The role
We are looking for an enthusiastic and committed Independent Student Board Member to join our Board of Directors and to Chair our Student Advisory Board (SAB).
In this role, you will bring the student perspective to Board discussions, contribute to national policy development, and represent IHE at key sector events. As Chair of the SAB, you will work with students across our member institutions to ensure their voices shape IHE’s work.
This is a unique opportunity to contribute to strategic decision making, develop your leadership skills, and gain hands-on experience in governance and advocacy.
About you
- You have an interest in higher education policy
- You are committed to the mission and values of IHE
- You demonstrate integrity, independent judgement, and a high standard of personal ethics
- You are willing to express your own opinion in a reasoned way, while listening to the views of others
- You bring experience of representing student interests or promoting the student voice, informed by first-hand knowledge of student issues
Benefits
- Gain Board and governance experience - Join IHE’s Board as a full and equal member, contributing to strategic decisions and helping to shape the direction of the organisation, and the wider sector.
- Chair a national Student Advisory Board (SAB) - Lead a diverse group of students from across IHE member institutions, bringing their insights and experiences directly into Board-level discussions.
- Contribute to national policy development - Work with IHE’s policy team to influence consultations and responses to government inquiries – making sure student needs are central to decision making.
- Access tailored mentoring, support and expert-led training - Receive one-to-one mentoring from an experienced Board member, plus ongoing guidance from IHE’s staff team and fellow Directors. Engage in a bespoke training programme delivered by student voice and governance specialists, as well as induction sessions with the IHE team.
- Represent students at key sector events - Speak at conferences, roundtables and external meetings, sharing your experiences and championing the student voice as part of wider sector engagement.
Eligibility
- You will need to be registered on a programme of study at an IHE member institution on 1 August 2025; or have completed a programme of study at an IHE member institution not more than 24 months prior to this date.
- The relevant programme of study must have been a minimum duration of six months and deemed to have been at higher education level (i.e. equivalent to Level 4 or above on the English qualifications framework).
- You will need to be resident in the UK from 1 August 2025 to 31 July 2027, and be eligible to work in the UK for the duration.
- You will need to pass IHE’s due diligence checks.
Term and time commitment
The Independent Student Board Member will be appointed for a term of two years. We expect that you will need to commit around 1-2 days per month on average, some flexible but some fixed.
Most Board meetings and Student Advisory Board (SAB) meetings will take place online but you will be required to attend in-person events from time to time.
Renumeration and expenses
You will be reimbursed for any travel and subsistence expenses you necessarily incur while on IHE business. You are also entitled to a stipend of £3,000 per annum, which is a voluntary payment given as a token of appreciation for our student board member’s contribution and service. It is not intended to be a payment for time spent or services rendered.
How to apply and closing date
Please read through the candidate application pack (download below) and send the following to [email protected] by 9am on Monday 19 May 2025:
- Your CV
- A cover letter answering the following questions:
- What is your previous experience of representing and advocating on behalf of students?
- What are the student issues that you care about most, and why?
- What will this opportunity do for your future career plans?
- In what ways do you meet the person specification?
We will let you know if you have been shortlisted for an interview by Friday 23 May, and interviews will take place over the following two weeks.