Chief Executive Officer
Highlands and Islands Students' Association UHI (HISA)
About the Organisation
Over the ten years since its creation, HISA has developed significantly thanks to the partnership work between its professional staff and student officers. This is your
opportunity to lead it through from its development stage to maturity and become part of our story. As the recognised students’ association of the University of the Highlands & Islands and its academic partners we lead a wide range of work including managing the Student Voice Representative system which is vital for both representation and as part of the quality enhancement system. We also support students to organise clubs and societies and hold events such as Welcome Week and organise the annual student and staff awards. This is just a small snapshot of what we do, and our fundamental role is to make sure that the student voice is
represented and heard in all key decision-making spaces locally, regionally and nationally to improve education across the Highlands & Islands, Perthshire and Moray.
About the role
As Chief Executive you will lead our team of career professional staff and work with the elected officer team and the Trustee Board to deliver HISA’s agreed Strategic Plan and in year priorities. You will provide continuity within the organisation and provide leadership to staff to support the delivery of the elected student officer objectives while maintaining clear long-term vision. You will need good people skills to manage staff and relationships across the HISA’s geographic spread
and will also be expected to develop strong working relationships with the senior management within the University and it’s Academic Partners to ensure HISA can continue to deliver on areas like the Student Partnership Agreement.
The UHI Partnership is not immune to the challenges being faced by the further and higher education in Scotland, but the UHI Partnership is much further advanced in addressing these challenges than most and is currently in the middle of a major transformation project to ensure long term sustainability. A key part of your role will be to support the student officers in responding to this major change programme to ensure student voice is at the heart of it, whilst continuing to
deliver business as usual. HISA will also need to change over the next few years to respond to financial challenges and to ensure that everything we do is focused on delivering for our 26,000 members and that their voice is heard loud and clear. Within this pack, you’ll find out more about the role and how with your help, we’ll continue to make things better for students. Please do get in touch if you would like more information or to arrange a confidential chat.
The role of the Chief Executive Officer is to provide strategic support to the student officers within our student-led organisation; and to provide support and leadership to the senior leadership team and our Board of Trustees.
The post-holder is required to provide an interface between the Trustee Board and the leadership team, and between other key decision-making bodies within the Students’ Association, converting policy and strategy into action. Our CEO will be a source of continuity within the Students’ Association, providing vision and
expertise to drive the Association forward towards organisational goals whilst ensuring that the Association is structured to facilitate Student Officers’ work towards organisational objectives. As a key contact and partner with UHI stakeholders, the CEO is required to work towards aligning the Students’ Associations progression into the UHI’s strategy. The CEO should also ensure that all aspects of organisational risk are identified, monitored and managed.
Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership:
- Working with the Trustee Board and in collaboration with all key stakeholders to ensure that HISA’s strategy will drive the organisation forward through new
- initiatives whilst meeting the required charitable objectives. Lead the development and delivery of HISA’s strategy, involving Trustees, student officers, staff members and other stakeholders as appropriate. Ensure that strategic plans are sustainable and linked to viable long-term outcomes.
- Ensure that the organisation fully utilises the skills, experience and potential of all staff to meet HISA’s goals and objectives.
- Lead grant application, sponsorship and commercial activity to generate income including making applications where relevant and managing relationships with funders and commercial organisations.
- Senior Leadership Team (SLT): Ensure that the SLT work effectively together and with the student officers, fostering a culture of trust, collaboration and inclusivity.
- Provide effective and visible value-based leadership, empowering, encouraging and supporting the team to reach their full potential.
- Lead and provide strategic direction to the senior leadership team and other staff with the Association’s values and mission in mind, helping to develop strategy, policy and procedures for the sustainability and future proofing of the Association.
- Set and monitor individual objectives, KPI’s and goals linked to the long-term strategic aims of the Association.
Operational Management:
- Set/manage the annual budget and keep within the agreed budget. Maintain oversight and scrutiny of the Association’s financial performance, providing regular forecasts, commentary and analysis to the Trustee Board.
- Review and develop relevant key performance measures to ensure that the Trustee Board have clear oversight of progress towards strategic goals.
- Ensure there are systems to measure value and impact within the Association, to achieve financial efficiency and the delivery of quality services and opportunities for members.
- Take responsibility for the Health and Safety oversight of the organisation and maintain and promote a healthy and safe environment for the Association’s staff, volunteers and visitors.
Student Leadership & Governance:
- Support the Trustee Board and ensure there is induction and ongoing training for the development of Trustees.
- Provide mentorship and support to elected leadership of the organisation, briefing them on all relevant work themes and helping to align their manifesto goals and ambitions to the strategy of the Association.
- Ensure compliance with all legal and financial requirements, and with OSCR.
- Ensure that successes are celebrated to enhance the positive image of the Association to its members and stakeholders.
Other Responsibilities:
- To be responsible for organisational compliance ensuring relevant legislation and policies are enacted to include but not limited to Education Act 1994, charity, health & safety, data protection, and employment laws.
- Behave professionally in line with our values and with integrity, drive own continuous professional development and remain transparent in actions.
- Ensure that the Association has a strategic approach to creating a positive reputation with all Members.
- To develop and maintain strong relationships and a partnership approach across all work themes with the UHI partners, local organisations, and other relevant stakeholders.
- To lead, manage and grow the Association whilst driving a culture of diversity, inclusivity, high performance and collectivism and leading the values, behaviours and mission of the organisation.
- To undertake other duties that are within the scope and spirit of the role that may from time to time be reasonably required.
- Adhere to all relevant HISA policies, procedures, and governing documents at all times, including the staff code of conduct.
Skills, Competencies & Experience
Required Skills :
- Strong understanding of governance principles, committee administration and organisational procedures
- Demonstrable experience of coordinating committee or Board meetings, including taking accurate minutes
- Proficient in Microsoft Office and digital meeting platforms
- Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to draft clear, concise, and professional correspondence and minutes
- Research and report writing ability including advanced copy-editing, document formatting and proofreading skills
- Excellent organisational and time management skills, with the ability to plan ahead and manage competing demands
- Confident working independently and collaboratively within a small team Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and maintain strict confidentiality
Desirable skills:
- Familiarity with supporting elections, nominations or grant awarding processes
- Demonstrable experience of coordinating committee or Board meetings, including taking accurate minutes
Required Experience:
- Relevant senior management experience in an organisation of similar complexity in a relevant context
- Proven track record of forging successful partnerships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders
- Experience of effectively managing financial and humanresources at strategic level and through budget holders
- Demonstrable experience and evidence of success in the management of growing, building and enhancing internal systems, policies and structures
Desirable Experience:
- Experience of growing and diversifying income streams
- Experience of working in a democratic environment coaching, supporting, and empowering elected officers or similar groups of people to lead their organisation
Required Qualifications
- A degree and/or significant relevant experience in a senior management role
- Evidence of continuous personal and professional development e.g. Professional management qualification
- A current drivers license
Compensation & Benefits
- Annual leave entitlement is 39 days pro rata, which includes 9 public holidays and 3 Christmas Closure days.
- Enhanced Occupational Sick Pay
- Flexible & hybrid working patterns
- CPD & training opportunities
- Paid travel & accommodation for events and in-person meetings
- Office HQ in Inverness
- IT equipement provided
Conditions of employment
- The postholder will be expected to be based within a reasonable commutable distance of a UHI campus and will be required to travel around the UHI partnership as required. A current drivers license is required as part of the person specification.
- This post undertakes regulated work with children and vulnerable adults, therefore membership of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme is required as a condition of employment.
- The successful candidate will require to become a member of this scheme prior to commencing employment with HISA. HISA will organise your PVG check for you as part of the onboarding process.
Working locations
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HISA currently offers hybrid working but there is an expectation that at least 60% of your working hours to be based in a HISA office on a UHI campus.
How to apply
- Please provide your updated CV and a Supporting Statement by uploading them to your application. Apply Here
Interviews
- First-stage interviews will take place on Thursday, 20th November, via Teams (online).
Policies
We also have a strong commitment to equality and diversity. HISA are proud to uphold fair employment standards as a Real Living Wage employer and to promote inclusive recruitment and progression as a Disability Confident Employer. We also have a strong commitment to equality and diversity. HISA are proud to uphold fair employment standards as a Real Living Wage employer and to promote inclusive recruitment and progression as a Disability Confident Employer.
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