Council Recruitment
We are currently recruiting for the following positions:
- Academic member of staff
- Professional, Technical and Operational member of staff (two positions)
These are new positions on the Council, which have been created to ensure voices from across our Imperial community are heard. Council is responsible for the overall oversight of Imperial’s delivery of its purpose and strategy, its financial wellbeing and sustainability. More details about Council and the membership is available here.
Council Members have collective responsibility for the decisions of Council and are expected to take an active role in the governance and high-level strategic direction of the College. All members have a legal fiduciary duty and must ensure the university's affairs are conducted in an effective, prudent and financially viable and sustainable manner. The members of Council are the Trustees of Imperial. The role is not remunerated.
Council meets at least five times a year, usually in September, late November/early December, March, May and July. Meetings are usually held in either South Kensington or White City, from 9am to 1.30pm, with the exception of the March meeting which is a full day to discuss strategy.
Selection to join Council is via an appointment process, with shortlisting and interviews. The panel will be chaired by the Senior Consul, Professor Jonathan Mestel, with two other Consuls and three senior members of PTO staff. To apply, please download and complete the short form using the link above. The term is from 1 August 2023 to 31 July 2025. During this time Council will review all aspects of the increased membership, including how staff members are chosen and the length of their term of office, and the successful candidates will input into this discussion.
Completed forms should be sent to central.secretariat@imperial.ac.uk by Tuesday 20 June 2023. Any questions please contact Central Secretariat.
Interviews are expected to take place the week beginning 26 June 2023.
Elected members
Frequently asked questions
What does Council do?
The Council is Imperial’s governing body. Its role is to oversee the College’s strategic direction and ensure the College complies with external regulations and statutory requirements.
The Council currently has 23 Members, the majority of whom are independent members, including the Chair & Deputy Chair. Also included in its membership are representatives of the staff of the College and the student body. Council members have a legal fiduciary duty and must ensure the university's affairs are conducted in an effective, prudent and financially viable and sustainable manner.
The Council meets at least five times a year. Meetings are usually held in a working day from 9am to 1.30pm, including lunch. One meeting a year is a strategy focused away day. Additional meetings may be called if required - these tend to be held online, and are usually at the end of beginning of the working day.
There is usually a dinner the night before the Council meeting.
What does the role involve?
Council Members are responsible for ensuring that the College complies with:
- Its Charter and Statutes, financial regulations, HR regulations and codes of practice and any other related governance policies and procedures of the College
- Its legal obligations, including those for Health and Safety, Equal Opportunities Discrimination, Freedom of Information, and Charitable activity
- The requirements of the Office for Students' Public Interest Governance Principles, and other requirements of the OfS Regulatory Framework
What roles are being appointed?
There is currently 1 elected professorial member of Council.
The new roles are:
- A second academic staff role – open to all academic staff.
- 2 x PTO staff roles - open to all PTO staff
The roles have been created to help improve diversity on Council. Council is particularly keen to widen representation from a broad range of staff groups.
When are the roles being advertised?
The call for applications will be advertised widely across the usual staff communication channels in May and June.
How do you apply?
Candidates will be asked to complete and submit a short application form, which includes a candidate statement demonstrating how their knowledge and skills make them suitable for the role
What is the selection process?
Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed by a committee, comprising three Consuls and three senior PTO staff
Is the role remunerated?
No
What is the term of office?
Two years, from 1 August 2023 to 31 July 2025.
What about student representation?
The President of ICU is already a member of Council. From August 2023 there will be a second student Council member, who will be appointed by a different process, run with ICU.