Reporter 7/6/02: Appointment of Vice-Chancellor: Notice

Appointment of Vice-Chancellor: Notice

3 June 2002

In their Notice of 27 March 2002 (Reporter, p. 634) the Council announced that they had commenced the process for the appointment of the successor to Sir Alec Broers as Vice-Chancellor. The office has now been advertised (Reporter, p. 862) and, for the information of members and staff of the University, the Council are publishing the description of the role and duties that they have agreed and which will be used by their Advisory Committee.

UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE: APPOINTMENT OF VICE-CHANCELLOR

Introduction

Following the successful tenure of Professor Sir Alec Broers since 1996, the University of Cambridge is seeking his successor to take up office on 1 October 2003. The next Vice-Chancellor will be of a stature and presence commensurate to lead this major and distinguished academic institution.

The stated mission of the University is 'to contribute to society through the pursuit of education, learning, and research at the highest international levels of excellence'.

Candidates must be of exceptional calibre with academic credibility, clear strategic vision, and outstanding leadership qualities. They will have strong management skills and senior-level experience gained in a complex institution and the ability to bring them to bear in a democratic, self-governing university. The ability to promote the University in a regional, national, and international context, and to increase the financial resources available to the University, will be key, particularly in order to realize the full potential of the Cambridge octocentennial celebrations in 2009.

Key tasks

The main tasks of the Vice-Chancellor are to:

Provide leadership, academic and administrative, to the whole University;

Represent the University regionally, nationally, and internationally;

Guide and monitor the work of the chief officers and their staff in relation to the University's overall mission and for the fulfilment of policies established by the various governing and legislative bodies;

Ensure that the governance and administration of the University are efficient and effective;

Secure a financial base sufficient to allow the delivery of the University's mission, aims, and objectives;

Chair personally principal University committees, and appoint deputies to chair others;

Head, through the Development Office, the major Campaign leading up to the University's celebration of its 800 years in 2009;

Carry out certain important ceremonial and civic duties.

Skills and experience

This is a highly visible and prestigious appointment, and the next Vice-Chancellor will have the following skills and experience (in no order of preference):

Strong academic credibility;

Experience of working in a senior position in a complex institution;

The capacity to play a leading part in national and international policy-making in Higher Education;

A strong network of external contacts;

A successful record of management and innovation, preferably in an academic environment;

Experience of philanthropic fundraising, including outside the UK.

Personal characteristics

Outstanding and inspiring leader with strong interpersonal skills;

Well-developed negotiating skills;

The ability to motivate and develop trust, in a diverse, collegiate academic institution;

The ability to articulate and implement a strong sense of vision and purpose for the University as a whole;

The ability, presence, and skills to promote the University of Cambridge regionally, nationally, and internationally;

Energy and stamina to cope with a demanding work schedule, combined with enthusiasm and respect for the academic environment and a readiness to give complete commitment to the University of Cambridge.

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