Student Leadership Roles

Student leaders turn student voices into real change. Step up, get involved, and help shape the Arden experience.

Available Roles Eligibility Becoming a Leader Speak to a member of the team

Available Roles

Here you will be able to read more about the various roles that are available as part of your Student Leadership team at the Students' Association.

These roles are elected by you to lead the Students' Association. However, they are not the only opportunities available to lead the conversation. If you want to know more about other opportunities then check out our Your Voice and Your Academic Interest pages.

Student Leaders are here to represent, support, and amplify the voice of students. They work on behalf of the student community to lead the conversation and ensure that any changes represent the academic interests and advocate for the needs of students.

They act by empowering you to feed and shape the conversation so they can lead decisions, challenge barriers, and ensure that students remain at the head of everything Arden does.

Student leadership is about more than representation. It’s about empowerment, community, and collective action—bringing students together to create a University experience where everyone can belong, succeed, and thrive.

Would you be a great Student Leader?

We are looking for someone who is passionate about representing the student voice, bringing fresh ideas, and working collaboratively to enhance the student experience at Arden. Student leadership roles are varied and no two days are the same, so being adaptable, open to change, and confident engaging with a wide range of people is essential. You will have opportunities to influence positive change, contribute to decision‑making, and, in some roles, lead and support others.

You would make a great student leader if you are motivated to create positive change for other students, enjoy working with people across the University, and are confident sharing feedback and challenging ideas in a constructive way. You will be curious about a broad range of topics, comfortable working with diverse perspectives, and thrive in a team environment where collaboration, learning, and advocacy sit at the heart of everything you do.

Key Information

Salary

All roles are paid a full-time salary. You can find the specific salary under each role.

Contract

All roles are on a 12 Month Fixed-term contract. These are full-time roles where you will work 37 hours per week.

Start Date

September 2026. This years roles will start on the 14th September 2026 with an extended training programme.

Location and Travel

The roles work from home but you will be based from your closest Arden Campus (Home Campus).

The roles require travel between all campuses to meet students and staff. All reasonable work travel to your non-home campus are covered in accordance with University policies.

Benefits

In addition to the extensive training and opportunities that will be available to you as you take up the role. You will also receive all University staff benefits which this role is entitled to. Click here to learn more.

General Duties and Responsibilities

These duties and responsibilities are applicable to all full-time Student Leadership Roles

Work closely with the Managing Director, staff team and Student Representatives to enhance the student experience, advocate for positive change and represent the voice of students across the University.
Gather, collate, and represent students’ opinions and feedback on all aspects of Arden University, through our various committees’ meetings. In addition, provide verbal and written presentations of this, alongside recommendations.
Represent students and the Association at Arden University committee meetings such as Academic Board and Academic Standards & Ethics Committee.
Contribute to regular meetings and communication with student volunteers to help them share feedback, engage in activities and support them in their roles helping students.
With support, create communications and opportunities to update all students at Arden on the ongoing work of the Students’ Association, and opportunities to connect with them directly to understand their experiences or ideas.
Be actively involved in key student journey opportunities such as Graduation and StartSmart.
Work alongside fellow members of the Students’ Association Advisory Board and Managing Director, to agree strategic plans and development of the Association.
Actively contribute to ongoing work of the University and Students’ Association, through attending meetings, planning sessions and development opportunities.
Regularly visit all Arden campuses and engage in comparative opportunities for distance-learning students.
Be actively involved in the Students’ Association Advisory Board and provide support for all student members of the Board
Be transparent, honest, accountable and uphold the Nolan principles.
Engage in training and development opportunities provided by the University or Association, that will impact & benefit their roles and students.

The full-time (sabbatical) officer roles shall be the Major Office Holders of the Association and as such shall meet the requirements and provisions of the Education Act (1994).

Full Role Descriptions

You can discover more about each of the full time student leader roles by clicking on the relevant role tab.

Alternatively, you can click the roles button below to access a pdf version of the role description.

Student President Role Vice President Education Role Vice President Student Needs Role

The Student President is the most senior student leader at Arden and plays a key role in making sure students’ voices shape the decisions that matter. From working with senior leaders at the University to leading the student leadership team, the President helps turn student feedback, ideas, and experiences into real change.

This role is about representing students at the highest level and making sure the student perspective is always part of conversations about the future of the University. The Student President also works closely with the Students’ Association staff and volunteer representatives across all areas of Arden, helping to strengthen how students are supported — no matter where or how they study.

As leader of the Sabbatical Officer team, the President supports and empowers other student leaders to champion key areas such as education and student needs. It’s a role for someone who wants to lead with purpose, listen to a wide range of voices, and help build a stronger, more inclusive student community where every student feels represented.

Key Information

Salary

£27,000, plus London weighting (if applicable)*

* This is the minimum but subject to change based on cost of living increases

Contract

12 Month Fixed-term contract. This is a full-time role where you will work 37 hours per week.

Start Date

September 2026. This role starts from week commencing 14th September 2026 with an extended training programme.

Location and Travel

The role works from home but you will be based from your closest Arden Campus (Home Campus).

The role requires travel between all campuses to meet students and staff. All reasonable work travel to your non-home campus are covered in accordance with University policies.

Benefits

Role Specific Duties and Responsibilities

These duties and responsibilities are specific to the role of the Student President.

Lead the full Student Leadership (Sabbatical Officer) team in the best interest of students to support effective decision making and advocacy.
Act as the principal representative for institutional priorities that are non-portfolio specific including campus growth, international strate.
Work closely with the Managing Director to contribute to strategic decision-making for the Students’ Association.
Provide support to the Vice President Education & Student Needs to enact their roles leading specific portfolios on behalf of students.
Attend relevant academic committees, meetings, and working groups, representing students’ academic interests and seeking positive changes where required.
Build effective relationships with Senior University colleagues to influence decision-making and provide student perspective at an institutional level.
Contribute to institutional plans, strategies or reports to the regulator for the benefit of students.
Organise and lead on campaigns and initiatives that are designed to enhance the academic experience and address the educational needs of students.
Develop and lead the associations priorities, working closely with staff and other student leaders using or developing data and insights.
Be actively involved in the Students’ Association Advisory Board and support student members in their understanding and participation.

Full Role Description

You can view the Student President Role description in full by clicking the button below.

Student President Role Description

The Vice President Education is the student voice for learning and teaching at Arden. This role exists to make sure every student has access to a high‑quality academic experience—one that supports progression, success, and real‑world outcomes.

Working with students, representatives, and the University, the Vice President Education leads campaigns, influences academic decisions, and brings student feedback directly into the rooms where change happens. If you care about assessment, teaching quality, and making education work better for everyone, this is your chance to make a real impact.

This role is about putting students at the heart of education—every course, every campus, every voice.

Key Information

Salary

£25,000, plus London weighting (if applicable)*

* This is the minimum but subject to change based on cost of living increases

Contract

12 Month Fixed-term contract. This is a full-time role where you will work 37 hours per week.

Start Date

September 2026. This role starts from week commencing 14th September 2026 with an extended training programme.

Location and Travel

The role works from home but you will be based from your closest Arden Campus (Home Campus).

The role requires travel between all campuses to meet students and staff. All reasonable work travel to your non-home campus are covered in accordance with University policies.

Benefits

Role Specific Duties and Responsibilities

These duties and responsibilities are specific to the role of the Vice President Student Needs.

Be part of the full Student Leadership (Sabbatical Officer) team to support advocacy across all areas of the student experience, and contribute to the effective teamworking in the student interest
Act as the primary student leader on representing the academic interests of students.
Work closely with the Managing Director to contribute to strategic decision-making for the Students’ Association.
Effectively represent students on academic quality matters, ensuring students interests are considered in academic decisions.
Work closely and build relationships with key university departments and senior leaders to address issues and advocate for the academic interests of students across all Arden campuses and online.
Provide support to the Vice President Student Needs & Student President to enact their roles leading specific portfolios on behalf of students.
Support, harness, and lead the academic representation structures at Arden ensuring effective student representation on academic matters.
Organise and lead on campaigns and initiatives that are designed to enhance the academic experience and address the educational needs of students.
Attend relevant academic committees, meetings, and working groups, representing students academic interests and seeking positive changes where required.
Develop and lead the associations educational priorities, working closely with staff and other student leaders using or developing data and insights.

Full Role Description

You can view the Vice President Education Role description in full by clicking the button below.

Vice President Education Role Description

The Vice President Student Needs is the student voice for wellbeing, inclusion, and everyday support at Arden. This role exists to make sure students have the right support at the right time—so nothing outside the classroom becomes a barrier to accessing, progressing, and succeeding in their studies.

Representing students’ needs beyond their academic experience, the Vice President Student Needs leads campaigns, influences policy, and works closely with the University to improve wellbeing, accessibility, community, and belonging. From cost of living and inclusive services to student voice and advocacy, this role looks at the whole student journey.

This role is about creating an environment where every student can thrive, feel valued, and be their true self.

Key Information

Salary

£25,000, plus London weighting (if applicable)*

* This is the minimum but subject to change based on cost of living increases

Contract

12 Month Fixed-term contract. This is a full-time role where you will work 37 hours per week.

Start Date

September 2026. This role starts from week commencing 14th September 2026 with an extended training programme.

Location and Travel

The role works from home but you will be based from your closest Arden Campus (Home Campus).

The role requires travel between all campuses to meet students and staff. All reasonable work travel to your non-home campus are covered in accordance with University policies.

Benefits

Role Specific Duties and Responsibilities

These duties and responsibilities are specific to the role of the Vice President Education.

Be part of the full Student Leadership (Sabbatical Officer) team to support advocacy across all areas of the student experience, and contribute to the effective teamworking in the student interest
Act as the primary student leader on representing the community, wellbeing and needs agenda of our students.
Work closely with the Managing Director to contribute to strategic decision-making for the Students’ Association.
Provide support to the Vice President Education & Student President to enact their roles leading specific portfolios on behalf of students .
Work closely and build relationships with key university departments and senior leaders to address issues and advocate for the needs of students across all Arden campuses and online.
Attend relevant committees, meetings, and working groups, representing students interests and seeking positive changes where required.
Champion positive change, removing barriers and developing accessible services, practice and policy developments.
Develop and lead the associations wellbeing and advocacy priorities, working closely with staff and other student leaders using or developing data and insight.

Full Role Description

You can view the Vice President Student Needs Role description in full by clicking the button below.

Vice President Student Needs Role Description

Eligibility

Student Leadership roles are recruited through an election process administered by Your Students' Assocaition where all students get to vote for who will be their next student leaders.

To be eligible to participate in elections you must: be a fully enrolled Arden University student who has not opted out of being a member of your Students' Association or currently in a student leadership role at the time of the election. This will allow you to nominate and vote.

Students nominating themselves for a Student Leadership role will also need to meet the eligibility criteria to take office. Candidates who do not meet the below criteria will not be approved for election.

Student Leadership Roles