Job Description

Chief Executive
Our mission is to make your Anglia Ruskin experience the best it can be.
Values
We are:

Independent: We are student-led and separate from the University

Honest: We are open, fair and accountable for our actions
Inclusive: We are proactive in creating a welcoming and inclusive culture
Accessible: We make it easy for our students to be involved with us
Representative: We represent and empower our students to ensure that
their voice is heard
Supportive: We support our students throughout their University journey
to achieve their goals

Responsible for:

Managers

Reporting to:

Board of Trustees

Functional Relationships: Board of Trustees, Executive Officers, Managers,

Union staff, University senior staff, External Auditors and
Consultants, University Finance, Payroll Provider, Pension
Scheme Provider, Unions Bank, NUS and other relevant
external organisations (including Companies House, Charity
Commission, Information Commissioners Office) and other
stakeholders.
Section:

Senior Management

Any Other Relevant Information

Salary
Grade G3 44,983-50,851
Hours of Work 35 hours per week / Flexibility required
The Students Union is fully committed to its policies and procedures on Equality &
Diversity
Purpose of Job:
To lead and manage the Union to provide the highest quality services and
standards in keeping with the Unions values to achieve the strategic objectives
and to deliver the Unions Strategic Plan. To lead on the financial performance of
the Union.
Responsible to the Board of Trustees for the leadership, management and control
of the Students' Union, ensuring in particular: financial stability, legal compliance,
effective delivery of all services and the continuing development and progression
of the long term strategy.

Chief Executive September 2014

Job Role:
Union Strategy
Provide leadership to deliver the Unions Strategic Plan.
Ensure that risk is well managed.
Develop, review and drive a high quality, high performing culture,
responsive to customers' and members' needs.
Finance
Ensure that the Union has a financial plan maximising financial stability.
Develop and oversee the Unions forecasting and budget process ensuring
sustained, effective resourcing against strategic priorities.
Control spending in line with budgets.
Produce financial reports for Trustees.
Liaise with Auditors, Pension Companies, Bank, Insurers, Legal and other
Advisers.
Oversee and approve all contracts.
Executive Officers and Trustees
Provide induction, advice and support to executive officers and other
Trustees.
Prepare elected officers for the Senate, Board of Governors Student Matters
Committee and University/Students Union Committee and provide feedback
to relevant Managers and staff.
Coordinate the appointment of External and Student Trustees.
Act as Deputy Returning Officer in the Unions elections.
HR

Develop and lead on the Unions HR strategy.

Be the principal communication channel between elected officers and staff.
Have overall responsibility for all staffing matters including payroll and
appraisal processes.
Inform and consult with staff on key issues.
Ensure that staff receive training and development to help them to succeed
in their roles.
Empower managers to lead their staff in line with Union values, and to
engage their staff teams in the strategic and annual business planning
process.
Lead on the Unions Investors in People accreditation.

People
Have responsibility for the motivation and management of the Union's
staff, ensuring that they work as an effective team.
Ensure that all staff under your responsibility are inducted fully into their
role and into the organisation and are regularly appraised using the
Unions performance management procedures.
Other duties
Be the Company Secretary of the Incorporated Union and the Unions
dormant trading company.
Be the Students Unions authorised representative for NUS.
Be the Unions senior staff representative at key meetings of the University.
Develop and maintain strong relationships with the University including the
Vice Chancellors Group and other appropriate stakeholders.
Ensure that the Union operates in line with health and safety legislation.
Attend external conferences and training as required for the role.

Chief Executive September 2014

 Carry out all duties and responsibilities in accordance with Anglia Ruskin
Students Union Equal Opportunities Policy and Student/Staff Protocol.
Actively promote exceptional customer service, taking a proactive approach
at all times.
Support the Students Unions environmental policy.
Carry out any other duties or projects as may be assigned to the post-holder
by the Students Union and which are reasonably consistent with the
position.
The Students Union expects all staff to participate in any training programme,
meeting or conference considered relevant to your job. The Students Union
expects all staff to participate in, and take ownership of, their Induction, Personal
Development Review, Departmental Staff Meetings and be responsible for
carrying out duties with full regard to the rules, policies and procedures and
conditions of service contained in the Staff Handbook, and within Departments of
the Students Union.
A condition of employment is that all staff are expected to assist in key events
throughout the year e.g., Freshers Fair, Elections, Open Days and any other key
events.
Staff are expected to portray a positive image, both internally and
externally of the Students Union by displaying high standards of service,
integrity, punctuality, politeness and professionalism.

Chief Executive September 2014

PERSON SPECIFICATION Chief Executive

CRITERIA
QUALIFICATIONS
Educated to degree level
Professional management qualification
or relevant experience
Evidence of continuous personal and
professional development
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
3 years senior management experience
within an organisation of similar
complexity
Demonstrable project management
experience
Knowledge of key issues affecting
students in Higher Education
Previous experience in the development
of strategy
Experience of working in a
higher/further education setting
Experience of managing budgets in
excess of 1m per annum
Proven experience of managing financial
and human resources effectively
including the ability to lead, motivate
and manage staff effectively
Understanding of the not for profit
sector
Influencing and negotiating experience
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Ability to co-ordinate a range of
activities
Good time management
Ability to manage, develop and support
staff and officers
Ability to initiate and implement
changes and developments
Ability to manage risk
Excellent communication skills, both oral
and written
Excellent IT skills (standard office
software) and keyboard skills
Ability to establish and maintain
effective working relationships with a
wide range of people both within and
outside the University
Effective organisation and
administration skills
Ability to analyse financial management
information
Ability to prioritise work and retain
composure in a busy environment
Ability to travel independently to other
locations when required

Chief Executive September 2014

ESSENTIAL

DESIRABLE

HOW
ASSESSED

A/E
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A/E

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I
A

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I
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A/I/T

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Full, clean driving license

PERSONAL QUALITIES
Strong customer service focus
Innovative
Enthusiastic and flexible in approach
Friendly and approachable manner
Awareness of bigger picture as well as
paying attention to detail
Commitment to working in a democratic
structure
Diplomatic and sensitive to others
Commitment to equality of opportunity

A/E

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I
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A = Application Form, E = Evidence, I = Interview, T = Test

Chief Executive September 2014