
Our Vacancies
Senior Marketing Executive
Circa £35,000 – £40,000 per year
London Office, with scope for hybrid working
Are you looking for a challenging new role, where you can really make your mark at a growing charity with a long and significant history?
This is an incredibly exciting time to be joining the ESU. We are developing our digital marketing presence, reviewing our website and launching innovative new education programmes. We are looking for an experienced Senior Marketing Executive to join our team and help us ensure that our work reaches the children and young people who need it most. The ESU believes every child should be able to make their voice heard. We believe that the ability to progress and to thrive in life relies on oracy – speaking and listening – skills. Our oracy, debate, public speaking and cultural exchange programmes help young people to engage with the world, to speak more confidently and to listen to and understand different points of view.
The ESU was founded as a membership organisation, bringing together those who share a belief that better communication makes for better global understanding. Today, we have over 4000 members in over twenty branches across England and Wales who meet to socialise, gain new perspectives on the world and to help organise and raise funds for our educational work.?There is also a strong international membership and global educational network.
By joining the ESU you have the opportunity to develop this role, bringing your experience of campaign implementation and digital channel management to support an education charity with over 100 years of heritage in oracy, communication and cultural exchange.
The closing date for applications is 10 am on Friday 21 April. Interviews: in-person at head office, Mayfair, on Tuesday, 2 May 2023
Download the role description here. Please complete and return the Safer recruitment application form to HR@esu.org

ESU Oracy Mentor & Mace Judge Roles
Varies
Across England/Wales & Online
Mace Judge
We are currently recruiting judges for the Schools’ Mace competition! This is the oldest and largest debating competition for schools in the United Kingdom. Our judges oversee each heat which includes making sure that students adhere to the guidelines, rank the teams, and provide constructive feedback to help debaters improve. Not forgetting listening to some very passionate debates!
If you have experience of debating in an educational context and an interest in helping young people, then this is an excellent opportunity for paid, part-time, flexible work.
Round Two heats will be held in person across England and Wales and start from 9 January. Being a Schools’ Mace judge is both incredibly rewarding and a chance to develop skills of leadership, facilitation and communication.
Mentor
As an Oracy Mentor you will be teaching the next generation vital oracy skills. This could be through delivering workshops in Primary and Secondary schools; judging ESU competitions; leading activities, and supervising participants during ESU residential programmes. Increasingly, we deliver both in-person and online.
Please apply via the form using the link below:
ESU Oracy Mentor and Mace Judge application Survey
If you have any questions about becoming a Mace Judge or Mentor, please contact us at competitions@esu.org with the subject line ‘Mace Judge expression of interest’.
Other roles
The ESU is always keen to hear from enthusiastic and experienced teachers, debaters and public speakers to help us deliver our debating and public-speaking programmes, workshops and competitions; to support participants during the ESU’s residential Debate Academy and the International Public Speaking Competition, and to travel and deliver workshops around the world.
These are paid roles and the ESU offers full training for each. We also cover the cost of a Child Protection Level 2 qualification and an Enhanced DBS Disclosure for all teaching staff. All roles are a great opportunity to gain practical experience and to share your skills with young people across England and Wales, helping them to improve their communication skills, boosting their confidence and helping them to realise their full potential. By working for us in this way, you are also invited to apply for the ESU’s international debate tours which run every year in countries such as Japan, Denmark and the US. Find out more here.

Debate Tour Oracy Coach
Each year the ESU sends coaches to some of our international ESUs including the US, Romania, Japan, Denmark and Italy. Our coaches are responsible for leading workshops for both students and adults, participating in public debates, helping run competitions and participating in a wide range of cultural exchange activities.
Debate Academy Oracy Coach
Working at the week-long residential programme Debate Academy in August, oracy coaches are responsible for leading workshops, games and activities alongside safeguarding and pastoral duties.
Applications for this role are now closed but there are numerous other ways you can get involved as a volunteer.
I took part in ESU competitions throughout school and I really wanted to give back and become a mentor myself
Constance Collard
ESU alumna and oracy trainer & mentor

Safeguarding
The ESU is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, including a satisfactory Enhanced criminal record with Barred List check through the Disclosure and Barring Service. Read our safeguarding policy here.
Equality and Diversity Monitoring form
The English-Speaking Union is committed to providing equal opportunities in our recruitment process. Completing this form is voluntary and all information you provide will remain confidential, however, it will allow us to assess the diversity of our workforce and ensure equal opportunities for all ESU staff.
