2025 Federation University Council Members

• Ensure the University is governed in accordance with best practice governance principles
• Play a critical role in relation to the university’s strategic direction, mission and business plan
• Oversee and monitor the academic activities of the University

The Council is a university’s governing body and is responsible for the general direction and superintendence of the university. All council members are expected to share the same corporate vision and to contribute to the university’s strategies and performance.

The Council is chaired by the Chancellor and supported by two Deputy Chancellors. Council members have diverse skills, expertise and backgrounds, and are representative of our regional communities. Council comprises directly appointed members, government appointed members, staff and student elected members and the Vice-Chancellor and President.

As the governing authority and chaired by the Chancellor, university councils play a critical role in relation to the university’s strategic direction, mission and business plan, as well as reviewing management and performance and monitoring risk, academic activity, and significant commercial initiatives.

Responsible for appointing and monitoring the performance of the Vice-Chancellor, university councils also establish policies consistent with legal requirements and community expectations.

The primary responsibilities of the Council include:

• ensuring that the University is governed in accordance with best practice governance principles
• shaping the strategic direction of the University including the development of its Strategic Plan and approving the University’s strategic objectives and key performance indicators
• appointing and monitoring the performance of the Vice-Chancellor as the chief executive officer of the University
• establishing policy and procedural principles for the operation of the University consistent with legal requirements and community expectations
• approving and monitoring systems of control and accountability of the University, including those required to maintain a general overview of any entity over which the University has control
• overseeing and monitoring the assessment and management of risk across the University, including university commercial activities
• overseeing and monitoring the academic activities of the University
• approving any significant university commercial activities.

Applicants will be considered for one current vacancy on the council of Federation University Australia.

Appointees to Council are expected to have the following skills, experience, capability and personal attributes.

Skills and experience:

• Governance – Experience on boards and/or formal governance qualifications.
• Leadership – Guiding and influencing boardroom dynamics and organisational direction.
• Accounting and finance – Understanding and interpreting financial reports, budgets and financial risk.
• Legal, regulatory and governance – Knowledge of corporate law, compliance and governance frameworks.
• Risk management – Identifying, assessing and mitigating risks.
• Negotiation – Navigating complex discussions and reaching consensus.
• Strategy – Contributing to and evaluating strategic direction.
• People management – Understanding human capital and organisational culture.
• Sector knowledge – Sound knowledge of the education sector, ideally in higher education and/or vocational education and training.

General capability and personal attributes:

• Interpersonal and communication skills – Contributing constructively in a group, listening well and being confident communicating views frankly and respectfully.
• Critical analysis and intellectual curiosity – Interrogating and critically analysing a wide range of information as a basis for decision making.
• Good judgment – Making good decisions under pressure.
• Integrity and high ethical standards – Acting in the best interest of the University as a whole.

It is preferable that appointees reside in Victoria and have an understanding of Victoria’s regions.

The Victorian Government is committed to ensuring that government boards and committees reflect the rich diversity of the Victorian community. We encourage applications from women, young people (under 34 years old), Aboriginal people, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, LGBTIQ+ people, and people living in rural and regional Victoria. We will provide adjustments to the recruitment process upon request.

You do not have to disclose any personal information if you do not want to, but it can help us understand how we can support you through the recruitment process and beyond. We invite you to tell us if you identify as Aboriginal, a person with disability, from a culturally or linguistically diverse background, LGBTIQ+, or a young person aged 34 years old or less. If you identify as any of the aforementioned, we would welcome the opportunity to contact you and discuss how we can support you through the recruitment process. Sharing this information will help you access support should you need it and will also help us to better understand the impact of our work.

The Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions is supported with this recruitment by Davidson Search & Advisory.

Please submit a cover letter and CV in support of your application to www.davidsonwp.com/2025-federation-uni-council

Applications close at 11.59pm on Wednesday 10 September 2025.

Applicants with further enquiries may contact Paul Lefebvre at Paul.Lefebvre@davidsonwp.com or Steph Davidson on Steph.Davidson@davidsonwp.com from Davidson Search & Advisory.

You can also contact the Department at HE.skills.governance@djsir.vic.gov.au