Work with us

We are looking for two enthusiastic students to sit on the Board of Trustees 2026-27. The Trustees are ultimately responsible, individually and collectively, for overseeing the strategic direction, financial stability and legal/reputational risks of the organisation. This includes agreeing the vision and values of the organisation as directed by students and for ensuring the delivery of organisational purpose. 

Trustees will regularly meet to discuss the progress and delivery of the strategy, the Union’s financial position and any risks to the organisation. They will also think about opportunities for the Union that will help deliver its vision: we have a positive impact with every Portsmouth student: students are heard, students are empowered, students thrive. 

Link to full recruitment pack

The Person

• A Portsmouth University Student with an enthusiasm for developing student services and student activities
• Knowledge/experience of HE, the Students’ Union Sector and the local community 
• Demonstrates effective leadership qualities
• Ability to handle competing priorities and make informed decisions
• Commands confidence, has sound judgement and strong communication skills
• We particularly welcome applications from PGM/BAME candidates and candidates with disabilities, as these groups are currently under-represented on our Board. We would also particularly encourage 1st and 2nd year students to apply for this position. 

What’s in it for you?

• You’ll have the chance to represent and positively affect students like you
• You’ll develop a wide range of invaluable skills in governance, leadership, finance and strategy
• You will also develop important team working skills; you’ll need to be able to negotiate, empathise, listen and communicate ideas or concerns effectively during board meetings
• It will look great on your CV, job applications or to future employers
• You will have access to a range of diverse professional networks, which means you are able to gain knowledge or scope out opportunities for the next step in your career progression
• All new Trustees receive a comprehensive induction training, as well as opportunities to meet elected officers and staff of the Union.

The Organisation

The University of Portsmouth Students’ Union (The Union or UPSU for short) is a forward thinking, friendly organisation with a vision of “delivering a positive impact with every Portsmouth student”. As a charity led by its values and guided by its members, we offer a wide range of services and activities to support and enrich the lives of our students. UPSU employs approximately 30 career staff, a further 40 student staff and we work with over 1000 registered student volunteers and over 100 student groups.

Further Information

For an informal conversation about this opportunity, please clerk@upsu.net

Further information about Portsmouth Students’ Union is available at www.upsu.net. For information on how to apply, please visit www.upsu.net/careers 

Deadline for applications: Midday, 15th October 2026
Interview Dates: 27th October 2026

We kindly ask that candidates do not send CVs or cover letters as these will not be considered. You can find an application form on our website.

Anonymous shortlisting will be carried out for this role to ensure a fair and consistent approach to recruitment. We will not disclose any personal details to the shortlisting panel. Any documents or links with identifying information will not be used during shortlisting, but can be submitted if you are selected for an interview.

We are strongly dedicated to embedding equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) within our community and we are passionate about creating a welcoming and inclusive environment which supports everyone from recruitment through to appointment, regardless of your background. We welcome applications from all talented people and as part of this commitment, we are working to improve the diversity of our workforce to ensure that it is as relevant and representative of our student community as possible and are actively encouraging applications from underrepresented groups.

The Union is a MINDFUL EMPLOYER® and we are committed to creating a supportive and open culture and actively support the mental wellbeing of all staff.

Due to the high number of applicants, if you have not heard from UPSU by the interview date you should assume you have been unsuccessful in your application.