This is an unpaid voluntary position. Reasonable expenses are reimbursed.
Hours: Approximately 5 to 8 hours per month
Start date: December 2026
Expected end date: 30th of June 2027
The Students’ Union is governed by a Trustee Board made up of student and external trustees. Two of our Student Trustees have stepped down, and we’re appointing two students to fill those places so that the Board stays quorate and students keep a majority on the body that governs their union.
This is not a quiet year to be a trustee. The Students’ Union is in the middle of a turnaround. Over the next few months the Board will decide what goes to students in February, including a new constitution, whether the Students’ Union becomes an incorporated charity, and how students are represented in future. You’d be in the room for all of it.
Both Student Trustees will be appointed by students at a general meeting on the 3rd of December. Before that, the Trustee Board carries out a criteria-based review to check that candidates meet the published requirements for the role. Anyone who meets the criteria goes forward to the general meeting, which makes the final decision. The Trustee Board does not choose between candidates.
As a Student Trustee, you’ll share collective responsibility for the governance, strategic direction and financial health of the Students’ Union. You’ll attend Board meetings, scrutinise budgets and reports, and make sure the student voice is at the heart of every decision. It’s a serious governance role with real responsibility, and it’s also an exceptional opportunity to develop leadership, strategic thinking and decision-making skills.
Full trustee induction training is provided, and you’ll be supported by the co-chairs of the Trustee Board throughout your appointment.
It is an essential requirement of the role that you are available to attend the next Trustee Board meeting on the 3rd of December from 2pm till 5pm.
You’ll be a great fit if you:
• Are interested in how organisations are run and how decisions are made
• Can think strategically and aren’t afraid to ask challenging questions
• Have integrity and are committed to acting in the best interests of all students
• Can commit the time needed to read Board papers and attend meetings
To apply: Send your CV and written answers to the following three questions to a.morwood@bradford.ac.uk by 12 noon on Friday the 30th of October. Each answer should be no more than 400 words.
Question one: The Students’ Union is a registered charity. What do you understand the responsibilities of a charity trustee to be, and how do those responsibilities differ from representing students?
Question two: Describe a situation, real or hypothetical, where you believe the long-term best interests of the Students’ Union as a charity might conflict with what a group of students is asking for. How would you approach that situation as a trustee?
Question three: The Trustee Board operates on the principle of collective responsibility. If, after full discussion, the Board reached a decision that you personally disagreed with, what would you do?
Timeline for Recruitment:
Monday the 28th of September: Role advertised on website and social media, application window opens.
Friday the 30th of October at 12 noon: Applications close.
Monday the 2nd of November: Applications circulated to Trustee Board members for criteria-based review.
Friday the 13th of November: Trustee Board responses returned and eligible candidates confirmed.
Week of the 16th of November: Candidates told whether they are going forward, and briefed on the general meeting.
Thursday the 19th of November: General meeting publicity issued.
Thursday the 26th of November: Agenda, papers and candidate names published.
Thursday the 3rd of December: General meeting appoints the two Student Trustees.
Thursday the 10th of December: Trustee Board formally appoints the two Student Trustees and you start your role on that date at the board meeting from 2pm till 5pm.
A full role description can be viewed here
If you would like an information conversation about the voluntary trustee positions, please e-mail a.morwood@bradford.ac.uk to arrange a discussion.