Representation & Insights Manager
Lead the insight. Amplify student voices. Drive change that matters.
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.
Ready to make our data-led strategy a reality? Apply today!
Committed to equality, celebrating diversity, and embedding sustainability—building an inclusive workplace and a brighter future for all.
About Reading Students' Union
Reading Students' Union (Reading SU) exists to improve the lives of over 19,000 University of Reading students, every day.
An independent, student-led charity, everything we do is student-inspired and, as a not-for-profit organisation, all funds raised through our activities are passed right back into the Students’ Union to benefit students.
Our charitable purpose is the advancement of the education of students at the University of Reading for the public benefit, and we achieve this by:
Promoting the interests and welfare of students at the University of Reading during their course of study and representing, supporting and advising students;
Being the recognised representative channel between students and the University of Reading and any other external bodies; and
Providing social, cultural, sporting and recreational activities and forums for discussions and debate for the personal development of our students.
Our mission is simple: We strive to help students be their best, most authentic selves. We celebrate the diverse backgrounds, identities and lived experiences that make up our student body, and pride ourselves on creating spaces and opportunities where everyone feels they belong and are empowered to grow, thrive and achieve their goals.