Director

Royal College of Art Students’ Union 

Director 

Salary: £54,057  

Location: Kensington, London 

Contract: Full time 

Join the Royal College of Art Students’ Union (RCASU) as our next Director! Lead a passionate team in a world-leading, postgraduate-only institution, enhancing the student experience. We are seeking an experienced, empowering manager to drive our 2022-27 strategic vision, collaborating with student leaders and stakeholders to shape RCASU’s future. 

About the Students’ Union  

At RCASU we represent 2,600 students, all of whom are postgraduate and around 60% of which are international students.  

We're a democratic, membership organisation and all students at the Royal College of Art (RCA) are automatically members of the Union. Overall legal responsibility for the Students' Union rests with our Board of Trustees which is made up of two full-time Sabbatical Officers, two student trustees and three external trustees. The Sabbatical officers are elected each year by, and from, the student membership of the College; this is a full time paid role they take up after they have completed their studies.  

We are seeking a dynamic and inspiring Director to champion the postgraduate student experience and drive our purpose forward. As a registered charity and independent voice for RCA’s diverse student community, RCASU is dedicated to influencing policy, advocating on behalf of students, and championing their needs at this world-renowned institution.  

Our vision is to engage our members in creating an exceptional student experience at RCA and help students to achieve their potential; we can’t wait for you to help us achieve this vision! 

About the role  

Under the direction of the Board of Trustees, the Director is accountable for the performance, management, development and sustainability of RCASU and responsible for developing and leading the Union's services, strategy and objectives to meet students’ needs.   

As Director, you’ll work closely with RCA and our key partners, leading campaigns, shaping policies, and supporting student life. You'll also oversee our unique “Art Bar,” a popular space overlooking the Royal Albert Hall, which hosts events throughout the year. RCA’s influence in art and design has a legacy dating back to 1837; today, RCASU continues this legacy by supporting students who push creative boundaries. 

This is a unique opportunity to collaborate with passionate student leaders, a skilled staff team, and a supportive Board of Trustees. You'll safeguard a strong partnership with the College, ensuring the Students' Union is a vital and valued partner in enhancing the student experience. With your strategic direction, operational acumen, and championing of student voices, you'll lead RCASU into an exciting new era. 

The successful candidate won’t necessarily need to come from the Higher Education sector, but you must be able to demonstrate a good understanding of the trends and issues that affect our students. You’ll have a good understanding of charity governance, financial & commercial management, and organisational development. 

How to Apply   

Please click 'Apply’ to be redirected to our website, where you can download the Candidate Information Pack and Job Description and find details of how to apply.   

For an informal conversation about the role and application process, please contact Anh Ly at Atkinson HR Consulting.

Key Dates

Closing Date: Wednesday 27th November 2024, 9.00am  

First Stage Interviews (Remote): Tuesday 10th December 2024

Final Interviews (In-person in Kensington): Tuesday 17th December 2024