Do you have a keen interest in democracy, and want to get paid to chair our new Students Union Council? Well have we got the role for you.

What does the role entail?

Students’ Union Council (also known as SU Council) is the Union’s central policy setting body. It considers motions, debates proposals, receives Sabbatical Officer accountability reports, and may call referenda under Bye-Law 5.  

The Students’ Union Council Chair is responsible for chairing all SU Council meetings, ensuring that agendas and specific timings are followed, and that all representatives can have their voice heard. The Chair is central to the effective operation of SU Council, ensuring its democratic processes are conducted fairly, consistently, and in accordance with the Union's governing documents. 

Alongside chairing meetings, the Chair works closely with the Sabbatical Officers (who serve as Deputy Chairs) and the Representation Coordinator to set agendas, review motions and amendments, and ensure that decisions are taken in line with Bye-Law 5 and the Articles of Association. The Chair also ensures that accurate minutes and records of decisions are produced and published following each meeting. 

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for a student who genuinely believes in the value of student democracy and the importance of student voice. The right candidate will approach the role with fairness, patience, and respect for every participant in the room, including those whose views they may personally disagree with. 

They will stay composed and professional when discussions become difficult or contentious, and will be actively committed to making sure that all voices are heard and valued within SU Council's processes, particularly those of students from underrepresented groups.

Why is this role being created?

The role coincides with the introduction of Students' Union Council (SU Council), a change brought about through our recent Democracy Review.

As your Students’ Union, we can always do more to make sure you’re represented effectively, and student priorities are always reflected in the work we do. Last year we launched a Democracy Review to analyse the challenges with our current processes, gather your opinions and feedback, and implement new processes to better support you. 

This included reviewing all aspects of our system (e.g. elected officer roles, policy submission mechanisms, SU council) - nothing was off the table, and all decisions taken were informed by your feedback.

What does this mean for SU democracy?

Students' Union Council brings together different communities of students, to make sure you are effectively represented, and you are able to create the change you want to see. As part of our changes, we aim to increase the number of paid student roles within our representation structure, including the new role of Students' Union Council Chair. 

More information about the changes made through our Democracy Review will be uploaded to our website shortly, but you can check out what we've done so far on our dedicated page here. 

Sounds great! How do I apply?

Applications are now open, and you can apply for the role through our vacancies page. We encourage you to take some time to read through the Job Description. The deadline to submit your application is Wed 6 May 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please feel free to contact the Representation Team at studentvoice@roehampton.ac.uk