appointment of chief financial officer
TRANSCRIPT
Chief Financial OfficerThe Chief Financial Officer is a new position for Loughborough University, reflecting the importance of strategic financial leadership, combined with effective strategic commercial oversight as the institution moves forward. As Higher Education deals with the many global, national and sector-specific challenges that exist, the University is also entering a new and exciting period.
With a new Chair of Council, Christine Hodgson CBE, a new Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nick Jennings CB FREng and a new University Strategy to be launched in 2022, this presents the successful candidate with a unique and exciting opportunity to help shape a top-10 University at the start of the next phase of its development.
The CFO will need to develop a strong financial strategy to ensure the University continues to be financially strong and be able to invest in strategic priorities that are identified.
They will need to bring entrepreneurial and innovative leadership to the commercial activity, making sure the structures, reputation and funding is in place to take full advantage of opportunities when they arise.
The CFO will need to provide thought leadership, expert financial advice and guidance, both to the Senior Management Team and also the committees that make up the University governance structure.
As a member of the University Senior Management Team, the CFO will shape the broader strategic vision of this high-achieving and distinctive University.
Our operating environment is changing rapidly, and financial success, security and commercial innovation is an essential ingredient of our future strategy. This role is therefore of the utmost strategic importance and the new CFO will be stepping into an organisation that recognises and values this.
About Loughborough UniversityLoughborough is an exceptional university. During uncertain times for higher education, and whilst others scramble for the safety of the pack, we are proud to be different. The combination of our excellent student experience, enterprising outlook, world class research and unparalleled sporting success gives rise to something that’s truly special and distinctive amongst the UK’s universities.
It’s not just what we do that makes Loughborough special, it’s our focus and our spirit. We are deeply competitive but committed to partnership working. We are determined to succeed and to motivate everyone to be the best they can be.
Loughborough’s sense of community runs deep: it’s in our DNA. We value our unique identity and our sector-leading work on diversity and inclusion. We are hugely successful and unafraid of innovation; a learning organisation that pushes boundaries.
Our origins in 1909, as one of the UK’s foremost technical institutes focused on meeting society’s needs, set in train an ethos that is still evident in 2021. Today the #LboroFamily comprises over 3,650 colleagues and more than 18,500 students. We are overwhelmingly proud of them and all they achieve. From our 440-acre campus in the East Midlands and our London campus at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, we operate an endeavour with an annual turnover of £327.3m.
Life at Loughborough has a strong community feel. It is a factor we pride ourselves on.
Our students, graduates, staff and campus based partners are at the heart of all that we do.
Within this close-knit community, there is a shared atmosphere of determination, community, and a will to succeed. It is an environment that involves and motivates everyone to be the best they can be.
Our people
Student numbers 2020/21 UK/EU and internationalUndergraduate 14,255Postgraduate taught 2,857Postgraduate research 1,190Further education 118Other (including temporary 171 exchange and staff research)
Our students
of our students on campus are international
over
students from over 145 different countries
More than
applications were made for around 3,800 undergraduate places in
2021/21
over
Loughborough University has a global community of over 192,000 graduates from 169 countries.
Over £6.1 million has been donated by alumni and friends of the University over the last three years.
Our alumni
The University works with thousands of organisations worldwide, exchanging knowledge to drive innovation, boost performance and meet current and future challenges.
Our partners
The University has long-standing collaborative links with many public
and private sector organisations
Our collaborative partnerships include
Advanced Technology Innovation Centre (ATIC) www.lusep.co.uk/innovation-centre
Caterpillar Innovation and Research Centrewww.lboro.ac.uk/caterpillar-irc
Energy Research Acceleratorwww.era.ac.uk
Midlands Innovationwww.midlandsinnovation.org.uk
UK Collaboratorium for Research in Infrastructures and Cities (UKCRIC)www.ukcric.com
Leicester Biomedical Research Centrewww.leicesterbrc.nihr.ac.uk
National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicinewww.ncsem-em.org.uk
Rolls-Royce University Technology Centrewww.lboro.ac.uk/rolls-royce-utc
SportParkwww.sportpark.org.uk
The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC)www.the-mtc.org
Over 90 tenant partners are based on Loughborough University Science
and Enterprise Park (LUSEP)
We hold the
Bronze institutional award for Athena Swan
We are committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting women in
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in higher education.
Our staffStaff numbers (Dec 2020)Administrative, management and specialist staff 1,297
Researching, teaching, enterprise, specialist and 1,390 supporting academic
Operational and technical staff 964
We are over 3,900 members of staff. 17% of our employee numbers are represented by international members of staff, covering over 75 different nationalities*
Our staff to student ratio is one member of academic staff for every 13.5 students.
Awarded seven Queen’s
Anniversary Prizes
staff, Loughborough’s biggest employer
over
* Figure based on staff headcount in February 2021
Inspiring Winners since 1909
OUR LONDON CAMPUS
OPENED IN 2015 AND IS HOME TO OVER 1,000
POSTGRADATES
RANKED 10TH
IN THE TIMES AND SUNDAY TIMES
GOOD UNIVERSITY GUIDE 2022
IN ENGLAND FOR OVERALL SATISFACTION NATIONAL STUDENT
SURVEY 2021
MILLION£327.3
THE UNIVERSITY’S
ANNUAL INCOME(2019/20)
2020 WHATUNI STUDENT CHOICE
AWARDS
UNIVERSITY OF THE YEAR
AWARDED
SEVEN QUEEN’S ANNIVERSARY
PRIZES FOR THE QUALITY OF
OUR RESEARCH
We successfully combine a world leading research endeavour with arguably the UK’s best student experience. We are home to the worlds leading academic lead elite sport ecosystem, as well an outstanding estate and innovative enterprise work.
Our achievements
BRITISH UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGE
SPORT CHAMPIONS
40 YEARS IN A ROW
ND*
*Based on English HEIs excluding specialists, FECs and alternative providers
TH
INTERNATIONAL QS STARS SCHEME 2020
FIVE STARS PLUS INSTITUTION
– ONE OF ONLY 13 WORLDWIDE
HOME TO
LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY SCIENCE
AND ENTERPRISE PARKA DYNAMIC INNOVATION COMMUNITY FOR BOTH
ESTABLISHED ORGANISATIONS AND START-UPS
UNIVERSITY OF THE YEAR FOR SPORT
THE TIMES AND SUNDAY TIMES GOOD UNIVERSITY
GUIDE 2022
THE COMPLETE UNIVERSITY GUIDE
2022
RANKED 7TH
QS WORLD UNIVERSITY RANKINGS
BY SUBJECT 2021
BEST UNIVERSITY IN THE WORLD FOR SPORTS-RELATED
SUBJECTS
IN EVERY NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
LEAGUE TABLE
TOP
Inspiring Winners since 1909
Our strategy - Building Excellence
OUR HISTORY www.lboro.ac.uk/about/learning
OUR CURRENT STRATEGY
OUR TEACHING EXCELLENCE
OUR SPORTING EXCELLENCE
OUR ENTERPRISE AMBITIONS
OUR RESEARCHwww.lboro.ac.uk/strategy
www.lboro.ac.uk/about/learning www.lboro.ac.uk/about/sport www.lboro.ac.uk/about/enterprise
www.lboro.ac.uk/researchFINANCIAL STATEMENTS
www.lboro.ac.uk/services/finance/visitors/statements
WHO WE ARE www.lboro.ac.uk/about/
who-we-are
The success Loughborough enjoys is built on the hard work and high standards achieved by our staff and students. These high standards stem from our ambitious outlook, which is reflected in our Building Excellence strategy.
The 2020/21 academic year marked the final year of this successful strategy. We move into the next year with new strategic focus and vision, to continue to build on the University’s position as a world-leading institution.
The University’s new strategy will focus on how the University contributes towards creating a sustainable future. This includes
• A commitment to tackling the causes and mitigating the impact of climate change.
• Improving mental and physical wellbeing, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Reducing the inequality that fuels division across society.
• Equipping our students with the knowledge and skills they need to help create a sustainable future.
• Developing our estate and changing working practices with a plan to reduce the University’s carbon footprint to net zero.
• Become an engine of economic growth in the region to ensure that the University’s presence enriches the local area.
A distinctive international reputation for excellenceThe relevance of our research to real-life issues places us at the forefront internationally, increasing significantly the global visibility and reputation of the University. Our contribution, at the very highest levels, to new knowledge and understanding boosts our links with some of the best universities in the world and expands our breadth of well-established partnerships with leading international companies.
A life-shaping student experienceWe provide our students with an exceptional learning environment that offers outstanding, innovative teaching, opportunities to contribute to pioneering research, and options to maximise their business potential, coupled with wide-ranging personal support. We engage with our students to ensure we deliver the best possible academic experience. There is high demand for our programmes and we deliver outstanding levels of student satisfaction.
Working in partnership with Loughborough Students’ Union, we offer the best possible all-round experience, providing our students with a wide range of opportunities that enable them to achieve their full potential, professionally and personally as well as academically.
Outstanding partnerships to deliver social, economic and cultural prosperityWe pursue the commercial potential of our research and forge productive, collaborative links with partners across all sectors. We will meet their requirements and our activities help support economic development and drive innovation and performance locally, nationally and internationally.
We work closely with local partners to enhance the social, cultural and economic wellbeing of the communities and region in which we reside. We embed sustainability and social responsibility into all of our processes, operations and developments.
A culture of delivering excellence in all that we doThrough the integration of influential research, a vibrant enterprising culture and outstanding learning opportunities, we enhance our ability to drive forward solutions to contemporary global challenges.
We support staff to attain the highest standards and our international profile attracts the very best in their fields.
We have cemented our position as the UK’s premier university for sport and are recognised globally for our unique ability to shape sport and exercise policy and practice both nationally and internationally.
One outstanding university: two vibrant campusesOur distinctive ability to integrate research, teaching and enterprise has strengthened the activities in which we excel and created new capacity in areas of excellence.
Our international ambitions are being enhanced through a thriving postgraduate campus on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London, complementing our outstanding green-field campus in Loughborough and creating distinct campus communities, that share a common ethos, purpose and values.
We have
Senate Committees Council Committees
Learning & Teaching
Prizes
Sport
Arts
Student Experience(Chair PVC-T)
Health, Safety & Environmental*
(Chair Provost)
Enterprise(Chair PVC-E)
Ethics*(Chair Lay Council)
Estates Management*
(Chair COO)
Finance*(Chair VC)
Human Resources*
(Chair COO)
Operations(Chair Provost)
Research Performance Monitoring*(Chair PVC-R)
IT
Research
Student Discipline
Audit
Remuneration
NominationsCouncilSenate
Joint Senate/Council Committees
*includes lay members of Council sub-committees not included
The University Senate
The University Senate is responsible for the academic work of the University, including programmes, examinations, teaching and research quality.
Its membership is drawn from the University.
The University CouncilThe University Council is the governing body, responsible for the University’s finances, buildings and land. It is the official employer of all staff and meets several times a year. Its Chair is the Senior Pro Chancellor, Christine Hodgson CBE.
Leadership team structure
University governance
Director of Estates & Facilities
ManagementDirector of IT Services
Student Services
Enterprise and Research
Associate Chief Operating Officer
Director of Marketing and Advancement
Director of Human Resources & Organisational Development
Chief Operating Officer
Vice-Chancellor & President
Chief Financial
Officer
Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research)
Pro Vice-Chancellor (Enterprise)
Provost & Deputy Vice-Chancellor
Deans of Academic Schools
Director of Planning
Pro Vice-Chancellor (Teaching)
Academic Registrar
Impact through enterpriseEnterprise is at the heart of the University’s activities, enhancing the student experience, creating impact through economic development partnerships and LUSEP, our Science and Enterprise Park, which is home to more than 90 companies inlcuding early-stage start ups, high growth SMEs, R&D divisions of global brands and national sports organisations.
The University, as a regional anchor institution, engages with its local areas in the East Midlands and East London, to drive growth and regeneration.
LUSEP’s recent developments include
• Land acquisition that increases the total site to 97 hectares, with the potential to triple in size by 2040 to accommodate businesses employing 6,000 people.
• A 109,000 sq ft flagship office for leading business management software provider The Access Group.
• The National Centre for Combustion and Aerothermal Technology – a global open-access centre of excellence for low emission aerospace engineering, funded by BEIS, the Aerospace Technology Institute and Innovate UK.
• SportPark expansion, fuelling our ambition to be at the heart of a global sports innovation hub.
• LU Inc. the University’s business incubator for academic, graduate and local pre and early-stage startups, offering bespoke support and seamless transition to grow on space at LUSEP.
Other East Midlands initiatives include
• The Careers and Enterprise Hub in Loughborough town centre, a partnership with Loughborough College and Charnwood Borough Council to help people develop their skills and boost the local economy post-pandemic.
• Based on our work with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Regional Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program, we are a founding partner in the Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership Innovation Board, which has recently been established to accelerate economic growth and job creation through innovation-driven entrepreneurship.
Loughborough University LondonAs the lead academic partner on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, we worked closely with HereEast, the London Legacy Development Corporation, the Mayor’s Office and surrounding Boroughs to help build the economic and cultural legacy of the 2012 Olympics.
Recent initiatives include
• Partnership in The Global Disability Innovation Hub, a £50m organisation working to improve the lives of the 1bn disabled people worldwide, in which we lead several large-scale programmes such as Para Sport Against Stigma.
• Digital Skills programme in partnership with the Greater London Authority to build capability in SMEs.
Strategic partnershipsDating back to the 1960s, our partnership with Rolls-Royce launched the Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre in Combustion System Aerothermal Processes which generates a significant annual research income and has led to the launch of NCCAT.
Through the Caterpillar Innovation and Research Centre, we deliver research that addresses root questions, discovering and developing new engineering processes and components applied worldwide by Caterpillar and its global supply chain.
Research commercialisationHaving built a strong IP portfolio, our recent prioritisation of research commercialisation is relfected in the achievements of the University’s recent spinouts, all of which have attracted significant external investment.
Recent examples include
• Insurtech Previsico, which launched in 2019 and has raised over £2.7m investment to accelerate the impact of its next-generation global flood-warning solution. Increasing traction in the insurance market through partnerships with Zurich and BT, Previsico‘s workforce is expected to scale to 70 by 2025.
• Nanotechnology spinout Figura Analytics, launched in 2021, has raised £250k seed funding to develop a rapid testing technology platform to improve quality in the drinks manufacturing industry.
Licensing opportunities include
• High Speed Sintering which has created more than £1bn in new revenues for licensees and supply chain partners as well as thousands of high-value jobs.
Graduate enterpriseThe Loughborough Enterprise Network supports students and graduates at every stage of their enterprise journey. We provide skills training, funding and workspaces to get their businesses started.
Launched at LUSEP, graduate telecare start up Alcuris has raised over £2.5m to launch an advanced home-monitoring system to prolong the independence of vulnerable and older people, provide reassurance to their friends and families, and actionable insight to local authorities, care providers and families. The system has already been adopted by many local authorities, throughout the UK.
Imago - Our VenuesOur venues bring over 100,000 guests to Loughborough and provide the best environment for communication and learning to flourish. We generate circa £11m in revenue and contribute £13m GVA to the local economy. Our growing portfolio attracts national and international attention and includes the following
Burleigh Court Conference Centre and Hotel Burleigh Court is our flagship venue and award-winning 4-star conference centre and hotel. It offers 24 well-equipped meeting rooms for 10 to 200 delegates, 185 en-suite bedrooms, 40 high quality lodge rooms as well as a leisure and therapy centre. We also have an extensive food and beverage offer and a team of passionate chefs who are proud to create exciting dishes with local produce.
Holywell Park Conference CentreOur state-of-the-art day conference centre has a wide variety of flexible spaces and rooms for corporate events, business meetings and exclusive use hire. It provides 12 purpose-built training rooms and two spacious exhibition areas for up to 280 capacity. Holywell Park is a distraction-free environment in the inspiring setting of Loughborough University’s Science and Enterprise Park.
The Link HotelThe Link is Loughborough’s premier 3-star hotel offering 94 spacious double en-suite bedrooms, a small gym, a relaxed bar and flexible meeting and banqueting spaces for up to 200 people. It is perfectly located just off J23 of the M1 and, with free parking and super-fast Wi-Fi it’s a perfect venue for planned or ad-hoc meetings, weddings or special occasions.
Loughborough CampusLoughborough Campus is one of the UK’s largest and most extensive single site conference venues. Our 440-acre campus features over 75 state-of-the-art exhibition, meeting, and conference facilities for up to 2000 delegates, in addition to the world’s number 1 sports facilities. We offer 175 bedrooms during Easter and up to 2500 in summer vacations, in addition to the 363 bedrooms available throughout the year at our other hotel properties.
Every year we host over 52,000 delegates from around the world; we service over 90,000 bedrooms; we serve over 200,000 meals; we take over £20 million in enquiries. We do this by putting our customers at the heart of everything we do and devise ways to connect, build trust and to solve their problems.
Elite Athlete Centre and HotelOne of the newest additions to our portfolio provides a unique sports hotel that promotes high performance, tailored nutrition and the pursuit of excellence. We offer 44 en-suite twin bedrooms, 20 of which are specially designed altitude rooms allowing guests to sleep high and train low. This inspiring high-performance environment offers aspirational space for athletes, businesses and fitness enthusiasts to be the best they can be.
Loughborough University NurseryLoughborough University Nursery offers a 102 place nursery for children 0-5 years for University staff, students and the local community. Our nursery has been providing children with a safe place for development, learning and play for over 35 years.
We believe that in every community there should be a service for children under five, which should honour the needs of young children, celebrate their existence and support their families. At the heart of high quality early years education is the ability to build a setting where children and adults have a sense of belonging, feel safe and secure, and have a desire to learn together.
Building a community of learners is at the heart of Loughborough University Nursery. We aim to ensure that children have space and support to learn, develop a culture of collaboration, remove barriers to success and focus on positive outcomes for children and their parents.
Inspiring Winners since 1909
Job role and purpose
• Key member of the University’s Senior Management Team, with a critical role in supporting a new Vice-Chancellor and new University Strategy.
• Lead the University’s finance function, ensuring strong systems and processes are delivered by highly capable people. Responsible for the preparation of budgets and financial forecasts, monitoring financial performance and treasury management.
• Facilitate successful delivery of strategic priorities through development of effective financial strategy, with short, medium and long term goals and objectives.
• Provide strategic financial advice to the senior leadership team, and relevant members and committees within the University governance structure as well as strong external representation, both in and out of sector. Build strong financial reputation and effective network to enable the University to make the most of future opportunities.
• Lead the development and oversight of University Commercial strategies, including the University’s hotel and conferencing operations (Imago), Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park (LUSEP), consultancy and exploitation of intellectual property through Loughborough University Enterprises Limited (LUEL). With colleagues from across LU, optimise the University’s commercial and partnership activity around sport.
• Support the financial and commercial aspects of the University’s capital expenditure programme, asset management and financing strategy.
• Lead the University’s strategic risk management on behalf of Council, ensuring the identification of new or pervasive risk, evaluating risk and risk appetite and ensuring three lines of assurance.
Organisational responsibility
• Reports to: Vice-Chancellor and President
• Responsible for: Deputy Director of Finance
The role
CRITERIA ESSENTIAL
Skills, abilities and personal qualities
Experience
Commercially astute with proven ability to identify and respond to strategic opportunities.
Ability to drive successful delivery of major projects
Ability to lead teams of people from across different internal structures to common goals
A credible and trusted leader
Entrepreneurial vision and commercial acumen
Innovative and creative
Strong communicator
Interest in Higher Education, the impact of high-quality research and the advancement of knowledge
A passion for personal and professional development
An influential disposition, with ability to network and build strong internal and external relationship
Passion for issues around Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
CCAB or equivalent accounting qualification.
Strategic financial leadership experience within a large, and complex organisation.
Experience of engagement with and management of diverse range of stakeholders.
Operating at Board level and able to evidence gaining buy-in from senior stakeholders.
Experience of leading a team effectively.
Strong financial skills with a proven background in both commercial and regulated activities; evidence of large capital investments.
Integrated Business Planning experience, supporting by financial modelling and scenario planning.
Person profile
Other
Staff have a statutory responsibility to take reasonable care of themselves, others and the environment and to prevent harm by their acts or omissions. All staff are therefore required to adhere to the University’s Health, Safety and Environmental Policy & Procedures.
Staff should hold a duty and commitment to observing the University’s Equality & Diversity policy and procedures at all times. Duties must be carried out in accordance with relevant Equality & Diversity legislation and University policies/procedures.
The University is committed to enabling staff to maintain a healthy work-home balance and has a number of family-friendly policies which are available at: www.lboro.ac.uk/services/hr/a-z/family- leave-policy-and-procedure---page.html
We also offer an on-campus nursery with subsidised places, subsidised places at local holiday clubs and a childcare voucher scheme (further details are available at: www.lboro.ac.uk/ services/hr/a-z/childcare-information---page.html) In addition, the University is supportive, where operational needs allow, of flexible working arrangements.
We also strive to create a culture that supports equality and celebrates diversity throughout the campus. The University holds a Bronze Athena SWAN award which recognises the importance of support for women at all stages of their academic career. For further information on Athena SWAN: www.lboro.ac.uk/services/ hr/athena-swan
Inspiring Winners since 1909
Conditions of serviceThe position is full time and open ended. Salary will be on the University Grade 9 scale, and a competitive salary will be confirmed on offer of appointment. The University offers a substantial benefits package, including a pension scheme. More information can be found at: www.lboro.ac.uk/services/hr/jobs/employee-benefits
The appointment will be subject to the University’s normal Terms and Conditions of Employment for Academic and Related staff, details of which can be found by visiting: www.lboro.ac.uk/services/hr/a-z/conditions-of-service.html
Application and interviewApplicationPlease find more information online at: www.lboro.ac.uk/join-us/cfo
The closing date for applications is 25th October 2021.
To apply please send a covering letter and CV to McLean Partnership via [email protected], reference: LU/CFO. For an informal and confidential conversation before applying, call Paul Soothill on 07775 598446 or Rory Pears on 07975 637529.
InterviewInitial meetings will take place during November, and we will offer all candidates the chance to take part in an informal visit day, to meet key senior staff and tour the campus.
We will be holding formal interviews in December.