Chair of IOP Publishing Board (IOPP)

Department: Chief Executive's Office

Location: IOPP Bristol Office

Salary: Please see the below for further details

Job Advert Description:

IOP Publishing Ltd (IOPP) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Institute of Physics (IOP) which is a charity and professional body and learned society for physics, inspiring people to develop their knowledge, understanding and enjoyment of physics.

The role

Appointed by the IOP and accountable to the IOP Board of trustees, as Chair you will provide independent leadership of the Board, ensuring its effectiveness in setting strategic direction, overseeing performance, managing risk and upholding the highest standards of governance. Working in close partnership with the IOPP Chief Executive Officer, you will foster a constructive culture of support and challenge, ensuring that IOPP is well positioned to deliver its strategy, meet shareholder expectations, and operate in alignment with the values and purpose of the Institute of Physics.

Together with the CEO, you will also act as a key liaison between the Board and the Institute’s Council, helping to maintain strong, transparent relationships and clear accountability.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead the Board to ensure effective decision making, oversight and collective accountability

• Chair Board meetings and shape agendas to ensure appropriate focus on strategy, performance, risk and governance

• Guide the Board in developing and recommending strategy for Council consideration, and oversee delivery of agreed

objectives

• Ensure robust oversight of financial performance, risk management and internal controls, including joining the IOP’s remuneration committee

• Build a strong, high performing Board, with appropriate succession planning and regular evaluation

• Support, advise and appropriately challenge the IOPP Chief Executive

• Champion IOP Publishing’s values, including its commitment to diversity, inclusion, research integrity and ESG responsibilities

About you

With a deep knowledge of academic publishing, you will bring significant experience as a Board Chair or senior Non Executive Director, with a strong track record of leading boards in complex organisations.

You will have:

• A deep understanding of corporate governance, fiduciary duties and shareholder accountability

• Experience overseeing strategy, financial performance and risk at scale

• The confidence, judgement and independence to provide effective challenge

• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and facilitate inclusive, high quality debate

• An affinity with IOP Publishing’s purpose and a commitment to ethical leadership

IOPP welcomes applicants that reflect the diversity of the scientific communities that it serves.

The recruitment process

Candidates will be asked to submit their CV and a one-page statement (500 words maximum) setting out how you meet the requirements and what, as the Chair of IOP Publishing , you would bring to the Board of IOPP.

• Candidates will also need to provide the name and contact details of an individual who may be contacted in support of your application and your relationship to the candidate.

• Shortlisting will be completed by Friday 14 August and on 17 August candidates will hear if they’ve been invited to the panel interview.

• Final candidates will be interviewed by a panel comprised of Professor Paul Howarth, President IOP, Professor David Delpy, Current Chair of the IOPP Board; Tom Grinyer, IOP Group Chief Executive Officer, Professor Tara Shears, Vice President of Science and Innovation, and a current IOPP Non-Executive Director.

Every effort will be made to co-ordinate diaries to ensure an effective use of time.

Timescales

Closing date for advertisement applications: Friday 31 July 2026

Shortlisting completed: Friday 14 August 2026

Panel Interview: September in the IOPP Bristol office

Appointment made: October 2026

New Board member to formally join the Board: November 2026

Terms

The appointment will initially be for a three-year term. The commitment is for circa 20–25 days per year. Compensation will be circa £30,000 per annum.

To apply please email your current resume/CV and a supporting statement of no more than 500 words tolorraine.jennings@ioppublishing.org, please do nto submit an online application form. 

Employment Type: Part time

Employment Basis: Fixed Term

Closing date for applications: Friday 31 July 2026 Interviews to be held: Tuesday 1 September 2026