Summary

Part political, part business and part charity – Durham Students’ Union is a voluntary sector organisation that’s professionally run, but different – the exact-opposite of a corporate. We make Durham better for our 17000 members, changing the University and community in their interests, and providing them with a huge range of opportunities, services, and support. Our team of career professionals and casual student staff work together every day to support elected student leaders to make change in the world.

What’s the job?

Our Director of Campaigns leads the career staff team and volunteers that support student leaders to use their talent, time, and ideas in pursuit of positive change. We want students to leave our University knowing that they can, and should, use the privilege of a Durham education to make a difference to the world. And it starts by showing them the power and opportunity they have, right now, to make our University and community even better.

You’ll have specific responsibility for the development and delivery of our strategies for a better Education, and Everyday Life. You’ll develop learning communities that transform Durham, create a strong collective student voice, and drive an institutional focus on student wellbeing. You’ll also contribute the best of the Campaign teams’ efforts to the overall success of Durham SU, as we develop our organisation to be the effective union that students deserve.

Who you are

You’ll most likely have a background or experience in campaigning, marketing, communications, policy analysis and development, or advice and advocacy; you’ll certainly have solid management and leadership experience, and be ready to operate as an effective senior leader at Durham SU.

You’ll work with student leaders to ensure leadership, vision and strategic direction for Durham SU’s campaigning and influencing work, so you’ll have a strong record in creating effective plans and structures for delivery of strategic goals

You’ll be confident in leading a team of career staff, casual student staff, and volunteers to lead high quality change and influencing projects, which engage people and produce results. Your dynamic leadership style will get the best out of your team to deliver on our Durham SU 2022 Plan.

You’ll relish the challenge of leadership in an organisation that wants to up its game in making progressive change in the context of , which values heritage and is naturally traditionalist. You’ll be tenacious and focussed, but flexible and resilient enough to find the opportunities in the sudden changes that come from working in higher education and charities.

Your personal values will align to our shared organisational values, and you’ll be a passionate advocate for self-organised community change supported by professional expertise.

Why apply?

In return for your passion and experience we offer the flexibility for work-life balance, and a competitive salary for the non-profit sector.

We’re absolutely open to considering requests for job-share or part-time working. We’re committed to equality of opportunity for all. We welcome applications from individuals regardless of their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, age, gender, or disability.

You can be yourself here whoever you are, be proud of the work you do and build a career in a place that knows different is good. We welcome interest from people new to charities, or education – your approach to people and record in making change are what matters most to us.

Role: Director of Campaigns

Responsible to: Chief Executive

Responsible for: Marketing Manager, Policy Manager

Grade: 8 (starting salary £40,388)

Main Responsibilities and Duties

The Director of Campaigns will lead and drive the work of Durham SU to create change within the University, local community and nationally, through effective policy, campaigns, marketing and influencing by: A. Leading and role modelling a positive, high-performing and inclusive culture across Durham Students’ Union, as a member of the Senior Leadership Team. B. Developing and managing long-term plans in line with Durham SU’s strategy to build the relevance, influence and brand of the Students’ Union. C. Evaluating these plans on an annual basis to ensure continuous improvement towards the Students’ Union’s strategic goals. D. Providing advice and making recommendations to elected leaders, the Senior Leadership Team, and the Trustee Board on future developments within research, policy, campaigns and marketing. E. Developing and managing a high-performing Campaigns Directorate that exerts influence and creates change to ensure that Durham SU is the champion of every Durham student. F. Building a solid base of research and evidence to ensure that Durham SU has powerful intelligence and insight into expectations, needs, issues and behaviours of Durham students. G. Creating a digital first culture across the Students’ Union and championing new ways of achieving Durham SU’s aims through better use of data and technology. H. Overseeing a professional advocacy service that is focused on providing support to students in need, whilst also identifying trends to inform preventative policy and campaigning work. I. Supporting student leaders and groups with resources, processes and opportunities, which meet their current needs, and anticipates their future needs.

The Director of Campaigns will be accountable for:

A. Effective performance of colleagues within the Campaigns Directorate. B. Good financial performance of the Campaigns Directorate including setting, agreeing and meeting budgets. C. Successful delivery of Policy and Marketing plans and KPIs. D. Professional support for all governance activities in relation to policy development and democratic processes, including elections. E. Increasing engagement with, and understanding of, Durham SU’s democratic processes.

F. Building a culture of student activism, whereby Durham students actively engage in a positive way to create change that benefits current and/or future students. G. An effective and proactive support framework for all student officers - including induction, training, mentoring and performance review. H. Building a strong brand identity and perception, including increasing students’ understanding of, and satisfaction with, the Students’ Union. I. Compliant and good practice data protection and management across the organisation. J. Developing and maintaining strong relationships with key University and community stakeholders.

Person Specification:

Essential Desirable Qualifications Undergraduate degree and/or relevant professional qualification X Evidence of continual professional development X Relevant postgraduate qualification i.e. leadership development, X campaigning, policy etc Experience Line managing others to build high performance X Managing managers X Operating in a defined leadership or senior management role X Working in a democratic, campaigning or membership organisation X Developing, managing and evaluating long-term plans and KPIs X Project management and leadership X Managing budgets effectively X Coaching and mentoring X Knowledge and Skills Current issues facing students and the wider education sector X Current best practice and trends in research, policy, campaigning or X marketing Theory and good practice around measuring brand perception and X developing levels of engagement and satisfaction IT systems including Microsoft Office and an understanding of how to X use IT systems and data to drive organisational performance Excellent report writing and written communication to articulate a X clear position and influence key stakeholders Budgeting and excellent financial management practice X Excellent planning, organisation and administration skills X Data protection legislation and good practice X Developing effective induction, training and coaching programmes X Talents and Attitude Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and ability to engage X students and stakeholders from all backgrounds Outcome-focused - passionate about creating change and able to X recognise that this can be achieved through a range of tactics Ability to motivate and engage team members to build a high X performing Campaigns Directorate Ability to thrive and lead in a busy, fast paced and change-driven X environment

Summary of Terms and Conditions:

Contract type: full-time role; 37.5-hours per week. The post will occasionally require additional commitment over and above normal office hours, which is expected to be managed by the post- holder at this Grade.

Salary: grade 8 (£40,388 - £49,636 as of 1st August 2017). Starting salary is £40,388; discretional increments may be awarded annually subject to affordability and good performance. Employer contribution of 3% to pension scheme.

Place of work: Durham Students’ Union, Dunelm House, Durham.

Annual leave: 25 days annual leave allowance, plus 8-days bank holiday.

If you have any questions or queries regarding this position, please do not hesitate to contact Gareth Hughes, Chief Executive, on [email protected] or 07855050667.

Further information on our strategy and other resources can also be found below:

Durham SU Strategy Durham SU 2017 Financial Statements Durham SU Organisation Chart Durham SU Sabbatical Officer Priorities Durham University Strategy NUS 100 The Bubble The Tab, Durham

How to Apply

If you are interested in this position, please submit a cover letter and CV to Claire Marshall ([email protected]) no later than 17:00 on Friday 23 February 2018.