External Trustee at a London-based Students' Union

Atkinson HR is delighted to be partnering with a London-based Students' Union to recruit a new Trustee to join their Board.

The Students' Union is a vibrant, student-led charity representing over 10,000 students at a distinctive university in South East London, renowned for its creative and progressive approach to education. They exist to support, empower and advocate for students on the issues that matter most to them, ensuring their voices are heard and their experiences enriched during their time at university.

They operate as a democratic organisation with a Student Assembly and a well-established Trustee Board. Day-to-day operations are delegated to the Chief Executive, who leads the staff team of over 120 permanent and casual employees in delivering their strategic goals.

The Role

As a Trustee, you will play a key role in shaping their strategic direction and ensuring the organisation is governed effectively and responsibly. Working alongside elected Student Officers, the staff team, and students, you'll help guide their long-term development and contribute to the delivery of innovative, high-quality services.

Key Responsibilities

As a Trustee, your core responsibilities will include:

• Helping to shape and oversee their strategic vision
• Ensuring good governance and compliance with legal and regulatory frameworks
• Providing oversight of finances, risk management, and organisational performance
• Supporting and challenging the Chief Executive and senior leadership team
• Acting as an ambassador for the organisation and championing its values
• Participating actively in Board meetings and contributing to the collective decision-making process

Candidate Profile

We're looking for someone who brings both relevant expertise and a passion for supporting students. You may have previous experience as a charity trustee, or bring knowledge of charity law or governance issues, particularly as they relate to student organisations.

Professionally, you'll likely have a background in areas such as law, HR, finance, strategic leadership or higher education. An understanding of how democratic, membership-led organisations work and the challenges they face will be highly beneficial.

We're looking for someone who is thoughtful, collaborative, and committed to the values of student leadership and representation. You'll need to be able to analyse complex information, contribute constructively to discussions, and offer both challenge and support to the organisation. Above all, you'll bring a genuine enthusiasm for the organisations mission and a willingness to contribute your time, skills and insight to its continued success.

Time Commitment

The Trustee Board meets formally six times a year, usually midweek in the early evening. Meetings typically last a few hours, and trustees are expected to prepare thoughtfully for each session and engage fully in discussions.

This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute your expertise to a dynamic, student-focused charity making a real difference in higher education.

How to apply

Please click 'apply now'. More information on how to contact Atkinson HR if you have any queries or would like to arrange an informal discussion is available on the application page.

Key Dates

• Closing date: 2nd June 2025
• Interview date: 9th-10th June 2025