Candidate Pack for External Trustee/Chair February 2017

Transcription

1 Candidate Pack for External Trustee/Chair February 2017

2 Contents Welcome from Sheffield Hallam Students Union President 3 About Us 4 Governance Structure 6 Role Description 7 Person Specification 8 Time Commitment 9 Recruitment Timetable 10 How to Apply 11 2

3 Welcome from Sheffield Hallam Students Union President On behalf of the Officers and staff, I would like to thank you for registering an interest in the role of Trustee of Sheffield Hallam Students Union (SHSU). SHSU is a high performing organisation and is part of one of the largest universities in the UK Sheffield Hallam University. As the National Union of Students (NUS) award winner 2016 for Enterprise and winners of an Outstanding Achievement Award for an innovative student led project from the City of Sheffield, we are on our way to building the legend we ve set out in our new strategic plan. Every student of Sheffield Hallam University is a member of SHSU and we are led by our diverse membership of almost 35,000 individuals. The Students Union is a charitable organisation and independent from Sheffield Hallam University, and this allows the Students Union to be an effective, representative voice for all our students. We enjoy and value a mature and productive relationship with the University; regularly working on joint projects and programmes to provide the best outcomes for our students. The University is investing heavily in the continual improvement of the student experience, and it is widely recognised that an exceptional student experience at Sheffield Hallam can only be achieved by the University and Students Union working in partnership. We are constantly striving for new ways to engage students in the organisation, ensuring that every student has a voice within the Students Union and University. This is critical if we are to remain an effective member-led organisation. We believe the recruitment of quality trustees and in particular this position of Chair (working in partnership with the President) is vital in ensuring the Students Union meets future challenges and builds its position as one of the leading students unions in the country. If you believe you have the skills, experience and passion to assist us in achieving our vision we would like to hear from you. Emily Wilkes President

4 About Us Our Mission: We give Sheffield Hallam students the edge Our Vision: To be THE outstanding organisation in the UK for supporting and inspiring students How we operate: We are a democratic student led organisation Sheffield has always had a radical tradition. It has a strong trade union and political history borne out of its success in the steel industry and cutlery trade. The steel was produced in specialised workshops called crucible furnaces and it was this process that made the superior tools and cutlery that established the Made in Sheffield brand as a sign of quality. Following in the footsteps of our Sheffield ancestors, we are known for advocating political reform locally and on a national level and play a key role in the work of the National Union of Students. More locally, the 35,000 students who come to Sheffield Hallam University have a major impact on the economy of the city. Student Unions are a key part of the voluntary and community sector but often aren t recognised as such and they were granted full charitable status in SHSU is a registered charity, and has a strong tradition of providing many volunteering opportunities in partnership with our local community. SHSU moved into its current premises in 2003, when the University purchased the iconic building originally built for the National Centre for Popular Music. It consists of four giant stainless steel drums surrounding an atrium area, the upper floor of which has a glazed roof. There are a range of services within the building devoted to providing space for students to relax, study and create. Sheffield s heritage is an important part of Sheffield Hallam Students Unions future. We are a crucible for student ideas and self-development, and a place where extraordinary things can happen through people and ideas interacting with each other. Put this together with our desire to provide the conditions where our students become independent minded global citizens who have the edge to carry them through life, means we have a massive impact to make on Sheffield and beyond. 4

5 Our brand statement: We will protect, serve, challenge and inspire You can find out more detail about how we re going to uphold these principles in our Strategic Plan, but essentially our current strategy is built around four themes: Create Student Communities and a sense of belonging: Communities that are vibrant, accessible to ALL students, offer value-for-money and impactful services. Offer life changing experiences: Focus on volunteering, activities, life skills training and employment opportunities, through working in partnership with the University and local community and an employability strategy to support the University strategy, including internal job opportunities for students linked to an accredited career/skills development programme. Be the student ally by providing a strong, democratic voice for students: Stand up for students and empower students to use their voice, and embed democracy at the heart of SHSU. Our strategy will be supported by ensuring we have strong foundations in: Systems and resources: To deliver efficient, effective services that are student focused and value for money People and Culture: To deliver a modern, efficient, stimulating working and learning environment and fully commit to our values Brand and database management: To generate a strong brand identity and loyalty Commercial services: Through continually refreshing our commercial offer to reflect the attitudes, lifestyles, buying habits of our students Find out more here: Building a Legend Details of our financial performance can be found here: SHUSU Report & Accounts 2016 Encourage students to take care of their wellbeing: Help students reach their full potential, and establish health and wellbeing as an important strand of our work and that supports the University strategy. 5

6 Governance Structure Read the Articles of Governance Union Zone Union Council Education Zone Students Rep Committee Officers Community Zone Finance and Audit Committees Board of Trustees Officer Assurance and Scrutiny Chair of Board Annual General Meeting Board of Trustees meetings Annual Report Chief Executive Directors Strategy Team Service Managers Staff 6

7 Role Description Role Summary To work with the President of the Students Union to run an effective Trustee Board according to the Charity Commission guidelines Hallmarks of a Successful Charity. To provide effective leadership and support to Sheffield Hallam Students Union s Board of Trustees, enabling them to fulfil their responsibilities for the overall governance and strategic direction of the Students Union. To support and work closely with the CEO and to ensure that the Board as a whole works in partnership with the Directors of the Students Union. General Responsibilities (All Trustees) To ensure that Sheffield Hallam Students Union complies with all legal and regulatory requirements, including its Governing Documents, Charity Law, and any other relevant legislation or regulations. To be responsible, along with the other Trustees, for monitoring and evaluating the performance of Sheffield Hallam Students Union, using any specific skills, knowledge or experience to reach an informed decision. To ensure that Sheffield Hallam Students Union uses its resources exclusively in the pursuance of its own objects. To work in partnership with the other trustees, the Chief Executive, senior staff and students (in an organised or individual capacity) to ensure that Sheffield Hallam Students Union has a clear strategic direction, vision and mission that meets the needs of its members. To be an ambassador for Sheffield Hallam Students Union in safeguarding its reputation and values. To ensure effective and efficient administration of Sheffield Hallam Students Union. To protect and manage the property of Sheffield Hallam Students Union and to ensure the proper investment of Sheffield Hallam Students Union funds. To agree any delegated authority and ensure such delegated authority is expressed clearly and openly. To act with integrity and avoid or declare any conflict of interest. Additional Duties of the Chair Uphold the ethos of the Students Union as a student led organisation, share the duties of Chair with the President of the Students Union working with them to ensure there is consistency of approach, effective communication and good leadership of the Trustee Board. Support the CEO by: º º developing an open and effective professional relationship. º º ensuring that the Board focuses on its governance role and does not slip into the management role. Ensure effective monitoring of the performance of the CEO. Plan the annual cycle of Board meetings. Set the agenda for Board meetings. Chair and facilitate Board meetings. Give direction to Board policy making. Acting on behalf of the Board of Trustees, represent and act as spokesperson for the Students Union as appropriate. Ensure that relevant training and support is provided to the Board members. Ensure that the Trustee Board Sub Committees carry out their work in accordance with agreed Terms of Reference. 7

8 Person Specification In addition to the qualities required of a Trustee of the charity, the Chair must also meet the following requirements: Personal Qualities Demonstrate a strong and visible passion and commitment to SHSU, its strategic objectives and cause. Personal gravitas and strong interpersonal skills: relationship-building and mentoring abilities. Be comfortable in an ambassadorial role. Demonstrate tact and diplomacy: the ability to listen to fresh perspectives and engage effectively. Strong networking capabilities that can be utilised for the benefit of the charity. Ability to foster and promote a collaborative team environment. Experience Experience of operating at a senior strategic leadership level within an organisation of similar size Successful track record of achievement through their career. Experience of charity governance and working with or as part of a Board of Trustees. Experience of external representation and managing stakeholders. Significant experience of chairing meetings and events. Personal experience of an HE environment. Knowledge and skills Broad knowledge and understanding of the higher education sector and current issues affecting it. Broad understanding of the wider charity sector. Strong leadership skills, ability to motivate staff and volunteers and bring people together. Financial management expertise and a broad understanding of charity finance issues. Good understanding of charity governance issues. Ability to commit time to conduct the role well, including travel and attending events as required. 8

9 Time Commitment External Trustees shall serve a term of four years in office, calculated from the date of their appointment. Attendance at four board meetings per annum generally held early evening. Attendance at SHSU Annual General Meeting (AGM). Attendance at training days and strategy workshops limited to two/three days a year. NB At the end of their first term of four years, external trustees shall be eligible for re-appointment by a simple majority vote of the Trustees, but shall not be eligible for reappointment thereafter if they have served a maximum total term of eight years. 9

10 The closing date for applications is Monday 31st May 2017 Please also note the following dates: Preliminary interviews with Trustees Unlimited: by arrangement in June Final interviews with SHSU Nominations Committee: by arrangement late June/July ** remember to please advise us about any dates that are really not convenient for you when your application is submitted & every effort will be made to accommodate 10 Recruitment Timetable

11 How to Apply To apply for this role, please supply the following: a short introductory statement demonstrating your motivation for this role; supporting statement, explaining how you believe your skills and experience match the requirements of the role, directly addressing the person specification a comprehensive CV including details of your achievements in each role, and including details of two referees (who will not of course be contacted without your prior knowledge or consent); a signed copy of the SHSU Code of Conduct for Trustees. All of these documents should be uploaded on the Trustees Unlimited website via the following link: Application Link For an informal and confidential discussion about the role, please contact: Ian Joseph, CEO, Trustees Unlimited Emma Patmore, Operations Manager Trustees Unlimited ian.joseph@trustees-unlimited.co.uk emma.patmore@trustees-unlimited.co.uk 11