Keele Students' Union - Student Trustees x 2
Role: 2 x Student Trustees
Responsible to: Trustee Board
Hours / Time Commitment: 1 x Trustee training/induction day per year, 4 x Trustee Board meetings per year, 3 x Sub-Committee meetings per year
ABOUT KEELE STUDENTS' UNION
Keele Students' Union (Keele SU) is dedicated to empowering every student to be who they want to be and make a difference to the world. Our strategic plan for 2025-2028 focuses on preparing students for life after Keele, helping them have fun and make friends for life, and supporting them through their university challenges. We are committed to sustainable practices, inclusivity, and diversity in everything we do.
We are a £6.6m turnover registered charity (CIO), with a trading subsidiary registered with Companies House, and employ over 40 full-time career staff and 4 full-time Sabbatical Officers. Together, we represent, support and enhance the experience of around 14,000 students at Keele University.
This is an exciting time to join Keele SU as we prepare to launch our new strategic plan for 2025-2028 this summer, following the appointment of our new CEO in September 2024. Like many Students' Unions and higher education institutions, we are navigating challenges due to the current economic climate, the evolving needs of our members, and the global impact of conflicts. However, we are determined to use this new plan as a strategic stepping stone to grow and achieve our ambition of becoming one of the "top 10" Students' Unions. If your excited by this opportunity and eager to contribute to our transformation, we'd love to hear from you!
You can find out more about Keele SU on the links below:
OUR VISION
Empower every student to be who they want to be and make a difference to the world.
OUR MISSION
Through the delivery of our quality support, activity, representation, entertainment, and value for money services, we will ensure that you are a part of a community which is inclusive, where you can grow in confidence and simply, be students.
OUR VALUES
We are Global Citizens
We lead with ambition and inspire positive change, serving as role models for both people and the planet. We champion sustainable practices, inclusivity and diversity in everything we do. By empowering students, we priorities environmental, ethical, and social sustainability while ensuring that everyone feels welcomed, supported, and represented, regardless of their background.
We Challenge & Collaborate
We strike a dynamic balance between challenging the University to improve the student experience and collaborating to create transformative change. As a critical friend, we always put students first, fostering collaborative partnerships within Keele's vibrant learning community to drive growth and success.
We Unlock Potential
We are committed to providing leadership opportunities and creating an environment where students can discover their strengths, unlock their full potential, and build lifelong friendships. Through a collaborative approach, we focus on empowering students to find their people and make unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime, leaving a lasting impact on each individual.
OUR STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
We promise to prepare you for life after Keele
We aim to inspire every student at Keele to recognise the skills and behaviours they have developed, unlocking their potential through active engagement with the Students' Union, contributing to their growth and success.
We promise to help you have fun and make friends for life
We foster a dynamic and welcoming community within our vibrant University, where you can discover your people, build meaningful connections, and create unforgettable moments that lead to lifelong memories and friendships.
We promise to support you through your University challenges, every step of the way
We empower you through student leadership roles, collaborate with the University, and advocate for your needs, ensuring a transformative and sustainable approach to wellbeing and support at Keele.
OUR COMMITTMENT TO DIVERSITY
Keele SU is committed to diversifying our Board and actively encourages applications from individuals who define as one or more of the following: Black, Asian, Women, LGBTQ+, and disabled. We believe that a diverse Board will better represent and serve our student community.
MAIN DUTIES AS A TRUSTEE
As a Trustee of Keele Students' Union, you will be responsible for:
- Ensuring Compliance: Ensure Keele SU complies with its governing document, charity law, company law, and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
- Strategic Direction: Contribute actively to the Board's role in setting overall policy, defining goals, and evaluating performance against agreed targets.
- Safeguarding Values: Protect and promote the good name and values of Keele SU.
- Financial Oversight: Ensure the financial stability of Keele SU and manage its property and funds responsibly.
- Supporting the CEO: Appoint and monitor the performance of the Students' Union Chief Executive.
LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Trustees have six main duties:
- Ensure your charity is carrying out its purpose for the public benefit: Understand the charity's purposes as set out in its governing document and ensure all activities further support these purposes.
- Comply with your charity's governing document and the law: Ensure the charity complies with its governing document and all relevant laws.
- Act in your charity's best interests: Make balanced and informed decisions, thinking about the long term as well as the short term.
- Manage your charity's resources responsibly: Ensure the charity's assets are only used to support or carry out its purpose.
- Act with reasonable care and skill: Use your skills and experience to ensure the charity as well-run and efficient.
- Ensure your charity is accountable: Comply with statutory accounting and reporting requirements, and ensure accountability within the charity.
TIME COMMITMENTS
Trustees are expected to commit to the following:
- Board Meetings: Attend four Trustee Board meetings per year.
- Sub-Committee Meetings: Participate in one of our two sub-committees (Finance, HR & Compliance or Student Engagement), which meet three times per year.
- Pre-Reading: Review reports and other documentation before meetings to ensure informed decision-making.
- Awards and Events: Attend key events such as Training, Strategic Away Day, Awards and other events outside of the usual Board meetings.
- Check-Ins: Regular check-ins with the CEO and Sabbatical Officers to stay updated on the Union's activities and provide support.
INTERVIEW PROCESS
Interviews will be conducted in person or online. Keele SU does not wear formal attire, and we encourage candidates to wear what is comfortable and/or their traditional attire. We welcome all people from all backgrounds and aim to create an inclusive and supportive environment.
HOW TO APPLY
Please complete the application form on the recruitment portal: 16th May 2025, 11.59pm.
Interview Date: TBC
More information about being a Trustee
More information about being a Keele SU Trustee, the Committee Meetings Board Dates & Cycle of Business can be found at https://keelesu.com/yoursu/abo...
The Charities Commission have produced The Essential Trustee Guide. It gives you a guide to what is required, including your responsibilities to Keele SU as a charity. Don't be put off, if you have any questions, we are here to help, and you will receive training and support throughout your time as a trustee.
Please note there are rules about automatic disqualification.
You can find out about automatic disqualification rules using this link.
Please see the full Job description and Person Specification for full details about the role.
To help you to complete questions asked on the application form please refer to the Sub Committee documents below:
