Dear Candidate,
Thank you for your interest in the role of University Secretary at the University of Wolverhampton.
As the only higher education institution in the Black Country, we are deeply proud of the role we play in transforming lives, widening opportunity and contributing to the social and economic vitality of our region. Our mission is rooted in inclusion, civic engagement and ambition for our students and communities. Strong, effective governance is central to delivering on that mission.
We are seeking an outstanding individual to join us in this important role. Reporting directly to me as Vice-Chancellor, and accountable to the Chair of the Board of Governors, the University Secretary is integral to the effective leadership and governance of the University. The postholder will play a central role in shaping and sustaining the relationship between the Board of Governors and the University Executive Board, ensuring the smooth, coordinated and transparent flow of business between them, as well as with the Academic Board and other key committees.
As principal adviser on governance and regulatory matters, you will support the Board and its committees to operate with professionalism, integrity and efficiency. Working at the most senior levels across the institution, you will help ensure that decision-making is robust, well-informed and aligned with our values, strategic priorities, and legal and regulatory responsibilities.
The role also carries responsibility for the oversight of governance, compliance and legal functions. In a complex and evolving environment, you will work collaboratively with colleagues across the University to ensure effective systems, strong assurance, and the highest standards of corporate governance.
This is a 0.6 FTE appointment and represents an exceptional opportunity for an experienced governance professional to shape how a values-led university operates at the highest level. The nature of the role requires a strong and visible on-campus presence, alongside the judgement, credibility and interpersonal skills to engage confidently with governors, executive leaders and external stakeholders.
We are looking for someone with significant experience of board-level governance, ideally within higher education or another highly regulated environment. You will bring sound judgement, analytical strength and the confidence to offer constructive challenge, alongside the discretion and relationship-building skills essential to succeed in a role at this level.
If you share our commitment to making a positive difference and have the expertise to help guide the University through its next phase, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Yours sincerely
Based in the heart of the Midlands, we are the only higher education institution in the Black Country. With campuses in Wolverhampton and Walsall, the University of Wolverhampton has 29,499 students taught in the UK and abroad, and 2,159 staff. We are proud to be a leading educational force in and around our campuses, and as a key employer we are aware of our responsibility and impact across the region.
Almost 70% of our student body is from the region (West Midlands, Shropshire and Staffordshire), and the distribution of our younger and mature learners is more equally balanced than most comparable institutions. Through the continuous development of our campuses and the courses we offer, we are increasing our national and international reach to support our growth agenda. Our strategy includes establishing clear areas of excellence and distinction within a very competitive West Midlands landscape to become the first choice of applicants.
We are extremely proud of our staff and the students we serve. People frequently refer to the warm welcome they receive from us and the huge, positive difference our work makes to our communities.
We have a large academic portfolio which has been the subject of significant review to ensure that it is fit for purpose, financially sustainable, well placed to meet the needs of our employers, and addresses the ever-changing regulatory environment we operate in.
Research and applied research are key to the success of any university and we improved our position in the Research Excellence Framework (REF2021) compared to REF2014, with more than half of our research judged as internationally excellent or world-leading. In the Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF) we are within the top 10% nationally for public and community engagement, as well as the top 10% for local growth and regeneration.
The University has long-standing partnerships in Europe, China, Sri Lanka, and beyond, which has enabled us to establish a strong foundation of successful transnational educational partners. The number of international students coming to study with us has significantly increased, especially from South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, which are areas where we are increasing and diversifying our geographical reach.
Our campuses have seen significant investment in recent years, and are providing our students and academic communities with access to outstanding facilities. This is complemented by the University of Wolverhampton Science Park which is home to tenant businesses and supports the development of innovative companies.
We place our students at the heart of everything we do, ensuring we provide them with the right environment, support, knowledge and opportunities they need. We strive to remove all barriers to ensure our students can achieve their potential and become successful alumni, as well as future leaders and role models for the next generation of University of Wolverhampton students.
Membership of the Board of Governors
Under the University’s Instrument of Government (section 3) the Board must consist of no less than twelve and no more than twenty-four members. Of the appointed members:
As per the University’s Instrument of Government, Independent Members shall be persons with experience of, and to have shown capacity in, industrial, commercial or employment matters or the practice of any profession.
Chair of the Board of Governors – Angela Spence
Born in Wolverhampton, Angela is an inveterate world traveller. She revels in the discovery of new places, people and cultures.
Co-founder and Director of At Eve Consulting Limited, Angela works with organisations and agencies in the public, private, voluntary and community sectors to transform their operations, bring about efficiencies and improve their ways of working.
Angela is also a co-founder and Director of community interest company Square Pegs Round Holes dedicated to working with children, young people, families, and local communities to build their resilience and support them to overcome barriers that limit their participation in achieving fulfilling lives.
Angela is a Presiding Justice; Chair of Wolverhampton Police Independent Advisory Group; Deputy Chair of the CUC (Committee of University Chairs); Board Member of the Independent Scrutiny and Oversight Board (ISOB) for the West Midlands Police Race Action Plan.
Angela is an ambassador for the transformational benefits of education. She is an alumnus of the University of Wolverhampton and was inducted in November 2025 into the University’s prestigious Hall of Fame, Class of 2025.
Further information
You can read more about Governance at the University of Wolverhampton here.
Priorities
Our Strategy is underpinned by five key pillars
Underpinning Strategies, and Goals
Measuring our success: Strategic Targets
Our success in reaching the outcomes set out in the new University Strategy 2035 is measured through a set of strategic targets regularly monitored and reported to the Board of Governors.
These are summarised below:
To monitor in year progress towards our Strategic Targets, the University uses a suite of key performance indicators (internally named Level 3 KPIs); these are for monthly executive reporting. In addition, our underpinning strategies linked to key priorities and pillars (Student Success, Operational Excellence, Research and Knowledge Exchange, People and Culture) are being monitored through Strategy KPIs Level 2, led by relevant members of the Vice-Chancellor’s Group (VCG). Progress against these is monitored by VCG leads in accordance with their agreed committee structures and reported through the Strategy Delivery Board.
The university has a number of specialist schools within three overarching faculties. The following provides an overview of some of our key areas of strength.
Built environment, construction and engineering
Our £120 million Springfield development in Wolverhampton is acting as a catalyst for economic and social regeneration, tailored to creating jobs and delivering the technical and professional experts required by the industry. The once-derelict site has been rejuvenated and is the hub for the university’s teaching in architecture and built environment and provides opportunities for our students, academics, and researchers to interact with industry to tackle key challenges.
Our engineering students have access to cutting-edge equipment, dynamic learning spaces and expert teaching, with the opportunity to gain real industry experience by joining the University of Wolverhampton Racing Team (UWR) or taking advantage of our collaboration with the prestigious, Morgan Motor Company.
Many of our engineering courses are accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), and Institution of Chemical Engineering (IChemE), which means they are designed to meet the requirements of these bodies and our industrial partners who have helped inform their content.
Business and professional services
The University of Wolverhampton has a distinguished history of supporting businesses in the area, and has been offering employer relevant academic programmes and tailored business services for over 80 years. The Lord Swraj Paul Building, named after our chancellor, was purpose-built to support our business provision.
We are an approved centre for the Institute of Leadership Management and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, and also hold membership of the Chartered Association of Business Schools.
Our law students benefit from our unique partnership with DWF LLP to receive careers advice and mentoring, in addition to gaining experience through our legal companions scheme, and at our Legal Advice Centre in the centre of Wolverhampton.
Creative industries
Ideas, talent and creativity are at the heart of what we provide in our offering to the creative industries sector. We combine a great respect for established traditions with challenging new approaches, offering a range of outstanding courses across creative arts and design, and media. With a heritage dating back to the 1850s, our offer and approach has changed to meet the needs of industry and wider sectors.
Our multi-million-pound Screen School opened in 2021 to nurture talent for the creative careers of tomorrow. State-of-the-art facilities and industry-standard equipment support an exciting range of courses including journalism, film and TV production, computer games design, and animation, to address the shortage of graduate skills in the creative industries both locally and nationally.
Health and social care
We are the key provider of health education in the region, training thousands of nurses and healthcare professionals every year to enter the workplace to provide vital support and care in our communities. Our health courses are well respected, accredited and endorsed by awarding bodies including: the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy; the College of Occupational Therapists; the College of Podiatry; the Health and Care Professions Council; the Nursing and Midwifery Council; and Social Work England.
We offer nursing degrees from our Wolverhampton and Walsall campuses. Key to our success has been providing our students with access to the latest technology, with the introduction of simulating learning and virtual reality interactive facilities and laboratories across all campuses.
Sport
We offer a range of courses including physical education and school sport, football coaching and performance, sport and exercise science, sport and exercise therapy, and other specialised programmes. We’ve been recognised for our work in football for students, gaining a three-star rating for the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Football Accreditation programme for a second consecutive year.
Courses are taught at our Walsall Campus, which boasts a range of specialist sports and houses British Judo’s Centre for Excellence and world-class facilities supporting Olympic and Paralympic athletes. We have excellent links and partnerships with sport associations, sports clubs and professional bodies, including Wolverhampton Wanderers, Walsall and West Bromwich Albion football clubs, and British Judo – a partnership extended to 2032. Our sports courses are accredited and endorsed by organisations that include the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity; the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences; and the Society of Sports Therapists.
Teaching and education
We provide high-quality education and training to students in a variety of fields, and in addition to teaching programmes, offers a range of courses in education studies; early childhood studies; and special educational needs, disability and inclusion. We work in partnership with over 450 schools, colleges and private providers across the West Midlands to provide placement opportunities, bespoke continuing professional development (CPD), and accredited courses for our students.
We have been awarded partner provider status for Special Education Needs Coordinatorsby the community interest company, Leading Learning for SEND. We have alsobeen awarded sector endorsement for the foundation degree in early years services by the Sector Endorsed Foundation Degrees in Early Years professional association.
All our routes for initial teacher training (primary, secondary, further education and skills, and post-compulsory education) are rated Good by Ofsted, who highlighted our extensive school partnerships with valuable placements, and our ability to develop effective and highly reflective practitioners.
ARIA- giving a voice to staff values
At the University of Wolverhampton our staff are at the centre of all that we do, and our behaviours are aligned to our university values. These are Accountable, Resilient, Inclusive and Ambitious.
What is our Staff Charter?
The ARIA Staff Charter sets out “the way we work” at Wolverhampton:
Accountable:
We take ownership of our actions and responsibilities. We follow through on commitments and hold ourselves and others to high standards.
Resilient:
We embrace challenges and adapt to change. We learn from setbacks and bounce back stronger.
Inclusive:
We value diversity and foster a culture of belonging. We treat everyone with respect and ensure all voices are heard.
Ambitious:
We strive for excellence and aim high. We are bold, innovative, and driven to achieve our goals
| JOB TITLE | University Secretary (0.6 FTE) |
| FACULTY/DEPARTMENT | Offices of the Vice-Chancellor |
| LOCATION | City Campus |
| REPORTS TO | Vice-Chancellor (direct line manager) and Chair of the Board |
| DIRECT REPORTS | Director of Legal, Director of Corporate Governance, Complaints and Appeals, Information Governance |
Job Purpose
The University Secretary plays a pivotal role in the relationship between our governing body (the Board of Governors) and the University Executive Board (UEB), and is responsible for ensuring the smooth, effective and coordinated flow of business between the two, and between them, Academic Board and other University committees.
With accountability both to the Vice-Chancellor and the Chair of the Board of Governors, the post-holder will ensure that the Board of Governors and its committees are advised and supported at a senior level, ensuring that high standards of governance are maintained and the business is conducted professionally, effectively and efficiently.
The post-holder will also be responsible for overseeing and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements across a range of the University’s activities, working cross-functionally with staff in various teams to develop systems and reporting to give assurance to the executive and Board of Governors that the University is and remains compliant.
The postholder oversees Data Protection and Whistleblowing for the University and is responsible for Safeguarding and Prevent.
Budgetary Responsibility
As determined by the Vice Chancellor and set out in the Scheme of Delegation and any related authorised signatories documents.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Other Features of Post
This job description sets out the duties of the post at the time that it was drawn up. Such duties may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the duties or the level of responsibility entailed.
General Data Protection Regulation (2018)
The role holder will be familiar with the above legislation and will, always, be mindful of his/her responsibilities under the above Regulation. Attention is specifically drawn to the need for confidentiality in handling personal data and the implications of unauthorised disclosure.
Computer Misuse Act (1990)
The role holder will need to have regard for the provision of the above Act and take such steps as may be necessary to prevent unauthorised access to computer material (Section 1) and the unauthorised modification of computer material (Section 3).
Health & Safety
The role holder may be expected to undertake emergency first aid training. The role holder must ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, that he/she is familiar with all relevant Health and Safety legislation and recommendations and that these are observed within his/her areas of responsibility. Attention is drawn to the University’s policy statement on Health and Safety at Work, copies of which have been displayed on noticeboards in the University. Any accident in the role holder’s area must be entered in the accident book.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
| JOB TITLE | University Secretary |
| FACULTY/DEPARTMENT | Office of the Vice Chancellor |
| LOCATION | Strong on-campus presence |
| REPORTS TO | Vice Chancellor (direct line manager) and Chair of the Board |
| DIRECT REPORTS | Legal, Information Governance, Corporate Governance, Complaints and Appeals |
All of the following criteria are considered essential and will be assessed by Application and Interview unless otherwise noted.
Standard of general education
Professional qualifications
General skills/experience
Specific knowledge and skills
Personal attributes required for effective performance in role
Other
Anderson Quigley is acting as an advisor to the University, an executive search process is being carried out by Anderson Quigley in addition to the public advertisement.
The closing date for applications is noon on Monday 1 June 2026.
For a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultants at Anderson Quigley, Elliott Rae at elliott.rae@andersonquigley.com, or +44 (0)7584 078 534 or Carolyn Coates at carolyn.coates@andersonquigley.com, or +44 (0)7825 871 944.
Applications should consist of:
www.wlv.ac.uk 