Change your career, change lives
These vacancies are advertised on behalf of the Open University Students Union (Open SU).
Please do not use the Apply Now button. Details on how to apply can be found below.
The Open SU serves the interests of around 170,000 part-time and distance-learning students spread across the UK, continental Europe and beyond. Our role is to represent and support the interests of this vast and diverse community of students. The Open SU is an independent registered charity, governed by elected student leaders. Our team of vibrant, friendly and dedicated professional staff provide the vital support needed to deliver our ambitious strategy. Though your skills and experience are important, vital to us, are your values. Here at the Open SU we are committed to a positive team culture to enable and empower all members to be their very best.
Please find a link here to an application information pack: Application Pack
About the Role
There are two posts avaialble - one is a 37 hour per week (1.0) FTE post and the other is a 22.5 hour per week (0.61 FTE) post. Both are 18 month fixed term contracts.
In these exciting fixed-term roles, you’ll play a vital part in empowering students to become confident advocates, making sure their voices are heard and their experiences help shape decisions that affect the wider student community. Your involvement will be key to deliver Open SU’s Student Voice objectives, and you’ll work collaboratively with the Student Voice team to deliver projects and raise awareness of opportunities for students to get involved and make a difference.
You’ll support our volunteers through recruitment, providing ongoing guidance, and helping them grow into changemakers and positive representatives of Open SU.
The Job-Related Information pack containing the role description and person specification can be found on the Open SU website here:Job Information
Key Responsibilities
- Accountable and responsible for delivery of aspects of team business plan.
- Support Student Leadership Team members and/or other volunteers as required, often taking on a coaching role to support students.
- Able to research and collaborate on paper submissions or reports to the Board of Trustees/Student Leadership Team as required.
- Takes a lead in planning, implementation and evaluation of team projects and work.
- Able to use initiative within work to ensure quality and continuous improvement.
- Supports recruitment of Grade 5/6 positions where relevant.
- Responsible for project/workstream budgets where delegation has been authorised.
- Able to prepare and deliver presentations and volunteer training where necessary.
- Able to work autonomously on projects, events and workstreams within their area of responsibility.
- Support and contribute to a culture of openness, inclusion and ambition.
About You
This role is a fantastic opportunity for a motivated individual with strong communication skills and experience in leading projects and supporting volunteers. You’ll be passionate about empowering others, helping them grow into confident advocates for their peers. As part of a small but busy team, you’ll be comfortable in a fast-paced environment and be confident managing deadlines, prioritising tasks, and organising your workload effectively. You’ll also enjoy working collaboratively, as you’ll be supporting both colleagues and volunteers to achieve shared goals.
Support with your application
If you have any questions, or need support or adjustments relating to your application, the recruitment process, or the role, please contact The Open University Students Union at oustudents-jobs@open.ac.uk quoting the job title.
What's in it for you?
At The Open University, we offer a range of benefits to recognise and reward great work, alongside policies and flexible working that contribute towards a great work life balance. Get all the details of what benefits we offer by visiting our Staff Benefits page (clicking this link will open a new window).
Flexible working
We are open to discussions about flexible working. Whether it’s a job share, part time, compressed hours or another working arrangement. Please reach out to us to discuss what works best for you.
Working Location
Hybrid working - remotely and at the Open SU Office, OU Walton Hall Campus, Milton Keynes
Next steps in the Recruitment process
Interviews will likely take place on 16th and 17th June 2026.
Early closing date notification
While most roles will remain open until the advertised closing date, applications may be reviewed on an ongoing basis. In some cases, vacancies may close earlier if a sufficient number of suitable applications have been received and equality impacts have been appropriately considered. All roles will remain advertised for a minimum of one week before any early closure is implemented.
If you have started an application or were in the process of applying when the advert closed, we encourage you to get in touch. We are committed to understanding individual circumstances and can offer further support where needed, including reasonable adjustments for applicants with protected characteristics.
How to apply
To apply for this role please send your CV and supporting statement to oustudents-jobs@open.ac.uk In your supporting statement, please state whether you are applying for the 1.0 FTE or the 0.6 FTE role (or both).
Please include responses to the following questions in your supporting statement:
- Supporting Advocacy:
Provide an example of a time when you supported others to become advocates. - Member-Led Organisations:
Describe your experience of working in a member-led organisation. - Working with Volunteers:
Outline your experience of working with volunteers, including both recruitment and ongoing support.
The Job-Related Information pack containing the role description and person specification can be found on the Open SU website here:Job Information
Note: Please do not use the Apply Now button. Applications submitted via the Apply Now button will not be accepted.
Please email your CV and supporting statement over to oustudents-jobs@open.ac.uk
The Open University Students Union is committed to equal opportunities for everyone in education and employment and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.
