Representation & Insights Manager

Representation & Insights Manager Reading Students' Union

Location: University of Reading, Whiteknights Campus, Reading, Berkshire

Salary: £36,961.59 per annum

Contract: Permanent

Hours: 35 hours per week Monday-Friday

Location: Office based

Turn student insight into action and shape the future of the student experience!

About Reading Students' Union

We are a dynamic, student-focused organisation dedicated to empowering students and enhancing their university experience. Our vision is to be a place for everyone, we inspire and empower students to change the world. Check out our exciting new strategy

Representation & Insights Manager

Do you believe students should have a genuine voice in shaping their university experience? We're looking for a strategic and data-driven leader to lead our Representation & Insights team, ensuring student voices are heard, understood and translated into meaningful action. This role sits at the heart of Reading Students Union's mission to empower students and drive positive change.

What You’ll Do

You'll lead our approach to academic representation, democracy, student insight and campaigns, creating opportunities for students to influence decisions that affect their lives. Combining research, data, engagement and strong stakeholder relationships, you'll help ensure the Students Union and University understand what matters most to students and respond effectively.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape student experience at a strategic level - bringing our data-led strategy to life.

Champion Representation & Democracy

• Lead and evolve the Students Union's representation and democratic systems, ensuring students can influence their academic experience and the wider University.
• Deliver accessible, engaging and well-governed elections, representative structures and participation opportunities, acting as Assistant Returning Officer and Deputy Returning Officer where required.
• Ensure student feedback and issues are effectively captured, escalated and translated into action and change.
• Increase participation by removing barriers to engagement and ensuring underrepresented voices are heard and acted upon.
• Build strong relationships with elected Student Presidents, representatives and student leaders to strengthen student influence, engagement and impact.

Turn Data and Insight into Action

• Lead the Students Union's research and data insight framework, ensuring evidence drives decision-making.
• Analyse trends across research, feedback, engagement and service data to identify emerging issues and opportunities.
• Ensure our elected representatives have the data insights they need to drive campaigns and projects.
• Ensure insight is translated into recommendations, action plans and measurable outcomes.
• Present data insights to stakeholders at all levels - positioning ReadingSU as the experts of student trends at the University of Reading.

Campaigns, change and student impact

• Lead the Students Union's approach to campaigns and student-led change, ensuring priorities are shaped by student voice, insight and emerging issues.
• Support elected Student Presidents to deliver impactful campaigns, projects and manifesto commitments that improve the student experience.
• Turn student feedback, research and data into meaningful organisational action and institutional influence.
• Oversee a portfolio of insight-led initiatives addressing key student issues and delivering measurable outcomes.
• Embed a culture of evaluation and continuous improvement, ensuring learning and evidence inform future activity.

Influence Change and Build Partnerships

• Develop strong partnerships with Schools, academic departments and senior University stakeholders.
• Represent the Students Union on relevant committees and working groups.
• Present evidence, recommendations and student perspectives to influence institutional decisions and policy.

Lead People, Projects and Performance

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for the Representation & Insights department.
• Manage staff performance, development, wellbeing and team culture.
• Lead departmental planning, budgets, resources and service standards.
• Deliver major projects, campaigns and initiatives aligned to organisational priorities and elected Student Presidents' objectives.
• Monitor and report on performance, impact and student outcomes.

About You

ESSENTIAL

• Strong understanding of SU governance and democratic structures.
• Significant experience in leading student voice, representation, democracy and engagement.
• Confidence leading a data-led culture, ensuring evidence informs priorities, decision-making and service development.
• Analytical skills, with experience using research, data and insight to identify trends, shape strategy and drive change through action.
• Successful experience leading teams, managing change and managing performance.
• A resilient and confident leader.
• Strong project leadership, planning and stakeholder management skills.
• Expert knowledge of current student trends and national issues.

• A passion for improving the student experience and empowering students to influence change.

DESIRABLE

• Understanding of Higher Education structures and student representation systems.

Why Join Us?

• Inclusive and supportive team culture
• Flexible working options
• 35 days annual leave including Christmas and Easter closure days
• Professional development opportunities
• Unique working environment in the heart of a vibrant Students Union, set on a stunning, green campus.

Committed to equality, celebrating diversity, and embedding sustainability - building an inclusive workplace and a brighter future for all.

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