DURHAM UNIVERSITY: Vice-Principal

The Role and Department

The Colleges and Student Experience Division includes the 15 Maintained Colleges, Experience Durham, the Student Support and Wellbeing Directorate, and the Wider Student Experience Operations Directorate.

The Vice-Principal will be a member of the College senior management team and will have a strong strategic and developmental emphasis. The post holder will be involved in a wide range of activities aimed at furthering the College and University strategy, especially in relation to the personal development of students, embedding the wider student experience, and the future development of the College. Working as a part of a close-knit team, they will support the provision of student support within the College in partnership with the Student Support and Wellbeing Directorate.

The Vice-Principal will act as deputy to the College Principal (a) in ensuring the College offers a supportive and stimulating environment for academic study, cultural and developmental activities, and social interaction which engages students, staff, SCR members, visitors, and alumni. The role holder leads on student enrichment – promoting and enabling intellectual curiosity, personal effectiveness, wellbeing and resilience, and a sense of community, responsibility, and inclusion among all our students, staff and partners.

The 16 maintained colleges sit under the executive leadership of the PVC for Colleges and Student Experience, and the role also involves contributing to the divisional policy and strategy and to the University’s wide student experience strategy.

The role is embedded in the life of the College, providing a degree of flexible working combined with occasional evening and weekend responsibilities. There is an out of hours on call rota in which the VP participates, for several weeks each year. Balance and focus of responsibilities will be agreed with the College Principal.

St Aidan’s College is an established college of the University of Durham, providing catered termtime accommodation to undergraduates (predominantly first years) and postgraduates. We are situated on Windmill Hill, in beautiful surroundings with inspiring views. We are known for our welcoming environment, regional and international partnerships, diverse community, broad student experience and enquiring spirit. We seek to appoint a full time, permanent Vice Principal.

Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the foot of this job description.

Interviews are expected to take place in June 2024.