Heriot-Watt Students Union (HWUnion) supports around 25,000 students in Scotland and overseas, including distance learners. 2000 of them live on campus on the outskirts of Edinburgh. Its work is defined by the overarching Mission Statement
Students First, Always.
It has 5 main values:
- Student Focused
It might seem obvious, but we are the organisation on campus that can truly, always put students first. Let’s not forget that.
- Fun
We want to enjoy the things we do, and we should all have fun while we’re doing it.
- Brave
We should step out of our comfort zone and try new things – even if it might be a bit risky and fail.
- Welcoming
We have our arms open wide to any student, no matter your background, culture, viewpoint or needs.
- Empowering
It’s not always about fixing student problems, we should be helping you to fix your own problems.
As with all Student Unions/Associations, it is the 4 elected Student Officers who have one year terms, who steer the organisation. They are supported by student volunteers. The staff, lead by the CEO, play a critical role in supporting the SO s to develop strong decision making, governance and leadership skills. They are also charged with running the Student Union efficiently and effectively. The Student Officers, who report into the Student President and the HWUnion staff are both accountable to the Board of Trustees.
The role of CEO is immensely rewarding as you will use all of your leadership skills to run a circa £2.5million organisation, including its trading activities, while coaching and mentoring young people in what is most likely their first experience of a professional work place where they are responsible for creating and delivering on the strategic priorities. Their success depends on the close stewardship and support of the CEO and his/her team. It takes special personal qualities and a deep commitment to developing young people to be successful in this role. You will need to be understanding, patient, kind, resilient, inspirational and motivational, prepared to take calculated risks in support of the students’ ambitions and sensitively explain why some hopes cannot progress. You will also need to be able to engage with a diverse group of stakeholders from Freshers to the highest level of University management. You will also need to provide humour and fun, an essential requirement from the students! Added to this you will need to have at least 5 years of senior management experience and strong strategic and finance acumen. You should be able to evidence reporting into a Board of Trustees and management. It is important that you show a deep understanding, if not experience of, the higher education and charity sectors and the context in which they operate.
This job is open to candidates from the third, public and private sectors provided they meet the essential criteria. It is not open to candidates who do not have the automatic right to work in the UK.
Please note, the successful candidate will be required to hold a Scottish Personal Licence which allows the Student Union to sell alcohol. Training, which is not lengthy nor complex, will be supported and paid for by HWUnion.
If this sounds like you and your dream job, then please contact us today for the full candidate information pack.
How To Apply
Please email us at recruitment@brucetaitassociates.com or call us on 01786 542 224 to request an information pack, full job description and person specification.
You are advised to get in touch well in advance of the closing date to give us time to consider your application and pre-interview the strongest applicants.
Closing Date: Midnight, Sunday 17th January
Interview Dates: Monday 1st February 2021 and Tuesday 2nd February 2021.
This search is being conducted exclusively for Heriot-Watt Student Union by BTA (Bruce Tait Associates). Our leadership team has all worked in the voluntary sector and we use this experience to match organisations and individuals to create great appointments.