HELOA voluntary roles provide our members with the opportunity to build networks across the sector and can support career progression with development of new skills and experience outside of job roles.
Volunteering with HELOA has been professionally invaluable. It has deepened my understanding of the higher education sector and provided opportunities to connect and network with colleagues across various universities and HELOA partners.
National Roles
Be part of the UK Committee as a Trustee, Vice-Chair in the Operational Group or as an Appointed Officer.
Charity Trustees
- HELOA members can stand for a charity trustee position as the UK Chair, UK Vice-Chair (Finance & Governance) or, as a Group Chair.
- Elections for these positions is through an informational interview and election process, communicated through national and group emails, in accordance with the HELOA Standing Orders .
- The position of HELOA UK Chair cannot be held by a member from a Non Publicly Funded Institution or Further Education College.
- A maximum of ONE position on the HELOA Operational Group, and ONE position on the UK Committee, can be held by members from a Non Publicly Funded Institution, with the same restriction applying to members from Further Education Colleges.
Operational Group
- The Operational Group consists of the UK Vice-Chairs who work at a national level to help support the UK committee in meeting the goals of the strategy.
- Appointment of these positions is through an application and interview process, communicated through national emails.
- A maximum of ONE position on the HELOA Operational Group, and ONE position on the UK Committee, can be held by members from a Non Publicly Funded Institution, with the same restriction applying to members from Further Education Colleges.
Appointed Officers
- There are many appointed officer roles who work at a national level to help support the UK committee in meeting the goals of the strategy. These include Conference Managers, Partnerships Managers and Digital Communication Managers.
- Appointment of these positions is through an application and interview process, communicated through national emails.
- There are no restrictions on the number of Non Publicly Funded Institution members, or Further Education College members standing for UK appointed officer roles.
Current Vacancies
For further details on current post holders and how these roles sit within HELOA, see the Committee Page page of the website and the UKC Structure Chart.
Group Roles
Each group is led by a volunteer committee that organises events and supports group activity planning in coordination with the HELOA UK Committee.
Group Chairs – Charity Trustees
- HELOA members can stand for a charity trustee position as a Group Chair.
- Elections for these positions is through an informational interview and election process, communicated through group emails, in accordance with the HELOA Standing Orders.
- A maximum of ONE position on the HELOA Operational Group, and ONE position on the UK Committee, can be held by members from a Non Publicly Funded Institution, with the same restriction applying to members from Further Education Colleges.
Group Vice-Chairs
- In addition to the Group Chair, there are also group Vice-Chair positions, Group VC (Membership & Communications), VC (Training) and VC (Partnerships).
- These are elected positions and are communicated through group emails.
- There are no restrictions on the number of Non Publicly Funded Institution members, or Further Education College members standing for Group Vice-Chair roles.
Current Vacancies
For further details on how groups operate within HELOA, see the Group Page of the website and the Group Structure Chart.
Institutional Roles
Each institution nominates one primary contact, who will be the representative of all HELOA members within the institution. This is the main administrative contact for HELOA at the institution.
Primary Contact
- The primary contact for each institution is decided by its HELOA members.
- For details on the role of the primary contact, please see the Primary Contact role descriptor.
- The role of primary contact can be transferred to another institutional member by completing the Primary Contact Form.
Current Vacancies
National Roles
Group Roles
North East, Yorkshire and the Humber Vice-Chair (Partnerships)
This is an elected role within the association and sits within the North East, Yorkshire and the Humber committee.
The position will provide the opportunity to develop many of the skills valued more widely in the higher education sector whilst providing access to national networks. Please see the attached job descriptor for more information.
If you have any questions about the role, please direct these to northeastyath@heloa.ac.uk.
Application Process
If you would like to put yourself forward for nomination, please complete the nomination form and return it to david.metcalfe@newcastle.ac.uk by 5pm 18 September 2026.
Late nomination forms will not be accepted. You will need to provide the names of two nominators, both of whom must be members of HELOA, and obtain your line manager’s approval of your nomination. Please forward emails from your nominators and line manager confirming their support to david.metcalfe@newcastle.ac.uk.
Appointments to these roles are via anonymised elections. The aim of this is that candidates are selected on their suitability for the position, reducing the risk of conscious or unconscious bias. Only the name of the elected candidate will be announced. To support this, please refrain from including identifying information when compiling your nomination form.
South West Vice-Chair (Partnerships)
This is an elected role within the association and sits within the North East, Yorkshire and the Humber committee.
The position will provide the opportunity to develop many of the skills valued more widely in the higher education sector whilst providing access to national networks. The role is a great way to support the running of the HELOA SW Committee and a fantastic opportunity to develop a range of skills. Please see the attached job descriptor for more information.
The role is suitable for any member of the SW regardless of your experience or job level. A full handover will be given to the new postholder and you will be ably supported by the SW committee, the other group VCs for Partnerships across HELOA and the HELOA office.
If you have any questions about the role, please direct these to southwest@heloa.ac.uk.
Application Process
If you would like to put yourself forward for nomination, please complete the nomination form and return it to southwest@heloa.ac.uk by 5pm 2 October 2026.
Late nomination forms will not be accepted. You will need to provide the names of two nominators, both of whom must be members of HELOA, and obtain your line manager’s approval of your nomination. Please forward emails from your nominators and line manager confirming their support to southwest@heloa.ac.uk.
Appointments to these roles are via anonymised elections. The aim of this is that candidates are selected on their suitability for the position, reducing the risk of conscious or unconscious bias. Only the name of the elected candidate will be announced. To support this, please refrain from including identifying information when compiling your nomination form.