At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire teams to enhance student life and engagement.
- Company: Dynamic, student-focused organisation at the University of Reading.
- Benefits: Flexible working, 35 days leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on student experiences and drive innovation.
- Qualifications: Senior management experience and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Join a vibrant team committed to equality and diversity.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 70000 £ per year.
Location: University of Reading, Whiteknights Campus, Reading, Berkshire
Salary: £60,727.93 per annum
Contract: Permanent / full-time 35 hours a week
About Reading Students’ Union
We are a dynamic, student-focused organisation dedicated to empowering students and enhancing their university experience. Our vision is to be a place for everyone, we inspire and empower students to change the world.
The Role:
Are you ready to make a big impact? We’re looking for an energetic, strategic leader to steer our Membership Engagement Directorate through an exciting period of organisational change. This is your chance to shape student life, lead passionate teams, and ensure our student-facing services and systems for student democracy are sector leading.
What You’ll Do
- Strategic Leadership & Impact
- Set the Direction: Provide clear strategic and operational guidance to managers and teams, aligning priorities with organisational goals
- Drive Collaboration: Foster a culture of teamwork across departments and with elected officers to deliver joined‑up services
- Champion Innovation: Identify opportunities to enhance student engagement through data driven creative campaigns, digital platforms, and inclusive activities
- Measure Success: Monitor performance, track KPIs, and report on progress to ensure continuous improvement
- Influence Outcomes: Represent the Membership Engagement Directorate in key meetings, shaping decisions that affect thousands of students
- Build strategic partnerships: Work with the University and external stakeholders to enhance student experience. Raise our profile externally to promote our good work
- Drive membership engagement: Oversee sector leading activities that meet the evolving needs of students
- Lead and develop a high-performing team, fostering growth, accountability, and innovation
- Offer practical support for Sabbatical Officers, acting as their key point of contact to help them succeed in their roles, particularly as political leaders
- Drive equality, inclusivity, relevance, and engagement by overseeing campaigns, projects and events
- Operate within charity law, regulatory requirements, and organisational policies
- Safeguard Governance Standards and uphold principles of good governance, transparency, and accountability
- Ensure teams operate safely and within SOPs
- Oversee compliance for activities, societies, communications, and elections
- Act as escalation point for safeguarding or risk concerns
- Monitor systems for governance and student democracy and drive student engagement
About You
Essential
- Senior management experience
- A true innovator and challenger of the status quo
- Strong leadership and people management skills
- Passionate about using data to drive transformation and innovation
- Has significant experience of governance, democracy, free speech and student representation
- Can create high quality strategic and operational plans and lead teams to implement
- Budget management experience
- Expert decision maker
- Strong commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion
- Experience in a charity, education, or student-focused environment
- Expert stakeholder management skills and ability to communicate effectively at all levels with diverse audiences
Desirable
- SU sector experience
Why Join Us?
- Inclusive and supportive team culture
- Flexible working options
- 35 days annual leave including Christmas and Easter closure days
- Professional development opportunities
- Unique working environment in the heart of a vibrant Student’s Union, set on a stunning, green campus.
Ready to make an impact? Apply today and help us bring our ambitious data strategy to life and transform student life! Committed to equality, celebrating diversity, and embedding sustainability — building an inclusive workplace and a brighter future for all.
Director of Membership Services in Reading employer: Reading Students' Union
Contact Detail:
Reading Students' Union Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Membership Services in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its culture. Understand their mission and values, especially how they relate to student engagement. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you’re genuinely interested in making an impact.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers and boost your confidence. Focus on articulating your leadership experience and how you can drive innovation in membership services.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our dynamic team and transforming student life at Reading Students’ Union.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Membership Services in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for student engagement shine through! We want to see how passionate you are about transforming student life and making a real impact.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in senior management and leadership roles. We’re looking for someone who can drive collaboration and innovation, so connect your past achievements to the role we’re offering.
Be Data-Driven: Since we value data-driven decision-making, include examples of how you've used data to enhance services or improve outcomes in your previous roles. This will show us that you understand the importance of metrics in shaping student experiences.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensure you’re considered for this exciting opportunity to lead our Membership Engagement Directorate.
How to prepare for a job interview at Reading Students' Union
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Reading Students’ Union's mission and values. Understand their strategic goals and how the Director of Membership Services role fits into that picture. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their vision.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Be ready to discuss your leadership approach and how you've successfully managed teams in the past. Prepare examples that highlight your ability to inspire and develop others, especially in a student-focused environment. They’ll want to see how you can lead and motivate a high-performing team.
✨Data-Driven Decision Making
Since the role emphasises using data to drive transformation, come prepared with examples of how you've used data to inform decisions or improve services. Discuss specific campaigns or initiatives where data played a key role in achieving success.
✨Engagement is Key
Think about how you can enhance student engagement through innovative strategies. Be ready to share ideas for campaigns or activities that could resonate with students. Showing your passion for improving student life will set you apart from other candidates.