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JOB DESCRIPTION
POST TITLE:
Chief Executive
RESPONSIBLE TO:
President, Universities UK and the UK Board
RESPONSIBLE FOR:
Universities UK Staff
JOB SUMMARY: The Chief Executive carries out Universities UK’s mission in line
with the corporate objectives defined by the UK Board. The post holder will work in
collaboration with colleagues to support the membership and to promote the UK HE
sector in all areas of public life. The post will report to the President of Universities UK
and the UK Board. Using diplomacy and negotiation with Government ministers, civil
servants, the OFS, UKRI, the funding councils and other HE bodies the aim will be to
secure the optimum position for UK HE sector in all areas of activity. Ensuring that
Universities UK is a significant voice of UK universities and is effective and
authoritative in influencing decisions affecting HE. The post holder will lead the
Universities UK Strategic Leadership Team in corporate and operational planning,
budgeting, staff learning and development and act as a role model manager for UUK
office staff.
Main responsibilities
1.
To lead and manage all of the Universities UK staff towards achieving the
vision, aims, missions and objectives of Universities UK.
2.
Support the President and UK Board in the initiation, formulation and
promotion of existing and new policy initiatives, and make recommendations
on objectives and strategies. To maintain a close working relationship with and
be sensitive to the style of the Universities UK President and report to the
President on all policy, parliamentary, lobbying, and public relations matters.
3.
Promote the profile and role of Universities UK.
4.
Speak for the HE Sector and Universities UK when appropriate in a forceful but
not contentious way within a framework agreed with the President and UK
Board.
5.
Monitor developments in government policy and in the activities of other
external agencies, which impact on universities and advise UK Board.
6.
Build contacts with relevant external agencies such as funding councils,
research councils, government departments, professional associations,
regulatory bodies representing specific issues in HE and in education generally,
sector agencies and employers’ organisations.
7.
Maintain close contact with all members to engage them, and so assist in
developing the coherence of Universities UK’s policy positions and activities.
8.
To lead for UK Universities on all parliamentary, public relations and lobbying
issues.
9.
Manage the Universities UK office and its secretariat and ensure that the office
provides, effectively and efficiently, the range of services and advice required
by the members of Universities UK, taking overall responsibility for all policy,
management and organisation issues, specifically managing and developing
human and financial resources, public relations and membership services, in line
with UUK’s policies and procedures.
10.
Undertake line management responsibility of Universities UK senior
management, motivating and supporting them by, carrying out regular
appraisals, developing their expertise and providing support in their learning
and development opportunities.
11.
To be an active member of the Universities UK Strategic Leadership Team
leading on corporate projects and initiatives where necessary. To attend
Executive, UK Board, Members meetings and other meetings with members
and prepare reports and presentations where necessary.
12.
To manage the organisation in accordance with Universities UK Terms of
Reference, the UUK’s Memorandum and Articles of Association and the
Agreement between UUK and the National Councils.
13.
To have overall responsibility for preparing the vision, aims, mission and
objectives of Universities UK as part of a co-ordinated Corporate Plan, to be
approved by Universities UK members.
14.
To defend and improve the funding base for higher education in the United
Kingdom, leading on submissions on funding to the UK Treasury as part of the
CSR.
15.
To have overall responsibility for the preparation and co-ordination of all
Universities UK submissions, reports and presentations to external
organisations, including both Ministers and officials of the UK Government,
the OFS, UKRI, Funding Councils, QAA, political parties and other relevant
UK-wide bodies.
16.
To prepare Universities UK annual budget and to ensure that expenditure stays
within agreed limit and that UUK's Financial Rules are applied.
17.
To have overall responsibility for management of the Universities UK’s offices,
liaising where appropriate with Universities Scotland and Universities Wales,
ensuring that all property and health and safety legislation is complied with and
that relevant insurance is in place.
18.
To liaise with Universities Scotland and Universities Wales on all policy issues,
ensuring wherever possible a coordinated approach on policy issues
19.
To undertake such travelling as may be necessary to carry out the duties of the
Chief Executive, of Universities UK.
20.
To undertake such other duties that may be required from time to time by the
President or UK Board.
This job description will be reviewed and amended in the light of changing professional
demands.
A job description is not a rigid or inflexible document but acts to provide guidelines to
the duties expected while in post.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
POST: Chief Executive, Universities UK
GROUP: CEO
Essential/Desirable
Essential
Essential
Essential
QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING
 An honours degree or equivalent.

Experience in media presentations.
A. KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
 Evidence of holding course on a clear strategic vision and set of values
while responding appropriately to short-term challenges and priorities.

A strong capacity for strategic thought with experience of making
broad ranging, complex decisions which are of major significance to
members or other comparable stakeholders.

Senior level management experience, with a proven ability to motivate
and develop a multi-professional workforce and harness the talents of
employees at all levels to enhance efficiency and internal coherence.
Desirable
Essential

Ability to lead the organisation effectively in planning, managing and
controlling complex finances and resources, including the
diversification of income streams.

Ability to build strong partnerships across a wide range of
stakeholders, including government departments, the funding and
research councils, the business community, professional associations
and wider public bodies representing HE and other education interests.

A strong influencer with experience of working in a collaborative
environment with other organisations in which significant political
sensitivity is required.

Experience in policy analysis and development at a senior level, either
in the Higher Education sector, or a similarly complex setting.

An awareness of the public relations and campaigning aspects of
policy development.

Sensitivity relating to the post-devolution parliaments/assemblies and
devolved administrations of the UK.

A track record of operating as the ambassador and public face of an
organisation, undertaking a number of diverse external communication
requirements and being comfortable dealing with the media.

An understanding of governance and experience of working
effectively with, and reporting to, a Chair and Board (or their
equivalents).

Excellent networking skills gained within the UK and internationally.
Wider international experience and an understanding of global issues
is also desirable.

Knowledge of English and Welsh and Scottish higher education,
including the associated funding regimes.

A distinguished record in an academic / political environment and
experience of lobbying.
B. SKILLS AND APTITUDES REQUIRED
Communication oral and written
 Excellent written and oral communications skills to a level of
presenting and preparing complex reports.

Essential
A strong track record for innovative leadership with a capacity to
influence changes that are to the advantage of the UK HE sector.
Creativity and Innovation
Essential

Ability to apply fresh thinking to current issues, and to initiate new
projects and approaches.

Strong networking skills with the ability to foster good relations among
the membership and between the members and the wider stakeholder
community.
Customer Focus
 Demonstrable self-confidence and the authority to win the confidence
of all UUK members and key external stakeholders, as well as internal
office colleagues.

Demonstrable experience of building strong networks among different
interest groups and diverse stakeholders so as to effectively represent
the views of UUK members.

Capacity for developing new relations among government ministers,
civil servants and the funding councils.
Essential
Interpersonal and Teamworking Skills
 Ability to work in teams, and with all kinds of people including those
at a very senior level e.g. Vice-Chancellors/Principals and other key
stakeholders.
Essential
Leadership and management /Decision Making
 Experience of managing staff, demonstrating the ability to lead,
develop and motivate teams to perform effectively.

Demonstrable ability to encourage different ways of meeting business
objectives and instilling organisational values and behaviours that
promote a corporate vision.
Essential
Persuading/Negotiating
 Experience of negotiating and influencing others to develop major
strategies.
Essential
Planning and Organisation
 Ability to plan and manage own time, including several projects at
once, and to deliver them on schedule as well as planning and
managing work of those in own team.

Essential
Finance and budgetary skills with demonstrable experience of
planning resources to meet operational requirements seeking cost
effective methods of working.
Problem Solving
 Experience of handling difficult solutions and resolving issues with
constructive solutions.
Essential
Essential
Essential
Quality /Standards
 Demonstrable high professional standards relevant to service delivery.
C. PERSONAL QUALITIES
Flexibility
 Demonstrable ability to manage and drive change both within teams
and across an organisation.
Motivation and Results Driven
 The ability to be focused and responsive to members.

Demonstrable ability to get results and to tackle demanding tasks in a
results orientated environment.
Essential
Resilience/Pressure
 Experience of dealing effectively with pressurised situations and of
resolving conflicted positions.
Essential
Other
 Ability to represent the organisation in a professional manner.

Willing to travel as required both within the UK and overseas.