External Trustee - University of Sussex Students' Union (Charity)

External Trustee - University of Sussex Students' Union (Charity)

Trustee/Governor
J100612
At a glance

Skills

  • Campaigning
  • Accountancy / Auditing
  • Financial management
  • Strategic development and planning
  • Strategic mentoring / coaching
  • Legal
  • Advice / Advocacy

Where

Falmer, BN1 9QF
Mainly at home
Travel limit? Reimburse travel expenses equivalent to the cost of travel distance between Falmer and London.

Time

Mostly outside office hours Estimate of time needed:
0-5 hours / month
- Attendance at 5 trustee board and 5 subcommittee meetings annually, along with preparatory work. - Occasional informal meetings with student trust.

Deadline

02 Jan 2025

Visitors from Fifth Day

Welcome to Reach Volunteering. We are a community and registered charity that connects people, skills and good causes.

To apply for this role, and any other on our platform, you need to be based in the UK, have at least three years of experience using the skills you wish to volunteer in a professional capacity or have lived experience (for trustee roles). Read more about our criteria.

As a Trustee, you will play a key role in guiding the strategic direction and governance of USSU, ensuring that our Union operates effectively and sustainably while prioritising the interests of our diverse student body.

What will you be doing?

Key Responsibilities

  • Strategic Guidance: Collaborate with student officers to shape the Union’s strategic vision and mission.
  • Governance and Compliance: Ensure compliance with charity laws, the Union’s constitution, and promote transparency and accountability.
  • Financial and Operational Oversight: Oversee financial health, budgeting, and risk management to ensure operational effectiveness.
  • Mentorship and Empowerment: Support and mentor student trustees and representatives, fostering an inclusive environment for student-led initiatives.

Commitments

  • Attend five trustee board meetings and five subcommittee meetings annually, with preparatory work.
  • Participate in occasional informal meetings with student trustees to provide guidance.

What are we looking for?

About you

Ideal candidates will bring expertise in areas such as charity governance, strategic planning, finance, or policy development, along with a commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. Prior experience on a board is helpful, but a passion for empowering students and creating a positive university experience is essential.

Personal attributes

  • Be passionate about students and their ability to achieve positive change
  • Value student leadership; understand the importance of students actively shaping how we operate and what we do
  • Being friendly and respectful of others in order to maintain a safe and considerate workplace
  • Being honest, open and supportive of others, empowering others to be fulfilled in their role
  • Being progressive, valuing equality, diversity and inclusion, ethics and the Environment Act with integrity

Have expertise in one or more of the following (Essential):

  • Employment law and best practice 
  • Accounting and finance 
  • Campaigning and lobbying 
  • Company and/or charity law
  • Trade Unions 
  • Strategic development

What difference will you make?

Our Union is the result of thousands of students and volunteers coming together to campaign, organise, discuss, and generally have a good time whilst at university - and as Trustee you will help make sure that they do. You will be overlooking the general direction of the Union and help to ensure that it remains both financially and socially viable.

Our impacts

Enhancing student employability

We want our students to leave Sussex with the skills and confidence they need to fulfil their potential and be inspired to make a positive difference in the world.

Defending a diverse, quality education

We ensure all students’ voices are listened to in decision-making within the University, and work with students from marginalised groups to make their education reflective of their lives. 

Building communities and benefiting society

We know and value the power inherent in our student community to achieve change, and through community organising we build student leaders and movements to make a sustainable, positive impact on society and the environment.

Improving student life and wellbeing

Through effective student representation and student-led campaigning we will identify and resolve the issues our students care about.

Supporting student activities and events

We are continuously evolving to provide what our students tell us they want from their union, as we know our students are experts at knowing what will make their time here the best it can be.

Providing outstanding, student-led commercial services

All profits from our enterprise are invested back into the charity to support its services and activities.

Before you apply

Submit your CV and responses to the following questions by 9:00 AM, January 2, 2025.

  • Why do you believe you are a strong candidate for this role?
  • How would you support the Students' Union’s objectives?
  • Can you provide an example of past leadership experience?
  • Describe a time you contributed to an inclusive decision-making process.

For more information or an informal conversation about the role, please contact our Chief Executive, James Hann via Reach.

Causes
  • Education
  • Organisation type: 
    Charity

    The University of Sussex Students’ Union is a democratic organisation representing over 18,000 students at the University of Sussex and Brighton and Sussex Medical School. The well-being,...