At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead student representation and insights to shape a better university experience.
- Company: Dynamic, student-focused organisation dedicated to empowering students.
- Benefits: Flexible working, 35 days leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a vibrant community committed to equality and sustainability.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by amplifying student voices and driving positive change.
- Qualifications: Experience in student engagement, data analysis, and team leadership.
The predicted salary is between 36961 - 36961 £ per year.
Representation & Insights Manager
Turn student insight into action and shape the future of the student experience!
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.
- Check out our exciting new strategy
- Representation & Insights Manager
Do you believe students should have a genuine voice in shaping their university experience?
We're looking for a strategic and data-driven leader to lead our Representation & Insights team, ensuring student voices are heard, understood and translated into meaningful action.
This role sits at the heart of Reading Students' Union's mission to empower students and drive positive change.
What You'll Do
You'll lead our approach to academic representation, democracy, student insight and campaigns, creating opportunities for students to influence decisions that affect their lives.
Combining research, data, engagement and strong stakeholder relationships, you'll help ensure the Students' Union and University understand what matters most to students and respond effectively.
- Champion Representation & Democracy
- Lead and evolve the Students' Union's representation and democratic systems, ensuring students can influence their academic experience and the wider University.
- Deliver accessible, engaging and well-governed elections, representative structures and participation opportunities, acting as Assistant Returning Officer and Deputy Returning Officer where required.
- Ensure student feedback and issues are effectively captured, escalated and translated into action and change.
- Increase participation by removing barriers to engagement and ensuring underrepresented voices are heard and acted upon.
- Build strong relationships with elected Student Presidents, representatives and student leaders to strengthen student influence, engagement and impact.
- Turn Data and Insight into Action
- Lead the Students' Union's research and data insight framework, ensuring evidence drives decision-making.
- Analyse trends across research, feedback, engagement and service data to identify emerging issues and opportunities.
- Ensure our elected representatives have the data insights they need to drive campaigns and projects.
- Ensure insight is translated into recommendations, action plans and measurable outcomes.
- Present data insights to stakeholders at all levels – positioning Reading SU as the experts of student trends at the University of Reading.
- Campaigns, change and student impact
- Lead the Students' Union's approach to campaigns and student-led change, ensuring priorities are shaped by student voice, insight and emerging issues.
- Support elected Student Presidents to deliver impactful campaigns, projects and manifesto commitments that improve the student experience.
- Turn student feedback, research and data into meaningful organisational action and institutional influence.
- Oversee a portfolio of insight-led initiatives addressing key student issues and delivering measurable outcomes.
- Embed a culture of evaluation and continuous improvement, ensuring learning and evidence inform future activity.
- Influence Change and Build Partnerships
- Develop strong partnerships with Schools, academic departments and senior University stakeholders.
- Represent the Students' Union on relevant committees and working groups.
- Present evidence, recommendations and student perspectives to influence institutional decisions and policy.
- Lead People, Projects and Performance
- Provide strategic and operational leadership for the Representation & Insights department.
- Manage staff performance, development, wellbeing and team culture.
- Lead departmental planning, budgets, resources and service standards.
- Deliver major projects, campaigns and initiatives aligned to organisational priorities and elected Student Presidents’ objectives.
- Monitor and report on performance, impact and student outcomes.
Essential
About You
- Strong understanding of SU governance and democratic structures.
- Significant experience in leading student voice, representation, democracy and engagement.
- Confidence leading a data-led culture, ensuring evidence informs priorities, decision-making and service development.
- Analytical skills, with experience using research, data and insight to identify trends, shape strategy and drive change through action.
- Successful experience leading teams, managing change and managing performance.
- A resilient and confident leader.
- Strong project leadership, planning and stakeholder management skills.
- Expert knowledge of current student trends and national issues.
- A passion for improving the student experience and empowering students to influence change.
DESIRABLE
- Understanding of Higher Education structures and student representation systems.
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 Students' Union, set on a stunning, green campus.
Committed to equality, celebrating diversity, and embedding sustainability—building an inclusive workplace and a brighter future for all.
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Representation & Insights Manager in Reading employer: Reading Students' Union
Reading Students' Union's Little Learners Nursery offers a nurturing environment where Early Years Practitioners can thrive, supported by a strong commitment to professional development and a collaborative work culture. With 35 days of holiday and the unique advantage of being located on the picturesque University of Reading Whiteknights Campus, employees enjoy a balanced work-life experience while making a meaningful impact on the lives of young children.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Representation & Insights Manager in Reading
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Reading Students' Union.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Reading Students' Union.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Reading Students' Union.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Reading Students' Union. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Representation & Insights Manager in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Reading Students' Union. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Representation & Insights Manager, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Reading Students' Union
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Reading Students' Union. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
