Temporary Chief executive officer (maternity cover) jobs
Who are we?
Part business, part charity, part membership body – students’ unions are all seriously fun places to work. They are organisations in their own right. Professionally run, but different. Professional teams support Elected student leaders so as they make change, improve lives and fulfil potential, we help make it happen.
The Union of Brunel Students has a small but impactful staff team dedicated to serving the needs and interests of our members. Our size allows us to work closely together and make decisions quickly, while our passion for creating positive change means that every member of our team has an impact on helping us deliver our Vision to ensure that every student thrives at Brunel.
We are one of more than 600 students’ unions across the country. And with more than 15,000 members, 150 clubs and societies, a huge range of services and a bold strategy, we’re one of the most exciting.
What’s the job?
This maternity cover role will have a significant and stabilising impact, ensuring co-ordination in governance, HR, and compliance for the Union of Brunel Students. The postholder will act as a key operational anchor, supporting legal integrity, staff wellbeing, and organisational continuity.
We are seeking an experienced and proactive individual to step into a vital fixed-term position during the maternity leave of our Head of People and Compliance. This role ensures continuity and excellence across governance, HR coordination and legal compliance.
You will work closely with the Trustee Board, Senior Leadership Team, and Union staff to uphold high standards in documentation, policy, and people management.
From servicing board meetings to managing recruitment and GDPR processes, your work will be central to our success, promote a positive workplace culture and supporting the Union’s mission to be a trusted and effective organisation for students, staff, and trustees.
This is a Fixed term role, completing on the 22nd May 2026.
Who you are:
You are a highly organised, empathetic, and values-driven professional with a passion for good governance and inclusive practice.
With excellent literacy and numeracy skills, you bring an understanding of charity, education, or similar sectors, alongside a working knowledge of key legal frameworks like GDPR, charity law, and equality legislation.
You will have experience of co-ordinating governance processes, supporting recruitment, and managing sensitive information with discretion and care. Whether you are preparing agendas, taking minutes, or liaising with trustees and senior leaders, you do so with clarity, professionalism, and integrity.
Your attention to detail is second to none, and you thrive in busy environments—juggling deadlines, solving problems independently, and adapting to meet the needs of diverse stakeholders.
Above all, you’re a team player who champions equality, diversity, and inclusion. You’re proactive, resilient, and committed to the ethos of a student-led charity and are content to pitch in where needed.
Why apply?
Because you're inspired by the opportunity to make a real difference in students’ lives.
As a Students’ Union and registered charity, our mission is simple but powerful: “To ensure every student thrives at Brunel”. We’re anything but corporate – a dynamic, values-driven team of passionate individuals committed to positive change. We work in an unconventional, energetic environment where creativity and purpose go hand in hand.
In return for your passion and commitment we offer a flexible and supportive workplace, and an excellent holiday allowance – all designed to help you thrive too.
We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, age, gender, or disability. We’re building a diverse, inclusive team that reflects and champions the diversity of our student community.
And just so you know – your application will be read by a real person. We don’t use AI to screen candidates, because we genuinely care about getting to know you. So, when you apply, write your personal statement as if you're speaking directly to us. We’re looking forward to hearing your story.
BENEFITS
We offer a generous benefits package to reward our staff's hard work and commitment:
- Pension Scheme – statutory workplace pension scheme ‘NEST’.
- Generous holiday allowance - 25 days a year plus bank holidays. Additional days are usually given at Easter and Christmas in line with the University closure dates (usually about 5 additional days a year).
- Long service - 2 additional days leave will be given after 5 years continuous service
- TOTUM Card - All Union career staff are entitled to receive a TOTUM student discount card free of charge.
- Free Union sport membership - Allowing access to 35+ sports clubs, and our Active@Brunel social sport programme.
- On-site parking – Parking on campus at a low-cost rate.
- Flexible Working - The Union adopts a flexible working environment.
- Hybrid working – The Union allows for the ability to occasionally work from home, based on business need.
- Personal Development - The Union is fully committed to investing in your future. If you are interested in a training programme which you feel would benefit you within your current position you can submit a training request via your line manager.
- Employee assistance programme
- Enhanced Maternity and Paternity leave
KEY DATES
Application Deadline: Monday 6th October 2025
Interviews: Week Commencing 13th October 2025
Start Date: To be discussed with the successful applicant, but ideally in November 2025.
OUR VALUES
At the Union of Brunel Students, our values are at the heart of everything we do. They guide our decisions, shape our culture, and define how we support our student community. We’re proud to stand by these principles:
- Driven by You
- Open to All
- Passionately positive
- Integrity
These values are more than just words, they’re the foundation of our work and the reason we exist: “To ensure every student thrives at Brunel”.
To find out more about our values and how they influence life at the Union, visit our website.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Role Purpose
- To provide psychosocial assessments and bereavement support interventions to children and young people and/or their significant adults or professionals (as appropriate) who are experiencing moderate levels of psychological distress as a result of a bereavement through the Winston’s Wish On Demand services as required.
- To work with children and young people and/or their significant adults (as appropriate) using a range of supportive methods, approaches and techniques, functioning at level 2 of the NICE psychological framework.
- To provide psychosocial education to children and young people and/or their significant adults (as appropriate) about grief, bereavement and coping skills.
- To carry out comprehensive risk assessments with children and young people, and/or their significant adults (as appropriate), and to liaise with relevant external agencies—including social services, the police, general practitioners, and parents or carers—following the safeguarding policy.
- To conduct referral callbacks on a regular weekly basis, applying clinical judgement to ensure that each child or young person is supported in accessing the most appropriate services for their individual needs at that time.
- To co-facilitate therapeutic group sessions in collaboration with the clinical team, and to deliver one-off psychosocial educational groups as required.
- To accurately record and maintain individual case data within the organisation’s CRM system, in accordance with Winston’s Wish policies and procedures. This includes documenting contact notes, safeguarding concerns, and any information shared with external agencies and parents/carers (as appropriate).
Main Responsibilities
Communication and Relationships
- Communicate effectively within the organisation and externally including liaising appropriately with social care, health care and mental health professionals such as schools, social services, CAMHS and GPs.
- Communicate complex and sensitive information to stakeholders.
- Manage individuals and groups, including those who may be distressed by the information given to them.
- Establish excellent internal working relationships with peers and colleagues.
- Model the values and culture of the organisation in interactions and relationships at work.
- Build and maintain trusting, empathetic relationships with children, young people, and their significant adults, ensuring interactions are trauma-informed and developmentally appropriate.
- Adapt communication style and approach to suit the needs, preferences, and emotional states of service users, including those with neurodiverse profiles or communication difficulties.
- Provide clear, compassionate explanations of support options, safeguarding procedures, and next steps to children, young people, and families.
- Maintain professional boundaries while fostering a safe and supportive environment for service users.
- Respond to challenging or emotionally charged situations with sensitivity, professionalism, and a focus on empathy and support.
- Ensure accurate and timely documentation of communications and decisions in line with organisational policies and data protection regulations.
Knowledge, training and experience
- Assess and engage in interventions with children and young people and/or their significant adult (as appropriate) in accordance with best practice.
- Complete comprehensive assessments which include assessments of risk and determining appropriate level of response/intervention.
- To be accountable for ensuring own practice meets minimum national standards and is compliant with professional Code of Conduct.
- Maintain knowledge about current, evidence-based practice.
- To maintain a personal profile of professional development in accordance with professional requirements/governing bodies.
- Demonstrate knowledge of all relevant policies and procedures.
- To practice in accordance with relevant legislation involving Safeguarding Children and Young People, Safeguarding Adults and the Mental Capacity Act and to be able to provide advice and guidance to other professionals.
- Provide supervision to volunteers in group or individually as needed.
Analytical and judgment skills
- To work within given frameworks for good and best practice.
- To participate appropriately in meetings to plan and/or evaluate strategies of care.
- Responsible for the provision of accurate and timely data to support team and organisational needs.
All Staff
- Contribute to the vision and mission of Winston's Wish; whilst embedding the values into your daily work activities.
- Promote equality of opportunity and diversity in accordance with Winston’s Wish policy.
- Contribute to the overall success of the charity’s fundraising needs by providing case studies, attending events and adding value to the experience of our supporters as required.
- Contribute to the brand and reach of the charity by working alongside our Marketing & Communications Team when relevant press opportunities arise or when required for social media and online content (including the use of photography).
- Work to objectives, targets and work plans agreed with your line manager.
- Undertake specific projects and other ad hoc duties agreed with your line manager, fulfilling any deadlines, reviews and reporting procedures required.
- Take an active part in the Quarterly review process and participate in training agreed with your line manager.
- Recognise and champion the lived experience of children and young people with bereavement within your work.
- Ensure the health and safety of all colleagues, volunteers and visitors in accordance with Winston’s Wish policy.
Registered Charity
51 - 100
Winston’s Wish is a charity that helps children, teenagers and young adults find their feet when their worlds are turned upside down.
