General Counsel & Executive Director of Governance, Risk and Assurance

Falmouth University has a creative history spanning more than a century, shaping generations of artists, designers, makers and entrepreneurs and building a global reputation for creativity, innovation and excellence. Today, it is a distinctive specialist institution, home to a vibrant community of around 8,000 students studying on campus, online and through collaborative partnerships. Proudly rooted in Cornwall yet globally connected, the University combines academic ambition with entrepreneurial spirit and a deep commitment to place.

With a defining focus on the intersection of creativity and technology, our innovative teaching, impactful research and meaningful knowledge exchange address real-world challenges and opportunities, contributing directly to the UK’s Creative Industries. Financially resilient, culturally strong and deeply connected to our place, Falmouth University combines academic ambition with a strong sense of community and purpose as Cornwall’s university.

Falmouth University now seeks an exceptional General Counsel & Executive Director, Governance, Risk & Assurance to join its senior leadership team. This new and inaugural role offers a rare opportunity to establish and shape the University's legal and governance function at executive level as the University enters its next phase of development, including the growth of its research activity and the pursuit of new investment opportunities.

This is a highly influential appointment at the heart of the University’s legal and governance arrangements, ensuring that Falmouth operates within a clear, effective and robust constitutional, legal and regulatory framework.

As General Counsel, the post-holder will serve as the University’s principal legal adviser and trusted strategic adviser to the Vice-Chancellor & Chief Executive, Executive Team, Chair and Board of Governors, providing authoritative, pragmatic and commercially focused legal advice across the full range of its activities.

As Executive Director, they will lead the University’s governance, legal and compliance functions, with responsibility for the Head of Governance Services and the Head of Legal and Compliance. Through these functions, they will ensure that the Board has proportionate oversight of regulatory and compliance obligations and that its committees receive high-quality, independent advice to support effective governance, accountability and well-informed decision-making.

Working across a diverse portfolio encompassing commercial and investment activity, research and innovation, disputes and litigation, employment, student, academic, corporate and regulatory matters, the post-holder will help the University manage risk intelligently while enabling institutional ambition.

They will provide senior legal leadership on significant transactions, research and collaboration arrangements, and complex or sensitive matters, overseeing the effective use of external legal expertise where specialist support is required. They will maintain and develop Falmouth’s governance framework, provide strategic oversight of its regulatory obligations, support effective systems of risk and assurance, and provide strategic insight on emerging legislative, regulatory and policy developments.

As a member of the University’s leadership team, the successful candidate will also contribute to the development and delivery of institutional strategy, providing constructive challenge, sound judgement and calm, authoritative counsel on complex issues. They will lead and develop the University’s legal and governance capability and build strong relationships across the institution and with key external partners and professional networks.

This role will appeal to an…