At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and shape the student experience at York SU, driving strategic development and operational excellence.
- Company: Join a dynamic team at York SU, dedicated to empowering over 22,000 students.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 38 days holiday, discounts, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: We welcome diverse applicants and offer support for accessibility throughout the hiring process.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on student life and foster an inclusive community.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership skills and a passion for student representation and engagement.
The predicted salary is between 52403 - 52403 £ per year.
Reporting to: Co-CEO (Membership Services and Charity Affairs)
Place of Work: The University of York Student Centre, James College, Newton Way, York, YO10 5DD
Contract: Permanent
Hours of Work: 40 hours a week
Salary: Starting at £52,403 per annum
Closing Date: Monday 28th September 2026 at 5pm
Interview details:
- Stage 1: 9th October online meeting
- Stage 2: 19th October 2026 in person at The University of York Student Centre, James College, Newton Way, York, YO10 5DD
About the Role: Our mission at York SU is simple - we provide representation, opportunities and run services for all 22,000+ students at the University of York. Following an ambitious period of growth, we are now entering the next chapter for York SU. As our Membership Services Director you will join our Senior Leadership Team, shaping the Union’s student experience offer and leading strategic development, operational management and evaluation of the Union’s membership activities across three core teams: student voice and representation, communities and opportunities, fostering an empowering and high-performing culture.
You will be expected to contribute to excellent operational delivery that is inclusive by design and creates an offer that is reflective of our student communities to grow engagement, impactful representation and satisfaction. You will serve as the senior point of escalation for high-risk operations, ensuring that student activity operates within safe, legal, and inclusive frameworks. And you will champion a data-driven approach, using research and insight to influence policy and practice, and demonstrate our impact.
York SU is unashamedly ambitious, innovative, and value-led. We actively invest in our people and pride ourselves on a deeply collaborative and sector-leading working culture. If you’re excited by the opportunity to harness the voices of students, and want to contribute to a sustainable and enterprising Union that’s working hard to empower, support and challenge to ensure that student life at York is the best that it can be, now and in the future, then we would love to hear from you.
Working at York SU: At York SU we know that maintaining a great work life balance also improves our teams wellbeing, productivity and happiness, this is why we offer flexible working arrangements to suit personal needs and requirements. We have both a flexi-time work scheme and remote working policy available to staff as standard and welcome applicants to discuss their flexible requirements at the interview.
For a full year, you accrue 38 days holiday (including bank holidays and 4 paid closed Christmas days) pro rata for part time contracts. You get extensive access to discounts and benefits. There are paid volunteering opportunities. You have access to the cycle to work schemes and other salary sacrifice options. We offer a generous pension scheme. You have the chance to shape the student experience for the better.
York SU is committed to equality of opportunity - we are an organisation who works very hard to ensure we appoint based on merit. We would particularly welcome applications from candidates with disabilities and/or from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds. As a Disability Confident Committed Employer (LV1), we are proud to offer an interview to applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the advertised position.
If you are invited to interview with us we will share our interview questions in advance so you can feel a little more prepared. We’re more interested in hearing about your experiences and ideas than in testing your memory, and so we want you to feel as comfortable as possible. If you have any further questions about the position, or if you have a requirement for adjustments that would make the application or interview process more accessible, please do not hesitate to contact us on hr@yorksu.org.
Please note that products containing nuts, dairy, gluten and other potential allergies are served within our venues. We however aim to support a nut free environment within our student centre by encouraging staff not to bring nut based products to work.
Membership Services Director in Heslington employer: Yusu
At York SU, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions a collaborative and innovative work culture. With a strong commitment to employee well-being, we offer flexible working arrangements, generous holiday allowances, and opportunities for professional growth, all while empowering our staff to shape the student experience for over 22,000 students at the University of York. Join us in making a meaningful impact in a supportive environment that values diversity and inclusivity.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Membership Services Director in Heslington
✨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 Yusu.
✨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 Yusu.
✨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 Yusu.
✨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 Yusu. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Membership Services Director in Heslington
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 Yusu. 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 Membership Services Director, 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 Yusu
✨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 Yusu. 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!
