1. TUS
About TUS
The Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) is a young, successful and dynamic university — built on a simple but powerful conviction: that access to an outstanding education should not depend on where you come from or the circumstances you were born into. TUS opens doors. And in just four years, it has opened them wide.
Spanning seven campuses, TUS serves 15,500 students and employs almost 2,000 staff, graduating between 3,500 and 4,000 students each year. More than 32% of undergraduate entrants access TUS through alternative or access routes — and for the third consecutive year, TUS graduates have been deemed the most employable in the country in the HEA’s Graduate Outcomes Survey. A university that widens access and delivers outstanding outcomes: that is TUS.
TUS’s international standing reflects its ambition. The University holds a QS 5 Star rating across all categories and became the first in Ireland to be awarded 5 Stars in Arts and Culture. In January 2024, TUS made further history as the first in Ireland to lead a European University Alliance, taking on the presidency of RUN-EU — a ten-institution network spanning seven countries, backed by €14.4 million from the European Commission.
On the ground, transformation is visible and accelerating, with major campus developments underway. TUS’s Research, Development and Innovation Strategy targets €100 million in research contracts by 2029, deepening partnerships with companies including Intel, Johnson & Johnson, Boston Scientific and Abbott.
All of this in four years. What comes next will be shaped by strong governance leadership. TUS is now seeking Governing Body members — people of vision, experience and ambition who understand what it means to lead an institution at an inflection point. The foundations have been laid. The momentum is real. This is a rare opportunity to help write the next chapter of one of Ireland’s most exciting universities.
2. Governing Body, Composition and Responsibilities
2.1 Introduction
The Technological University of the Shannon Midlands Midwest (“TUS” or “the Technological University”) was established by Ministerial Order under Section 36 of the Technological Universities Act 2018 (“TU Act”), (Number 3 of 2019), on the appointed day of 1 October 2021. The TU Act was amended by the HEA Act 2022 and references to the TU Act in this document relate to the Act as amended. TUS has a Governing Body, which is the authority established by law to govern the Technological University.
TUS is a “body corporate” and a registered charity. Registered Charity No. (RCN) 20206335.
External members of the Governing Body are deemed to be trustees of the charity under this Act. See Section 6 – Appendix for links to the Charities Act 2009 Revised.
2.2 Functions of the Governing Body
In accordance with section 11 of the TU Act, “A Technological University shall have a governing body to perform the functions of the Technological University”. These functions are set out under section 9 of the TU Act, Functions of Technological University. A link to the TU Act is available in Section 6 of this booklet.
To assist the Governing Body in carrying out its functions, there are a number of Governing Body Committees to oversee specific aspects of the business of the organisation. These include:
- Audit and Risk Committee
- Finance and Physical Development Committee
- People Culture and Equality Diversity and Inclusion Committee
- Governance and Nominations Committee
The Governance and Nominations Committee will manage the process of selection and election and will recommend nominees for appointment to the Governing Body.
2.3 Regulations for selection, election, nomination, and appointment
The Governing Body of TUS has developed and approved regulations for the selection, election, nomination, and appointment of governing body members, hereafter called ‘the regulations.
2.4 Membership of Governing Body
Under section 12 of the TU Act, the total membership of the Governing Body shall be 19 members comprised of:
- a Chairperson who shall be an external member, appointed by the Governing Body
- nine external members (other than the Chairperson) appointed by the Governing Body
- the President
- five internal members (other than the President)
- three Student Union representatives appointed by the Governing Body
Section 12(9) of the Act defines an “external member” as meaning “a member of the governing body other than an internal member or a student member thereof or a member of the academic council of the technological university” and defines “internal member” as meaning “a member of the governing body who is a member of the staff of the Technological University or a person who is remunerated under a contract with the technological university” and a “student member” is defined as meaning “a member of the governing body who is a student at the technological University”.
2.5 Eligibility
In accordance with 2.4; to be eligible for appointment as an external member, a person must not, on the date of their appointment be
- a member of the staff of the University, or
- a person who is remunerated under a contract with the University, or
- a member of the academic council of the University, or a student at the University.
A candidate shall also be ineligible if they:
- are an undischarged bankrupt,
- have been convicted of any indictable offence in relation to a company or any other body corporate,
- have been convicted of an offence involving fraud or dishonesty,
- have had a declaration under section 819 of the Companies Act 2014 made against them or is deemed to be subject to such a declaration by virtue of Chapter 5 of Part 14 of that Act,
- are subject or is deemed to be subject to a disqualification order, within the meaning of Chapter 4 of Part 14 of the Companies Act 2014, whether by virtue of that Chapter or any other provision of that Act.
- In accordance with Schedule 1 paragraph 7 of the TU Act, a Governing Body member shall cease to be a member if they are nominated as a member of Seanad Éireann, elected as a member of either House of the Oireachtas or as a representative in the European Parliament.
- Candidates will be required to complete a Declaration of Eligibility form as part of their application. The form is available here.
2.6 Vacancies
The Governing Body, under the regulations, is seeking to appoint persons to the Governing Body of TUS as external members. Applications are invited from suitably qualified individuals with demonstrable skills and experience, as set out on this page.
2.7 Term of Appointment
It is intended that the commencement dates for appointees will be 01 September 2026, and 01 September 2027, respectively. All appointees will serve for a term of office up to four years. External members may not serve more than two consecutive terms of office (regardless of duration).
3. Role Specification
3.1 Introduction to the Role
Members of the Governing Body perform key roles and important statutory functions in relation to the direction, strategy, and corporate governance of the Technological University. Members take collective responsibility for the long-term sustainability of the Technological University, working with the Chair of the Governing Body, the President and the executive management team to ensure that the Technological University is governed, managed and developed in line with legal and policy parameters and accepted standards of best practice. Governing Body members should bring an independent judgment and objective scrutiny to the governance of the Technological University, be prepared to challenge, when necessary, while being supportive of the Technological University’s mission, standards and values.
The Governing Body’s guiding principles are set out in the TUS Code of Governance, which was adopted by the Governing Body at its meeting on 12 October 2021. This code includes a Code of Conduct that successful applicants will be required to sign on appointment. See Section 6 for a link to the Code of Governance.
Candidates for membership of the Governing Body are required to work in the Technological University’s interests and be prepared to commit sufficient time to undertake the role. External members are expected to serve on at least one of the committees of the Governing Body listed in section 2.2 above. It is estimated that the role will require a time commitment of up to 20 days per annum, including ten (10) Governing Body meetings and associated preparation time.
The Governing Body and its Committees each require a chairperson who must be external members of the Governing Body. These positions will become vacant during 2026 and 2027.
Meetings are normally 3 hours in duration, ideally in person and take place alternately on the Athlone and Limerick campuses. Members are required to allocate adequate time before each meeting for preparation and review of documentation.
These positions are non-executive and non-remunerated, although appropriate expenses will be covered in line with public service policy for external members of the Governing Body.
3.2 Conflict of Interest
Candidates should give careful consideration to the possibility of any potential conflict of interest that may exist and address this in their covering letter. The Governance and Nominations Committee may decide, based on any actual or perceived level of conflict, to eliminate a candidate on this basis.
4. Person Specification
4.1 Legislative Requirements
Section 12 Part (5) of the Act requires that, before appointing external members, the governing body ‘shall be satisfied that the person is suitable for appointment as such an external member by reason of his or her possessing knowledge of, and experience in, matters connected with the objects and functions of the technological university to enable him or her to make a substantial contribution to the effective and efficient performance of those functions’. The Act provides that the totality of membership of the governing body shall have regard to the objectives of Section 12 (8), including:
- Gender balance
- Different locations of the campuses
- The composition of Irish society, including persons who are competent in the Irish language
Candidate suitability will be assessed based on the criteria listed in sections 4.2 and 4.3 below
In applying the criteria in 4.2 & 4.3 below, the selection committee will have regard to the requirements of S12(8)) of the Technological Universities Act (2018) as revised.
Candidates should clearly outline in their application how they meet some or all of the criteria listed in each section.
4.2 Experience
Suitable candidates will have proven experience in at least one of the competencies listed in Section 4.3. Applicants should provide examples of tasks or projects that demonstrate how they meet the stated competencies.
Candidates should provide details of any relevant experience in chairing a Board, Committee or similar.
It is desirable that suitable candidates have relevant knowledge of socio-economic developments in the regions where TUS campuses are located, and relevant experience in tertiary level educational governance.
4.3 Competencies
The membership of the governing body should comprise the following competencies at an appropriate level:
The Governing Body should ideally, collectively reflect the following competencies, at an appropriate level, some of which are statutory requirements:
- Governance
- Business enterprise and entrepreneurship
- Strategy, Development and Change Management
- Risk and Financial Management
- Legal expertise
- Human Resource Management / Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
- Industry level expertise in Information Technology including AI and Cybersecurity
- Civic, Social, Cultural & Community Engagement
- Competency in the Irish language
5. Appointment Process
5.1 Appointment Process
Expressions of interest will be considered and assessed by the Governance & Nominations Committee having regard to the “Person Specification”, while also respecting the need for balance and diversity, including gender and regional diversity. Canvassing will disqualify candidates and result in their exclusion from the appointment process. Canvassing consists of any approach or representation, direct or indirect, on one’s own behalf or on behalf of another, which is intended, or can reasonably be perceived as intended to secure advantage, or preferment. Governing Body members and TUS staff will note and report any such approaches to them to the Chairperson, President or members of the Governance & Nominations Committee as appropriate.
Having duly considered expressions of interest, the Governance & Nominations Committee will recommend suitable nominations to TUS Governing Body for further consideration and, if approved by the Governing Body, for appointment.
5.2 How to Apply
This competition is now closed. No further applications are being accepted.
Ethics
In line with the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001, a statement of interest declaration must be completed by successful candidates prior to taking up the position, and annually, during the term of appointment, thereafter. See Section 6 for relevant links.
Data Protection
The personal data you provide will be processed in accordance with data protection legislation and used solely for assessment and appointment purposes.
Your Personal Data will be stored on secure TUS platforms for the duration of the full selection process and retained for a period of 18 months thereafter.
Your data will be accessed only by authorised personnel involved in the assessment and appointment process and will not be shared with third parties unless required by law.
You have the right to access, rectify, or request deletion of your data in line with data protection regulations. Please contact datacompliance@tus.ie with any questions or requests relating to the use of your personal data.
6. Appendix
6.1 Declaration of Eligibility Form
Download Declaration of Eligibility Form6.2 Technological Universities Act 2018 (Revised)
View Act Information6.3 TUS Code of Governance
View TUS Code of GovernanceThis includes information on the role of the Governing Body.
6.4 Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001
All persons who have obligations under the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001 are obliged to act in accordance with the guidelines and any advice given by the Standards Commission, unless by so doing they would be contravening another provision of the legislation. www.sipo.ie/en
6.4 Charities Act 2009 Revised
Click here for access to the Act including information on the roles of trustees of registered charities (See Section 2).
Additional information in relation to the responsibilities of Trustees is available at the Charities regulator website here.