The Varsity Trip is the largest ski- and snowboard-trip, indeed the largest international event in the world, which is organised by full-time students. The Varsity Trip Committee comprises between 8 and 10 full-time undergraduates from Oxford and Cambridge Universities, who between them take on the Herculean task of keeping VT on the straight and narrow.
The size and composition of the Committee is flexible, and varies from year to year according to the strengths of the applicants, and the evolving requirements of the trip. One person will often take on more than one of the roles below.
President
The President of the Varsity Trip Committee has overall responsibility for ensuring that the trip is a success from start to finish. As well as being the public face of the Trip to the wider world, the President coordinates the work of the other Committee members to ensure that every element of the Committee's work comes together as a unified whole.
The President is elected at the end of each calendar year by the outgoing Varsity Trip Committee, and is always a previous Committee member. Along with the Vice President and in consultation with the outgoing Committee, they are then responsible for interviewing and selecting the rest of their Committee for the upcoming year.
Vice President
The Vice President serves a similar role in the Varsity Trip Committee as in any other organisation: to act both as support to, and a substitute for, the President in the event that the President is unable to make a particular meeting or is double-booked. The Vice President is always from the 'other' university from the President, and is selected by the outgoing Committee at the end of each calendar year.
Finance
The Finance Director is responsible for managing the books and ensuring that Varsity Trip's multi-million pound budget comes in right on the line. Working closely with the entire committee, the Finance Director is in charge of the most extensive accounts of any Oxbridge society. In reviewing applications for this role, the Committee looks for someone with a proven track record in finance or treasurer positions and a keen eye for detail.
Marketing
In 2009 Varsity Trip sold out in 12 days, in 2010 it took less than 36 hours, and in 2011 just five. The Marketing Director works to constantly push those boundaries in managing and promoting one of the most famous brands in Oxbridge. The Committee looks for someone with plenty of new ideas and initiatives to keep Varsity Trip fresh in the minds of students, right from the Trip's Summer Launch. The ideal candidate would have a good knowledge of new social media.
Entertainments & Events
In recent years, the Varsity Trip events have attracted huge names such as Calvin Harris, Pendulum, Chase & Status and DJ Yoda, DJ Fresh and Basement Jaxx, to some of the biggest parties ever thrown in the Alps. The Entertainments and Events Directors are in the heart of that action, from the conception of projects right through to their execution on the night. The Entertainments Director takes charge of the two largest events ever to hit the Alps: the festival-scale Opening- and Final-Night Parties; working with top-tier acts and industry professionals to deliver an experience like no other. The Events Director looks after VarCity and other events throughout the week, such as Comedy Nights headlining Marcus Brigstocke, and the largest silent disco ever seen in the Alps. The Committee looks for people with experience in events and entertainments, as well as heaps of energy and ideas to build upon the reputation of Varsity Trip. These roles are usually filled by two separate people.
Logistics
Everything Varsity Trip does is done on a massive scale, from transport to events. Whether it's arranging the delivery of metric tons of merchandise and equipment, or co-ordinating the movements of thousands of students, the Logistics Director is in charge of working out how the world’s largest studentrun ski trip gets from A to B. Liaising closely with the tour operator, they need to work hard to cater for the transport and accommodation needs of thousands of students. The Committee looks for someone with meticulous attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
Communications
In an event composed of innumerable interlocking details, the Communications Director ensures that important information never falls on deaf ears. Liaising with the tour operator and resort staff, they make sure that everyone has the information they need to ensure the trip runs smoothly from day to day and event to event; and answering email enquiries throughout the year, they ensure that every participant has their questions answered promptly and efficiently. The Committee looks for someone with great people skills and personal organisation; candidates for this position must speak fluent French and/or German.
Competitions
Older than the Winter Olympics, the Blues races are one of the most prestigious events in the Oxbridge sporting calendar. The Competitions Director is responsible for arranging the packed schedule for racing and competitions throughout the week, working both with the resort as well as OUSSC and CUSSC. The Committee is looking for someone with racing experience and impeccable organization.
Sponsorship
The Sponsorship Director is in charge of negotiating large contracts with blue-chip companies such as Red Bull, Ernst & Young, Investec and KPMG. Working closely with sponsors from day one, building up strong relationships and getting the best deal for both parties, the Committee is looking for someone with lots of ideas about how to attract investment, and experience in dealing with big names.
Branding
The Varsity Trip brand is one of the most recognizable across Oxbridge. The Branding Director is responsible for setting the entire feel of the trip and producing a range of media from the website to our official guide in resort. The Committee looks for someone with experience in design and proficiency in industry‐standard software. Web design skills are desirable, but not essential.
IT & Technology
Varsity Trip aims to be at the forefront of technology, and keeping track of so many excited participants requires constant innovation. The IT Director takes charge of all the Trip's technology both within and out of resort, from designing and maintaining the website and managing the communication on the ten-thousand-member mailing list, to managing the development of the iPhone app, maintaining the Committee's equipment in-resort, and using the latest technology to provide fast and secure access to events. The Committee looks for someone with IT experience and initiative.
