Chief Executive Job Pack

Chief Executive Job Pack Summer 2018 1

Introduction from Our Trustee Board Students Union UCL is at a pivotal part of its history, and the Board of Trustees are excited about finding our new Chief Executive. Over the last three years the Union has consolidated and transformed, reflecting on its purpose in consultation with students, staff and our partners in UCL. Since 2015 the Union has balanced its budget, launched 125 and Beyond (strategic plan 2018-21), achieved the Investors In People accreditation, and significantly improved its engagement with its members. This is a fantastic time to join Students Union UCL and help lead the next stage of our transformation. Any organisation is its people, and we are proud at the Union to proudly commit to being a great place to work: inclusive; fun; and student driven, always trying to work flexibly. The next Chief Executive will be greeted by a fantastic team, who have challenged and supported the recent transformation. The next stage of transformation is focused on our new strategy, 125 and Beyond, but it is important that the Union achieves this whilst continuing to improve and develop the role of Union Sabbatical Officers, and the way that they interact with the Union and UCL. As a Board of Trustees we do not want to stand still and are keen to continue the recent transformation, which is why we are so excited and keen to find the right person to pick up where our current Chief Executive (Ian Dancy) has got us. He is the first to admit that any success is thanks to the team, who are ready and willing to go again and truly make Students Union UCL the best part of the UCL Student Experience. The organisation needs a new Chief Executive who can build robust and sustainable relationships, who has the character and passion to support the Union, its people and its ambitions, and do all of this with a smile on their face. If you are up for the challenge please read on and we look forward to reading your application. Ian Dancy has kindly offered to speak with all interested parties, please get in touch with him directly. i.dancy@ucl.ac.uk Students Union UCL Trustees 2018/19 2

About the Union Students Union UCL is an organisation that exists to make more happen. We are the representative body for University College London s (UCL) students, one of the most diverse student communities in the world. UCL students have the potential to do anything, and the Union leads an essential role in helping them to achieve things they may have never thought possible. As a charity we employ over 65 career staff and deliver a wide range of services and representative functions for students. History: In June 2018 the Union is 125 years old. It all started back in 1893 when The Men s Union was established; The Women s Union was later formed in 1897. We had our first President, John Farcombe in 1903 and our Men s and Women s Unions combined in 1946, bringing us the Union as we know it today. A year later in 1947 we opened our first bar, and in 1959 we opened 25 Gordon Street where we are still situated today. We have achieved some amazing results along the way that have had a huge impact on both our students and wider society. In 1972, we formed our first ever Lesbian and Gay Society, our first form of representation for LGBT students who successfully lobbied the National Union of Students to run a Gay Rights Campaign. In 1974, we got our first ever representative on UCL s Academic board. More recently in 2007, our students campaigned for UCL to divest from investing in arms traders, which saw the university form an ethical investment committee and divest from arms. In 2013, we elected the UK s first full time BME Students Officer. We are proud of the journey which has taken us to today, and we remain determined to continue to set the standard for others to follow in the next phase of our history. Strategy: To celebrate our 125th birthday later in the year we are launching 125 and Beyond, our new strategic plan that will set us on the path to become one of the best students unions in the UK, and more importantly a better students union for our 40,000+ members. We are always improving as an organisation, and this strategy details where we should be focusing our resources for the next three years. However, it isn t a complete list of everything we will do; when you represent 40,000 students there is never a dull moment and we also need to be flexible enough to respond to the needs of our students. As such, 125 and Beyond also allows us to deliver things outside of the plan when appropriate. 3

About the Union Our Vision: To be the best part of the UCL student experience. Our Mission: We re here to help students...»» Make more of their time at UCL.»» Get more of the support they need from our advice and welfare services.»» Be more connected with the university and other students as we represent and reflect their views.»» Experience more at university through our societies, activities, sports and events.»» Feel more at home in our excellent spaces. Our Values: Student Driven, Inclusive, Inspiring, Fun and Bold. Team: Our biggest resource as a Union is our dedicated staff team, who deliver a range of services, such as providing advice, securing volunteering opportunities, supporting our clubs and societies and running our various commercial outlets. We also have a number of staff delivering professional functions such as HR, finance and systems support. Officers: Each year we ask UCL students to choose 7 full time sabbatical officers, who are elected by cross campus ballot, and serve as leaders of Students Union UCL during their term of office. They are elected with a democratic mandate and have the goal of making positive change at the Union, UCL and beyond. We believe that becoming a full-time officer is one of the most impactful ways of making change happen. Officers work full-time on a special area that s important to them and are given the opportunity to meet with high level decision makers at UCL to influence them. They have support of full-time staff at the Union to make their campaigns, events and ideas successful. We also hold elections for a wide range of part-time voluntary roles. By hosting yearly elections and giving all students the opportunity to stand for election and vote, it allows us to be confident that we carry the voice of students, and that we are student driven. 4

About the Union Board of Trustees: The Students Union is governed by a Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees ensures the union has the necessary financial and structural stability to carry out its aims effectively. The Board of Trustees makes major decisions on legal and financial issues and ensures that the Union is delivering on the political policy set by its democratic bodies. Our Board is compiled of three key constituencies; Student Trustees, Sabbatical Trustees and External Trustees. Student Trustees There are four student trustees who reflect the demographic of the whole student body, from freshers through to postgraduates. Student Trustees are elected by cross campus ballot for a twelve month period. Sabbatical Trustees Sabbatical Trustees are four of the Sabbatical Officers of the Students Union. They carry out their roles as laid down by the Governing Documents and Union Policy. External Trustees (UCL, Alumni & Professional) There are three external Trustees a member of UCL staff, a UCL Alumni who has graduated over five years previously, and a professional member who is unconnected to UCL. External trustees are appointed by Union Council for a term of four years. Facilities: We operate four Cafés on campus; Gordon s Café, George Farha Café, Bloomsbury Café and the Print Room Café. Our cafés sell a wide range of good quality, low cost food and drink. The cafés are open throughout the day and into the night. All have UCL Wi-Fi access (many have PCs) and accept credit and debit card payments. All our cafés sell Fairtrade teas and coffee and are staffed by UCL students. There are four bars on campus; Phineas is a spacious venue named after the mascot of an old tobacconist, which was regularly stolen by UCL students in the 1930s; Mully s our newest venue that hosts comedy, music and society nights; The Huntley which is more of a local pub specialising in craft ale and the Institute at Thornhaugh Street, which has become a sanctuary for our postgraduate students who study at the Institute of Education. We also have Bloomsbury fitness is a gym with a 90 piece fitness suite that in based in the heart of campus. 5

Job Description Job Title Department Reports to Grade Chief Executive Students Union UCL Chair of Board of Trustees 10-80,000 per annum (inclusive of London Allowance) Purpose of the job The Chief Executive s role is to lead the operational and strategic elements of Students Union UCL, taking responsibility for the Union as a Charity and ensuring that students, elected officers, staff and stakeholders are motivated and engaged with the Union s direction, vision and strategy, 125 and Beyond. The primary purpose of the role is to ensure that the Union s vision, strategy and core values are realised through effective and efficient management of its resources. The role encompasses the strategic direction and development of the Union as well as its day to day management. The role provides the link between the direction and policy of the Union, and their implementation and delivery, as well as being a key advisor informing these decisions. The Chief Executive has operational and strategic delivery responsibility for significant resources, including: 75 career staff, 150+ student staff, commercial operations with a 5m+ turnover, and premises management of several central London sites and a 100 acre sports ground in Hertfordshire. The Chief Executive works with a senior management and operations team to ensure the effective delivery of the Union s vision and strategy. The Chief Executive role is heavily focused on relationship building and management, working with a range of people to ensure that the Union is innovative, opportunistic and inclusive. About the Union: Students Union UCL is an organisation that exists to make more happen. We are the representative body for University College London s (UCL) students, one of the most diverse student communities in the world. UCL students have the potential to do anything, and the union leads an essential role in helping them to achieve things they may have never thought possible. As a charity we employ over 70 full-time staff and deliver a wide range of services and representative functions for students. To celebrate our 125th birthday in June 2018 we launched 125 and Beyond, our new strategic plan that will set us on the path to become one of the best students unions in the UK, and more importantly a better students union for our 40,000+ members. 6

Job Description Duties and Responsibilities Strategy To lead the delivery of 125 and Beyond, the Union s 2018-21 strategy. To take a proactive role in the formulation and development of future strategies, working with students and Sabbatical Officers, amongst others, to ensure that operations and policy are seamlessly delivered. Ensure that strong strategic and annual planning processes are in place to produce effective plans for each department in line with the requirements of Union strategy. Relationship Management Champion students and ensure that the Union is actively and effectively engaging with its members, UCL students. Develop and maintain effective working relationships with a range of internal and external individuals, ensuring that the Union can work in partnership during times of challenge. Create a positive and collaborative relationship with the Union s full time Sabbatical Officers and part time officers, ensuring that their work is interweaved with the Union s strategy and annual Operating Plan, and that they are well supported and challenged. Create a positive and collaborative relationship with UCL staff, ensuring that they are aware of the Union s activity, strategy and where appropriate are working in partnership. Liaise and negotiate with relevant external bodies, where required and appropriate, to achieve the aims and objectives of 125 and Beyond. Financial Management Ensure the Union s financial health is of the highest order, working with the finance team and arrange of stakeholders to provide robust financial planning and delivery. To ensure that the Union is using its resources and reserves, to its benefit, working within an approved investments procedure. Ensure the adequacy and soundness of the organisation s financial structure by ensuring the management of the Union s resources, within the approved budget, in accordance with statutory and regulatory requirements. 7

Job Description In partnership with the Head of Finance, lead the annual budgeting process, engaging staff at all levels to provide bottom up budgeting in line with 125 and Beyond. Ensure the Union is held to an excellent standard in regards to financial management. Operational Management To lead the annual Operation Plan, ensuring progress is tracked and celebrated. To set high operational standards across the Union, working with the Head of Operations to deliver sector leading results and consistently engage with UCL students. Ensure the operations of the organisation are effectively and efficiently coordinated within the framework of 125 and Beyond. Ensure appropriate support and leadership to enable the Union to achieve and maintain effective governance. Responsible for compliance with legislation and regulatory bodies in particular with regards to matters of charity and company law, licensing, employment and education law, and compliance with UCL rules and regulations. Responsible for the health and safety across the Union and its staff, to ensure that its people are safe and assets are protected. To maintain an awareness and observation of fire and health and safety regulations, in partnership with UCL s Fire Safety Team. To regularly review the local and national environment for potential opportunities for new commercial and membership ventures. To consider and act as the ultimate decision maker in regards to external speakers on campus, in line with the Union s process on external speakers. Staff Management and Leadership 8 To lead a culture whereby the Union is a great place to work and upholds the Investors In People accreditation. Strategically direct and develop Union people in accordance with the policies and procedures of UCL and current statutory and regulatory requirements.

Job Description Recruit, manage and support all staff, with direct responsibility for the Senior Management Team. Promote a training and learning culture amongst staff at all levels, empowering Union people to work flexibly in their role. Where appropriate, at times taking on the role of UCL Head of Department, determine matters of staff grievance, discipline, performance and dismissal in accordance with UCL and Union policies and procedures. To actively lead and promote a culture of equality and diversity, using the UCL Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies as a guide, working with the Sabbatical Officers to ensure the Union is a fantastic and inclusive place to work. Note: This job description reflects the present requirements of the post. As duties and responsibilities change and develop the job description will be reviewed and be subject to amendment in consultation with the post holder. 9

Person Specification: Qualifications Essential Desirable Tested at Application Educated to degree level or equivalent X X Experience Significant leadership experience, either via a formal academic qualification or practical and/or comparable experience. Demonstrable experience of working as a senior leader with strategic responsibilities in an organisation of comparable size and complexity. Experience of financial management including the formulation of budgets, financial planning, monitoring and control. Tested at Interview Experience of leading, managing, motivating and developing a high performing team. Evidence of formulation and implementation of strategic plans that have delivered identified outputs linked to stakeholder expectations. x X X Management experience of a considerable commercial operation of a comparable size ( 5m annual turnover) over multiple sites. X X Experience and competency in the use of data and the analysis of statistics to inform decision making. Knowledge X X A working understanding of University life, and how a students union shapes a student s time at university. A clear understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and the celebration of diversity and of how the post holder can promote equality of opportunity in all aspects of their work. Working knowledge of the statutory and legislative framework governing charities, education, licensing, employment and company law in the UK. x X X 10

Person Specification: Skill and Abilities Essential Desirable Tested at Application Tested at Interview Fantastic networker and relationship builder who is able to demonstrate gravitas in previous roles and approach. Strong people management skills Developed analytical, and project management skills with proven success in delivering results to demanding deadlines. Strong external awareness and vision, capable of thinking beyond own area of expertise. Well-developed facilitation, delegation and negotiating skills. Ability to act as an agent for change, influence at all levels within and outside Union and to work effectively as part of a team. Effective communication skills both oral and written with experience of drafting and presenting reports and making presentations on complex issues to a range of audiences. Values, Attitudes and Personal Style Evidence of commitment to Continuing Personal and Professional Development A leader on equality of opportunity who values Diversity and removes barriers to equality. Commitment to working in a democratic and student led environment. Commitment to high standards of customer care. Flexibility and an adaptable approach to work. 11

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