JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Union Director

DATE OF WRITING: July 2014

RESPONSIBLE TO: Trustee board through the Chair of the board (General Secretary)

RESPONSIBLE FOR: Director of Commercial & Operations, Director of Finance & Resources, Head of Member Support, Head of Student Voice, Head of Marketing & Communications

KEY STAKEHOLDERS: Trustees, Executive Committee, Senior University Officers (Particularly the Chief Operating Officer and Director of the Student Experience), Staff, the City and Community leaders

GRADE: 6.2

HOURS: 35

LOCATION: Usually located at the Oxford Road site of the Students’ Union but will be required to undertake work at other sites when needed

The Union DirectorThe Union Director is the head of the staff team of UMSU and is responsible for driving forward and developing the organisation in line with the strategic framework agreed by the board of trustees.

Priorities Strategic development and innovation of the whole organisation Empowering and supporting Student Officers to achieve their priorities Liaison with Student Officers, Trustees and members of the Senior

Management Team on organisational wide matters. Ensuring the Students’ Union effectively engages with the membership. Undertaking the role of Company Secretary to ensure the fulfilment of all the

legal requirements under charitable and company law, and of the legal responsibilities of UMSU as an employer

Co-ordination of the Member Support, Student Voice and Marketing & Communications functions.

Management of the Commercial & Operations Director and Director of Finance and Resource

Creation and overseeing the achievement of operating plans and budgets approved by the trustee board for the whole organisation.

Negotiation and reporting annually on the use of the block grant provided by the University of Manchester

Ensuring compliance with the relationship agreement between the University of Manchester and the Students’ union

Functional Relationships:Staff: Director of Commercial & Operations, Director of Finance & Resources, Head of Marketing & Communications, Head of Membership Support, Head of Student VoiceOfficers: Sabbatical Officers and Volunteer OfficersOther: Senior University Staff, Student Membership, NUS & NUSSL, GMP, Manchester City Council.

Key CompetenciesThese are the six key competencies that the Union Director must display. These are linked to the Union’s performance framework and will be reviewed as part of the annual appraisal process. Key competencies may be varied to meet the changing needs of the organisation:

Achieving Excellence Influencing Communication Building Understanding and Trust Developing People Understanding Issues

ValuesThe Union Director is responsible for ensuring the values set by the trustee board are brought to life and embodied by the organisation and the staff within it through their behaviours. These also form a key part of the Union’s performance framework and the strategic framework:

Student Led Diverse and Equal Inclusive and Open Ethical and Have Integrity Creative and Fun Ambitious, Striving for Excellence

Supporting Student Leadership, Democracy & Governance Provide advice, support, motivation and mentoring to the elected officers to

help them fulfil their role to the benefit of the membership; Provide advice to the elected officers on their legal requirements in relation to

their role as Directors, and Trustees of the Students’ Union; Provide advice on the matters of governance of the Students’ Union including

the constitution, standing orders, and policies of the Union; Ensure comprehensive induction and continuing professional, ‘political’ and

personal advice & support is provided to the elected Student Officers. Represent the Students’ Union at University Committees, as appropriate. Support, guide and project manage, where appropriate, campaigns as

directed by the Executive Committee or Representatives.

Support the Trustee Board and assist with the recruitment and induction of external and student trustees.

Advise Officers, Trustees and Union Democratic bodies on their legal and constitutional responsibilities and attend Students’ Union democratic meetings as appropriate.

Ensure that the Students’ Union has, and reviews, procedures to maintain its accountability to its members.

Ensure compliance with all legal and financial requirements, and with Charity Commission guidance on good governance.

People Management Lead and inspire the staff of the Students’ Union to be dynamic and

encourage a culture of learning, development and change to meet the needs of the student membership and the Union.

Manage staff in accordance with the Union’s HR procedures. Ensure effective and efficient communication across the organisation, through

meetings, team briefs and liaison. Ensure that all Senior Managers and Heads of Departments have clear

direction and information to enable them to achieve agreed key objectives for the year.

Ensure that key result areas are set, agreed and monitored, through the appraisal processes, for all line-managed staff.

Work with the People & Culture committee to monitor the development, implementation, continuous improvement and day to day fulfilment of all HR related policy, procedures and practices.

Strategic Leadership Ensure that the strategy which is in place and any future strategy meets the

charitable objectives of the Students’ Union Ensure that all commercial operations remain viable and continue to

contribute to the Union’s charitable activities Lead the development and delivery of long-term strategic planning which

involves Student Officers, staff, and members. Ensure that strategic plans are linked to a viable long-term financial strategy,

which is approved and regularly reviewed by the Trustee Board, and is agreed with the University.

Ensure that leadership skills and good communication are effectively developed.

Ensure that the organisation attracts, retains and motivates committed and effective staff

With the Audit & Risk ensure that all financial forecasts and reports are produced in line with agreed timescales and subjected to the appropriate level of scrutiny.

To be responsible for fulfilling all targets agreed with the Trustee Board and develop and maintain good working relationships with the University and external stakeholders

To be responsible for her/his personal development plan and to participate in training programmes, conferences or meetings relevant to the job.

Operational Management Ensure the Students’ Union is managed and operates in alignment with the

objectives and goals set out in the strategic plan.

Review and develop performance measures to ensure the Trustee Board has a clear oversight of progress towards strategic goals.

Oversee the management of all estates and the production of an estates plan. Ensure that there are effective arrangements for business planning and

departmental performance review. Ensure that the SMT are given appropriate support and guidance to develop

operational strategies for their areas of responsibility. Ensure that there are effective procedures to manage risk.

PERSON SPECIFICATIONCRITERIA Requirement Application InterviewQUALIFICATIONSGood general education, typically to the Higher/A level equivalent

Essential √

University/College Degree Desirable √EXPERIENCEPrevious experience in a democratically led organisation Desirable √ √Experience of leadership, strategic management and innovation at a senior level

Essential √ √

Experience of managing through managers Essential √ √Experience of managing significant numbers of staff Essential √ √Proven experience of instigating change, preferably of a strategic nature

Essential √ √

Demonstrable experience of working effectively on own initiative

Essential √

Experience of managing projects and budgets Essential √Experience of volunteer management Desirable √ √KNOWLEDGEUnderstanding of current issues and themes in higher Education and Students’ Unions

Essential √ √

Knowledge of current relevant legislation: Charity Law Essential √ Employment Law Desirable √ 1994 Education Act Desirable √ Data Protection Desirable √

ATTRIBUTES/SKILLSAble to understand working with a complex external organisation

Essential √ √

Self motivated and self reliant Essential √Skilled in utilising research and interpreting data Essential √IT competent with a working understanding of Microsoft Office

Essential √ √

Ability to formulate development plans for services and activities

Essential √ √

Exceptional Interpersonal and Communication Skills (Written and Oral)

Essential √ √

Able to create and maintain strong working relationships. Essential √Able to lead, empower and engage others in shaping the future

Essential √

Able to overcome hurdles and problems in a constructive manner

Essential √ √

A well respected and knowledgeable individual in the sector Essential √ √VALUES AND ETHICSDesire to work within a democratic student led environment Essential √ √Understanding and commitment to equal opportunities Essential √Desire to work within organisation servicing a culturally diverse membership

Essential √

Committed, positive, outgoing and approachable with a ‘can do’ attitude

Essential √

Demonstrably high standards of personal integrity Essential √