Vice-Principal

The Role and Department

University College (Castle) is home to 1,100 undergraduates, 450 postgraduates, 400+ senior common room members, and nearly 50 staff. Our shared vision: Inspired by our enduring heritage, University College aspires to be a welcoming and inclusive learning community dedicated to empowering individuals, fostering a deep sense of belonging, and enabling all to flourish through service, scholarship, and shared purpose. Our community is co-created by students and staff through facilitation of 40+ student-led sports and societies, enrichment and mentoring programmes, charity initiatives and volunteering opportunities, wellbeing support, performing arts opportunities, vibrant social events, and more.

The highly collaborative college leadership team includes the Principal, Vice Principal, Assistant Principal, Alumni and Development Manager, Chaplain and Solway Fellow, College Operations Manager, Curator, and Food and Beverage Manager. The VP maintains an intentional link with each colleague, providing continuity and big picture perspective to ensure the smooth day-to-day operation of University College.

As a partner in leadership with the Principal, the VP shepherds delivery of our college objectives, enlivens our shared vision and drives culture change. Specific admin responsibilities include coordinating the administrative team, monitoring a complex budget, coordinating college communications, facilitating college misconduct protocols, and managing student internships and employment.

The Vice Principal leads the College’s multi-faceted and highly collaborative enrichment programme. This includes supporting the JCR and MCR, coordinating all new student induction activities, supporting internships, overseeing library and study space, facilitating prospective student visit days, and inspiring academic engagement programmes, all of which enable the University’s current strategy of enabling a unique Wider Student Experience offer.

As the University’s oldest College, Castle partners with a wide range of internal and external constituencies. The Vice Principal plays an important role in maintaining these relationships, including the Institute for Medieval and Early Modern Studies, Institute for Advanced Studies, International Office, World Heritage Site Senior Manager, local community partners/events, Castle Research Group and the DU World Heritage Site governance framework. Managing the complementary and competing demands for events and engagement here, both internally and externally, requires the VP’s attention to ensure congruence with the college’s co-curricular education focus and support castle access for the broader community.

Please note this role must be fulfilled onsite here at Durham Castle, which is part of the Durham Castle and Cathedral World Heritage Site and involves navigating historic staircases, cobbles and environmental controls.

Please note: We anticipate scheduling interviews on 15 September. We encourage early applications, as this role may close before the advertised deadline if a large number of applications are received.

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