The Students' Union is ultimately accountable to a Board of Trustees, who oversee the strategic direction, and financial, legal and reputational viability of the charity.
The Board of Trustees is made up of:
- Four elected sabbatical officers
- Three student trustees (recruited from the student body)
- Five external trustees (individuals from outside of Royal Holloway, appointed on the basis of their expertise and experience)
This voluntary role will give you a valuable insight into the workings of a charitable organisation along with significant influence on decisions being made by the Students’ Union. You will get the chance to discuss, debate and decide on the strategic direction of the organisation and its plans for the future while ensuring it is always acting in the interests of students.
The Role
The particular areas of responsibility of a trustee include:
- Reviewing the organisation’s long term strategy, and monitoring the progress of the strategy in line with the organisations aims and KPIs.
- Establishing and monitoring policies and procedures to ensure compliance with statutory obligations.
- Ensuring that the charity is carrying out its purposes for the public benefit.
- Providing oversight of core functions, including finance, HR and legal issues.
- Recruiting and supporting senior staff in the organisation, through the Chief Executive.
- Acting as an ambassador for the organisation.
But it also includes some things you may not expect, such as:
- Supporting elected students and student officers in their duties as trustees.
- Attending our annual summer ball and other award ceremonies.
Your Skills
First and foremost we’re looking for people who share our values of being student focused, inclusive, brave, high-quality and trustworthy. But more specifically this means:
- Commitment to the organisation with willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to perform an effective role.
- Strategic vision and ability to think creatively.
- Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship.
- Ability to work effectively as a member of a team.
- Good, independent judgement and ability to challenge ideas constructively.
- Tact and diplomacy, impartiality, fairness and the ability to respect confidences.
- Good communication and interpersonal skills.
- Adherence to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.
- Must be at least 18 years old.
We’re particularly keen to hear from individuals with commercial acumen, charitable fundraising, and Higher Education knowledge and experience.
Position: External Trustee on the Board of Trustees
Length of office: 3 years with an option for 3 more
Commitment: Due to the pandemic, Board meetings are occurring more frequently (conducted virtually approximately every 6 weeks). With effect from August 2021 this will revert to quarterly, with a minimum of four Board meetings throughout the year.
Salary: Voluntary, unpaid
Application Close Date: Sunday 10 January 2021
Interview Date: Thursday 21 or Friday 22 January 2021
Induction Date: TBC, likely February 2021