Post Title: FXU Chief Executive Officer
Hours: 35 hours per week for 52 weeks, usually to be worked on a 7 hour a day basis, Monday to Friday.
Work base: The post is based primarily at the Penryn Campus although responsibility extends across all the campuses so time will need to be spent at each of these and off site as required.
Employer: FXU is a registered charity governed by an elected Board of Trustees, to whom all employees are accountable. FXU Staff are employed by Falmouth University on behalf of the FXU Board of Trustees.
Resp To: FXU Trustee Board through the elected Sabbatical Presidents.
Resp For: All permanent FXU staff, financial and physical resources.
Job Purpose:FXU is the combined students’ union for students of University of Exeter Cornwall Campuses and Falmouth University. It is led by students for students, with professional staff supporting our ambition to help all students being able to say “I belong, I am heard, I am realising my potential, and I am supported”.
The CEO will be responsible for effective and efficient strategic and operational management of FXU, ensuring the Union adds quantifiable value to the student university experience. As such, the role has responsibility for the delivery of FXU’s purpose, vision and values, strategic and operational plans.
The CEO should provide consistent leadership, support and strategic overview; develop and sustain positive relationships with key stakeholders and ensure that FXU works within legal and constitutional frameworks and reflects good practice.
The aim of FXU is to provide effective representation and services for all students of University of Exeter Cornwall Campus and Falmouth University, in order to enhance their well-being and general student experience through social, cultural, political, sporting, welfare, educational and other opportunities.
1. Strategic Leadership and Management
1.1. To develop, maintain and direct a long-term, strategic overview of FXU in line with membership priorities and considerate of related institutional and national policies, developments, trends, etc.
1.2. Lead strategic organisational planning for FXU ensuring that a clear annual plan is produced for all members of the team to work towards.
1.3. Provide professional support to the elected Presidents and Officers in order to ensure they are able to fulfil their trusteeship and representative roles and functions – including inductions, guidance, analysis of information, preparation and presentation of reports and proposals and representation of a considered FXU position on current issues.
1.4. Maintain a working knowledge of key issues and plans of the partner organisations and work alongside the elected Presidents to prepare and present a considered FXU perspective at relevant meetings.
1.5. Provide information, advice and support to FXU Trustees to enable them to make informed decisions and fulfil their legal responsibilities.
1.6. Identify and develop opportunities for growth and expansion in collaboration with the Sabbatical Officers, to support FXU plans.
1.7. Ensure that FXU is effectively member-led and that this ethos is upheld throughout all areas, activities and services across the organisation.
1.8. Maintain a working knowledge and understanding of national policies, issues, developments and trends affecting students’ unions and HEIs.
1.9. Develop and maintain positive working relationships with Senior Managers and appropriate colleagues within Falmouth University, University of Exeter, Falmouth Exeter Plus and University of Exeter Students’ Guild, to support the development of the campuses and student experience.
1.10. Represent FXU and support Presidents on relevant committees, planning groups and professional networks within University of Exeter, Falmouth University, Falmouth Exeter Plus and the wider environment.
2. Organisational Management
2.1 To manage the organisation for and on behalf of the FXU Trustee Board, and ensure that staff are managed effectively in order to create and maintain a high performing, student focussed and proactive FXU with systems in place to support all FXU functions.
2.2 To be responsible for overall financial, resource and asset management including the development of strategy, business planning and systems for effective financial, policy and process management within FXU.
2.3 Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation and statutory requirements, including necessary registrations, licenses and insurance(s), etc.
2.4 Ensure that FXU operates within its established governance structures and that these are reviewed as necessary.
2.5 Direct and support the development of policies, procedures and working practices for the effective operation of all FXU activities and services.
2.6 Ensure that all FXU policies, including human resources, financial and customer service meet legislative requirements and good practice, value diversity and are implemented effectively across all areas of FXU.
2.7 Regularly review performance and operational systems.
2.8 Produce reports, proposals and other documents as required.
3. Financial Management
3.1 Responsible for guiding and supporting the FXU Board in achieving on-going financial stability for FXU, and compliance with relevant accounting regulations, reporting requirements, etc. Providing regular financial reports, submitting proposals, advising and guiding the FXU Board as appropriate.
3.2 Responsible for overseeing the FXU budget and for other financial matters such as obtaining new sources of funding.
3.3 Oversee financial planning – prepare budgets, forecasts – to ensure financial security for FXU’s operations, and to support future developments and plans. 3.4 Provide effective and efficient management of FXU’s financial resources and authorise payments.
3.5 Liaise and negotiate with the related Institutions to agree funding on an annual basis.
3.6 Identify and explore opportunities to maximise and increase income / develop income generation streams for FXU.
3.7 To be a co-signatory on all FXU bank accounts.
4. Operational Overview and Management
4.1 To ensure that all financial, legal, human resources, IT and other business support functions operate effectively and efficiently to support all activities of FXU.
4.2 Ensure effective communication is developed and maintained within the FXU team, including elected officers and volunteers, and between FXU and students, particularly, but also wider colleagues and the general public at large.
4.3 Liaise with external bodies and organisations such as NUS, accountants, legal advisers, etc.
5. Staff Management
5.1 Responsible for the day-to-day staffing affairs of FXU, including recruitment, appointments, supervision and discipline.
5.2 To lead, develop and support a positive team culture across FXU.
5.3 To directly line manage the following staff:
Deputy CEO - FXU Advice Director - FXU Activities Director - FXU Student Voice Director - FXU Executive Support
5.4 To support all permanent members of staff employed within the FXU team.
5.5 To ensure that employees, elected officers and volunteers are aware of FXU’s aims and objectives and the standards of behaviour and performance expected of them.
5.6 Evaluate staffing needs on an on-going basis. Identify and implement and changes required in order to fulfil operational and strategic objectives.
5.7 Prepare job descriptions and undertake effective recruitment, in liaison with the FU Personnel dept.
5.8 Encourage, support and plan staff training and development.
5.9 Ensure cohesion and consistency across the FXU team, in particular with regard to upholding the ethos and core values of FXU being a student-led and democratic organisation.
6. Resource Management
6.1 Oversee the management of all FXU resources (i.e. physical space resource, minibuses, equipment, etc.) in order to achieve optimum performance and benefit for FXU members and staff.
6.2 Ensure that all FXU resources are kept securely and maintained and serviced appropriately.
7. Service Management
7.1 Direct the development of all FXU services in order to achieve FXU’s aims and objectives.
7.2 Ensure individual service areas undertake monitoring, evaluation and review in order to maintain on-going effectiveness and benefit(s) for students, implementing change where needed.
7.3 Ensure all service areas operate within appropriate health and safety guidelines; that risk assessments are undertaken as necessary, and that any required action or measures are taken.
7.4 Encourage and support best practice in all areas of service, working to guidelines and recognized standards wherever possible and appropriate.
7.5 Ensure that a student focus and input is upheld throughout all areas of FXU service and development.
8. General Duties and Responsibilities
8.1 To work in line with the FXU Mission, Vision and Values at all times, working with others to provide a supportive, responsive, student centred environment and services.
8.2 To actively support elected student officers, volunteers and employees in playing a full role in FXU decision making and activities, ensuring that FXU maintains a student-led ethos.
8.3 To present a positive image of FXU at all times, through every aspect of your work.
8.4 To maintain an up to the minute working knowledge of all FXU service areas in order to support them and provide accurate, detailed information to students and others.
8.5 To ensure that all FXU policies, procedures and agreed protocols are adhered to.
8.6 To contribute to FXU planning, review, monitoring and reporting processes and activities.
8.7 To participate in FXU team meetings and activities and represent FXU at other meetings as agreed.
8.8 To ensure that all FXU marketing and communication materials within the designated area of responsibility are accurate and up to date.
8.9 To actively support equality and diversity policies of FXU, the University of Exeter and Falmouth University.
8.10 To respect the rights of individuals by maintaining confidentiality and working in line with data protection legislation.
8.11 To attend training courses as identified and agreed for appropriate development.
8.12 To participate in the Annual Performance Development Review Process.
8.13 To communicate, liaise and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues within Falmouth University, University of Exeter and Falmouth Exeter Plus, as well as individuals and organisations outside FXU and the institutions i.e. suppliers, promoters, local businesses, media / press contacts, etc.
8.14 Working within the Health and Safety at Work Act, the post holder has a legal duty to take reasonable care for Health and Safety both for themselves and others who may be affected by their actions. They are also required to undertake Health and Safety training commensurate with the level required by the post and to take part in risk assessment procedures and the implementation of agreed recommended work practices within the area.
8.15 To undertake other duties not specifically stated above, which from time to time are necessary without altering the nature or level of responsibility involved.
9. Key Relationships
9.1 FXU Presidents 9.2 Senior staff Falmouth Exeter Plus 9.3 Senior staff Falmouth University 9.4 Senior staff University of Exeter 9.5 FXU Advice Director 9.6 FXU Activities Director & Deputy CEO 9.7 FXU Student Voice Director 9.8 FXU Executive Support 9.9 University of Exeter (Penryn campus) Finance Team 9.10 Falmouth University Human Resources Team 9.11 CEO University of Exeter Students’ Guild
Personal Specification
This section describes the ideal candidate. Whilst our ideal candidate will have all of these qualities we'll be happy to support a talented recruit to develop into the role.
Qualifications/Development 1. Educated to degree level or equivalent (E) 2. Evidence of continuous professional development/management qualification (D)
Experience 1. Significant experience at a senior management level in a membership, democratic and/or campaigning organisation (E) 2. Experience of being directed by and reporting to a Board of Trustees or similar, made of up experienced and inexperienced members. (D) 3. A proven track record of developing strategic intentions into impactful outcomes (E) 4. Significant experience of successfully managing external stakeholder relationships in a complex work environment (D) 5. Experience of supporting early years professionals in achieving their potential (D)
Knowledge 1. A good understanding of current issues and themes in higher education, students’ unions and the third sector (E) 2. A good working knowledge of legislation and regulations relevant to students’ unions including education law, health and safety, information security, employment, financial, and charity laws and regulations. (E) 3. A good understanding of and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. (E) 4. A good understanding of operational management theory and practice in a service delivery organisation. (E) 5. A good working knowledge of human resources management theory and practice. (E) 6. A good working knowledge of financial management and practice (E)
Skills & Attributes 1. An empathy with the purpose, aims and objectives of a students’ union. (E) 2. Excellent relationship management skills with multiple stakeholders, internally and externally. (E) 3. Excellent facilitation and empowerment skills (E) 4. Proven team leadership skills (E) 5. Highly developed prioritisation and time management skills (E) 6. A quality orientated approach to managing outcomes (E) 7. Confidence and resilience in a demanding workload and multi stakeholder environment (E) 8. Collaborative and approachable at all times (E) 9. Ability to motivate and engage teams (E) 10. Respectful of confidentiality and sensitive working when required (E)