Elections are run each year by Students' Unions (SUs) across the country. They are the process by which new student representatives are elected to help lead the organisation and its activities.

Our current PTO for the College of Business and Law will be graduating in January 2026, and we will have a vacancy available.

Students studying within the College of Business and Law are eligible to put themselves forward for the role (please note- you must have current student status and be studying at Coventry University until at least 18.04.2026).

The newly elected PTO will start in their role from 12^th January 2026.
 

What is a PTO?

A Part Time Officer is an individual who is elected, by fellow students, to represent their peers. Being a PTO is a paid position, with individuals being asked to work with the SU for upto 10 hours per week in their role.

For this particular vacancy, eligible individuals must be studying at Coventry University, within the College of Business and Law. If you are unsure if you are eligible, please reach out to one of the team via elections.su@coventry.ac.uk and we will be able to confirm this for you.

Training for the role will be provided by the Students’ Union, once the successful applicant is appointed.

To find out more about the role, and any specific duties you must undertake, please read the full role description here.

What will I need to do to put myself forward?

To nominate yourself for the CBL PTO position, you must write a Manifesto which contains at least 5, distinct ideas detailing what your main priorities would be should you be successfully elected, during your time in post. If you are unsure on what these priorities should be, we suggest speaking to students in the CBL college, who you will be representing and acting on behalf of in the position. Full guidance on what a Manifesto is and how to write one can be found here.

As well as this, you must also submit a head and shoulders photograph of yourself which is unfiltered, which will feature on the Elections voting page.
 

Key Dates and Process

Below are the key dates for this CBL PTO Election- please note, as this is a co-option part way through the year, this Election process may look a little bit different to that of the yearly Leadership Elections:

1. If you wish to put yourself forward for the role, you will need to submit your Manifesto and Photo. Nominations will open for you to do this on 27^th October at 12pm (midday) https://www.yoursu.org/elections/nominate, and close on 10^th November (12pm midday).
    
2. The Elections Team will then check your eligibility for the position, and that your Manifesto and Photo meet the necessary requirements. You will be contacted with your nominations outcome, including whether you are eligible, by a member of the Elections team by 14^th November. They will also give you more information on the Election, confirming rules and requirements of candidates.
    
3. If your nomination is successful, your Manifesto and Photo will be submitted to the Union Affairs Committee (UAC). Full Time Officers and Part Time Officers on the Committee will vote in a private ballot, to determine the successful applicant.
   
   This vote will take place in an extraordinary UAC meeting, taking place on 20^th November.
   
   As an SU, we use a preferential voting system for our Elections
    
4. Once votes have been received and ratified, the successful applicant for the role will be notified.
    
5. The new PTO will start in their role, on 12^th January 2026.
   
    

If you have any questions about this Election, including whether you are eligible, please reach out to the Elections Team at: elections.su@coventry.ac.uk