Chair

For over a century, British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) has been at the forefront of university sport in the United Kingdom. Rooted in its rich history and unwavering commitment to excellence, BUCS has consistently strived to deliver extraordinary student sporting experiences that ignite inspiration, foster personal development, and forge a sense of unity among its diverse community. BUCS operates as a non-for-profit, membership Organisation, limited by guarantee with charitable status. Our influence extends across the UK, representing 165 Higher Education institutions. We organise over 50 sporting competitions and multiple physical activity programs, impacting a remarkable 2.4 million UK students.

As BUCS looks ahead, it aims to embed sport and active wellbeing at the heart of student life, aspiring to deliver exceptional student sporting experiences that inspire, nurture, and unite. With four key pillars - competition, people development, data, and digital, and active wellbeing - the collective strength and dedication of member institutions are poised to unlock the plan's full impact.

We are actively seeking an inspiring and dynamic individual to take on the role of Chair at BUCS, an Organisation that leads university and college sports in the UK. Working closely with our incoming CEO, you will have a unique opportunity to lead our Board and shape the future of the sector with a forward-thinking and proactive approach. BUCS is currently undergoing a transformation to meet the evolving needs of our members and adapt to a rapidly changing socio-political landscape, and your leadership will be central to this journey.

We are seeking a visionary leader who can energise and inspire a wide and diverse range of stakeholders, driving positive change and maximising BUCS' impact. Strong governance experience will be invaluable in ensuring the Organisation's effectiveness. Additionally, this role will require exceptional stakeholder management skills to foster greater collaboration between educational institutions and sports bodies, unlocking the sector's growth potential. Your influence will extend not only nationally but also internationally, where you will represent BUCS as a highly respected federation and actively contribute to crucial discussions.

This is an exciting opportunity to guide BUCS towards even greater success by championing active wellbeing, enhancing the student experience, and shaping the future of sport within the sector and beyond.

Details

• Location: British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS), 20-24 King's Bench Street, London, SE1 0QX
• Time Commitment: Circa 20 days per year, including Board meetings, sub-committee meetings, meeting preparations and other key representative events as required.
• Term: Three years with the ability to renew.
• Remuneration: This is a voluntary role. Reasonable expenses will be paid in accordance with our expenses policy.

BUCS is committed to tackling inequalities and recognises the positive values of diversity, which allows us to better represent and support our members by understanding their needs. As such, we welcome and encourage applications from all qualified individuals, particularly those from women, Black, Asian and minority ethnic people, those from LGBTQIA+ communities, and individuals with disabilities.

For further details, including the job description, person specification, and information on how to apply, please visit https://candidates.perrettlaver.com/vacancies quoting reference number 6839. Candidates wishing to apply should submit a CV (including comprehensive details of key achievements and responsibilities) along with a covering letter which fully addresses the competencies outlined in the role description and person specification. The closing date for applications is 9AM on Monday the 9th of October 2023.

Accessibility: For a conversation in confidence, please contact Jaanvi Patel at jaanvi.patel@perrettlaver.com. Should you require access to these documents in alternative formats, please contact Thivya Sureshkumar at thivya.sureshkumar@perrettlaver.com. If you have comments that would support us to improve access to documentation, or our application processes more generally, please do not hesitate to contact us via accessibility@perrettlaver.com.

Inclusion: Perrett Laver believes that excellence will be achieved through recognising the value of every individual. A broad range of perspectives, backgrounds, and opinions amongst our global community of colleagues is crucial in maintaining our culture of openness, intellectual curiosity, and creativity. We take an active role in supporting under-represented communities and groups in becoming better and more fairly represented in the leadership of all organisations.

Data Protection and Privacy: Protecting your personal data is of the utmost importance to Perrett Laver and we take this responsibility very seriously. Any information obtained by our trading divisions is held and processed in accordance with the relevant data protection legislation.