Development officer volunteer roles in rustington, west sussex

Role Overview

As the Volunteer Executive Assistant, you will play a crucial role in supporting the CEO by managing key administrative and strategic tasks that help drive the organisation’s success. This position offers a unique opportunity to work closely with senior leadership, gaining insight into high-level decision-making and organisational strategy.

You will act as a trusted partner to the CEO, assisting with scheduling, communication, and project coordination to ensure smooth day-to-day operations. 

This role is perfect for someone who:

Enjoys taking initiative and finding creative solutions to challenges.

Has a keen eye for detail and can anticipate the needs of leadership before they arise.

Is looking for a hands-on learning experience in executive leadership, nonprofit management, or organisational strategy.

Wants to make a meaningful impact by supporting a mission-driven organization.

Responsibilities:

Act as a key point of contact and liaison between the CEO and internal/external stakeholders.

Coordinate, prepare, and follow up on meetings, ensuring the CEO is always equipped with relevant information and materials

Draft and edit correspondence, reports, and presentations to maintain a professional and impactful standard.

Undertake research and data analysis to support decision-making and strategic initiatives.

Assist with project management tasks, ensuring deadlines and objectives are met.

Support the planning and coordination of events, campaigns, and advocacy initiatives.

Keep track of key actions, priorities, and goals, ensuring the CEO's time is optimised for maximum impact.

Adapt to the evolving needs of the CEO and the organization, stepping into new challenges with enthusiasm.

What We’re Looking For

Strong organizational and time-management skills

Excellent written and verbal communication

Proficiency in Microsoft Office / Google Suite

Ability to work independently and handle confidential information

Previous experience in executive support or administration (preferred but not required)

Passion for our mission and a commitment to supporting nonprofit work

What You’ll Gain

By joining us as a Volunteer Executive Assistant, you’ll gain more than just experience—you’ll become part of a meaningful mission while developing key professional skills. Here’s what you can expect:

- Valuable Executive-Level Experience – Gain first hand insight into the operations of a CEO and how strategic decisions are made within an organisation.

- Professional Development – Enhance your skills in executive administration, leadership, time management, and communication—great for career advancement.

- Mentorship & Networking – Work closely with an experienced CEO and connect with professionals across different sectors, expanding your career opportunities.

- Resume Booster – Having experience as an Executive Assistant to a CEO is a strong asset for future job opportunities, particularly in business, nonprofit leadership, and administration.

- Flexibility – Enjoy a volunteer role that fits around your schedule. We understand that life is busy, so we offer flexibility in working hours.

- Personal Fulfillment – Contribute to a cause you’re passionate about, knowing that your work is directly helping to drive real change.

This is an exciting opportunity to work closely with a CEO, gain invaluable executive experience, and contribute to a mission-driven organisation. If you’re highly organised, proactive, and eager to make a real impact, we’d love to hear from you!

Join us in driving positive change—apply today by sending your CV and a brief cover letter

We look forward to welcoming you to the team!

Help children as Trustee of an innovative, enterprising Tees Valley Charity that is increasingly supporting children in care through fostering and a planned residential provision. Join an agency that transforms children's lives.

What will you be doing?

You will join us at an exciting time as we pursue growth of fostering and residential services, as well as growth of our early help offer. 

You will work across the Charity and the subsidiary fostering company (which we will amalgamate back into the parent Charity). 

You will have a particular focus on helping the fostering agency drive growth, ensure regulatory compliance, and deliver excellent care for children and support for foster parents. You will provide support and challenge to the management team.

You’ll contribute 2 to 6 hours a month. The Charity board meets every 8 weeks (shifting to quarterly after September) and the fostering board meets every 8 weeks. 

You’ll join a Charity that’s brought £millions of investment into Tees Valley and that helps over 1000 local people a year. We’ve been runners up at the national Charity Governance Awards and ‘community’ winners at the Hartlepool Business Awards. 

We are looking for experienced professionals who share our values and want to help. 

What are we looking for?

At this time we are specifically looking for Trustees with some of these areas of skills or experience:

Business development 

Safeguarding management

Fostering or children's residential care or childrens social work management 

Financial management 

What difference will you make?

We want to help children and family members heal from trauma, primarily through helping them develop a network of nurturing, loving and appropriately challenging relationships with people in their close and wider communities. Any small surplus we make from helping children in care will be diverted into work to help families stay together and thrive. You will join a team that strives to make this difference. You will help ensure the Charity keeps a strong focus on children and young peoples needs whilst being sustainability and ensuring the agency manages the risks associated with growth and investment in new services. 

Before you apply

After expressing an interest through the site, we'd welcome an initial conversation with our CEO and/or Chair. After that, we usually  take applications to the Board for consideration. This is usually quite a quick process. 

The purpose of the Institute of Osteopathy Appointments Committee is to ensure high standards of competence and performance on the main governing body, the Council of the Institute of Osteopathy (iO), with a focus on recruitment.

We are seeking a new professional member to join our committee to aid this important work.

You should have broad experience and a practical attitude with a proven track record, and ideally have experience in the following areas:

· Human Resources

· Executive development and performance management

· Knowledge of employment law

· Board/committee experience

The Committee meets quarterly online/in person to advise on such matters as promotional strategy, review candidate profiles against council member role specification, appraise the performance of the non-executive members of council and ensure that governance-related processes around appointments and term renewals are fit for purpose and working effectively.

Please see the attached role specification for full details of the responsibilities.

If you are interested in this opportunity to shape the development of UK Osteopathy, please submit your CV along with a covering letter detailing how you meet the role specification by close of business on Monday 26 May. Interviews will take place in mid-June.

About the iO

The iO, as the lead body in the profession, has a clear and mandated mission to improve patient care by supporting and developing the education and practice of osteopathy, and universal access to osteopathic care. 

Our mission is to support, unite, develop and promote the profession for the improvement of public health and patient care. We are committed to realising our vision to see osteopathy become a growing and thriving profession, recognised and accessible to all.

The purpose of the Institute of Osteopathy Appointments Committee is to ensure high standards of competence and performance on the main governing body, the Council of the Institute of Osteopathy (iO), with a focus on recruitment.

We are seeking two new non-executives to join our committee to aid this important work.

You should have broad experience and a practical attitude with a proven track record, and ideally have experience in the following areas:

· Human Resources

· Executive development and performance management

· Knowledge of employment law

· Board/committee experience

Osteopathic or medical experience is not a prerequisite for this role, but interest in health and patient care is welcome.  

The Committee meets quarterly online/in person to advise on such matters as promotional strategy, review candidate profiles against council member role specification, appraise the performance of the non-executive members of council and ensure that governance-related processes around appointments and term renewals are fit for purpose and working effectively.

Please see the attached role specification for full details of the responsibilities.

If you are interested in this opportunity to shape the development of UK Osteopathy, please submit your CV along with a covering letter detailing how you meet the role specification by close of business on Monday 26 May. Interviews will take place in mid-June.

About the iO

The iO, as the lead body in the profession, has a clear and mandated mission to improve patient care by supporting and developing the education and practice of osteopathy, and universal access to osteopathic care. 

Our mission is to support, unite, develop and promote the profession for the improvement of public health and patient care. We are committed to realising our vision to see osteopathy become a growing and thriving profession, recognised and accessible to all.

The ASE is currently looking for a Trustee with a financial background to join our Trustee Body as Treasurer. This role will help to support the CEO, Director of Finance and Operations, Quality & Audit Committee and other Trustees in carrying out their financial responsibilities, in particular with respect to strategic financial planning.

Current focus remains on ensuring high impact, promoting membership growth and diversifying income streams.  As Trustee, you will help to shape and drive the strategy forward, ensure the association is financially stable, make key decisions on strategic and financial priorities, manage and mitigate risk, review and ensure policies and processes are fit for purpose and follow good standards of governance.  The Treasurer will work in consultation with and on advice from the Chief Executive and Director of Finance and Operations. The role is one of strategic oversight rather than involvement in day to day financial tasks. 

The Trustee board is made up of experts from across the science education community - and includes teachers and retired teachers from primary, secondary and post 16 sectors as well as teacher educators, consultants and those working for voluntary organisations in the science education sector. 

The majority of the role will be fufilled in Trustee meetings - which meet up to four times per year (all scheduled to take place online)

Lived Experience Sight Loss Trustee - Focus Birmingham – Empowering Lives and Shaping the Future

Focus Birmingham’s (Focus) Trustees are all volunteers, playing an essential role in overseeing the charity’s activities in partnership with the Board of Trustees. The CEO and Senior Leadership Team (SLT) manage the day-to-day running of the charity, but it is the Board of Trustees that holds ultimate responsibility for ensuring the charity continues to grow and delivers on its vision.

The purpose of this trustee role is to bring a ‘lived experience’ perspective to help shape the future of our organisation. You will ensure our services reflect the diverse needs of the people we support and help us advance our mission of improving lives by creating opportunities for people with care and support needs. This role will help them feel empowered to live life to the full and unlock their potential.
 

Key Responsibilities

• Co-production Strategy: Ensure the development and implementation of a co-production strategy in collaboration with the Board and Senior Leadership Team that promotes meaningful involvement of the people we support in decision-making processes.

• Engagement and Participation: Ensure that the Board and Senior Leadership Team champion the active engagement of the people we support in all aspects of the organisation, including programme design, service development, and policy formulation.

• Advisory Groups: Support the Senior Leadership Team in establishing and maintaining advisory groups or panels made up of the people we support, their families, and carers, ensuring their voices are heard, and their perspectives are considered.

• Training and Capacity Building: Provide advice on the development of a learning and development strategy that equips staff and volunteers with the skills to provide person-centred care.

• Feedback Mechanisms: Work with the Board and Senior Leadership Team to implement effective feedback mechanisms, surveys, and evaluation tools to gather input from individuals with care and support needs on the charity’s activities.

• Advocacy: Advocate for the rights and autonomy of the people we support both within Focus Birmingham and in the wider community. Raise awareness of the importance of co-production.

• Policy and Governance: Review, provide advice, and contribute to the development of policies and governance structures that ensure the people we support have a genuine and influential role in the organisation.

• Collaboration and Teamwork: Collaborate with fellow Trustees, staff, and volunteers to embed co-production principles across the organisation. Provide guidance and mentorship to staff involved in co-production activities.

What Difference You Will Make and What You Will Achieve

This is an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact by ensuring that individuals with care and support needs are at the forefront of decision-making:

• Networking: Build connections with disability advocates, self-advocacy groups, and stakeholders.

• Professional Development: Gain valuable experience in not-for-profit governance and co-production practices.

• Personal Satisfaction: Contribute to a cause that empowers individuals with care and support needs, helping them exercise their agency and unlock their potential.

How to Apply

If you are committed to empowering individuals with care and support needs and promoting their active participation in shaping Focus Birmingham’s future, we invite you to apply for this trustee role. Your lived experience and expertise in co-production will be instrumental in helping us achieve our mission of improving lives by creating opportunities for people with care and support needs, so they can live life to the full and reach their full potential.

To apply, please submit a completed application form via CharityJob.

Additional details about the role can be found in the attached recruitment pack. If you require any reasonable adjustment to support your application for this role, please contact Focus Birmingham via the details in the recruitment pack.

Closing Date for Applications: 11/05/25

Purpose of the Role:
The Treasurer plays a key leadership role in ensuring SAPHNA’s financial integrity and sustainability. In addition to the responsibilities of a General Trustee, the Treasurer provides strategic guidance and oversight on SAPHNA’s financial matters.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee SAPHNA’s financial management, ensuring robust processes and controls are in place.
• Advise the Board on financial strategy, risk management, and resource allocation.
• Work closely with SAPHNA’s management team to monitor budgets, cash flow, and financial performance.
• Ensure the preparation of annual accounts in accordance with charity regulations.
• Present financial reports to the Board in a clear and accessible format.
• Support the development of financial policies and procedures.
• Ensure SAPHNA’s funds are invested appropriately, achieving both security and growth.
• Oversee financial compliance with legal and regulatory obligations.

Person Specification:

• Proven financial expertise, ideally with experience in financial management, accountancy, or charity finance.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to present complex financial information clearly.
• Commitment to SAPHNA’s mission, vision, and values.
• Experience in governance, leadership, or financial oversight.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with other Trustees and SAPHNA’s management team.

Time Commitment:
Trustees are required to attend quarterly Board meetings, participation in working groups or committees, and occasional representation of SAPHNA at events. The Treasurer role may require additional time to review financial matters and liaise with staff.

Trustees required – Evolve Counselling CIO (1181861) 

• Location: remote/Cambridgeshire area 

• Voluntary role: reasonable expenses paid 

• Time commitment: 0-5 hours per month (estimated), mostly outside office hours 

• Term: negotiable, e.g. interim/three years/extendable by re-election 

• Application closing date: 12 May 2025 

The Role: 

Dynamic Trustees needed, with charity and commercial skills, to support mental health CIO. With an ambitious development programme up and running, we need to expand our Trustee Board. This is an exciting opportunity to join us at a crucial time of growing demand for our services. 

About Us: 

Evolve Counselling is a long-established charitable social enterprise, providing low cost, affordable or funded mental health counselling to adults in mainly Cambridgeshire and surrounding counties. Our counselling community is made up of 50 – 60 qualified self-employed practitioners, working part-time. We deliver talking therapies to adults – online and in person. Our service delivers around 500 counselling sessions per month to a broad range of individuals, many of whom would not otherwise be able to access counselling support. Evolve also provides supervision, reflective practice, critical incident support, and mental health awareness and related training, to organisations and businesses large and small. 

What We’re Looking For: 

Our Trustee Board is currently drawn from the counselling and therapies community, plus commercial and other charity backgrounds. Now, with crucial development of the CIO ahead, we are looking for new members to expand the Board to its maximum ten places and to gain skills and insight from an equal, diverse and inclusive group that takes in business skills, knowledge of charities, and experience of not-for-profit finances to make growth plans a reality. 

The Board will keep us on track with good governance through oversight of our work and will also help our keen new CEO to secure a sound financial base from which to grow our operations to meet the ever-increasing demand for our services. 

We welcome applications from individuals with backgrounds in any of the following areas: 

• Business strategy and planning 
• Commerce/industry 
• Governance 
• Working within the charity/CIO sector 
• Financial management 
• Legal expertise 
• Health and wellbeing services 
• Mental health counselling 
• Health service commissioning or delivery planning 
• Advocacy or advice services 
• Data protection/GDPR knowledge 
• Adherence to the Nolan Principles of Public Life 

Application process: Please email with your CV and letter of application, stating why you’d like to become a Trustee at Evolve Counselling and how your skills and experience align with our plans for growth. 

Lay Trustee

Voluntary

20-25 hours per year

3-year term of office (maximum of 2 terms)

Would you like play an important role in supporting our Executive to continuously improve our organisation, to navigate the current financial climate and challenges in higher education, and to maintain excellent services to students (our members)? 

Worcester Students’ Union (WSU) is a registered charity (number 1145192) and a membership organisation, with its primary object being the advancement of education of students at the University of Worcester. The Union aims to achieve this through:

• representing students’ interests and welfare
• being the recognised representative channel between students, the University, and external stakeholders, and by
• providing social, cultural, sporting and recreational activities for students. 

WSU is an unincorporated company with a Board of Trustees comprising of three Officer Trustees (the Full-time, elected Officers), up to four Student Trustees, and up to four Lay Trustees. The Board is responsible for the oversight of the Union’s governance, strategy, and financial sustainability. The post of Lay Trustee has a 3-year term and post holders may serve a maximum of two terms, either consecutively or non-consecutively. 

We pride ourselves on providing a range of excellent services to students, having a strong reputation nationally, and going above and beyond for students to make a difference. As a team, we are determined to constantly evolve with the help of our dynamic and committed staff, who are working to our new Strategic Framework for 2023-28, which you can find on the WSU's website under the About Us section.

This is a very important time for WSU as we manage the challenges posed by the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and the well-documented difficulties being experienced by higher education providers. We must support the needs of a diverse and ever-changing student body across multiple campuses, with less resource and pressure to diversify income streams.  

Students’ Unions are unique organisations where change is the norm and where students are at the heart of strategy and decision-making. They deliver a wide range of services in a passionate, cost-effective, and professional way and are necessarily responsible, vibrant, and fast-paced. Becoming a Trustee of a Union is an excellent way of providing support and guidance whilst gaining personal knowledge and satisfaction. We have an excellent Board and currently have a vacancy for a Trustee with experience of charity/organisational senior management (Director/CEO etc.) and/or business development.

There are 5 full Board meetings per year and, also, 5 meetings of the two Sub Committees of the Board. We estimate that time to attend meetings (we ask that Lay Trustees sit on one Sub Committee), as well as time to prepare and read papers and liaise with the Chief Executive, totals between 20 to 25 hours per year. Meetings are on-line and so we welcome applications from further afield.

WSU recognises the value of difference and is committed to equality of opportunity for all. We welcome applications from individuals regardless of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religious belief, age, marital status or disability, or any other individual characteristic or intersectionality of different characteristics.

We want to support a diverse and inclusive environment as we believe it makes a team more effective and are actively looking for people who share our values. You can see our work as an organisation and commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion by visiting the About Us section of the WSU's website.

To maintain our independence from the University of Worcester, and to ensure a balance to the student membership of the Board, we cannot consider applications for the role of external trustee from current registered students of the University of Worcester. Alumni are not eligible to be Trustees until at least five years after graduation. 

To avoid potential conflicts of interest, applications also cannot be considered from individuals who are employees of either the University of Worcester or Worcester Students’ Union.

Testimonial from one of our current Lay Trustees:

"As a Trustee I have been able to share my knowledge of the voluntary sector to support WSU, but it has also been an opportunity for me to develop professionally, through broadening my understanding and learning from others. When I first became a Trustee, I was in a Business Development role, but through the experience I have gained, it has helped me to progress my career, now as a Managing Director of a local VCSE organisation."

How to apply:

• To apply for this position, please follow the link to our website to read through the information pack and obtain the application form for this role.
• The Appointments Panel aim to hold interviews on-line during June 2025, with the aim of the successful candidate being inducted ready to commence their role in September 2025.
• If you would like an informal chat about the role, please contact the Chief Executive, Sophie Williams, via the email provided in the vacancy listing on our website.

Thank you for your time and we very much look forward to hearing from you.

Join us on a transformational journey

Be part of something powerful. As a Trustee on the Board of AfriKids UK, you’ll help shape the future of a proven, high-impact organisation that’s ready to go further. You’ll bring your ideas, insights and perspective to help us improve and grow for the children and communities we serve.

About AfriKids

AfriKids is an award-winning, locally-led charity dedicated to ensuring the rights of children in northern Ghana. Our mission is to help unlock the power of communities to ensure child rights, with a focus on helping people secure the means, motive and opportunity for every child to complete a quality basic education, as the most sustainable route out of poverty. Locally-led and internationally supported, we work hand-in-hand with local communities to design and deliver programmes that create lasting change for children, so they can thrive now and as the leaders of tomorrow. AfriKids UK exists to support this mission through faciliating access to international funding, partnerships, technical support and expertise — working in close collaboration with AfriKids Ghana, our independent local implementing partner.

The Role

With nearly 25 years of experience behind us, our Boards in the UK and Ghana are now helping to lead us through a period of transformational change, to impact more children than ever. We are seeking two more trustees to join the Board of AfriKids UK. As a Trustee of AfriKids, you will share collective responsibility for the governance and strategic direction of the charity, with guidance and support to learn about your responsibilities as a trustee if you have not been one before. Trustees play a crucial role in ensuring that AfriKids operates in accordance with its mission, values, and legal obligations.​ This is an opportunity to lend your unique knowledge, skills and experience to help advance our mission and make a difference for children. 

Purpose of the Role:
As a Trustee of SAPHNA, you will play a vital role in ensuring the organisation achieves its mission to promote excellence in school and public health nursing. Trustees are responsible for the overall governance, strategic direction, and financial sustainability of SAPHNA.

Key Responsibilities:

• Contribute actively to the Board’s strategic decision-making and direction.
• Ensure SAPHNA complies with its governing document, charity law, and relevant regulations.
• Uphold SAPHNA’s values and promote its objectives.
• Provide guidance and expertise to support SAPHNA's development and growth.
• Oversee SAPHNA’s financial stability, approving budgets and ensuring resources are used effectively.
• Attend and actively participate in Board meetings (approximately four per year) and contribute to subcommittees or working groups as required.
• Support fundraising, partnerships, and advocacy activities where appropriate.
• Act as an ambassador for SAPHNA, representing the organisation to stakeholders.

Person Specification:

• A commitment to SAPHNA’s mission, vision, and values.
• Strong strategic thinking and decision-making skills.
• Effective communication skills and a collaborative approach.
• Experience in governance, leadership, or relevant professional expertise.
• Knowledge of school and public health nursing or the broader healthcare landscape (desirable but not essential).

Time Commitment:
Trustees are required to attend quarterly Board meetings, participation in working groups or committees, and occasional representation of SAPHNA at events.

The Sheila McKechnie Foundation (SMK) was set up in June 2005 in memory of legendary campaigner, Sheila McKechnie.Campaigning is vital to a healthy society. We help campaigners to thrive. In a free and hopeful society, people need to know they have the power to make a difference: that they are able to envisage change and can push for that change to happen. For nearly two decades, we have helped all sorts of individuals, causes and charities to find their power as changemakers – as campaigners. We support, connect and champion these campaigners, equipping them to go after the social change they seek.

The Chair will hold the Board and staff team to account for SMK’s mission and vision, provide inclusive leadership to the Board and ensure that Board members fulfil their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of SMK. The Chair will line manage and support the Chief Executive and ensure that the Board functions as a unit and works closely with the Chief Executive and staff team to achieve agreed objectives. They may also be asked to act as an ambassador and a public face of SMK in partnership with the Chief Executive and the Board.

For further information, see our website and the recruitment pack. 

Join Our Board of Trustees – Help Tackle Educational Inequality

Location: UK-wide (remote meetings with one in-person meeting annually in London)
Time Commitment: Approx. 4 Board meetings and sub-committee involvement per year
Start Date: July 2025
Application Deadline: 9am, Wednesday 21st May 2025

Are you passionate about tackling educational inequality and improving life chances for young people and adults across the UK?

Get Further is an award-winning education charity on a mission to support students from disadvantaged backgrounds to pass GCSE English and maths – the gateway qualifications needed to unlock future opportunities. Through high-quality tuition and sector-leading resources, we are reshaping the landscape of post-16 education.

We are now recruiting new trustees to join our dynamic and committed Board. As a trustee, you will play a vital role in guiding the strategic direction of the charity, supporting our senior leadership team, and ensuring effective governance during a crucial phase of our growth. We are especially keen to hear from individuals with expertise in one or more of the following areas:

• Further Education (teaching, leadership, or policy)
• The apprenticeship sector
• Fundraising and income generation
• Legal (particularly charity law)
• Impact and evaluation
•  Lived experience of FE or resitting GCSEs post-16

We are committed to diversity and inclusion and strongly encourage applications from individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, especially those with first-hand experience of the FE sector or of educational disadvantage.

MAIN TRUSTEE DUTIES:

Governance

• Ensuring that the charity complies with its governing documents and charity law
• Ensuring that the charity’s strategy is fit for purpose to deliver its mission / objectives
• Ensuring the financial stability of the charity, protecting and managing the charity’s assets
• Championing the charity’s mission within your network and the wider community
• Safeguarding the charity’s reputation and values, ensuring that risks are properly recognised and mitigated and promoting the public profile of Get Further
• Supporting and providing guidance to the management team of Get Further

Additionally, trustees will be responsible for:

• Attending and participating fully in Board of Trustees meetings
• Attending and participating fully in strategy workshops, where relevant
• Taking a lead role in fundraising for the charity
• Inspiring effective leadership, monitoring performance and ensuring accountability and resourcefulness
• Utilising skills and contacts for the benefit of the charity
• Championing and demonstrating a commitment to our cause

Check out the Recruitment Pack to get full details of what it means to be a Get Further Trustee, who we are looking for and how to apply. 

·   

This is an exciting time to be joining UoGSU as we are implementing our new strategy. As an organisation we have been focused on communities, change and the education of our members.

We are looking for a trustee with experience and expertise in finance – this trustee will chair our Audit and Risk committee. You will be a qualified accountant with experience of financial management, governance and oversight and an understanding of financial audit best practice. Previous experience of Audit and Risk committee work is of interest but not essential.  Each term lasts 3 years and trustees can serve a maximum of 2 consecutive terms.  Extensions are dependent on re-election to the board.

The individual appointed as trustee will need to be sympathetic to the aims of the SU and more generally share a commitment to the broader values of the student movement; student representation, student rights and the student experience – and the importance of students having a platform to organize together to help make these values a reality.

The role requires a careful balance; trustees need to respect the democratic will of the membership where possible but also be willing to think creatively, challenge constructively and point out potential risk. The Board is comprised of Student Trustees and External Trustees and oversees the work of a team of permanent staff and Student Officers led by the Chief Executive.

An eye for detail to ensure the SU is being well governed and the ability to see future opportunities are also important.

The role is to serve on the board of trustees. Each term lasts 3 years and trustees can serve a maximum of 2 consecutive terms. Extensions are dependent on re-election to the board.

General candidate requirements:

All candidates will need to be comfortable reading and understanding financial information (or be willing to learn more about this aspect of the role). They should also have the following:

- An understanding of business management.
- A willingness and ability to devote the necessary time and effort to attend board andother meetings, including preparing and reading for those meetings.
- A willingness to speak their mind and contribute.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Analytical ability and good independent judgement.
- An understanding and acceptance of the role of a Charity’s Board of Trustees (including the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of Trusteeship).
- A commitment to act in accordance with the Nolan principles for ethical conduct in public service and the SU own values.

Desirable but not essential:

-Recent experience of the higher education sector or of Students’ Unions.
-Experience or knowledge of board governance.

Commitment required

Board Meetings: There are 5 scheduled meetings each year, usually held early evening and lasting 2 to 2.5 hours, with extra meetings added if required (although this is rare). Each meeting will have associated reading and preparation work. Meetings are usually conducted face-to-face, but trustees may participate remotely depending on their schedule and other commitments.

Sub-committees: All trustees will Chair or sit on our board sub-committees – the Audit & Risk and People Committees. These committees usually meet up to 4 times each year and are scheduled to fit trustee availability.

Board members will also need to be available to approve decisions electronically between meetings if required.
If feasible, Board members are also encouraged to visit the SU and observe major events such as Welcome.