Job Description

Thank you for your interest in the role of External Trustee at Goldsmiths Students’ Union. We hope that you find the information contained here interesting and that you would consider the challenge of becoming a Trustee; maintaining, developing and continuing our mission to become a leading organisation within the Students’ Union movement.

For more information, please download our job pack.

Role Purpose

Trustees have and must accept ultimate responsibility for directing the affairs of the Students’ Union, and ensuring, to the best of their ability, that it is solvent, well-run and delivering the objectives for which it has been set up.

They should maintain a collective responsibility at all times.

Main duties and responsibilities of a Trustee

• To ensure that the Students’ Union has a clear strategic vision, that meets the needs of its members and is delivered through a robust strategic plan, underpinned by strong values and supported by strategic enablers.
• To ensure that the Students’ Union’s governance is of the highest standard, complying with all legal and regulatory requirements, including its governing document, charity law and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
• To be the guardians of all Students’ Union assets, taking all due care over their security and usage, ensuring that they are used exclusively in pursuance of the agreed objectives.
• To maintain proper financial control and ensure that the Students’ Union applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its charitable purposes.
• To be responsible, along with the other Trustees, for monitoring and reporting on the performance of the Students’ Union.
• To have overall responsibility for risk management, key policies and procedures.
• To agree any delegated authority and ensure such delegated authority is clearly expressed.
• To act in the best interests of the Students’ Union, applying reasonable care and skill at all times, obtaining external advice when necessary.
• To oversee employment procedures and respect the roles of staff/volunteers.
• To appoint and appraise the Chief Executive or equivalent staff membeer.
• To support the operational management of the organisation.
• To contribute actively to the work of the Board, attending all meetings, reading papers in advance of meetings.
• To attend sub-committee meetings as appropriate, and to participate in other tasks as arise from time to time.
• To be an ambassador for the Students’ Union, safeguarding its good name and values.
• Liaison with others such as Other Trustees (Officers, Students and Externals), the Students’ Union Senior Leadership Team and other staff and Goldsmiths College staff

Eligibility Requirement

You must be eligible, under charity law, to be a trustee at the Students’ Union. Please see the Trustee Declaration Form (in the Application Pack)

For more information, please download our job pack.