The Association is student-led and the Sabbatical Officers, elected in the spring term of each year, are the visible drivers of operation and direction. Within the Association there are staff structures which are there to support the operation of the student services it provides. This so-called 'behind the scenes' side of AUSA, includes the running of the Societies' Union, Sports' Union (based at the Aberdeen Sports Village and the AUSA building), AUSA Advice, RAG (Raising & Giving) along with the administrative side of the organisation. Since October 2016, Margaret Paterson has been the CEO.