UCD Students' Union, Non-Executive Director with finance experience

UCD Students' Union wishes to recruit new Board members to assist in governing its organisation.

Who we are

UCD Students' Union is a company limited by guarantee and is the representative voice of the 33,000+ students of UCD. 

Founded in 1975 by UCD students for UCD students, UCDSU has almost half a century of advocating on behalf of generations of UCD students, working to promote and defend their interests on-campus and in wider society. Nearly fifty years later, UCDSU still has an important role to play in helping UCD students get the most out of their time in college, while also supporting the collective needs of all our members, both in their capacity as students and as people living in Ireland more broadly.   

As the students’ union, we are student-led - we represent the voice of all students, with the voice of students present right throughout the university governing structure. Our democratically elected Officers work tirelessly and passionately to represent the student voice through their active participation in university committees and working groups and are supported in their efforts by the union’s network of class reps, activists and volunteers network. Our student-led approach means that our network of officers and student reps are actively and persistently listening to students, advocating for their needs and working towards the shared goal of achieving positive outcomes for the student body. 

UCDSU has a decades-long history of achieving impact both within and outside the UCD university ecosystem. Through collaboration with the university, and by holding it accountable where necessary, we have achieved enhanced positive outcomes for students - for their higher education, but also for a more enjoyable and inclusive student experience while they are at UCD.  On a societal level, UCD students have a proud tradition of pushing for progressive change. As we look to 2025, and a near future of continued uncertainty, with challenges across housing, health, climate and basic cost of living, UCDSU has never been more committed to advocating for a positive student experience better deal for its student experience for its members with wellbeing at its core and a fairer, more just and compassionate Ireland. 

Our Mission

Our mission is to represent, support and enhance the lives of UCD students.

Our Vision

Our vision is for a positive student experience for every student at UCD. 

Who we are looking for

We are interested in hearing from individuals who have backgrounds in any of finance, communications and marketing, governance, risk management, legal, or HR to join our Board as a director.

Roles and responsibilities of Board members include:

• Prepare adequately for and regularly attend board meetings
• Evaluate, reflect and take an active part in board discussions
• Support and attend UCDSU events where possible and actively promote the work of the Union
• Commit to ensuring best practice is adhered to in relation to governance and accountability
• Support UCDSU’s Management Team to manage their roles and their team effectively
• Support policy development and review, and support project leaders with issues of compliance and governance

Specific Finance Roles

• Oversight of financial aspects of the union to ensure short and long term viability
• Offer advice on all financial matters, both the Union and the Retail stores
• Assist the  Board to ensure that the Union fulfils its duties and responsibilities for proper and effective financial governance
• Review and sign off on annual accounts and financial reports for all relevant parties including the Board and CRO
• Main Board representation to approve changes to financial policies and procedures
• Oversight of financial compliance and risk management
• Review systems of internal control and risk management to ensure they operate effectively, through discussion and curiosity of materials presented to the Board
• Ensure compliance with relevant legal and regulatory requirements
• Review data compliance, specifically with regard to GDPR and offer advice if necessary

Knowledge of the Student Representation, University or Not-For-Profit sectors and of the general environment in which the Union operates is helpful but not essential.

THE PERSON:

• Have a strong financial background
• Have great communication and listening skills
• Must be discreet and diplomatic
• Must be prepared to act in an advisory capacity
• Relationships/ connections to UCD and the SU, or the student union movement in general is helpful but not essential

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Financial management experience and expertise
• Formal accounting qualification
• Audit and risk experience
• Experience with finance in the voluntary / charity sector would be a bonus

Board meetings

There are six board meetings per annum. It is planned to alternate between in-person and online meetings. In-person meetings take place in UCDSU offices.

Sub Committee groups (when they are required) communicate by phone, online or in person as appropriate. Meetings are no more than four times per year.

Board Directors are not remunerated.

If you are interested in the role listed above please make contact with us hr@ucdsu.ie for further information on how we see the roles of our directors, to receive further information and maybe to talk to one of our current directors and better understand what any of the positions would entail.