Chair Designate

Applications close at 12 p.m. Monday 20th May.

Time commitment 4 -5 days per month 

About the role.

Following the decision of our current Chair, the Solihull College & University CentreCorporation welcomes interest from candidates who have the time, passion, experience, and interest to become a Governor and our Chair Designate in summer 2024.

Initially joining as the named Chair Designate, with time to engage in an extended and supportive handover period through the 2024 autumn term, we look forward to welcoming the person appointed as Chair of Solihull College & University Centre from early 2025.

The Chair provides leadership to the Corporation and its members, working closely with the Principal & CEO and the Director of Corporate Governance, Risk & Compliance. Supported by two Vice Chairs, the Chair ensures Governors have oversight of organisational development and are made aware of risks affecting strategy, finance, staffing, student experience, or reputation, through receiving plans and reports from the Principal & CEO and her senior team.

The Corporation is comparable to a board of non-executive directors and is composed of members from the local community, stakeholders, students and staff members.

Actively involved in long-term visioning and approving the educational character of Solihull College & University Centre, the Chair ensures Governors’ diverse skills, areas of specialist knowledge, networks, and professional opinions are used for the advancement of the organisation and in the most appropriate way.

With up to 19 Members of the Corporation, plus two External Members, the Chair ensures professional engagement between the Corporation and both employees and learners, through both formal means (meetings) and informal opportunities (such as events and visits).

Governors help the organisation to maintain a long-term focus whilst working on its shorter-term goals and plans. The day-to-day management is very much the responsibility of the Principal & CEO, and the executive management team. The Corporation is advised by a Director of Corporate Governance, Risk & Compliance who is part of the senior leadership team.

There are seven meetings of the Corporation throughout the academic year (September through to July). In addition to this, there are additional meetings of the Search & Governance Committee, the Audit & Risk Committee, the Remuneration Committee, and the Financial Oversight Group. Opportunities for Governors to participate in visits and meetings with students are arranged throughout the year.

It is expected that – with preparation for meetings, regular contact with Governors and both the Principal & CEO and Director of Corporate Governance, Risk & Compliance, plus any ambassadorial duties and training – the person appointed should plan to spend up to five days per month fulfilling the duties of the Chair.

Who we are looking for.

To be successful in this non-executive Chair role, we believe it is important that the person appointed brings experience in strategic leadership. When considering the requirement to be the ‘critical friend’ for a chief executive of a complex £50m business of education and training, set across several campuses and operating across the West Midlands, having a Chair with skills and knowledge which supports the development of the Principal & CEO, the executive team, and the broader Corporation and its members, is important.

Ideally, our next Chair will be an experienced non-executive, and know from experience the difference between operational leadership, and strategic oversight and scrutiny. The application of this knowledge will be welcomed, so that we may continue to benefit from the mutual respect that exists between the non-executive and executive representatives at the College.

If the person appointed doesn’t have direct experience of being a non-executive director or board member, then we will expect them to be able to demonstrate their ability to chair well and know how to get the very best out of a talented and committed voluntary non-executive group.

More than experience, we need a Chair who is passionate about the work that we do to transform the lives of our learners and provide opportunities to help shape their futures. The further education sector is a wonderful and enriching part of our education sector and a place where anyone, with any background or starting point can come, learn, and progress.

We are very open to the background and sector experience of the next Chair. We recognise the many potential benefits of appointing someone with either public, private, or third-sector leadership experience.

Please click 'Apply’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.

Applications for this role close at 12 p.m. Monday 20th May.