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The Open University is the UK’s largest university, a world leader in flexible part-time education combining a mission to widen access to higher education with research excellence, transforming lives through education.

The role

The Open University is now welcoming applications for a Non-Executive Member of Council. This is an exciting opportunity for anyone who wishes to contribute to the strategic direction of the OU as a member of our governing body.

The term of office would start from 1 August 2023, with induction and observation of a Council meeting in July 2023.

The OU is a unique institution that was established to provide a new style of education that is open to people, places, methods and ideas. A world leader in open access, and with a commitment to open entry requirement, today the OU delivers world-class, flexible education to people across the four nations of the UK, Ireland and worldwide. Over 200,000 students are currently studying with us, including over 27,000 disabled students, 1,400 incarcerated students and over 1,800 on apprenticeship courses. We play a unique role in society, making higher education open to all and promoting social justice and social mobility. We are innovative, leading the learning revolution, placing innovation at the heart of teaching and research, continuously seeking new and better ways to inspire and enable learning and conducting world-class research and teaching.

The University is overseen by the Council, which is the governing body collectively responsible for supervising its strategy, future direction and fostering an environment in which the University mission is achieved. The Council is underpinned by a number of committees which provide strategic advice in relation to their specific remit and has the ultimate authority within the OU, but it has to respect the views of the Senate in academic matters. As a Council Member you will serve on the OU’s governing body and contribute to its strategic and policy decision-making processes. Council members are also expected to contribute to one or more of the Council’s committees. Previous experience of serving on a non-executive board is desirable, but not essential.

Further information about the Council can be found on the Government Structure and Council Members pages.

Additionally, you can find out more about the role by reading the attached Candidate Pack.

Skills and experience:

The University aims to have a diverse skill set amongst the membership of the OU Council and its committees, so the specific skills and experience of potential candidates will vary according to the current membership.

For this non-executive Council role, we are looking to recruit a member with specific expertise in Human Resources within large and complex organisations, including experience in transformational change, culture, and reward and performance.

Qualities required:

• Enthusiasm for and commitment to the mission of The Open University and its values, aims and objectives; particularly diversity and widening participation.
• Passion for the higher education sector in the United Kingdom.
• A strategic mind-set, good analytical and communication skills and the ability to identify key issues.
• Good communication skills at all levels.
• Ability to act fairly and impartially in the interests of the University as a whole, using independent judgement and maintaining confidentiality where appropriate.
• Ability to establish a good working relationship with the Chair and work with them to provide appropriate support and challenge to the executive, whilst respecting the boundaries of a non-executive’s remit.
• Well-developed stakeholder engagement abilities.
• Not overtly party political.
• An appreciation of the national and international issues of relevance to the operation of the OU.

Term of appointment:

This role is pro-bono, although reasonable expenses will be paid. The initial appointment of a Council member is for four years. Members may be appointed for a second term of up to four years, subject to the needs of the University and the balance of skills, experience and diversity required on the Council. The maximum period of office is eight years.

The Council normally meets at least 5 times per year; March, May, July, September and November, but will call additional meetings if business dictates. The annual schedule of meetings comprises a combination of online meetings, meetings at the University campus in Milton Keynes and a visit to one of the University’s nation offices. Formal business is combined with strategic or development events, so meetings usually take place over a whole day with the September meeting specifically planned as a Development Day. In addition, Council members join a meeting of the University Senate once a year. Members may also be invited to join one of the subcommittees of Council where their skills and experience can make the most positive contribution

Time is also needed to keep up with the Council and other committee papers, and with other significant University documents.

Equality and Diversity:

The Open University recognises the benefits of having a diverse governing body and sees increasing diversity and breadth of experience on the Council and its committees as an essential element in delivering the OU’s mission and its strategic plan.

While members will be appointed entirely on the basis of merit, The Open University strongly encourages and welcomes applications from women and people from ethnic minority backgrounds, as there is currently under-representation of members from these categories on the Council.

For an informal, confidential conversation about the role, please contact; Dr Camilla Briault (Assistant Director, Governance) [email protected].

For information about the recruitment process please contact Elliot Moore (Resourcing Account Manager) [email protected].

How to apply:

Unless otherwise stated in the advert, all applications are completed online via the OU Job’s page and following the instructions below and clicking the “APPLY NOW” link below. Applications submitted via 3rd party websites will not be considered.

Access details for disabled applicants are available from the Resourcing Hub, telephone: 01908 655544, quoting the vacancy reference above.

To apply for this role please submit (as one document) the following:

• CV
• Personal statement, up to 1,000 words, you should set out in your statement why you would like to be an OU Council member and what you could bring to this role.

The above documents will need to be submitted as one attachment during the application process, please include the personal statement followed by the CV in this document.

To ensure your file is uploaded to our system correctly, please make sure your document is saved with the following file name as appropriate to the vacancy you are applying for: E1241, surname, first initial.

You will need to have your documents ready ahead of submitting the electronic application.

Closing date: 11 April 2023, 12:00 noon

Successful candidates will be invited for interview: 19 May 2023

You will receive updates regarding your application from [email protected]. Please ensure this email address is added to your list of trusted senders. Please also keep an eye on your junk folder to ensure you do not miss any important updates regarding this role.

You can view your application communications on the Candidate portal.

Find out more about us and our mission by watching this short video (you will be taken to YouTube by clicking this link).

The Open University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion which is reflected in our mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive environment so that all in our OU community can reach their potential. We recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and culture, and that this difference brings great strength. We strive to recruit, retain and develop the careers of a diverse pool of students and staff, and particularly encourage applications from all underrepresented groups. We also aspire to make The Open University a supportive workplace for all through our policies, services and staff networks.