Chair of Trustees: application

Steve, our excellent Chair of Trustees, will soon be standing down to fully enjoy his retirement. This means we are now on the lookout for a new Chair, to continue his excellent work going forward and set the tone for the culture and progression of Stepping Stones.

We are looking for people who have an interest in working with people with disabilities and other marginalised communities. We welcome applications from people with skills and experience that could be useful to the charity such as digital/IT, marketing and communications, social enterprise, education and knowledge of the care and charity sectors.

We are an equal opportunities organisation committed to increasing diversity and will actively support applicants ordinarily held back by their protected characteristics.

Please send a cover letter and CV to roger@steppingstonesproject.com if you are interested in applying, no later than Friday 20th March; we will be holding interviews with students and the Management team thereafter.

Chair of Trustees: Job Description

Remuneration: The role of Chair is not accompanied by any financial remuneration, although expenses for travel may be claimed

Location: Stepping Stones is located in north Norwich, and Trustee meetings are held at the charity’s day centre on Heartsease Lane.

Time commitment: six Trustee meetings per year, usually undertaken on a weekday evening. Additionally, the Chair is also expected to have regular meetings with the Manager and Deputy Manager and also represent the Charity at various events and meetings with key stakeholders, as required. Undertake Manager annual appraisal once per year.

Reporting to: Board of Trustees

Role Description

The Chair will hold the Board of Trustees and Manager to account for the charity’s mission and vision, providing inclusive leadership to the Board of Trustees, ensuring that each trustee fulfils their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of the charity.

The Chair will also support the Manager and ensure that the Trustees function as a unit and work closely with the staff team of the charity to achieve agreed objectives. The Chair will act as an ambassador and the public face of the charity in partnership with the Manager as and when required.

Principal Responsibilities

Strategic leadership

·         Provide leadership to the charity and its Board of Trustees, 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 of Trustees operates within its charitable objectives and provides a clear strategic direction for the charity

·         Ensure that the Board of Trustees 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 of Trustees 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 of Trustees

·         Encourage positive change where appropriate and address and resolve any conflicts within the Board of Trustees

·         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 any agreed policies adopted by the charity

External Relations

·         Act as an ambassador for the cause and the charity

·         Act as a spokesperson for the organisation when appropriate

·         Represent the charity at external functions, meetings and events, if required

·         Facilitate change and address any potential conflict with external stakeholders, if required

Efficiency and Effectiveness

·         Chair meetings of the Board of Trustees 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 of Trustees takes collective ownership

·         Foster, maintain and ensure that constructive relationships exist with and between the

Trustees

·         Work closely with the Manager 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

·         Establish and build a strong, effective, supportive and constructive working relationship with the Manager, ensuring they are held to account for achieving agreed strategic objectives

·         Liaise with the Manager between Board of Trustee meetings to maintain an overview of the charity’s affairs, providing support as necessary

·         Conduct an annual appraisal and remuneration review for the Manager

·         Ensure that the Manager has the opportunity for professional development and has appropriate external professional support

Additional information

The Vice-Chair acts for the Chair when the Chair is not available and undertakes assignments at the request of the Chair.

The above list is indicative only and not exhaustive. The Chair will be expected to perform all

such additional duties as are reasonably commensurate with the role.