Chair of the Finance & Resource Committee

The Corporation is seeking a Chair of the Finance & Resources Committee to lead the Board's oversight of the College's financial strategy and sustainability. Working closely with the CEO and Principal, the Executive Leadership Team and fellow governors, the Chair will:

• Lead the Committee's scrutiny of financial strategy, budgets, forecasts, financial health and business efficiency
• Help the College maintain strong, sustainable financial performance
• Play a leading role, alongside the Capital Oversight Group, in overseeing the Estates Strategy and capital programme, including the appraisal and affordability of capital investment decisions
• Contribute as a full member of the Corporation to the College's strategic direction, performance and risk management.
The College is looking for a qualified accountant or a senior finance professional, such as a Chief Financial Officer or Finance Director, with experience of financial strategy, planning and reporting in a complex organisation. Experience of chairing a board or committee, or of senior board-level leadership, is highly desirable. Candidates from the public, charity, regulated and private sectors are encouraged to apply. Previous governance experience or a background in further education is not required. The College is looking for someone who shares its values, brings sound independent judgement and constructive challenge, and is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and to safeguarding. Time commitment
• Around five Corporation meetings a year, held in person from 2.30pm to 5.30pm and usually preceded by a governor development session
• Finance & Resources Committee meetings, three to four times a year, of around two and a half hours each
• An annual dinner and strategic away day in January, and a follow-up half-day strategy session in April or May
• Preparation time for Board and Committee papers
  
  Kirklees College is one of the largest further education colleges in England. It has served Huddersfield, Dewsbury, Batley and the wider West Yorkshire region since 1825. It supports more than 5,000 young people aged 16-18, over 9,000 adult learners and more than 1,500 apprentices, through a broad technical and professional curriculum developed with employers.
The College is a values-led organisation. Its values of Kindness, Unity and Excellence shape its strategy, its decisions and the way it works to deliver its mission of Creating Opportunities, Changing Lives. The College has made significant progress in recent years. It was rated "Good" by Ofsted in all areas in 2023, and its achievement rates rose to become the highest among general FE colleges in West Yorkshire. Its financial health was rated "Outstanding" for 2023/24, and its annual income now exceeds £54 million. Its Strategic Plan 2025-2030 sets out an ambitious agenda. A key priority for 2026/27 is putting in place a strategic estates and capital framework to deliver its recently approved Estates Strategy.