Student Opportunities Manager

Middlesex University Students' Union; Greater London; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Middlesex Students’ Union (MDXSU) is a student-led charity representing Middlesex University students. We are seeking a Student Opportunities Manager to lead a talented team delivering innovative, student-led activities and vibrant social programmes that foster belonging across campus and London.

You will drive strategic priorities using student feedback, manage budgets, and collaborate with elected officers to ensure high-quality activities while maintaining a culture of inclusion and

Qualifications

• Experience of managing high quality and engaging events in compliance with applicable policies.
• Knowledge of budgeting and income generation for student services.
• Strong leadership with ability to develop staff and empower student involvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Student Opportunities team, delivering student-led activities and leadership programmes.
• Develop venue operations and spaces to create welcoming environments for students.

Skills

Event management

Budget management

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Job description

Job Description and Person Specification:

Job Title: Student Opportunities Manager

Location: Middlesex University Hendon campus, North London

Salary: £38,878.40 - £44,712.23

Hours: 35 hours per week, to be worked flexibly 8am-8pm Monday-Sunday, 80% on campus in term time, 40% on campus outside of term time.

Contract: Permanent

Reporting To: Head of Engagement & Influence

Responsible For: Student Belonging Senior Coordinator; Campus Experience Senior Coordinator; Student staff as relevant

Key Dates:

Deadline for applications: Sunday 22nd November at midnight

Interview: Tuesday 1st December

About Middlesex Students’ Union

Middlesex Students' Union (MDXSU) is an independent, student-led charity dedicated to representing, supporting and empowering the students of Middlesex University. Led by students, for students, we champion student voice, influence positive change across the University and create opportunities that help students thrive both during their studies and beyond. Through our advice services, campaigns, student groups, leadership opportunities and community partnerships, we promote equity, belonging and social justice while ensuring every student has the opportunity to shape their university experience and future. At MDXSU, our people are passionate about making a meaningful difference, working collaboratively to create an inclusive, innovative and values-driven organisation where students are at the heart of everything we do.

Further information about Middlesex Students’ Union can be found atwww.mdxsu.com

About the job

This is an exciting leadership role for someone passionate about creating exceptional student experiences and helping students thrive. As Student Opportunities Manager, you will lead a talented and dedicated team to deliver and create innovative, student-led activities, vibrant social programmes, engaging spaces and meaningful leadership opportunities that foster a sense of belonging You will create an environment where staff, students and elected officers are empowered to achieve ambitious goals, develop new ideas and make a lasting impact.

We are looking for a leader who combines high expectations with a supportive and collaborative approach, enabling others to perform at their best while maintaining a relentless focus on quality and continuous improvement. Using insight, evidence and student feedback, you will drive participation, shape strategic priorities and ensure excellent operational delivery. You will champion a culture that is inclusive, ambitious and values-driven, with a shared commitment to achieving truly great things for students.

Areas of Responsibility

1. Responsible for the delivery of the Student Opportunities team through the line management of the staff team to include but not limited to:

• Lead a Student Opportunities team able to support students to build a sense of belonging through Union-based activity, delivered primarily through and by students, enabling students to find their people, have fun and build leadership skills;
• Develop and lead venue operations in line with student feedback in permanent and temporary MDXSU spaces, with a particular focus on MDX House, to create welcoming, exciting and engaging spaces for students;
• Lead a Student Opportunities team able to deliver high-quality mechanisms for student-led activities including student groups, course communities, academic societies, liberation collectives and project development funds;
• Lead the Welcome Desk team to support and triage student enquiries in MDXHouse;
• Lead the creation and delivery of a year-round social programme to create a vibrant student experience on campus and across London and the South East;
• Work with Marketing & Communications to deliver the Union’s Open Day offer;
• Oversee the development and delivery of MDXSU's fundraising and volunteering;
• Develop a student leaders’ development approach that enables students to grow skills and articulate the impact of their involvement;
• Create and deliver mechanisms for students to innovate and experiment through initiatives such as commissions and the development of student-led enterprise;
• Manage events from conception through to evaluation whilst ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and policy including but not limited to health and safety, EDI and safeguarding;
• Work closely with MDXSU elected officers to ensure that officer-led campaigns, activities and events are high quality and engaging;
• Develop and manage budgets and forecasts, handling relevant income and expenditure for the Student Opportunities team;
• Providing training and development as required to staff, students and officers on effective event management and delivery;
• Utilise data, research and feedback to identify low participation levels and produce and implement recommendations on how to increase and deepen engagement across the team;

2. Lead on operational planning, team OKRs, measuring strategic progress of the work produced by the team and contribute to wider MDXSU planning, with activities to include but not limited to:

• Manage the operational planning process for the Student Opportunities team and contribute to the effective implementation of the SU strategy and annual plans;
• Ensure an evidence-based approach to the team’s work, including researching and collecting key data which demonstrates the needs of students;
• Respond to NSS and APP findings to work with students to co-design effective interventions that benefit the student experience for our members across the Student Opportunities offer;
• Work with the team to create robust data collection to report the SU’s impact to students, trustees, the University and other stakeholders;
• Stay abreast of local, national and international developments in education and associated issues within the sector, such as volunteering, membership and EDI to develop expertise in relevant policy areas;

3. Play an active role within the SU management team, leading on operational planning for your area and ensuring collaborative work across the organisation to fulfil our strategic vision to include but not limited to:

• Oversee a booking system for MDXSU spaces, working with key stakeholders to ensure processes are clear, accessible and fit for purpose for students.
• Represent the values of the organisation, ensuring that behaviours exhibited are in line with the tone and culture of the SU;
• Arrange, conduct and keep records of meetings with members of the Student Opportunities team – including 121 notes, performance reviews and appraisals;
• Prepare timely performance reports for the management team;
• Manage and update relevant processes, policies and procedures;Ensure compliance with legislation by regularly reviewing and updating relevant policies (e.g. Data Protection Policy) and by feeding into policy review (e.g. Health & Safety Policy);
• Undertake other duties within your capabilities to support the Students’ Unions mission;
• Manage relationships with key stakeholders within Middlesex University to ensure effective venue operations, including working closely with Chartwells and MDX Sport

Person Specification

Experience and Knowledge

• Experience of managing high quality and engaging events and activities in line with relevant legislation
• Knowledge of risk and safeguarding
• Experience of managing budgets and generating income
• Knowledge of Students' Unions and issues affecting students (Desirable)
• Experience of managing high performing teams (Desirable)

Skills and Attributes

• Highly organised with ability to manage competing priorities and respond flexibly to emerging issues.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to build trust with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Creative and innovative approach to problem solving and designing services
• Excellent verbal and written communication
• Ability to self-motivate and manage own and others workload

Values and Ethics

• Passionate about working within an organisation servicing a culturally diverse membership
• Ongoing commitment to professional development
• Cares deeply about making the best experience possible for our membership