UWS Students’ Union is seeking External Trustees to join its Board.

This is an opportunity to contribute to the governance and strategic direction of a student-led charity at a significant point in its development. We are building on a period of strong performance, democratic reform and high student engagement, while preparing to develop our next Strategic Plan.

Our members are students at the University of the West of Scotland, Scotland’s leading widening access university. We are therefore seeking trustees with senior-level experience and strategic insight, who are motivated by social impact, equity and improving outcomes for students.

About the role

External Trustees support the governance, oversight and long-term sustainability of the Students’ Union.

Working alongside elected student officers, student trustees and staff, you will:

• Contribute to setting strategic direction and monitoring progress
• Provide independent judgement and constructive challenge
• Support effective financial oversight and risk management
• Ensure the organisation operates in line with its charitable purpose and legal obligations

Trustees are not involved in day-to-day operational management.

Who we are looking for

We are seeking individuals with significant senior leadership experience who are comfortable operating at Board or senior decision-making level.

Following a recent review of Board skills and capacity, our priority areas are:

• Finance and income generation
• Strategic planning and organisational change
• People leadership and HR
• Digital, communications or data-informed decision-making

We welcome applications from across the voluntary, public and private sectors. Experience of charity governance is beneficial but not essential.

Above all, we are looking for individuals who understand the importance of widening access to education and are motivated by supporting a diverse student community.

About UWS Students’ Union

UWS Students’ Union is a registered charity representing over 19,000 students across five campuses. We work in partnership with the University while remaining an independent organisation accountable to students.

Our members are drawn from the University of the West of Scotland, Scotland’s leading widening access university. This context shapes our work, with a strong focus on equity, student voice and ensuring all students are supported to succeed.

Trustees play a key role in ensuring our strategy, services and governance reflect the realities of students’ lives.

Time commitment

• Board meetings take place quarterly (typically evenings)
• Additional committee meetings and occasional strategic sessions

Eligibility

As a registered charity and company limited by guarantee, Trustees are both charity trustees and company directors.

Applicants must not:

• have unspent convictions involving dishonesty
• be an undischarged bankrupt
• be disqualified from acting as a company director

Let's tell you more about what we're looking for...

Help Shape the Future of Student Life at the Heriot-Watt Student Union

We’re looking for an exceptional External Trustee to join our dynamic and ambitious Student Union Board. With a new strategy underway and major change programmes taking shape, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful and lasting impact on student experience and organisational growth.

Who We Are

We are an energetic, student-centred charity representing over 10,000 Heriot-Watt University students. We deliver services, events and welfare support to help students succeed academically, socially and personally. In addition, our trading operations include a lively bar, a popular coffee shop, and a thriving shop.

We generate around £3M annually, all reinvested into enhancing student wellbeing and services. Guided by our long-term strategy, The Big Plan, we are transforming the way we support our members (our students) and strengthening our governance and leadership structures to match.

Why This Role Matters

As an External Trustee, you’ll play a key role in steering our next phase of development. Working closely with other members of the Board and our CEO, you’ll help shape strategic priorities, ensure strong governance, and guide us as we deliver meaningful change for our student community.

You will add value by helping the Board to focus on the Union’s strategic purpose, long-term direction, organisational health and impact, while supporting the executive team to deliver the operational detail.

Your contribution will help us:

Keep student experience and wellbeing at the heart of everything we do

Strengthen our charitable, governance and trading performance

Deliver a modern, focused, high-performing Board culture

Build confidence, ambition, and forward momentum across the organisation

Our Trustee Board

You’ll join a high-performing and diverse Board that includes:

• Elected student officers

• Undergraduate and postgraduate student trustees

• External trustees with relevant experience from sectors including finance, HR, charity, education and the private sector

Together, the trustees offer oversight, strategic leadership, and accountability, ensuring we remain financially sustainable, legally compliant and focused on student needs.

Who We’re Looking For

We warmly welcome applications from those with experience in governance, strategy, organisational development and student-focused environments. We’re especially interested in candidates with backgrounds such as:

• Business development or strategic planning

• Student engagement or wellbeing

• SME leadership

• Third sector leadership

If you have experience of chairing committees or boards or aspire to grow into a Chair role we’d particularly like to hear from you.

What You’ll Do

As a Trustee, you will:

• Provide strategic oversight and strong governance, ensuring compliance with the requirements of OSCR (the Scottish Charity Regulator)

• Work collaboratively with other members of the Board and the CEO to shape and support delivery of The Big Plan

• Bring expertise to enhance performance, student services and organisational growth

• Help maintain a Board culture that is strategic, inclusive, and focused on impact and assurance

• Champion the Union’s values and commitment to student wellbeing

This is a non-executive governance role; as a trustee you will fulfil the role of providing strategic supportive challenge in respect of day-to-day management of the Union.

Time Commitment

• Four evening Board meetings per year (5:30–7:30pm)

• One full-day annual Strategy Day

• Regular meetings with the CEO (either in person or online)

• Involvement in sub-committees or project groups of the Board

Meeting papers are provided at least one week in advance.

What You’ll Gain

Serving as a Trustee offers a rewarding opportunity to develop and deepen your skills in:

• Governance and strategy

• Financial oversight and risk management

• Leadership and stakeholder engagement

• Understanding of student and higher education priorities

• Working within a dynamic, mission-driven charity

You’ll join a supportive, collaborative and ambitious Board committed to positive change, innovation, and enhancing the experience of every Heriot-Watt student.

Who we are:

Scripture Union Scotland is a national charity, with 140 staff and 2,500 volunteers. Our vision is to see every child and young person of Scotland exploring the Bible and responding to the significance of Jesus.

At the heart of our current strategy is a focus on growing SU Scotland’s ministry, especially in priority communities and with priority schools and young people, removing barriers and partnering with local churches.

Building on the experience and impact of Ferrywell in Edinburgh (ferrywell.org.uk) and Junction 12 in Glasgow (junction12.org.uk), a key focus for the next period is planting more local Christian youth projects in priority communities to share the love of Jesus with children, young people and their families.

The East End of Glasgow has record levels of deprivation and work has already begun in the Bridgeton, Dalmarnock and Parkhead areas, making links with Eastbank and St Mungo’s Academies and their associated primaries. We are also encouraged by local church support for this growing work.

Purpose

Reporting to our Local Youth Projects Development Coordinator, this new role will be key in developing and leading the work to establish a youth project within the Bridgeton area, linking with schools in the Eastbank and St Mungo’s Academy catchments.

Who we are looking for

To achieve this, we want to identify someone with a vibrant Christian faith who understands life for young people within a priority community. They should be able to build positive, trusting and supportive relationships and have previous proven experience of this type of ministry with children and young people.

For this post, it is important that you are committed to SU Scotland’s ethos, working principles and vision and can demonstrate this through your commitment and motivation. It is also an Occupational Requirement (Equality Act - part 1, schedule 9), that the post-holder is a committed Christian.

Blue Triangle is a social care organisation that empowers people to thrive, by delivering solutions in connected communities which focus on the needs of each individual. We are looking for enthusiastic people who share our values (Kind, Passionate and Creative) to join our services accommodating and supporting people experiencing homelessness and empowering them to thrive.

Blue Triangle recognises and actively promotes the benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to treating all employees with dignity and respect regardless of race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief.

We welcome applications from all sections of the community.

What we offer:

Aside from offering a supportive and friendly environment where our people are valued and appreciated, we’ll see that your hard work and drive to succeed is rewarded.

• Competitive Salary and Pension Options
• Long service awards
• Access to our benefits platform with high street voucher and tech discounts and cycle to work scheme to name a few!
• Inhouse training programmes
• Significant Gym discounts
• Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
• 24/7 access to employee assistance programme, including counselling
• A wide range of family friendly policies
• Life Assurance cover of 3 times your salary
• Credit Union
• £200 refer a friend scheme

And many more!

About the Role:

We’re seeking a highly motivated National Training Manager to develop the learning and growth of our team on a full time basis. Committed to creating a lively and inclusive learning atmosphere, the National Training Manager will design, deliver and accredit learning programs for our employees, stakeholders, and external experts. Working in close partnership with our Service Delivery team, they will guarantee that the workforce is equipped with the essential skills and capabilities to adapt to the organisation’s changing requirements.

Interviews are expected to take place from our Central Support base in Glasgow on the week commencing 11th May 2026.

To find out more about being our National Training Manager, click the link below:

National Training Manager – Role Profile

About You:

Drawing on your past experience in developing training, you should be characterised by creativity and emotional intelligence, with a caring nature and professional attitude. Your attention to detail and positive approach to problem solving will drive you to consistently seek opportunities for enhancing the learning programs provided to our employees. Moreover, you should possess the following qualifications and attributes:

• Must hold a valid UK Driving Licence and have access to a vehicle.
• Hold a relevant training qualification at SCQF Level-10, or equivalent work experience.
• Working knowledge of Qualifications Scotland (formerly SQA) accreditation, delivery, assessment and verification processes to SCQF Level-09.
• Understanding of the Scottish Social Service Council (SSSC) and Registered Condition requirements, timelines, extensions and associated tasks.
• Leadership experience in the third sector.
• Proficiency in scoping, developing, and delivering training materials to a diverse audience.
• Exceptional problem-solving skills with a focus on finding positive and practical solutions.

We care about one another whilst taking pride in the service we offer. You will be working in a company with a strong identity and with the guidance and support of experienced Senior Managers you will be able to develop in your career.

To apply for this role, please click ‘Apply’ below where you’ll be given important information regarding the process and an application form to complete and upload.

Due to the Safer Recruitment requirements by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) and Care Inspectorate we do not accept CV’s and you must therefore complete our application form.

Please note we do not accept applications from out with the UK as we do not have a UK visa sponsorship license.