Further particulars - Infrastructure Committee Vacancy

Further information on the role

Thank you for looking further into our Court Committee roles. We hope the information below is helpful and that you choose to apply. The University is looking for a member with experience of Digital and Artificial Intelligence.

Lay members of the Infrastructure Committee are independent of the University and contribute by providing an external perspective on important issues. Membership is for a three-year term, with the option to be considered for two further three-year terms.

Within the initial three-year term, members would:

• become familiar with key topics within the remit of the Committee (for example, the University’s Digital Strategy and the Climate Action Framework);
• become familiar with legislation and processes that impact on the work of the Committee;
• provide scrutiny of the University’s initiatives to develop and manage its physical and digital infrastructure, and its digital capability, using their own experience of good practice in a relevant area;
• provide advice on actions that the University could take to improve its digital strategy and digital infrastructure, using their own experience of good practice in a relevant area;
• demonstrate the University’s values of Inspire, Belong, Collaborate and Celebrate;
• promote equality, diversity and inclusion within the Committee and through its work; and
• regularly attend meetings and contribute to discussions.

The Infrastructure Committee is part of the University’s governance structure, with delegated authority from the the Court via the Finance Committee. By focusing on infrastructure at Heriot-Watt, the Committee helps the Finance Committee to:

• receive and recommend infrastructure-related proposals;
• monitor a culture of efficient space usage;
• ensure that all estates and facilities activities follow current legislation of the respective jurisdictions;
• receive and make recommendations in relation to the University’s property portfolio;
• oversee the delivery of the principles of sustainability and environmental matters wherever possible;
• receive and review the physical Estates Master Plans; and
• receive the University business continuity plan and insurance plan.

The University Secretary, the governance team and fellow governors are all on hand to help new members and induction is provided to help governors develop their knowledge and skills.

The Committee normally meets four times a year, with meetings lasting around two hours. Members will prepare for meetings by reviewing the papers circulated, which should take no more than half a day on each occasion. In addition, lay members of the Court Committees are invited to attend two Court Strategy Days per year at the Edinburgh Campus, one in November and one in May. The total time commitment for the role is a minimum of seven days per academic year.

Infrastructure Committee meetings take place via Microsoft Teams. Meetings are normally scheduled from 10am to 12am (UK time), 2pm to 4pm (Dubai time) and 6pm to 8pm (Malaysia time).