Charity registered in Scotland SC044061
1. Job Purpose
The Chief Executive Officer supports the Board of Trustees (the Board) and elected student Sabbatical Officers in operating The Glasgow School of Art Students’ Association (the Association) as an effective charitable organisation promoting the welfare and interests of all students at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA).
Under the direction of the Board of Trustees, the Chief Executive is accountable for the performance, management, development and sustainability of the GSA Students Association and is responsible for developing and leading the GSASA’s services, strategy and objectives to meet the needs of the membership.
Enhancing the internal and external reputation of the Association, the Chief Executive will network effectively within the GSA and beyond, maintaining and developing effective partnerships built on trust and respect.
2. Job Scope
Overall responsibility for the effective running of the Association, for the full benefit of students in accordance with the Association’s mission statement.
Overall responsibility for the management, welfare and support of the Association’s staff.
Overall responsibility for management of the Association’s annual budget, including budget setting and compliance with all finance obligations.
Overall responsibility for providing support services to the Board and Sabbatical Officers, including all statutory filing of documentation with OSCR, HMRC and Companies House.
3. Main Responsibilities
3.1 Strategy
To work in collaboration with the Board of Trustees (the Board) to provide strategic direction of the Association through the formulation of clear plans and policy documents to further the aims and values of the Association and the welfare and interests of students.
To report regularly to the Board on progress in implementing plans and any reviews required.
To keep the Association and its officers informed of national issues affecting Student Associations and Unions within the UK.
3.2 Organisational Management
To manage and support the Association’s staff body by setting clear work objectives, reviewing and assisting with progress and providing motivation and leadership.
Undertaking appraisals and recognition of good work, as well as identifying training needs and resolving work issues.
Making the workplace at the Association a creative, happy environment where people are encouraged to do their best.
3.3 Sabbatical Officer Support and Development
To work with the elected Sabbatical Officers to follow through on all aspects of their manifesto commitments and develop goals and objectives to be fed into business planning and budgets.
To oversee the delivery of induction and handover procedures for retiring and new Sabbatical Officers.
3.4 Communications
To be responsible for an effective communications strategy which ensures all students and staff are well informed of all the Association and Board activities, while also enabling students and the Student Representative Council to have clear and open forms of communication with the Association.
3.5 Budgets and Financial Reporting
To enable efficient delivery of financial services such as payroll and management accounts to the Association, in partnership with our accountants, GSA finance staff or other financial service providers.
To ensure basic bookkeeping processes are in place including purchasing and invoicing procedures, use of accounting software (i.e., Xero) and ability to obtain information for financial reporting. To work up a basic procurement system for commissioning of goods and services for the Association.
Production of an annual budget in collaboration with staff and sabbaticals for submission to the Board and to GSA for affirmation of the Block Grant arrangements and any negotiations to finalise the Associations Annual Income.
To produce regular management accounts for reporting regularly to the Board and to GSA on the financial position of the Association
Working with the Association’s auditors to produce annual accounts for submission to GSA and OSCR – the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator, and action any recommendations from auditors.
3.6 Commercial Services
To oversee the financial and management activities of our trading subsidiary including reporting to Companies House, providing reports to the Board and GSA and managing any staff of the subsidiary.
To manage, monitor and report on the third-party services provider responsible for running the Assembly Hall commercial activities through the trading subsidiary.
To further develop the strategy for delivering commercial services for the Association including new commercial activities such as brand partnerships, merchandising and sponsorship.
To provide leadership to the staff that are responsible for the commercial events facilitated through the Assembly Building.
To make best use of the Association’s assets such as the Assembly Hall Building to benefit the students of GSA.
3.7 Relationship Building and Knowledge Building
To be an effective and strong advocate for the Association to a wide range of bodies including GSA, the local community and Glasgow City Council.
To build and maintain a network of contacts within the UK student Union body.
To take part in events and training to keep abreast of knowledge and developments within the sector.
3.8 Risk Management
To operate a risk management strategy within the Association to ensure all strategic decisions by the Board and Officers are taken when informed of potential risks and opportunities.
3.9 Other
To undertake any other reasonable tasks commensurate with the role and remuneration as required by the Sabbatical Officers and Board.
To implement and comply with the standards and procedures as set out in the Association Staff Handbook and in particular standards of honesty, integrity and openness.
To undertake personal development and training.
4.0 Key Relationships
Internal – The Student President and other Sabbatical Officers, the Permanent Staff, the Board of Trustees, the Student Representative Council and the Board of Governors and Management of the Glasgow School of Art.
External – Senior staff in other Student Unions and National Student bodies, the local community and Glasgow City Council.
5.0 Other Information
This post is subject to a six-month probationary period and three months notice of termination by either party, subject to usual employment law requirements .
Details of pension and annual leave arrangements are detailed in the Association Staff Handbook.
This post may require some evening or weekend work.
The Glasgow School of Art Students’ Association (GSASA) is a student and creative led student union in Glasgow, offering space, activities, support, advocacy and representation for the students at the Glasgow School of Art. We are a non-profit charity that funds student representation projects, student exhibitions, and societies, as well as events and other programmes dedicated to members’ interests and development. As the students’ representative body, we advocate for student interests and welfare. We try to make everybody feel comfortable and welcome, and have an ongoing and self-critical commitment to accessibility, safe(r) spaces and actively opposing all forms of discrimination.
Glasgow School of Art Students’ Association (GSASA) Academic Engagement Coordinator will manage the support and development of initiatives, projects and programming with respect to learning and teaching, student partnership and the student experience. They will play a key role in supporting Sabbatical Officers (particularly the Student President), SRC members, Class and Lead Reps and societies in developing projects, initiatives and research, and will be the principal coordinator of GSASAs elections.
Enhancing Student Representation
In partnership with the school, we coordinate and develop annual elections and recruitment of reps across the school including Class Reps, Lead Reps and Student representatives on GSA Committees.
Working with the school, to co-ordinate and deliver training to student representatives across the School and develop systems that support their ongoing development.
To co-ordinate and support academic and learning partnership projects initiated by Sabbatical Officers, Lead Reps, Class Reps, the Student Representative Council and the school with the aim of improving the student learning experience at GSA.
Manage and develop the Associations’ annual elections of Sabbatical Officers, working closely with the Board of Trustees and GSA/SA staff.
Work with the Student Engagement Team, support Sabbatical Officers to ensure the Student Representative Council (SRC) runs effectively and efficiently for all students, and ensure that students on SRC Committees feel empowered and supported in their roles.
To assist the school and Sabbatical Officers in academic quality enhancement projects and processes, such as Enhancement Led Institutional Review (ELIR) and Student Partnership projects.
To attend Academic Committees, including Education Committee, Learning and Teaching Group, Student Partnership Group, SSCCs and Boards of Studies, and any other appropriate committees as required.
Working with the Student Engagement Team and the Executive Manager, to design, deliver and evaluate training sessions for Sabbatical Officers, Student Representatives and other student groups such as Societies
Research and Policy Development
Keep abreast of policy developments within the university and student union sector, particularly around Quality Enhancement and Student Partnership, and able to apply this knowledge to the development of policies and reports for the school and Association where required.
Supporting and developing the knowledge of Sabbatical Officers and student representatives in the development of policy and academic improvement projects and supporting them in their presentation and negotiation with decision makers.
Develop knowledge and practice around liberation issues and diversity, equality and inclusion practices as they apply to Higher Education and Creative Practice, and apply this knowledge in Students’ Association’s activities and provision
Support GSA Policy and Procedure development which is relevant to the business of the Association or student body as required.
Supporting Student Initiatives
Work with the Sabbatical Officers and other student groups to use GSASA’s Events programmes as a key means of addressing student feedback - engaging with the membership, student representatives, and societies to inform the development of talks, workshops, and creative activities.
Develop extra-curricular learning events which support students' academic interests, and professional development
Support for the Race, Rights and Sovereignty events programme including supporting the programme curator and GSA exhibitions team to develop events and engage students.
Work closely with fellow Student Engagement Team colleagues and the Executive Manager of the Association to administer the block grant, producing reports and managing budgets for your projects.
Work with the management team to ensure effective health and safety and insurance policies are in place to support student activities in line with agreed policies and procedures, carrying out risk assessment where required.
In collaboration with the Student Engagement Team, Chief Executive and Sabbatical Officers, to support the delivery of key annual events in the Association such as the Freshers Week Programme or Degree Show Celebrations.
Student Support
Manage and be the key point of contact for the Association’s casework and student advocacy work with respect to student going through student facing processes like complaints, disciplinary procedures and academic appeals
Develop and enhance policy and procedure with respect to the Association’s portfolio of casework, training new staff where required
General Duties
Carry out any other appropriate duties which may be considered necessary by line management
Always present the Student Association in a positive and approachable manner.
Fill in for other Student Engagement Team Members and Sabbatical Officers where required and collaborate with all staff and officers on key projects
Key Relationships
Internal: Sabbatical Officers; Student Engagement Team and Chief Executive; Student Representative Council; Student Societies and Student Representatives; GSASA Board of Trustees
External: GSA Staff; Student Support Services; GSA Senior Leadership Group; Student Participation in Quality Scotland (SPARQs); Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.
Person Specification
Essential
- Educated to Degree Level
- Experience of working or studying in a higher or further education setting
- Experience working in project development and coordination roles
- Active interest in the Arts and Creative Practice.
- Knowledge of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion issues, and experience of applying this knowledge to the workplace
- Ability to work collaboratively and creatively with people
- Ability to engender trust from colleagues, collaborators and people from a variety of backgrounds
Desirable
- Knowledge of Creative Higher Education practice and/or experience working in student representation and engagement
- Knowledge of student representation issues and students’ associations
- Experience of providing advocacy or advice to people which is compliant with policies, safeguarding processes and the law
Department: GSA Students’ Association Student Engagement Team
Reporting to: Executive Manager
We are looking for new Non-Executive External Trustees to join our Board at The Glasgow School of Art Students’ Association (GSASA). We are a charity and independent Students’ Association which supports and promotes the interests of its student members at GSA.
The Glasgow School of Art Students’ Association is committed to widening access to education and the arts. We believe in offering space and support to all students and members regardless of their resources and experience. The Association is committed to programming and working with organisers who reflect our student communities and their values, concerns, and interests. We are particularly committed to offering opportunities to our student members, dedicated to their personal and professional development during their time at GSA.
We are located in the Assembly Building at the top of Scott Street. The building includes two Project Spaces; a large multifunctional Assembly Hall, as well as the Vic Bar. Since January 2020, the Building has not been in use, and GSASA is currently working to reopen our non-commercial and commercial operations. The first phase of this is to reopen our building to be used by our student members and return it to the student community.
We are particularly interested in receiving applications from people with the following experience:
• Finance
• Service Sector Management
We are looking for people who embrace our values, can take a proactive part in our board’s discussions, will engage in healthy debate, respect others’ viewpoints, and then gather around to support a consensus view.
The Board of Trustees has overall responsibility for the affairs of the Glasgow School of Art Students’ Association (GSASA). In line with Scottish Charity Law, they ensure GSASA conducts its affairs in line with its charitable objects and delivers for its members.
External Trustees bring additional experience and skills to the Board from outside the Association and School.
We are keen to make our Board as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) people; people with disabilities; LGBT+ people; people with gender diverse identities; and people from lower socio-economic backgrounds. Our current focus is to encourage people from these under-represented groups into governance roles.
Time Commitment: Attendance at 10 Board meetings per year, taking place on the first Wednesday of each month and lasting for approximately 2hrs. The maximum expectation of the post is for a total commitment of 1 day per month.
Constitutionally, the standard term of office for an external trustee is 3 years (with an option for a further three years subject to Board agreement).
Communications and Digital Engagement Coordinator
- Part time
- £24,500 pro-rata
- Glasgow
- Closing 31st May 2022
The Association is recruiting a new Communications and Digital Engagement Co-ordinator to lead on the development and implementation of a communications and digital strategy for the organisation. The role will entail utilising Hootsuite to manage our communications channels and existing digital platforms (i.e. Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.). In addition, there is scope to further develop the Association’s use of online learning tools and maintain and grow a fit-for-purpose website for the Association using our existing provider (UnionCloud a CMS based website).
We are looking for someone who is proactive, enthusiastic and friendly, with a background in organizing events and programmes, and experience of community development.