Head of Student Voice

About the job

Are you an inspirational leader who cares about empowering the voice of students and delivering genuinely impactful change?

Do you like working in fun, dynamic and varied roles in which no two days are the same, and that possess significant development and growth opportunities?

If so, then you're in the right place, and the Head of Student Voice role might well be the position for you!

Armed with a bold and ambitious new strategy, there couldn't be a more exciting time to join our organisation.

LSESU is seeking to set the global standard for what it means to be a world class students' union, and this role sits right at the heart of that lofty ambition.

Sitting within the broader Student Voice Department (alongside the Advice Team), you would lead a friendly, talented team of four permanent Student Voice Coordinators (SVCs) who together account for all of the Union's policy, democratic, representation and campaigning work, alongside a part-time member of student staff.

You would also be responsible for leading on how we support our elected student representatives and campaign groups; and for the Union's academic representation work.

Given the breadth of work undertaken within the team, expect there to be plenty of opportunities to grow, develop and pick up new skills outside of the main responsibilities of the role.

For more information please check the Candidate Information Pack attached when completing the application form.

Who are we looking for?

This role is fast-paced and so you'll need exceptional organisation and planning skills, with the ability to juggle multiple priorities at once in a calm, effective manner.

The team you will be managing cuts across several areas and contains five people. We're therefore looking for a confident leader with line management experience who is able to inspire, motivate and develop a talented and ambitious team to reach their full potential.

You will be a kind, supportive leader who cares about the people in their charge, but who also has high standards and that is able to performance manage when needed to ensure the team meets expected standards and delivers expected results.

We are looking for someone with exceptional written and verbal communication skills; an ability to interpret complex information and present it in a concise and accessible manner; and with experience of delivering high quality research and policy output.

With responsibility for leading on several projects, both within the team and cross-organisationally, prior project management experience and knowledge will be important, as will the ability to liaise with stakeholders at all levels.

Knowledge or prior experience within Higher Education or the student movement would certainly be an advantage, but is not essential and we very much welcome applications from those outside students' unions who have transferrable skills and a who possess a willingness to learn.

We want to be the best, and for that we want to recruit the best. If you share our ambition and want to join a fun, supportive team seeking to set the benchmark for excellence in the sector, we would love to hear from you.

Why apply?

Because you're excited by the challenge! The exact opposite of corporate, we're progressive, daring and creative individuals working to make a difference in unconventional workplaces.

Benefits and Perks

In return for your passion and experience we offer:

• 25 days holidays per year
• Additional closure periods at Christmas and Easter on top of your 25 days annual leave and bank holidays
• Free LSE Students' Union gym membership, advice from dedicated sports professionals, with a wide range of activities including yoga classes, dance classes, pilates classes available free for SU staff
• Cycle to Work scheme enabling significant savings on a bicycle purchase
• Access to LSE staff training courses
• Ability to purchase TOTUM (NUS) card giving wide range of discounts
• Flexibility for work-life balance
• Interest-free Travel loan

Who we are:

Part business, part charity, part membership body - students' unions are all seriously fun places to work. They are organisations in their own right. Professionally run, but different. Professional teams support elected student leaders to make change, improve lives and fulfil potential; we help make it happen.

Founded in 1897, LSE Students' Union is one of the oldest Students' Unions in the UK and is the representative and campaigning body for students at The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). We also fund and facilitate student activities on campus, including societies, sports clubs, media groups, and raise money for charities via Raising and Giving (RAG) initiatives.

How do we recruit?

We want to ensure all systems, policies and processes are free from bias or discrimination and are fair and accessible, therefore we ask that all candidates complete our Application Process:

• Part 1. Complete a Personal statement and covering letter stating what skills and experience you must bring to the role and why you want to work for London School of Economics Students ' Union. Please ensure that your personal statement is no longer than two pages. Please ensure that you pay particular attention in your application to detailing how you meet the requirements of the person specification.
• In addition, please answer the following questions in a cover note;
  • Why do you want to work for London School of Economics Students' Union and how do your values align with ours?
  • What skills, experience and qualities can you bring to the role to develop our student voice?
  • Please can you tell us when you have improved student voice and closed the feedback loop?
• Part 2. Complete an Equal Opportunities Monitoring and Contact Form, so that we're able to contact you if shortlisted for an interview. This will only be seen by our HR team (and will therefore have no impact on shortlisting), but it does help us gather and analyse demographic information about our applicants.
• Part 3. Please attached your completed CV outlining the jobs or voluntary roles you have had.

Want to apply?

To apply for this role, please complete an online application.

Job application timeline

• Closing date: Sunday, 12th January 2025
• Intended Interview date: Monday, 20th January 2025

Compulsory Requirement - The UK Government sets the legal regulations that we are required to follow. As an employer we must ensure that everyone is eligible to work in the UK and this is done by us checking and making a copy of the correct original identification/documentation before your first day of work. Currently we require you to have the right to work in the UK, as we are not a Home Office approved sponsor.