External Trustee / Deputy Chair

Business & Human Rights Resource Centre; Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A student-led charity organization is seeking a Trustee & Deputy Chair to provide leadership and guidance. The ideal candidate must have strong financial oversight experience in a charity context and excellent communication and leadership skills. This role is pivotal in supporting the Union's strategic direction and enhancing student outcomes.

Qualifications

• Experience in financial oversight, preferably in a charity context.
• Ability to interpret financial information to support decision-making.
• Strong leadership and communication skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Support the Union through next steps as a Trustee.
• Chair Board meetings and build strong working relationships.
• Assist the Chair in providing leadership to the Board.

Skills

Financial oversight

Leadership skills

Communication skills

Job description

Overview

The University of Portsmouth Students’ Union is an independent charity that exists to advance the education of all students at the University of Portsmouth. Our vision is to have a ‘Positive Impact with every Portsmouth student’. As a charity led by its values and guided by its members, we offer a wide range of services and activities to support and enrich the lives of our students. UPSU employs approximately 30 career staff, a further 40 student staff and we work with over 1000 registered student volunteers and over 100 student groups.

We are looking for one Trustee & Deputy Chair to join our Charity Trustee Board to support the Union through its next steps. A strong and active Board is crucial for us as we develop and implement our strategy, face challenges, maximise opportunities and endeavour to create an even better Union; one that continues to be flexible and agile enough to react quickly to the changing needs and interests of our student members and achieve our vision.

UPSU implemented a new 3 year Strategy from August 2023 and as always, our Strategy sets the direction for UPSU and ensures we are all focussed on the right things for the benefit of all University of Portsmouth students.

Strategy focus

1. Academic Success - All students’ academic outcomes are improved as a result of the work that we do - making this the best we can for UoP students through our charitable aims of Representation, Development and Welfare
2. Social Capital - Students are supported to find themselves, be themselves, connect and belong
3. Future Readiness - Students’ futures are made clearer and enhanced by the work that we do

The right candidate will thrive in a student led, highly responsive environment and have an enthusiasm for supporting and guiding a student organisation. They will command confidence, have sound judgement and strong communication and leadership skills. We are looking for a trustee with the following skills/experience

Finance Experience:

• Preferably financial experience from a charity outside of the SU sector
• Understanding of financial oversight
• Ability to interpret financial information to support strategic decision-making
• Awareness of charity finance and regulatory requirements

Chairing Experience:

• Ability to deputise for the Chair, and chair meetings of the Board
• Ability to build a strong and effective working relationship with the Board of Trustees Chair
• Ability to foster, maintain and ensure that constructive relationships exist with and between the Trustees
• Assist and support the Chair in providing leadership to the Board, through the governance arrangements, and also acting as a ‘sounding board’ and confidante to the Chair in the execution of their role