Registrar, Secretary and Chief Operating Officer

The University of Birmingham is a comprehensive research-intensive institution, ranked in the top 100 universities globally, and home to a diverse community of over 41,000 students from 150 countries and more than 9,000 staff. A £1bn organisation, our heritage as Britain’s first civic university combines with an ambitious contemporary agenda to continue our transformation and become a global top 50 institution. Over 92% of our research is rated world-leading or internationally-excellent; our five research themes focus on a thriving planet, life-changing technologies, connecting cultures, global health and a fairer world. We are bolstering our academic quality even further with the recruitment of outstanding new Anniversary Chairs and Fellows. We are the most targeted UK university by graduate employers and are a diverse community, with staff and students from Birmingham and the West Midlands, across the UK and around the world. We played a leading role in the hugely successful Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, confirming our long-standing role at the heart of a dynamic and thriving city region. Our 2045 Campus Vision sets out an exciting masterplan for the long-term development of the University’s estate, in support of our research and education.

We seek an exceptional individual to fulfil the role of Registrar, Secretary and Chief Operating Officer. A member of the University Executive Board, this is a pivotal top leadership role for the University, responsible for leading all of our Professional Services (c.4,500 staff), ensuring they make an outstanding contribution towards delivering our academic mission and goals as set out in our Strategic Framework. The role also has overall responsibility for the effectiveness of the University’s governance, providing authoritative and independent advice to the University Council. The postholder will make a significant contribution to the strategic and academic development of the University, fostering a strong culture of excellence, innovation and collaboration, and ensuring the delivery of efficient and effective services in a challenging higher education environment.

The University of Birmingham is one of the largest universities in the UK, which, alongside the unified nature of the role, makes this a rare opportunity to make a lasting positive impact on the institution. As an inspirational senior leader with a track record of delivery and passion for higher education, you will bring significant experience leading large and diverse teams, including managing senior direct reports across a wide range of domains, delivering major projects, and working collaboratively with stakeholders from many disciplines and sectors. In particular, the role requires a strong empathy for the aims and culture of a world-class academic community, and so it is highly likely the successful candidate will have considerable experience in broad senior leadership roles in higher education.

The University is committed to building a fully inclusive and diverse community, including its senior leadership. We welcome and encourage applications from candidates from all backgrounds with the qualifications and experience to undertake this role, including under-represented groups.

For information on how to apply, please visit https://candidates.perrettlaver.com/vacancies quoting reference number 7673. The deadline for applications is 9:00 am (GMT) Monday 27th January 2025. For informal inquiries please contact Ryann Schutt at ryann.schutt@perrettlaver.com or +44 (0)20 7340 6224.

Perrett Laver will conduct an executive search process in parallel with the public advertisement of the role. Here are the process dates:

PL Interviews: Week commencing Monday, 10th February – Monday, 17th February First-Stage Interviews: Monday, 10th March Informal Meetings with Shortlisted Candidates: Monday, 17th March; Tuesday, 18th March; or Friday, 21st March Final Interviews: Thursday, 27th March and Friday, 28th March

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