University of Surrey Students' Union

Chief Executive Officer Appointment Brief March 2022

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Appointment Brief | 2022

Welcome The University of Surrey Students’ Union is in the exciting position of recruiting for a new Chief Executive Officer. The post will build on the work of the former CEO who had previously worked for our charity for 27 years!

I am proud to say that I am the first black female to become President at Surrey Students’ Union. Having said that, we at Surrey Students’ Union hold equality, diversity and inclusion in high regard and we encourage applications from people from diverse and widening participation backgrounds.

Our charity is a member-led body focused on ensuring that students receive the very best experience whilst at the University of Surrey and that they are equipped for their futures after they leave us. We provide support for a diverse student body and ensure that their interests are well-represented within the wider University community and nationally.

We are looking for a communicative, dynamic, and values-oriented leader who will always have our students’ best interests at heart. The new CEO will support us in developing our next strategic plan. Therefore, we are looking for an inspirational leader who can work with our senior leadership team to build on our successes and be brave enough to pioneer new approaches.

We are in a fortunate position to have a fantastic relationship with the University senior management team. We would like our forthcoming CEO to demonstrate stellar interpersonal skills and be able to foster strong relationships with key stakeholders both with the university and externally whilst ensuring that the organisation stays true to our values. Additionally, we are in a strong financial position despite the impact of COVID, and we are planning to expand our commercial services which the CEO will lead on in collaboration the Union President.

Within this pack you will find a whole range of information about The University of Surrey Students’ Union and our work. We hope that you will agree that the charity is well-placed for a new Chief Executive to take it forward on the next stage of its journey.

If you are passionate about making a positive difference and want to make sure that every student at Surrey has the best possible experience at university, please read on!

Ajay Ajimobi President & Chair of Board of Trustees at the University of Surrey Students’ Union

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Appointment Brief2022

About us The University of Surrey Students’ Union (USSU) is a student led charity working innovatively to enrich students’ lives, the community in which they live and the University of Surrey by enabling their vision and ambitions.

As a values driven organisation, the Union is led by democratically elected students to represent our 15,000+ student members, both locally and nationally. We support over 170 clubs and societies, run four commercial venues and whilst we are independent from the University we work closely with them to support our members.

We’re led by a team of five sabbatical officers - full time officers elected by students each year. We also have a team of elected part time student officers working within the four zones.

Our vision and mission is to be a leading UK Students’ Union that has a positive impact on every University of Surrey student - to enrich students’ lives, the community in which they live and the University of Surrey by creating the changes they want and to enable them to achieve their ambitions.

What Our Members Want: For our members, everything the Union does should advance our mission to enrich students’ lives, the community in which they live and the University of Surrey by creating the changes they want and to enable them to achieve their ambitions.

Our Definition Of Success: We must do what we do well, with as many students engaged as possible, and make a real difference - not just exist for the sake of existing. Our measurements for success should not be too cumbersome, however they must be appropriate and achievable.

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Appointment Brief2022

Strategy As part of our current “The 2024 Experience” strategy, USSU has introduced four Zones (Voice, Activity, Support and Community) to allow more students than ever before to act on their passions, and ensure a wider range of voices can be heard.

Union Zones – further deepening our reach and impact.

VOICE

SUPPORT

ACTIVITY

COMMUNITY

When students have something to say Students taking democratic decisions.

Students taking part in extracurricular activities.

Activity in which students wish to lead on and need support.

When students need help Students helping other students.

Students coming together as a community.

Students as a part of the wider local community.

Following the pandemic, we have identified the need to review our strategy to ensure we are in the best position to support our student members going forward. We envisage that the new Chief Executive will work closely with student officers, staff and the University to enable this.

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Appointment Brief2022

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement The Students’ Union is committed to being an equal opportunities employer and to promoting a diverse and inclusive environment for all our staff, students and visitors. We run an annual Union Diversity Report and our most recent report shows the number of female employees has continued to increase each year now reaching 58% of the workforce. The results compared to 2019 show a decrease of 6% in the staff who identify as white and an increase of 4% who identify as Black or People of Colour and the number who prefer not to disclose has increased by 2%.

It will be USSU’s priority to continue to review all recruitment methods to attract diverse candidates for all roles; work with student groups to understand barriers to applying/ working in the SU and how these can be removed and continue to work towards becoming a Disability Confident Employer.

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Appointment Brief2022

Finances USSU benefits from the support of the University through a Block Grant, most recently at £1,228,217.

To best manage through the pandemic, USSU operated a rotary Furlough scheme to allow us to operate our core activities, which allowed us to receive Furlough payments.

Our usual income is generated from Rubix nightclub and although affected by closure during the pandemic, expenditure was also reduced. We also benefitted from Business Interruption Insurance which compensates for the Rubix closure. We are pleased that despite the other impacts of the pandemic, our finances are in a stable position.

Income Total £3,073,082

Expenditure on: Activity - £1,087,755 Central - £372,078 Community - £1,068,272 Support - £279,327 Voice - £255,104 Total - £3,062,536

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Appointment Brief2022

Income Donations, University Grant, etc. £1,353,846 Income from other trading activities £129,725 Charitable activities for students: Activity £670,938 Central £45,712 Community £824,714 Total - £3,073,082

Expenditure Total £3,062,536

Organisation Chart Human Resources & Staff Development Manager

Deputy CEO

Board of Trustees

Student Activities Manager

Finance Manager

Activities Coordinator

Finance Coordinator

Communications Manager

Communications Coordinator

Digital Communications Assistant (Placement)

Chief Executive Officer

Appointment Brief2022

Head of Venues, Production & Safety

Deputy Venues Manager

Senior Developer

Student Voice Manager

Course Rep & Student Insight Coordinator

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Community & Volunteering Coordinator

Community Manager

Student Support Manager

Venues Assistant

Support Coordinator

Support Coordinator

Job Description Chief Executive REPORTING TO:

Union President and Board of Trustees

SALARY:

£75,000 - £80,000 per annum + relocation package available

LOCATION:

Guildford, Surrey

RESPONSIBLE FOR:

All Central, Corporate, Financial and Membership Services Departments

LIAISON WITH OTHER Internal: Elected Sabbaticals and Part Time Executive Team, PERSONNEL Board of Trustees, USSU Staff and University staff (including Senior University management, Heads of University Service Departments, other University reps) External: Third party organisations including NUS (regional and national), Guildford Borough Council, local MP, other universities and student unions/institutions, Campus Trade Unions, suppliers and contractors JOB PURPOSE:

Overall responsibility for: 1) Strategic vision and leadership to ensure delivery of maximum impact with and for our Union membership.

2) Union performance, values and compliance within the Students’ Union’s governance and accountability structures.

3) Culture and systems necessary for effective operational leadership to the staff team in a student led setting.

PURPOSE OF POST:

The Chief Executive Officer is responsible for USSU’s staff, finances administration, commercial operations, membership services, long-term planning and development and ensuring all legal obligations are met.

The Chief Executive Officer also consults appropriately and provides effective management and leadership to the elected Sabbatical team.

The CEO plays an important role in ensuring that the objectives of USSU are met whilst maintaining strong understanding of the University’s context and strategy, as well as effective relationships with key University officers.

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Appointment Brief2022

Main duties and responsibilities

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Strategic leadership • Lead the development and delivery of long-term strategic planning in consultation with officers, staff, the University and other stakeholders, based on USSU’s core mission, charitable objectives and values.

• Ensure effective strategy implementation, maintaining agility to respond to a changing environment and ensuring performance is tracked and effectively communicated to a wide range of stakeholders.

• Maintain awareness of internal and external threats and opportunities to ensure the strategic direction of the Union remains aligned with the needs of the student community.

• Inspire, attract and retain highly motivated and effective staff.

• Develop new and existing commercial services in line with new opportunities, following approval from the Trustee Board.

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Support student leadership and governance: • Promote democracy, membership engagement and student leadership.

• Ensure comprehensive induction and continuing professional, ‘political’ and personal support is provided to the elected Student Officers.

• Support the Trustee Board and assist with the recruitment and induction of volunteer student trustees and independent external trustees.

• Support Student Representation, attending meetings and providing advice to Officers and members.

• Advise Officers, Trustees and relevant student leadership on their responsibilities within the legal framework that applies to USSU (e.g. Charity Law, Education Act, Licensing legislation and health and safety). Ensure that the Students’ Union has, and reviews, procedures to maintain its accountability to its members.

• Ensure compliance with all legal and financial requirements, and with Charity Commission guidance on good governance.

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Lead the Senior Leadership Team (SLT): • Provide effective and visible values based leadership.

• Ensure that SLT work effectively together with the Student Officers.

• Ensure appropriate accountability and responsibility for performance to deliver on the Students’ Union’s goals and values.

• Promote and support continual professional development.

Appointment Brief2022

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Networks and relationships • Manage and develop harmonious working relationships with the University and wider community.

• Inspire and oversee good working relationships amongst officers and staff.

• Maintain other effective networks and communications externally, especially with CEOs from other Students’ Unions, the National Union of Students and other relevant bodies.

• Represent USSU on a range of occasions at both University and other external events or groups.

• Ensure that the Students’ Union has a positive reputation in the University, locally and nationally, supported by effective networking and public relations strategies.

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Operational management: • Ensure the Students’ Union is managed and operates in alignment with the objectives and goals set out in the strategic plan.

• Ensure the Trustee Board have a clear oversight of progress towards strategic goals.

• Ensure that organisational values are understood by staff, reflected in their behaviour and championed by SLT. • Ensure that there are effective arrangements for business planning and departmental performance review.

• Ensure that the SLT are given appropriate support and guidance to develop operational strategies for their areas of responsibility.

• Ensure that there are effective procedures to manage risk and seize opportunities.

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Financial • Ensure the Union remains in positive financial health.

• Lead funding negotiations with the University.

• Ensure that the Union follows a set of robust financial regulations.

• Ensure that there are adequate systems of financial control in place throughout the Union.

Appointment Brief2022

Person Specification EXPERIENCE/SKILL

EXPERTISE/INDICATORS

Professional experience

Working within a membership or youth organisation, with a strong understanding of member’s and/or young people’s needs.

Developing and implementing organisational strategy in collaboration with stakeholders resulting in successful organisational development.

Providing strong and effective leadership.

Managing in a range of settings and styles.

Managing complex corporate governance structures.

Developing relationships with and balancing the needs of a broad range of stakeholders.

Effective financial management, including planning resource, managing budgets, and interpreting management information accurately.

Working with and embracing diversity opportunities.

Leadership skills

Demonstrating a flexible approach to leadership and willingness and ability to work in a student-led setting adjusting styles as necessary.

Mobilising the collective energy of stakeholders to achieve true collaboration.

Developing and coaching others, providing personalised support.

Managing change effectively to build strong teams and deliver impact.

Possess a leadership qualification such as ILM level 5 or above is desirable.

Communication skills

Communicating confidently with a wide range of people to quickly build trust.

Experience of a variety of different communication measures to inform stakeholders of the impact of the Student Union.

Listening and reflecting in communication with others.

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Appointment Brief2022

Personal qualities

Handling interpersonal relationships effectively and empathetically.

Demonstrating high emotional intelligence.

Inspiring others at every level of the organisation and beyond.

Providing vision and innovation with a passion for excellence.

Facilitative leadership style and able to put others before themselves.

Attitude

Values driven.

Resilient and displays positive energy and drive.

Non-judgemental and able to demonstrate points of view appropriately.

Displays and actively encourages a ‘can do’ attitude.

Benefits

• Defined contributions pension scheme (employers’ contribution 8% and employee contribution 6%) + Life Assurance • 26 days annual leave + closure dates/public holidays • Free eye test • Winter Flu vaccination • Training and development opportunities

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Appointment Brief2022

How to Apply Please forward a CV together with a supporting statement (maximum two pages of A4) that addresses the following questions: 1. When have you supported, developed and empowered a diverse team to achieve their full potential and what was your approach?

2. When have you adapted your leadership style to suit the needs of the person you were coaching or communicating with?

3. Why are you committed to the student union movement?

Please ensure that you have included mobile, work and home telephone numbers, as well as any dates when you will not be available or might have difficulty with the recruitment timetable.

At Prospectus we believe passionately that a truly inclusive workplace leads to increased social impact. We are committed to supporting our clients build more inclusive teams. To understand how we are performing, we ask that you kindly complete the brief equal opportunities questionnaire when you submit your application via our website. Please be assured that your responses are kept confidential, separate from your candidate record, are not part of any application you make, and that the consultants never see individual responses to the questionnaire.

Applications should be made via the Prospectus website at: https://jobs.prospect-us.co.uk/jobs/details/HQ00180398 Recruitment timetable Deadline for applications: Initial interviews with Prospectus: Engagement meetings with USSU stakeholders: Panel interviews with USSU:

Monday 4th April 2022 11-20th April 2022 27/28/29th April 2022 w/c 2nd May 2022

Queries If you wish to have an informal discussion about the opportunity, please contact our retained advisors Anna Gardet or Amelia Gungah at Prospectus with a copy of your current CV: anna.gardet@prospect-us.co.uk amelia.gungah@prospect-us.co.uk To receive this document in an alternative format, please contact Prospectus on 020 7691 1920 or email executive.admin@prospect-us.co.uk.

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Appointment Brief2022

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