Chief Governance Officer and University Secretary

The University of Aberdeen is seeking an exceptional leader to join its Senior Management Team as Chief Governance Officer and University Secretary. This key role involves leading governance, strategic planning, and risk management at one of the UK’s top universities. With 21,000 students and 3,500 staff from 130 nationalities, the University is globally recognised and consistently ranked among the UK's best.

Ranked 3rd across Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland for student satisfaction (NSS 2025), with an overall satisfaction score of 86.4%, and regularly in the UK top 20. The University is committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Our Aberdeen 2040 strategy focuses on inclusiveness, sustainability, and international collaboration. Recent rankings include 15th in the UK (Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide), 12th in the UK (Guardian University Guide), Top 50 globally (Times Higher Education Impact Rankings), and 262nd globally (QS World Rankings).

As Chief Governance Officer and University Secretary, you will be appointed by the University Court, the governing body responsible for the University’s corporate and legal governance. You will work closely with the Senate, which oversees teaching and research, and the General Council, which represents graduates and staff on matters concerning the University's welfare. In this role, you will advise the Court, Senior Governor, and Principal on governance matters, ensuring regulatory compliance. A key part of your responsibility will be balancing organisational agility with strong governance, supporting effective decision-making at all levels.

Due to the prominent nature of the position, this is expected to be a highly visible role with significant on-campus requirements. You will be a central figure in the University's leadership, engaging regularly with staff, students, and external stakeholders.

You will lead the design and delivery of strategic planning and risk management processes, ensuring they align with the University’s governance and strategic objectives. Your proven ability to support agility while upholding strong governance will be crucial in managing the University’s evolving challenges.

Success in this role requires exceptional interpersonal skills, as you will facilitate effective relationships between key leadership roles and stakeholders, both internally and externally. You will be expected to navigate complex stakeholder environments confidently and effectively, contributing to the overall strategy and performance of the University through advice to the Senior Governor, Principal, and other senior leaders.

Candidates must have senior-level experience in large, complex organisations, managing multiple stakeholders and regulatory frameworks. While higher education experience is preferred, we welcome candidates from other sectors with strong governance, leadership, and a proven ability to deliver strategic results. Candidates from outside the sector must also demonstrate an understanding of the unique challenges faced by universities.

For an informal conversation about the role, please contact our recruitment partners at GatenbySanderson: Manjit Mundair-Lalli - manjit.mundair-lalli@gatenbysanderson.com

Closing date: 9:00 AM, Monday 13 October 2025