Principal

Hertford College, Oxford, seeks to elect a new Principal. The Principal will offer inspiring and engaging leadership to this outstanding academic community and represent the College within the University of Oxford University and to the wider public.

The Principal will act as a purposeful, visible, and accessible presence, working with the Fellows and other members of staff to provide strategic direction in all aspects of College life. The Principal should be a consensus-builder within the College, advocate for the College's interests both within and beyond the University, and play a leading role in helping the College to achieve its ambitions. The Principal must be able to engage positively with fellows, staff, students, and alumni, and must lead by example to ensure that Hertford remains an inclusive and welcoming community.

Key Accountabilities

• Academic : The Principal supports the academic ambitions of all members of the College, fostering an environment of academic achievement and collaboration.

• Fundraising : In close collaboration with the Development Team, the Principal will maintain and expand a range of fundraising activities to underpin the College's ambitions. The Principal will represent Hertford to alumni and other potential supporters, communicating a clear vision of what can be achieved through philanthropic support.

• Governance and Leadership : As Chair of Governing Body and a Trustee of the College, the Principal has ultimate responsibility to the Charity Commission for governance in the furtherance of the College's charitable purposes. Through effective chairing of key committees (notably Academic and Treasury) the Principal will ensure that the College's policies are correctly set, implemented, and overseen.

• Engagement : The Principal will engage with the undergraduate and graduate student community, from their arrival as Freshers through to graduation and beyond. The Principal acts as the primary representative of the College to the wider public, to other institutions, and within Oxford.

Candidate profile

The successful candidate will bring:

• Distinction in their career

• A track record of successful leadership in a complex organisation, either within or outside academia

• Significant experience in financial and administrative oversight

• A demonstrable commitment to the academic values and purpose of the College

• Proven ability to chair committees fairly, decisively, and effectively

The successful candidate will possess the following personal characteristics:

• Strategic leadership skills, coupled with the capacity, willingness, and ability to understand the detail of implementation and the balance between delegation and execution

• Sympathy with the ethos of the college, and its values of openness, diversity, and academic freedom

• Ability to engage with and relate to a wide range of people outside their own field of expertise

• Excellent public speaking and communication skills, and the ability to be a compelling advocate for the College

• Warm and inclusive approach, with patience, good humour and an interest in people

• Ability to engage enthusiastically with alumni and fundraising activities

• Enthusiasm for the social life of a community made up of academics, students, non-academic staff, and alumni

• Willingness to be a full-time, visible and engaging presence in College, in and out of term

Information about Hertford College, and further particulars about the appointment and application procedure, can be obtained from Moloney Search, the College's advisors in this process.

Applications or enquiries should be sent to , and include:

a) A curriculum vitae,

b) A concise statement explaining your reasons for applying, and how you match the qualities that the College requires.

The closing date for applications is 6th June 2025.

Hertford College is committed to diversity and equality and is an equal opportunities employer.