Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

The Union of Kingston Students CEO

Salary: £63,000-£68,000

Location: Kingston upon Thames

Contract: Full time- 35 hours per week

Are you looking for a role where you can support elected student officers in leading the Union into a positive new space, both physically and metaphorically? If so, we’re looking for a values driven leader who will support us to grow & develop as we make amazing progress as a students’ union.

About the Students’ Union

The Union of Kingston Students (UKS) supports and represents over 16,000 students across four campuses and is based on the main campus, Penrhyn Road, in the vibrant town of Kingston-Upon-Thames. We are an independent democratic charity and membership organisation; we have student leadership at every level.

We're a democratic, membership organisation and all students at Kingston University are automatically members of the Union. Overall legal responsibility for the Students' Union rests with our Board of Trustees which is made up of three full-time Sabbatical Officers, three student trustees and four external trustees. The Sabbatical officers are elected each year by, and from, the student membership of the university. They take a year out of their studies (or immediately after graduating) to take on a fulltime paid staff role and to serve as a trustee.

At the Union of Kingston Students, we’ve embarked on an ambitions journey of organisational turn around so this is an extremely exciting time for us, and especially for our next CEO.

The turnaround includes:

• A full governance review including a new elected officer structure
• A new strategic plan including a new vision and values which we will be launching for the new academic year (2024/25)
• A total rebrand of the organisation from our logo and brand colours to our name! This will all be launched alongside our new strategy in time for the new academic year
• We are about to finalise the incorporation of the charity, professionalising our governance and better protecting our trustees and senior management
• And to round that all off, we’re moving into a brand new state of the art building in May!

As we prepare for this next chapter, we are looking excitedly towards the future to recruit a talented and passionate individual to drive the Union of Kingston Students forward.

About the role

Under the direction of the Board of Trustees, the Chief Executive is accountable for the performance, management, development and sustainability of the Union of Kingston Students and responsible for developing and leading the Union's services, strategy and objectives to meet students’ needs.

Our next CEO will excel in people-management practices and ensure these are embedded throughout the management structure, ensuring that the organisation understands and can deliver on its strategic priorities. You will be able to support and coach the elected officers and Trustee Board, and have oversight of governance, ensuring that the elected leadership are empowered as key decision makers and that the staff team share the purpose and vision of the organisation.

You will be an inspirational leader, able to enhance the internal and external reputation of the Union, and will network effectively within the University, maintaining and developing partnerships built on trust and respect.

The successful candidate won’t necessarily need to come from the Higher Education sector, but you must be able to demonstrate a good understanding of the trends and issues that affect our students. You’ll have a good understanding of charity governance, financial management and organisational development. 

Closing Date: Friday 12th April 9am 

First Stage Interviews (Remote): Monday 22nd April 

Final Interviews (In-person): Tuesday 30th April

How to Apply 

Please click 'Apply’ to be redirected to our website, where you can download the Candidate Information Pack and Job Description and find details of how to apply. 

For an informal conversation about the role and application process, please contact our recruitment partners. Their contact details can be found in the candidate pack.