General Counsel & Executive Director of Governance, Risk and Assurance

About The Role

Falmouth University has a creative history spanning more than a century, shaping generations of artists, designers, makers and entrepreneurs and building a global reputation for creativity, innovation and excellence. Today, it is a distinctive specialist institution, home to a vibrant community of around 8,000 students studying on campus, online and through collaborative partnerships. Proudly rooted in Cornwall yet globally connected, the University combines academic ambition with entrepreneurial spirit and a deep commitment to place.

With a defining focus on the intersection of creativity and technology, our innovative teaching, impactful research and meaningful knowledge exchange address real-world challenges and opportunities, contributing directly to the UK’s Creative Industries. Financially resilient, culturally strong and deeply connected to our place, Falmouth University combines academic ambition with a strong sense of community and purpose as Cornwall’s university.

Falmouth University now seeks an exceptional General Counsel & Executive Director, Governance, Risk & Assurance to join its senior leadership team. This new and inaugural role offers a rare opportunity to establish and shape the University's legal and governance function at executive level as the University enters its next phase of development, including the growth of its research activity and the pursuit of new investment opportunities.

This is a highly influential appointment at the heart of the University’s legal and governance arrangements, ensuring that Falmouth operates within a clear, effective and robust constitutional, legal and regulatory framework.

As General Counsel, the post-holder will serve as the University’s principal legal adviser and trusted strategic adviser to the Vice-Chancellor & Chief Executive, Executive Team, Chair and Board of Governors, providing authoritative, pragmatic and commercially focused legal advice across the full range of its activities.

As Executive Director, they will lead the University’s governance, legal and compliance functions, with responsibility for the Head of Governance Services and the Head of Legal and Compliance. Through these functions, they will ensure that the Board has proportionate oversight of regulatory and compliance obligations and that its committees receive high-quality, independent advice to support effective governance, accountability and well-informed decision-making.

Working across a diverse portfolio encompassing commercial and investment activity, research and innovation, disputes and litigation, employment, student, academic, corporate and regulatory matters, the post-holder will help the University manage risk intelligently while enabling institutional ambition.

They will provide senior legal leadership on significant transactions, research and collaboration arrangements, and complex or sensitive matters, overseeing the effective use of external legal expertise where specialist support is required. They will maintain and develop Falmouth’s governance framework, provide strategic oversight of its regulatory obligations, support effective systems of risk and assurance, and provide strategic insight on emerging legislative, regulatory and policy developments.

As a member of the University’s leadership team, the successful candidate will also contribute to the development and delivery of institutional strategy, providing constructive challenge, sound judgement and calm, authoritative counsel on complex issues. They will lead and develop the University’s legal and governance capability and build strong relationships across the institution and with key external partners and professional networks.

About You

This role will appeal to an accomplished legal and regulatory professional who is motivated by the opportunity to influence institutional strategy, support excellent governance and contribute directly to the success of a distinctive and ambitious university.

Candidates will hold a recognised legal qualification and bring substantial post-qualification experience, together with significant senior-level experience in legal, governance or a closely related leadership role within a complex organisation. Experience within higher education or another highly regulated environment would be particularly valuable.

Experience of advising on complex commercial matters, supporting significant strategic initiatives, managing legal risk and disputes, and working effectively with external legal advisers will be important; exposure to research, innovation, investment or commercialisation activity would be particularly advantageous.

The successful candidate will possess a strong understanding of corporate governance, legal risk, regulatory frameworks and effective decision-making, together with substantial experience of advising boards, chairs and senior executives. They will be able to demonstrate excellent professional judgement, discretion and integrity, coupled with strong commercial awareness and the confidence to provide constructive challenge at the highest levels across the University.

They will also bring a track record of leading and developing high-performing professional teams, alongside the ability to build trusted relationships across a wide and diverse stakeholder community.

Critically, they will be capable of translating complex legal, regulatory and governance issues into clear, accessible and practical advice. An outstanding communicator and relationship-builder, they will have the credibility and presence to work effectively with academic, professional, executive and non-executive colleagues alike.

Most importantly, they will possess the judgement, influence and authenticity to build confidence and trust across the University community while supporting the institution’s continued success and development.

Falmouth University is seeking a leader who shares its commitment to creativity, collaboration, inclusion and innovation. Candidates will be able to demonstrate affinity with the University’s Mission, Vision and Values and explain how they would apply these principles in supporting institutional success.

This is an exceptional opportunity to help shape the future of one of the UK’s most distinctive universities while establishing a new and influential leadership role at a critical point in the institution's development. 

About Us

In return for your hard work and commitment, we offer the successful candidate for this role a range of benefits, including:  

 - Employer Pension Contribution up to 12%
 - 35 days' annual leave plus 8 bank holidays
 - Relocation Assistance to 10% of salary
 - Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Pay
 - Salary Sacrifice Car Scheme (Tusker)
 - Salary Sacrifice Cycle Scheme
 - Salary Sacrifice Home & Tech Scheme
 - Life Assurance

Full details on our employee benefits can be found on our careers page www.falmouth.ac.uk/jobs. Alongside these benefits we offer a first-class working environment across our campuses with all the facilities you would expect from a leading University. 

A successful external candidate for this position would be employed by Falmouth Staffing Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Falmouth University. Employees of Falmouth Staffing Ltd work alongside Falmouth University colleagues in the delivery of Falmouth’s strategic vision and will adopt Falmouth University’s HR policies and procedures in full.

Falmouth University welcomes and encourages job applications from people of all identities and backgrounds, particularly those under-represented and/or marginalised, as it is important we have a diverse range of candidates to consider.

Apply: Submit your CV and covering letter via the apply button above. 

Closing Date: Sunday 1 November 2026. 

Interview: Onsite, Wednesday 18 November 2026. 

For an informal discussion, please contact Talent & Development Manager, Aimee Worrall at recruitment@falmouth.ac.uk