The Role
The Student Influence (Voice & Advocacy) team operates at the heart of Sheffield Students’ Union. We work with students and officers to deliver on policy, democracy, campaigns and liberation.
This is a great opportunity to have a real impact on the lives of our 30, members. Excitingly, the Student Influence Directorate is welcoming new staff and teams to better enable us to deliver on the new SU Strategy which places Belonging & Influence at the heart of all of our work for members. In this role, you’ll support over Academic Reps to advocate for a better Education, and use their voice to empower our Officer Team, our staff teams, and student leaders across the University. Our Academic Rep system is consistently rated one of the best in the sector, and you’ll help us translate this into meaningful change to how students experience their education.
The teams’ role is to listen to students, identify where we can support them to make an impact and to create a sustainable representation, democracy and campaigning system that is relevant to all of our members Including undergraduate, postgraduate, BAME, disabled, LGBTQIA+ and mature. We do this by working closely with the Full Time Officers alongside our SU Councillors, Academic Reps and other student leaders; offering them advice and insight to effectively represent Sheffield students, and make impactful change. We are particularly interested in candidates who have experience of relationship building as we seek to strengthen our connections with the University and their revised Faculty and Voice structures.
The team is headed up by the Student Influence Manager (Voice & Advocacy), with three Student Influence Coordinators who between them have expertise in; Academic Representation, Campaigns, Liberation, Democracy, Policy & Deliberative Decision Making. All roles at Sheffield SU work cross organisationally and this role particularly will support other Coordinators in the team as well as teams across the SU and University to ensure that Academic Voice is robust and impactful, and that the opportunities available to members are inclusive and meaningful.
The role requires substantial juggling of responsibilities and simultaneous oversight of multiple lines of activity. Highly organised, you will be able to plan effectively as well as manage resources with skill and confidence. The ability to support students, develop new activities and maintain successful stakeholder relationships are also key to this role. You will take pride in maintaining an up-to-date knowledge of academic concerns and emergent opportunities, to help our student leaders maximise positive impact.
Working at the Students’ Union
We exist to represent, support and enhance the lives of our members. We’ve done so since. We are an independent charity and work closely with the University to achieve a world-class student experience. We’ve got a fantastic modern building featuring cafes, two shops, bars, an advice centre, an activities and sports zone, where students can join over sports clubs and societies. There’s something different happening in the SU every day: from club nights to film screenings, live music, theatrical performances and fascinating talks. We offer a relaxed space for students to take time out.
Creating a more diverse team
Sheffield Students’ Union is committed to creating a fairer, more equal, more inclusive, more diverse and liberated workforce.
What we are currently doing to create an inclusive workplace -
* Equality, Diversity and Inclusion working group and staff network
* Flexible working arrangements
* Inclusive policies and procedures