Here at Arts University Bournemouth Students’ Union we are looking for two External Trustees to join our Trustee Board.
About Us
We are a charity that is led by students, representing around 3,400 students. We work in partnership with the University, while remaining independent and accountable to students. Our role is to represent students’ interests, support their wellbeing and create opportunities for connection, leadership and belonging.
AUBSU has been in a period of change over the last few years with a turntable of staff and officers. Now in 2026 with new management at the helm, we are moving towards a position of proactivity rather than reactivity. For the 2025 – 2026 our focus has been on setting strong foundations and getting back to basics. We have improved relationships and continued to deliver activity and events for students in a year that has been turbulent and unclear and have put in the groundwork that we can build on year on year. In 2026 – 2027 we want to continue this work, build a long-term plan and get back to doing what students unions thrive at delivering, effective student representation, extracurricular opportunities and governance processes. We want to move towards a position of creating a strategic plan by September 2027 that will take us through the next three to five years and we are currently about to embark on a policy review looking at all of our governing documents and policies and updating these to make sure they are up to date, representative and effective in practice.
AUBSU has four staff members and two sabbatical officers. We currently act under the slogan of work, rest, play, slay and split our activity between student representation, democracy, governance and campaigns, clubs and societies and events as well as much more. Our Trustee Board meets four times a year with one away day with a mix of in person and online delivery. There may be a requirement to attend other meetings outside of this as well as time dedicated for pre reading of papers and communication with the rest of the Board and the Student Union Manager. We have two Officer Trustees, three External Trustees, three Student Trustees and one University Trustee. Here at AUBSU we are heavily reliant on our block grant which means we are constantly navigating a tough financial climate where we are unable to deliver activity. Internally our goal is to pursue other avenues of income generation meaning we can provide more for students and put ourselves in a positive financial position year on year.
Because of this we are unable to offer expense claims (e.g. travel and accommodation) and as a first instance we are looking for candidates from the dorset region.
Trustee Responsibilities
We are looking for a candidate who is willing to put in the work, someone who can speak up and challenge if needed, someone who wants to be part of our journey working from the ground up and someone who is passionate and enthusiastic about making a real difference to the lives of students. We are looking for candidates with financial experience and/or charity, higher education or students’ union experience.
The appointment is for a three-year term (can be extended to six), in which you are able to build strong relationships, understand our organisation in depth and see the impact of our work overtime.
The Trustees are responsible for ensuring that the Union is running efficiently and effectively.
This includes:
Representing the Students Union, safeguarding its good name;
Developing and delivering our long-term plan, objectives, policies and procedures and evaluating performance;
Ensuring AUBSU uses its money and resources in pursuit of our charitable aims;
Ensuring AUBSU complies with its legal responsibilities and regulatory requirements, including charity law and other relevant legislation and regulations;
Ensuring that AUBSU acts in accordance with its governing documents;
Ensuring AUBSU keeps proper accounts and records;
Monitoring the performance of AUBSU;
Protecting AUBSUs’ assets and usage of those assets;
Working closely with the other Trustees and the Student Union Manager to support with effective management of the Union.
All Trustees must:
Act within AUBSUs’ governing documents and the law;
Act within the best interests of the organisation as whole, considering what is best for the Students’ Union and avoiding bringing it into disrepute;
Manage conflicts of interests effectively;
Respect confidentiality;
Be aware of the issues affecting Students’ Unions, students and the wider higher education sector;
Attend meetings, other appointments and give apologies. Trustees should engage in discussions and decision making;
Be fully prepared for meetings;
Actively engage in respectful discussion, debating and voting in meetings and respect other opinions– contributing positively, challenging sensitively, avoiding conflict and listening carefully.
How to apply
To apply for this role, please send a CV and covering letter to cbaker@aub.ac.uk outlining the below points.
Why are you interested in this role?
Any relevant skills, experience and attributes you could bring
The closing date for applications is 7th August 2026. We will be in contact with successful candidates the week of the 10th of August 2026 about joining us for an online interview during the week commencing the 24th of August 2026.
