Volunteer External Trustee

Please note: This job is based in the UK.

ROLE DESCRIPTION

Role title: External Trustee

Responsible to: The Board of Trustees

Strategic relationships:
Senior Managers of Teesside University Students’ Union, Senior University staff, Senior Representatives of the community and local Councils

Purpose of the post:
To ensure Teesside University Students’ Union is well governed and managed and achieving its aims and objectives in accordance with its vision, mission, and values; and to provide strategic leadership for the organisation.

Duties and responsibilities

• To ensure that Teesside University Students’ Union acts in accordance with its charitable objects,

Constitution and Byelaws and other guiding documents and, in particular, remains true to its Mission, Vision and Values.

• To help Teesside University Students’ Union achieve its objectives and improve the lives of its members.
• To ensure that Teesside University Students’ Union complies with all relevant legislation and regulations, including relevant charity acts and education acts.
• To monitor the financial performance of Teesside University Students’ Union and ensure it remains solvent and financially secure.
• To ensure Teesside University Students’ Union’s funds are spent in accordance with its charitable aims and objectives.
• To ensure that Teesside University Students’ Union does not undertake activities that put its financial stability, members or reputation at undue risk.
• To use their personal skills and experience to ensure Teesside University Students’ Union is well-run and efficient.
• To seek external professional advice where there may be material risk to Teesside University

Students’ Union or where the Trustees may be in breach of their duties, or at any other appropriate moment.

• To recruit, appraise and performance-manage the Chief Executive.
• To add value to the Board and Teesside University Students’ Union through generating ideas, broadening thinking, supporting and promoting innovation and creativity.

In practical terms, Trustees are expected to:

• Attend meetings of the Board of Trustees (normally 4 per year) and to be adequately prepared for such meetings.
• Attend other meetings, functions and events as appropriate and ideally sit on one sub-committee of the Board (4 meetings per year).

Training
It is expected that the post-holder will be offered the opportunity to participate in training that is relevant to their duties and will be expected to undertake such training as may be reasonably practicable.

Person Specification

Strongly Desirable

A background in a corporate or charity environment

Technical knowledge to assist management and other trustees in one or more of the following areas: financial, legal, hr, education, strategic development

Evidence of successfully working in a leadership or governance role (this could be through work or voluntary experience)

Experience of successfully dealing with strategic issues including interpretation of complex information and planning

A good understanding of the issues affecting undergraduate, postgraduate, international, mature or part time students in the UK and at Teesside University

An awareness of the effective governance of organisations (public, private or third sector)

Sound judgement and ability to think strategically and make informed X decisions

Strong communication skills with the ability to relate to, and communicate effectively with, people at all levels and from all backgrounds

A resourceful and committed individual who has credibility because of what they do and how they do it

The ability to challenge the status quo, test perceived wisdom and question “authority”

A leader on quality of opportunity who values diversity and removes barriers to equality

An excellent role model who promotes the highest standards of probity, integrity and honesty

An effective leader who is positive, determined and resilient enough to cope with the demands of the role

Desirable

Qualified in Finance Management

Experience of successfully dealing with strategic issues including interpretation of complex information and planning

An understanding of relevant legislation and statutory requirements, including charity law, employment law and health and safety law

Awareness of the systems and structures in, and issues affecting, higher education

External Trustee required

One position (Unpaid)

Teesside University Students’ Union represents all of the students of Teesside University and provides a range of services for its members. It is registered charity number 1199285 with an annual income of about £3 million with up to 1,000 employees and volunteers each year. We operate a wide range of services for students including:

• SU Student Support - advice and advocacy on finances, housing, and academic issues, jobs service.
• SU Activities with over 60 student societies, led by student volunteers
• Social study, catering, and evening events in four different venues – the Love It Lounge, The Terrace, The Hub, and SU Studio
• The SU Shop

We are looking for resourceful and committed external trustees to join our Board of Trustees to help us continue to improve the services we provide our members. We would particularly welcome applications from anyone with a private sector financial and/or commercial background but would be interested in applications from anyone working in other sectors who believe they can bring transferable skills to the Board of Trustees.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a successful and dynamic educational charity and develop your skills and knowledge. For an informal conversation about this opportunity or to arrange a visit to the SU , please contact Kirsty Morrison Chief Executive via email k.morrison@tees.ac.uk

The full application pack and further information about the Board of Trustees are available from our website.

Closing date for applications 14th January 2026

Summary Conditions of Appointment for External Trustees

Remuneration

The post is not remunerated; i.e. it is a voluntary and unpaid position.

Expenses

All out-of-pocket expenses will be reimbursed; this will include reimbursement of travel costs to all meetings, mobile or home telephone calls on Trustee business, printing and photocopying costs at home on Trustee business and all other reasonable costs incurred whilst carrying out the duties of being a
Teesside University Students’ Union Trustee.

Terms of Office

The term of office is four years and will begin from 1st February 2026. The appointing panel will discuss the lengths of the term of office with candidates during the interview process.

Expected Time Commitment

The time commitment for this post is expected to be at least 4 days per annum, including attendance at all
Board of Trustee meetings (1/2 day each, 4 per annum, membership of one sub-committee (1/4 day each,
4 meetings per annum), attendance at annual trustee training event (1 day per annum) and optional attendance at other events, meetings and planning days as required.

Training and Development
Teesside University Students’ Union is committed to providing comprehensive training and development to support its Trustees and their ongoing professional development. Teesside University Students’ Union will provide a comprehensive induction programme for all new Trustees, as well as an opportunity to meet elected officers and staff of the Union. Teesside University Students’ Union will also support and fund other relevant training that will benefit Trustees in their role

14 January 2026 Applications close

1 February 2026 Commence as trustee

Applications

Application is via the SU’s standard application form plus a supporting statement (one side of A4) detailing why you are applying for the position and how you meet the requirements of the person specification.

A recruitment pack, including application form is available by emailing t.davis-webb@tees.ac.uk

Job Type: Volunteer

Pay: £0.01 per year

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 14/01/2026
Expected start date: 01/02/2026