Non-Executive Director - University of Sussex Students' Union (Charity)

Non-Executive Director - University of Sussex Students' Union (Charity)

Trustee/Governor
J100613
At a glance

Skills

  • Accountancy / Auditing
  • Financial management
  • Legal
  • Business advice / analysis

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 during office hours Estimate of time needed:
0-5 hours / month
Attendance at five company board meetings and subcommittee meetings each year

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.

In this role, you will provide strategic guidance and oversight for our trading subsidiary, ensuring it operates effectively and contributes sustainably to the Union’s goals.

What will you be doing?

What will you be doing?

Key Responsibilities  

  • Commercial strategy: Advise on and help shape commercial strategies that align with our commitment to student support and sustainability.
  • Financial management and oversight: Oversee the trading company’s financial performance, budgets, and investments, ensuring all decisions support the Union’s objectives.
  • Operational and risk management: Collaborate on decisions regarding operational improvements, risk mitigation, and long-term business planning.
  • Student empowerment: Work closely with elected student officers to support an inclusive, student-centred approach to decision-making.

Commitment  

  • Periodic meetings with student directors and staff to provide guidance and feedback.
  • Attending a training/induction session after appointment.
  • Attending five Trustee or Company Board meetings a year and the same number ofsubcommittee meetings.
  • Attending regular informal catch-up meetings with Full-Time Officers and Studenttrustees to provide feedback and input on issues when they arise.
  • Preparing for Board and subcommittee meetings by reading through materials andBoard papers beforehand.

What are we looking for?

About you

Candidates should bring expertise in areas such as retail management, commercial strategy, finance, or company law. Experience in board governance, hospitality, or non-profit operations is desirable. A commitment to equality, diversity, and the Union’s values is essential.

Personal attributes (Essential):

  • 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
  • Hospitality or retail
  • Accounting and finance
  • Company and/or charity law
  • Commercial strategy
  • Trade Unions

What difference will you make?

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 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

Please submit your CV and respond to the following questions by 9:00 AM, January 2, 2025

  • Why are you a strong candidate for the Non-Executive Director role?
  • How can this role help you support the objectives of the Trading Limited?
  • Describe any relevant commercial or leadership experience.
  • Share an example of a time you promoted inclusivity in a collaborative environment.

For an informal discussion or to learn more about this role, please contact us.

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,...