Description
About BUCS
British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) is a not-for-profit organisation, representing >150 HE institutions and delivering over 50 sporting competitions and several physical activity programmes to 2.4 million UK students. Our vision is to deliver exceptional student sporting experiences that inspire, develop and unite. For more information, see https://www.bucs.org.uk/
About the role
BUCS Board of Trustees is comprised of up to 12 Trustees, with a range of individuals both from our membership, and independent to BUCS, providing a balance of knowledge, skills and experience to support the effective operation of the organisation. BUCS is seeking a Member to fulfil the position of Welfare and Safety Lead who is committed to providing board-level leadership and assurance on safeguarding, health, safety, and welfare. The successful candidate will champion safety and wellbeing considerations in board discussions, ensure BUCS policies meet both higher education and sport-sector standards, and foster a culture where staff, students, and participants can thrive. They will also be committed to ensuring member perspectives inform BUCS decision making.
For full details of the Trustee role, including responsibilities and duties, please see the attached documents:
Board Trustee Role, Responsibilities, and Duties
Welfare and Safety Lead Role, Responsibilities and Duties
About the Board
BUCS is led by a Board of Trustees, consisting of an independent chair, appointed independent non-executive trustees, and trustees from within Member institutions in the form of both staff and students/sabbatical officers. For more information, see www.bucs.org.uk/about/board.html.
Location
Meetings of the Board are held in person, and alternate between London or the Midlands.
Board roles are voluntary, however reasonable out-of-pocket expenses will be covered for the delivery of the meetings and for Trustees operating on behalf of BUCS in an official capacity, in line with BUCS Expenses Policy.
The successful candidate may also be required to sit on additional subcommittees of the Board and support BUCS in meetings relating to safeguarding and wellbeing with external parties.
Tenure
The successful candidate will be appointed for an initial 3yr term with annual appraisal governing their tenure. Following completion of their initial term, the Board may extend their tenure for a further 3yr term, subject to a maximum of 3 terms of 3 years being served.
Time commitment
Around days 7 a year. This includes four Board meetings, a Board Development day, the AGM, ad hoc meetings and reading time.
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for the Member Trustee position of Welfare and Safety lead, you must be a volunteer or member of the executive team with responsibility or oversight of BUCS related activities at an Education Institution Member or their Student Union/Association/Athletic Union.
Application process
Please click on the Apply Now button on the left-hand side.
This will take you to the Applied platform which we use for our recruitment.
Applicants will be required to complete a number of sift questions and a CV and Declaration of Good Character.
Please provide two referees on your CV who we can contact. We may do this before interview, but not without your permission.
Closing date for applications: 23 November 2025
Interview: 4 - 5 December 2025 – online.
For further information or an informal discussion concerning the role or BUCS, please contact Jessica Melling - [email protected]
Due to the expected high number of applications, it is likely we will only be able to provide feedback to those who reach the interview stage. If you don’t hear from us within two weeks of the closing date, please assume that, unfortunately, your application has not been successful.
Data Protection statement
Any personal data submitted to BUCS in the course of this recruitment process will be held securely and processed solely for the purposes of recruitment to this role. It will be held for six months from notifying applicants of the outcome of the recruitment process, and if employed by BUCS, for the duration of the contract of employment and to fulfil the statutory, or recommended, retention periods when no longer an employee of British Universities and Colleges Sport. BUCS will comply with data protection legislation at all times and in line with BUCS Privacy Policy.
