Role Summary: Time Commitment: 5-6 meetings / approx 25 hours per year Role Type: Voluntary role (reasonable expenses covered) Length of role : 4-year term, maximum 2 terms The Board of Trustees have ultimate legal responsibility for the work of the organisation. This includes developing its strategy, monitoring its progress and engaging with its membership to ensure that it is led by the needs of students, as well as ensuring legal and financial compliance. The Board is a collective and we seek to appoint and develop a team working together rather a group of people working independently on specific areas. Trustee Responsibilities: Ensuring the organisation is focused on its charitable objects. Ensuring the organisation is financially viable, balancing income and expenditure and considering the long-term resourcing needs of the Charity alongside requirements to support shorter term projects. Supporting the staff team of the Charity through scrutiny and guidance of senior management, principally through the appraisal and direction of the Chief Executive Officer but also through putting in place appropriate training and development measures for staff. Making sure good governance principles are followed and that the Charity’s constitution and rules are followed and, where needed, reviewed and enhanced. Ensuring the organisation meets all legal obligations and that policies and procedures are regularly reviewed and scrutinised to keep up to date with legislation including, but not exclusive to, charity law and HR regulation. A specific consideration of Safeguarding principles and practice. Making themselves accountable and transparent to students. Ensuring that board members, as a group and individually, are working in the best interests of the charity as a whole. Skills Required While Trustees are expected to have personal responsibility and act to their best ability, it is the whole board which makes decisions collectively. The following skills are expected from the Board as a whole The ability to challenge the status quo, test perceived wisdom and question authority A good understanding of Higher Education issues A commitment to leadership and the ability to make decisions Sound judgement and the ability to think strategically, handle competing priorities and make informed decisions Able to work effectively in a team and work with people outside their immediate peer group An ability to critique the charity’s policies and procedures and ensure any issues or concerns are addressed Excellent communication skills An awareness of the effective governance of organisations The Board regularly reviews its current skills and knowledge and recruits new members or trains existing trustees to meet skills gaps. We are currently looking for applicants with the following skills and backgrounds: Tackling Loneliness/ community development/ building belonging at a strategic level, as this is an organisational priority Financial and Commercial scrutiny, as this is a key enabler for organisational success. We aim to have an inclusive board with diverse perspectives and backgrounds. We particularly welcome applications from people of colour and people with disabilities. About Salford SU Salford Students’ Union is a Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee, Charity no. 1138093, Company no. 12532982. The objects of the Union are the advancement of education of Students at Salford University for the public benefit by: promoting the interests and welfare of Students at Salford University during their course of study and representing, supporting and advising Students; being the recognised representative channel between Students and Salford University and any other external bodies providing social, cultural, sporting and recreational activities and forums for discussions and debate for the personal development of its Students. Salford Students’ Union has a corporate strategy with a ‘audacious goal’ of tackling loneliness at the University of Salford. Key enablers are: Data and impact strategy Commercial strategy People Strategy Communication and engagement with students and stakeholders Partnership with the University of Salford How to Apply Before applying, please read the full recruitment pack here: https://www.salfordsu.com/jobs/vacancy/17/ To apply, please submit your CV and cover letter (max 2 sides of A4) to SU-HR@salford.ac.uk by 2pm, 24 October 2025. In your cover letter, please detail: Why you are interested being a Trustee for Salford SU and how you align to our values. Your background, skills, and experience relevant to the role, particularly any relevant experience you have in: Tackling Loneliness / community development / building belonging at a strategic level. Financial and Commercial scrutiny, as this is a key enabler for organisational success.