LEAD LIKE A STUDENT

BECOME A STUDENT LEADER AT ESSEX SU

Better than a grad scheme...

No bullsh*t, these roles are hardwork but they’re also rewarding as hell.

Interested? Sign up to be notified about the SU Leadership Election (February 2026).

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Essex SU is run by a team of 6 elected Student Leaders

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They achieve amazing things for Essex students

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Any Essex student can apply to be a Student Leader

The Perks

Lead Essex SU

Really! As a member of the Student Leadership Team you’ll be at the top of the SUs hierarchy.

Represent Students

You'll be a voice for 14,000 Essex students, making sure that their needs are understood and represented.

1 year paid contract

You'll work full-time for a year, 35 hours per week from July 1st 2026 to June 30th 2027.

6 roles available

There’s a variety of roles to suit every interest. You’ll be working alongside 5 team mates in the same boat.

No Interviews

You’ll be part of our exciting, all-student election, where you’ll be picked based on votes, not interviews!

The ultimate CV booster

You'll gain a bunch of transferrable skills to add like: time management, people management, communication, strategic thinking and public speaking.

Rated 5 Stars*

“There’s no other job like it. From the variety of work, to the skills you gain and people you meet. The experience helped me to get on a competitive 2-year graduate scheme.”

— Nashwa Alsakka, SU President 2022-23 and VP International 2021-22

"Being VP Community and Engagement gives you a sense of leadership which helps when applying for roles as you learn how to delegate and check on progress."

— Flazzi Adekanmbi, VP Community & Engagement, 2022-23

"It’s an incredibly underrated opportunity. This is a chance for you to gain wide-ranging experience and to develop in a huge way — all while helping life get better for students. As VP Education, you get the chance to work alongside senior university staff and to ensure student views on their education are heard!"

Callum Broadbent, VP Education 2020-22

“It was an honour to be trusted by Essex students to lead the SU and represent them at the highest levels of the university and nationally, but especially during the height of the pandemic.”

Asha Ali, SU President 2019-20 & VP International 2018-19

“The skills I learnt including: negotiation skills, diplomacy and listening to all views, have been essential for me and have helped me to be the best SU President I could be.”

Kieran Phillips, SU President 2023-24, Union Chair 2021-23, Colchester Campus Chair 2020-21

*From people who have been there, done that, got the t-shirt.

INTRODUCING THE
STUDENT LEADER ROLES

SU President

So you fancy yourself as being the Leader of the SU? But what does being SU President actually involve?

VIEW THE JOB DESCRIPTION

VP Education

This role is all about ensuring that students are getting the very best education possible here at Essex.

VIEW THE JOB DESCRIPTION

VP Welfare

You’ll ensure students are receiving the best welfare support possible. You’ll work with SU Advice, the student conduct team, and SWIS.

VIEW THE JOB DESCRIPTION

VP Activities

You’ll work with students in VTeam, Sports, Societies and Rebel. You’ll sit on the Essex Sports Board and be the President of the Blades.

VIEW THE JOB DESCRIPTION

VP Southend

Based in Southend, you’ll ensure that students in Southend have the best possible university experience. Working with the 5 other Student Leaders and Southend team.

VIEW THE JOB DESCRIPTION

MEET THE WINNERS

These are the winners of the SU Leadership Election 2025/26. We look forward to welcoming them to their position in July 2025.

You can find the current Student Leader Team here.

View the full results here and read a wrap up of the SU Leadership Election here.

Alex Sablich

Alex Sablich

SU President

Ata

Ata

VP Activities

Chloe Jeffery

Chloe Jeffery

VP Education

Rebecca Fernando

Rebecca Fernando

VP Southend

Hareem Rehan

Hareem Rehan

VP Welfare

How it all works

Essex SU is run by students, for students

Each year in February, students put themselves forward to run for a full-time, paid position as a Student Leader. They campaign for votes and every Essex student will have an equal chance to 'vote like a student' and choose who they want to be elected into each of the 6 roles.

This is the SU Leadership Election.

The SU Leadership Elections is broken down into these stages...

Interested in running? Let us know by expressing your interest.

It’s the first step towards becoming a Student Leader.

This is the phase where you can apply (put yourself forward) for 1 of 6 roles.

You can only nominate yourself for one role.

Now that you’re a candidate, it is time to find out all of the details and ensure you understand the rules and procedure of the SU Leadership Election. It is also an opportunity to find out anything you want to know before campaigning starts.

The candidate briefing is compulsory. You must attend at least one of the sessions.

All candidates will be announced by Essex SU as an official candidate in the SU Leadership Election.

You can start promoting that you are running for a position in the SU Leadership Election!

It is your chance to do everything that you can to get the most votes in your category.

Use this period to convince the student body that you are the best person for the role and that they should vote for you.

Use posters, social media posts, leafleting and campaigning on campus.

The Campaign Hub will be available for all candidates in Colchester to use.

And voting is open! Now’s the time to make sure your audience are voting!!!

All eligible students can vote for who they want to lead Essex SU. Voting is available online and in voting booths on the Squares. This is when campaigning gets to its most intense and you’re pushing to get as many people to vote for you as possible.

Students vote in order of preference.

The results of the SU Leadership Election are announced. If you’re a candidate, you cross your fingers that it’s you. Good luck!

Already know you’ve got what it takes?

Let us know if you're thinking of becoming a Student Leader.

We'll get in touch with more information, and let you know when applications are opening.

 

Talk To Us

Got a question? Just drop us an email

We’re on a mission to be the world’s most student-centered organisation.

Join the vote like a student movement and help us to make this happen.

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