Graduation Stall Coordinator

Graduation Stall Coordinator - Role Summary

Are you currently studying with the Open University and looking to gain leadership, teamwork and retail experience while being part of the excitement of graduation day? As a Graduation Stall Coordinator, you’ll play a key role in supporting Open University graduation ceremonies by leading a team of volunteers at the Open SU merchandise stall.

This is a fun, rewarding, in‑person volunteering opportunity where you’ll meet graduates, their families and friends, promote the work of the Open SU, and help graduates celebrate this major milestone.

Find out more about what it is like to volunteer at a graduation ceremony in the video below:

About the role

Graduation ceremonies are inspiring occasions that mark the culmination of years of hard work for OU students. Graduation Stall Coordinators oversee and support a small team of Graduation Stall Volunteers who run the Open SU merchandise stall at ceremonies across the UK and Ireland.

You’ll be responsible for organising your volunteer team before and during the ceremony, acting as the main point of contact between the Open SU and the Open University Ceremony Co‑ordinator, and ensuring that sales and records are managed accurately on the day.

Funds raised through the sale of OU branded merchandise support the Open University Students Educational Trust (OUSET), which provides study‑related grants to OU students experiencing financial hardship.

Key responsibilities

As a Graduation Stall Coordinator, you will:

Lead and support a small team of Graduation Stall Volunteers

Communicate with your team ahead of the ceremony using the volunteer communications channel

Act as the main point of contact for the Open University Ceremony Co‑ordinator and the Open SU

Help set up and close down the merchandise stall

Promote and sell OU and Open SU branded merchandise

Process payments and manual orders

Monitor sales throughout the day

Complete required paperwork and end‑of‑day reconciliation

Remind your team to submit expenses and feedback after the ceremony

Please note: Due to the responsibilities of this role, Graduation Stall Coordinators must remain on the stall and cannot process at the ceremony. If you would like to process graduates, please apply for the Graduation Stall Volunteer role instead.

Time commitment

One full day per ceremony 1 day (starting and finishing hours determined by ceremony time please allow at least one full day e.g 9am-5pm, but this does vary between ceremony and location).

Availability is required before and after ceremonies to support graduates purchasing merchandise.

You may apply for one or more ceremonies if you meet the eligibility criteria.

Training and support

Training is mandatory and begins two to four weeks before a ceremony.

You will complete:

Online self‑learning (approx. 1 hour) covering:

GDPR (keeping personal data secure)

Safeguarding (protecting young people and vulnerable adults)

PREVENT (preventing extremist radicalisation)

Equality Duty (what it is and who it protects)

Graduation Stall‑specific training

One 90‑minute live MS Teams training session, with a choice of morning, afternoon or evening sessions.

You will also be asked to familiarise yourself with key Open SU policies, including Health & Safety and Sustainability.

All coordinators and volunteers use an online volunteer communications channel and app to receive venue details and stay in touch.

Only trained and fully onboarded volunteers will be able to volunteer at a ceremony.

Recognition

After volunteering, you will:

Be asked to provide feedback on your experience.

Receive a goody bag by post.

Be able to request a digital certificate of volunteering.

Please note that overnight accommodation is not provided.

Expenses

Be able to claim up to £70 travel expenses and £20 subsistence per ceremony

Please note that overnight accommodation is not provided.

Eligibility

To apply for this role, you must:

Be a member of the Open University Students Union (Open SU) - Members of the Open SU are defined in Section 11 of the Students Union Articles of Association*

Live within approximately 50 miles of the graduation venue

Agree to the Open SU Volunteer Policy and volunteer within the Volunteer Agreement.

DBS check: Not required

Benefits to you

Develop leadership, teamwork and employability skills
Build confidence using transferable skills
Experience an inspirational day that can motivate your studies
Meet new people and have fun while volunteering

Benefits to others

Help graduates celebrate their achievements

Promote pride in being part of the OU community

Support OU students facing financial hardship through OUSET fundraising

Location

London, Manchester, Belfast, Birmingham, Poole.

DBS required

Applications for Spring ceremonies will open in January 2026.