Baroness Jan Royall, who has been Principal since 2017, will be stepping down from the role at the end of the 2024-5 academic year. The Fellows of Somerville College intend to elect a New Head of House to follow her.
The Principal provides overall leadership in all academic, operational and other affairs of the College. It is not an executive role; rather, the Principal works in partnership with the Governing Body and College Officers and acts an ambassador for the College.
Given the lack of executive control, the post demands a candidate who is a facilitator: negotiation, bridge-building and diplomacy are necessary skills. Chairing experience is essential, and an inclusive style with strong awareness of others will be important.
The Principal’s role will encompass the following:
- To provide academic leadership, and to be involved, as Chair of the College’s Governing Body, with the continuing development and implementation of the College’s plans for its future;
- To foster and look for opportunities to improve all aspects of the life of the College, maintaining cohesiveness and a sense of common purpose through consultation and consensus;
- To take an active interest in the work and welfare of Fellows, Lecturers, and support staff, at both a formal and informal level;
- To take an interest in the students, both undergraduate and graduate, and their development in and beyond the College, and create an enabling environment in College;
- To chair the Governing Body and major College Committees; and to oversee and support, though not direct, the work of the College Officers (who are responsible to the Governing Body);
- To foster and develop relationships with alumni, who form an important part of the College’s wider community;
- To play a central role in the raising of funds that will assist the College in pursuing its present and continuing objectives as a rigorous academic institution;
- To represent the College and its interests both within the University and in the wider world, including presiding at public functions, and providing hospitality, as appropriate.
In seeking to appoint a new Principal, Somerville welcomes applications from candidates drawn from a wide range of professional backgrounds, both within and outside academia. The Governing Body places particular importance on:
- a distinguished record of intellectual or academic distinction in their chosen field;
- a commitment to the importance of teaching, research and academic excellence and an understanding of academia / higher education in the UK.
- an awareness of the importance of a diverse community and a commitment to attracting the best people to the College, regardless of background, with the understanding of the structures and culture needed to achieve this;
- a demonstrable track record of caring, careful, and compassionate leadership;
- the ability to build consensus through engagement and negotiation to ensure that Somerville continues to be a warm, welcoming, and inclusive community;
- a capacity to work collaboratively with colleagues, to guide others in positions of leadership and enable them to deliver;
- a chairing style that encourages productive debate, manages conflict, builds as much consensus as possible, and reaches clear outcomes in a consultative fashion;
- the ability to help formulate, in conjunction with others, a compelling strategic vision for the College;
- financial acumen, analytical capability, and experience both with quantitative and qualitative data;
- an understanding of the structures and practices required for the successful operation and financial sustainability of a complex organisation;
- good judgment, firmness and compassion, and the ability to conduct sensitive case-work;
- outstanding communication skills and an engaging public speaking style with the flexibility to address a range of audiences appropriately;
- the ability to act as an ambassador for Somerville, articulating the particular vision and identity of the College within the University and the wider world;
- excellent relationship-building skills and the ability to cultivate and nurture relationships with Fellows, students, staff, alumni, donors, benefactors and people outside the College, especially while engaging in and hosting events.
- a commitment to excellence in the context of diversity and access
- an understanding of, and commitment to, academic excellence
- a sense of fairness and integrity and the ability to inspire trust and confidence in others;
- caring, careful and compassionate leadership
- diplomatic acuity and tact;
- an enthusiastic commitment to the academic, intellectual and social life of the College
- a genuine commitment to student welfare