The instrument of government will set out the titles or designation of senior officers. Although there are some variations, the three main officers are the chair of the governing body, the clerk or secretary and the vice-chancellor or principal, also known in some institutions as rector, director or master.
The vice-chancellor or principal is the chief executive and 'accountable officer' and - subject to the responsibilities of the board of governors - has overall responsibility for the executive management of the institution. In practice, the charters and statutes of many pre-1992 universities say very little about the specific role of the vice-chancellor as executive head of the university. The term 'chief academic and administrative officer' is sometimes the only formal statement of the role.
Imperial College announced in April 2012 that it was to create new roles of president and rector, who would have overall responsibility for the management of the institution, and a provost, who would take charge of the College's core academic mission.
There is more clarity and detail in the articles of government of the post-1992 institutions, which generally set out the following responsibilities:
The role, nevertheless, is one of executive management: the submission of policy proposals to the governing body and ensuring that the agreed policy is implemented; the efficient and effective deployment of the institution’s resources; the leadership and direction of staff; and fulfilling the duties of designated or accountable officer under the terms of the institution’s financial memorandum with its funding council.
The Financial Memorandum between HEFCE and its institutions in England sets out (on page 8) the responsibilities of the accountable officer (normally the vice-chancellor or principal).
The CUC Guide further defines the role of the vice-chancellor in relation to governance (page 21)