Chair
Location: Buckinghamshire
Job Description
The Chair will hold the Board and Executive Team to account for the Charity’s mission and vision, providing inclusive leadership to the Board, ensuring that each Trustee fulfils their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of the charity. The Chair will also support, and, where appropriate, challenge the Chief Executive and ensure that the Board functions as a unit and works closely with the entire Executive of the Charity to achieve agreed objectives. He or she will act as an ambassador and the public face of the charity in partnership with the Chief Executive.
Strategic leadership
• Provide leadership to the Charity and its Board, ensuring that the Charity has maximum impact for its beneficiaries
• Ensure that Trustees fulfil their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of the Charity
• Ensure that the Board operates within its charitable objectives, and provides a clear strategic direction
• Ensure that the Board is able to regularly review major risks and associated opportunities, and satisfy itself that systems are in place to take advantage of opportunities, and manage and mitigate the risks
• Ensure that the Board fulfils its duties to ensure sound financial health of the charity, with systems in place to ensure financial accountability
Governance
• Ensure that the governance arrangements are working in the most effective way for the Charity
• Develop the knowledge and capability of the Board
• Encourage positive change where appropriate Address and resolve any conflicts within the Board
• Appraise the performance of the Trustees and the Board on an annual basis
• Ensure that the Board of Trustees is regularly refreshed and incorporates the right balance of skills, knowledge and experience needed to govern and lead the Charity effectively, and which also reflects the wider population
• Work within agreed policies
External Relations
• Act as an ambassador for the cause and the Charity
• Maintain close relationships with key external organisations
• Act as a spokesperson for the organisation when appropriate
• Represent the Charity at internal and external functions, meetings and events
• Facilitate change and address any potential conflict with external stakeholders
Efficiency and effectiveness
• Chair meetings of the Board effectively and efficiently, bringing impartiality and objectivity to the decision making process
• Ensure that Trustees are fully engaged and that decisions are taken in the best, long-term interests of the Charity and that the Board takes collective ownership
• Foster, maintain and ensure that constructive relationships exist with and between the Trustees
• Work closely with the Chief Executive to give direction to Board policy-making and to ensure that meetings are well planned, meaningful and reflect the responsibilities of Trustees
• Monitor that decisions taken at meetings are implemented.
• Chair the Annual General Meeting
Relationship with the Chief Executive and the wider management team
• Establish and build a strong, effective and a constructive working relationship with the Chief Executive, ensuring he/she is held to account for achieving agreed strategic objectives
• Support the Chief Executive, whilst respecting the boundaries which exist between the two roles
• Ensure regular contact with the Chief Executive and develop and maintain an open and supportive relationship within which each can speak openly about concerns, worries and challenges
• Liaise with the Chief Executive to maintain an overview of the Charity’s affairs, providing support as necessary
• Conduct an annual appraisal and remuneration review for the Chief Executive in consultation with other Trustees
• Ensure that the Chief Executive has the opportunity for professional development and has appropriate external professional support
Location: The Charity is based at Stoke Mandeville Stadium, Buckinghamshire and it would be beneficial for the Chair to be located within reasonable distance.
Time commitment: Four Board meetings per year. The Chair is also expected to have regular meetings with the Chief Executive, and also represent the Charity at various events and meetings with key stakeholders.
Person Specification
In addition to the qualities required of a Trustee of the Charity, the Chair must also meet the following requirements:
Personal Qualities
• Demonstrate a strong and visible passion and commitment to the Charity, its strategic objectives and cause
• Personal gravitas to lead a significant national organisation
• Exhibit strong inter-personal and relationship building abilities and be comfortable in an ambassadorial role
• Demonstrate tact and diplomacy, with the ability to listen and engage effectively
• Strong networking capabilities that can be utilised for the benefit of the Charity
• Ability to foster and promote a collaborative team environment
• Ability to commit time to conduct the role well, including travel and attending events out of office hours
Experience
• Experience of operating at a senior strategic leadership level within an organisation
• Successful track record of achievement through their career
• Experience of charity governance and working with or as part of a Board of Trustees
• Experience of external representation, delivering presentations and managing stakeholders
• Significant experience of chairing meetings and events
Knowledge and skills
• Broad knowledge and understanding of the Disability Sport and/or Sport Sector would be desirable and advantageous
• Strong leadership skills, ability to motivate staff and volunteers and bring people together
• Financial management expertise and a broad understanding of charity finance issues
• Good understanding of charity governance issues
Term
The Charity’s Chair (and board members) will serve a three-year term and be eligible for re-appointment for two additional terms.
How to apply
To apply for this role, please ensure you provide the following:
• A comprehensive CV
• A short paragraph explaining how you believe your skills and experience match the requirements of the role
• A supporting statement that directly addresses the criteria in the person specification
Please apply to:
Martin McElhatton
Chief Executive
WheelPower – British Wheelchair Sport
Stoke Mandeville Stadium
Guttmann Road
Stoke Mandeville
Buckinghamshire
HP21 9PP
Telephone: 01296 395995
Or by email to: martin.mcelhatton@wheelpower.org.uk
Closing date for applications is Friday 23 March 2018
Interviews will be held at Stoke Mandeville Stadium on Friday 13 April
