interpersonal skills and ability to offer constructive challenge to the University officers
  • An understanding of corporate governance
  • Enthusiasm for the University’s commitment: to deliver excellent research; to provide an excellent student experience; and to extend its global reach and reputation
  • Ability to build credibility, trust and respect
  • Ability to question and challenge effectively
  • Objectivity, integrity and discretion
  • Excellent communication skills

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

  • Recent professional experience of major capital investment projects, process and system transformations, ideally within a large complex organisation.
  • Knowledge and experience of capital planning, capital funding structures and asset improvement

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 between 5 - 8 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