Chair
Board
The Royal Yachting Association, based in Hamble, is the national governing body for all forms of boating, including dinghy and yacht racing, motor and sail cruising, RIBs and sports boats, powerboat racing, windsurfing, personal watercraft, inland cruising and narrowboats and has an annual income of over £22 million
The RYA is seeking a Chair to manage and provide leadership to the Board. We are looking for experienced individuals with a proven track record of successful Chairing within a multi-faceted organisation and with personal gravitas to lead a significant national organisation. Individuals should also possess tact, diplomacy and excellent powers of communication and persuasion. Professional skills and experience within the Legal, Commercial or Government sectors are highly desirable.
The Chair of the RYA is a high profile position within both the boating and the sporting world. Despite being a volunteer position it requires a significant time commitment, estimated at the equivalent of approximately 50 days per year.
Purpose
The purpose of the Chair of the RYA is to:
- Ensure effective decisions are made by the Board
- Represent the RYA both externally and internally
- Support the senior volunteers and executive directors
- Act as the arbiter of questions on the governance of the RYA and of the interpretation and application of the Regulations
Accountability & Authority
The Chair of the RYA is accountable to the Board and to the Members and is authorised to represent all of the Association’s views and policies to external bodies and stakeholders without the need for prior clearance.
Eligibility
The Chair must be legally eligible to serve as a company Director in England and Wales and be, or become, a personal member of the RYA. Due to the responsibilities and profile of the role, careful management of perceived or actual conflicts of interest is of paramount importance. Candidates must declare any interests and these will be taken into account in the recruitment process.
Time Commitment
The Chair of the RYA is a high profile position within both the boating and the sporting world. Despite being a volunteer position it requires a significant time commitment, estimated at the equivalent of up to 50 days per year.
The Chair needs to maintain regular contact with the CEO and other senior members of the Executive team via phone and email as well as face to face.
There are a number of events each year for which attendance is required as well as many more for which it is desirable. As a UK-wide organisation some travel and overnight stays will be necessary.
Those where attendance is mandatory include (total c. 20 days):
- Board meetings (6 per year), plus associated preparation time
- AGM & Awards (1 day, November), Council meetings (2 per year), Induction Day (1 per year)
- Dinghy Show (1 day, March), Home Countries Meeting (2 days), Boat Show lunch (1 day, January)
Events where attendance is desirable but not essential include the following (total c. 10 days):
- National Conferences
- Regional and Home Countries Affiliates Conferences
- High profile Racing events
- Meetings of partner Boating Organisations
- Meetings with funders and other Sporting Organisations
- HRH visits to RYA affiliates
- Policy Committee meetings
How to apply
The RYA actively promotes diversity in its workforce and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. If you would like to join the Board and feel you have the relevant skills and experience, please email a covering letter, Curriculum Vitae, Applicant Monitoring Form as well as details of two professional references to chair18@rya.org.uk
Applications must reach the RYA by the Thursday 31 May 2018.
Interviews to be held in London on Monday 25 June 2018.
