We are looking for a Lay (external) Trustee to join our Board of Trustees with strong financial experience and who is also able to commit to Chair our Finance, Audit & Risk Committee. This is an incredibly exciting time to join Imperial College Union. This year we launched our new strategic plan, designed to guide our charity to become a highly effective, impactful and sustainable organisation. Joining us means joining a Board responsible for the strategic direction of our charity. Being a trustee in a students’ union is an extremely rewarding experience. You will get the opportunity to work in close partnership with student representatives, many of whom are just embarking on their leadership journey. This is a fantastic opportunity to mentor and support our future leaders, imparting your own experience and industry knowledge to help them develop and thrive.

The Organisation
We are an exciting, inclusive membership charity and our core purpose is to represent, support and empower all 24,000 students studying at Imperial College London. We work in close partnership with Imperial College London and are proud to deliver services to support students studying at one of the world’s truly outstanding higher education institutions.

Imperial College Union is one of the oldest students’ unions in the UK. We exist to support and empower Imperial students, to ensure they get the most from their university experience. There is so much that makes Imperial College Union special. We are lucky to work in a historic campus environment located in a bustling, beautiful part of London. Imperial students are some of the highest performing and dedicated students in the world. They are hugely committed to their university education and want to get the most from their experience. This means they are incredibly engaged and keen to participate in the activities we offer.

More information about Imperial College Union can be found at https://www.imperialcollegeunion.org/

The Role
We are interested in receiving applications from individuals keen to provide strategic direction to our organisation and work with us to ensure we develop and thrive in the future. As a trustee you will focus on: 

• Helping ensure that we comply with any charity law, rules and regulations governing our work
• Actively contributing to Board discussions to provide clear strategic direction for our charity
• Helping to promote the values and safeguard the reputation of Imperial College Union
• Working collaboratively with other trustees and our Managing Director to contribute to the effective and efficient operations of our organisation
• Ensuring our charity’s governance is of the highest standard.

Person Specification
In addition to the above, we would like to receive applications from individuals experienced in these areas:  

•    Strong financial acumen including financial planning, management, and strategy
•    Familiarity with financial reporting requirements and regulatory compliance
•    Knowledge of financial and broader risk management and the ability to identify and mitigate potential risks
•    Proven ability to communicate and explain financial information to members of the Board and other stakeholders
•    Understanding and acceptance of the role’s legal duties and responsibilities
•    Collaborative mindset to work within a team environment
•    Commitment to the charity’s objectives, aims and values and willingness to devote sufficient time to carry out responsibilities

Please download the Candidate Information Pack for further information.

How to Apply
If you are passionate about joining the Imperial College Union board and believe you have the skills and experience we are looking for, please apply with the following:

•    An up-to-date CV
•    A supporting statement of no more than 2 sides of A4, detailing why you would like to be considered, your relevant experience and expertise and what you think you can bring to the role.

All applications are being handled by our recruitment partner, Trustees Unlimited (part of the Russam group). 

All applications should be sent to applications@trustees-unlimited.co.uk with your full name and Imperial College Union in the subject heading.

If you have any difficulty uploading your application or if you would like to have an informal and confidential discussion about the role, alternatively please contact Melissa Baxter: 
melissa.baxter@russam.co.uk | 07789 985 229 

Closing date for applications: Friday 3rd May 2024 
Interview with Imperial College Union: Monday 20th May 2024

We hope you will join us on our journey.