Monica Illsley

Biography

I have 22 years of experience working within the higher education sector, mostly at the University of Essex. I have a background in communications, marketing and external relations and in recent years have undertaken coordination, management and leadership roles. My current role as Chief of Staff in the Vice-Chancellors Office involves: providing a high level senior coordinating capacity for the Vice-Chancellor; tracking legislation and higher education policy developments, assessing their potential impact on the University, and formulating policy responses and actions; advising the Vice-Chancellor on the development of University priorities; representing the Vice-Chancellor and ensuring effective communication both internally and externally; providing administrative and strategic leadership of high level, high priority projects and initiatives across all areas of the institution; and overseeing the management of the Vice-Chancellors Office. I am also currently the Universitys Gender Equality Champion and an LGBT+ Ally and have previously been an Aurora programme mentor.

Qualifications

• Fellowship Leadership Foundation (2015)

• Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice College of Law, London (1995)

• LLB English and European Laws University of Essex (1994)

• 4 A-levels, 10 GCSEs St Michael’s Catholic Grammar School, London (1990)