INTRODUCTION
We are delighted to be partnering with Teesside University to appoint its next Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive. This site provides key information about the University, the role, and the qualities sought in the successful candidate, together with details on how to apply and access supporting documents. You will also find a message from the Chair of the University Board of Governors about this pivotal appointment.
Welcome
Dear candidate,
Thank you for your interest in the role of Vice-Chancellor and Chief
Executive at Teesside University. On behalf of the Board of Governors, I am delighted to present this exceptional opportunity to lead a dynamic, ambitious, and globally-engaged institution.
Teesside University is proud of its transformative impact – locally, nationally, and internationally. Our mission is clear: to harness the power of education, research, and enterprise to transform lives and economies. We are deeply committed to delivering excellence in everything we do, and our students remain at the heart of our purpose. Recently, and in recognition of our progress, we are proud to have been shortlisted for Times Higher Education University of the Year 2025, and to have recently been named Daily Mail Modern University of the Year 2026.
As Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, you will be instrumental in shaping our strategic vision beyond 2027 and building upon the achievements within our current strategy, Ambition Delivered Today. We are proud of our achievements, including being one of only 15 universities nationally to achieve a Gold rating across all areas of the Teaching Excellence Framework; assessed as Ofsted Outstanding for apprenticeships; our growing reputation for world-leading research and our world class teaching facilities. These successes reflect the dedication of our staff and the strength of our partnerships.
We are seeking a visionary leader who not only shares our values and commitment to excellence, but who also understands the importance of civic leadership – someone who can navigate and influence the civic context within the regional and political landscape, while steering an outstanding academic institution. This role demands a leader who is outward-facing, capable of amplifying Teesside University’s voice and impact across sectors and borders whilst anchored to the delivery of an outstanding student experience.
This candidate pack provides further insight into our university, our ambitions, and the role you could play in shaping our future. We look forward to learning more about you and your aspirations for leading our institution.
Ada Burns,
Chair of the Board of Governors
