Director of Membership Services

Reading Students' Union; Reading; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

A student-focused organization in the UK is seeking a Director of Membership Services to lead its Membership Engagement Directorate. The ideal candidate will drive strategic initiatives, manage a high-performing team, and enhance student engagement through innovation. Responsibilities include providing guidance to teams, ensuring governance compliance, and collaborating with stakeholders to improve student life. This role offers a supportive environment, 35 days off annually, and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Flexible working options

35 days annual leave

Professional development opportunities

Inclusive team culture

Qualifications

• Proven experience in governance, democracy, free speech, and student representation.
• Ability to create high-quality strategic and operational plans.
• Experience in managing budgets.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational guidance to managers and teams.
• Foster teamwork across departments to deliver cohesive services.
• Oversee activities that meet evolving student needs.
• Ensure compliance with charity law and governance standards.

Skills

Senior management experience

Strong leadership and people management skills

Data-driven transformation

Expert stakeholder management

Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion

Job description

Director of Membership Services – Reading Students’ Union

Location: University of Reading, Whiteknights Campus, Reading, Berkshire

Salary: £60,727.93 per annum

Contract: Permanent / full-time 35 hours a week

Lead. Inspire. Transform student life and apply today!

About Reading Students’ Union

We are a dynamic, student-focused organisation dedicated to empowering students and enhancing their university experience. Our vision is to be a place for everyone, we inspire and empower students to change the world. Check out our exciting new strategy!

The Role: Director of Membership Services

Are you ready to make a big impact? We’re looking for an energetic, strategic leader to steer our Membership Engagement Directorate through an exciting period of organisational change.

This is your chance to shape student life, lead passionate teams, and ensure our student-facing services and systems for student democracy are sector leading.

What You’ll Do

Strategic Leadership & Impact

• Set the Direction: Provide clear strategic and operational guidance to managers and teams, aligning priorities with organisational goals
• Drive Collaboration: Foster a culture of teamwork across departments and with elected officers to deliver joined‑up services
• Champion Innovation: Identify opportunities to enhance student engagement through data driven creative campaigns, digital platforms, and inclusive activities
• Measure Success: Monitor performance, track KPIs, and report on progress to ensure continuous improvement
• Influence Outcomes: Represent the Membership Engagement Directorate in key meetings, shaping decisions that affect thousands of students
• Build strategic partnerships: Work with the University and external stakeholders to enhance student experience. Raise our profile externally to promote our good work
• Drive membership engagement: Oversee sector leading activities that meet the evolving needs of students

People

• Lead and develop a high-performing team, fostering growth, accountability, and innovation
• Offer practical support for Sabbatical Officers, acting as their key point of contact to help them succeed in their roles, particularly as political leaders

Project Delivery

• Drive equality, inclusivity, relevance, and engagement by overseeing campaigns, projects and events

Compliance & Risk Management

• Operate within charity law, regulatory requirements, and organisational policies
• Safeguard Governance Standards and uphold principles of good governance, transparency, and accountability
• Ensure teams operate safely and within SOPs
• Oversee compliance for activities, societies, communications, and elections
• Act as escalation point for safeguarding or risk concerns
• Monitor systems for governance and student democracy and drive student engagement

About You

Essential

• Senior management experience
• A true innovator and challenger of the status quo
• Strong leadership and people management skills
• Passionate about using data to drive transformation and innovation
• Has significant experience of governance, democracy, free speech and student representation
• Can create high quality strategic and operational plans and lead teams to implement
• Budget management experience
• Expert decision maker
• Strong commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion
• Experience in a charity, education, or student-focused environment
• Expert stakeholder management skills and ability to communicate effectively at all levels with diverse audiences

Desirable

• SU sector experience

Why Join Us?

• Inclusive and supportive team culture
• Flexible working options
• 35 days annual leave including Christmas and Easter closure days
• Professional development opportunities
• Unique working environment in the heart of a vibrant Student’s Union, set on a stunning, green campus.

Ready to make an impact?

Apply today and help us bring our ambitious data strategy to life and transform student life!

Committed to equality, celebrating diversity, and embedding sustainability — building an inclusive workplace and a brighter future for all.