Students Officer

Equity is the UK trade union for professional performers and creative practitioners. Equity is respected as one of the most powerful entertainment unions in the world, and at the heart of the UK trade union movement. We are a growing union of around 50,000 members, proud of our strong organising and campaigning record. Our members are mostly freelance- with many working in greenfield and emerging areas in audio, videogames, dance and the light entertainment sectors. By contrast, most British TV, film and theatre are made on union agreements with minimum terms driving forward industry standards on everything from pay to dignity at work. The Union has a team of staff in offices across the UK who have a wealth of experience and expertise when it comes to advice and representation. They are able to deal with the issues raised by members working in all areas of the industry whether it be a major feature film, a theatre in education show, radio voice overs, a circus act or any other live or recorded work.
Equity is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all who believe they fit the essential requirements for the job.
The Role
In a newly created post, the Students Officer works under the direction of the Assistant General Secretary for Live Performance and in close collaboration with Officials across the UK to build upon the union’s existing recruitment, organising and campaigning strategies across Performing Arts educational institutions around the UK.
With support from an assistant, the Students Officer is responsible for proactively raising the union’s industrial profile at the start of member’s education and working lives, recruiting and supporting student members through the journey to full membership. They will be able to identify and develop activists through the union’s democratic structures, at all times operating within trade union law and the Union’s own Rules. They provide day-to-day supervision of the Students Assistant.
The Students Officer is to ensure membership and activism of students within Equity and their workplaces as well as build sustainable membership amongst those in education and training. They do not deal with relations between students and their training or educational institutions.
You will have a flexible approach to managing your working hours and although based in the London head office there will be extensive travel required across the UK.
Strong candidates will have experience of mobilising others to take action or have a track record of success in campaigning or organising. To be successful in this role you will have excellent interpersonal and administrative skills, be highly organised, independent, adaptable and flexible. You will be a confident public speaker, be enthusiastic about engaging with students and workers, and will have an ability to inspire others to act collectively to win. You will have an understanding of developing and executing campaign plans, of working in a target driven environment and have experience of using a range of communication tools.
The role requires a commitment to the role and work of trade unions, and Equity’s Vision, Mission and Values.