- Advertised from 19th December 2023
Role
Due to planned succession, our social enterprise Velocity Café & Bicycle Workshop is looking for a new director / board member with a view to taking on the Chair role in due course. This role would be ideal for an applicant with senior management or leadership experience in the third sector or a small businesses, motivated to take on a senior leadership role in a well-established, nationally recognised social enterprise. It would be working alongside a committed board of directors where we already have strong representation for finance, legal matters, project management and governance. Experience in human resources would be of particular interest.
RENUMERATION
The role of chair is not accompanied by any financial remuneration, although expenses for travel may be claimed.
TIME COMMITTMENT
Attendance at quarterly board meetings, and the AGM. The Chair is also expected to have regular meetings with the CEO, and to represent the organisation at various events and meetings with key stakeholders. Currently, this represents an average commitment of 1-2 hours per week.
JOB DESCRIPTION
The Chair will hold the Board and Executive Team to account for the organisation’s mission and vision, providing inclusive leadership to the board of directors, ensuring that each director fulfils their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of the organisation. The Chair will support, and, where appropriate, challenge the CEO, ensuring that the Board functions as a unit and works closely with the management of the organisation to achieve agreed objectives. They will act as an ambassador and the public face of the organisation in partnership with the CEO.
PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic leadership
- Provide leadership to the Organisation and its board, ensuring that the Organisation has maximum impact for its beneficiaries
- Ensure that directors fulfil their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of the Organisation
- Ensure that the Board operates within its purposes, and provides a clear strategic direction for the Organisation
- 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 Organisation, with systems in place to ensure financial accountability and governance, working alongside the two directors who currently oversee finances and governance.
- Ensure that the governance arrangements are working in the most effective way for the Organisation
- Develop the knowledge and capability of the Board of Directors
- Encourage positive change where appropriate
- Address and resolve any conflicts within the Board
- Appraise the performance of the Directors and the Board on an annual basis
- Ensure that the Board of Directors is regularly refreshed and incorporates the right balance of skills, knowledge and experience needed to govern and lead the organisation effectively, and which also reflects the wider population
- Work within any agreed policies adopted by the Organisation
External Relations
- Act as an ambassador for the cause and the Organisation
- Act as a spokesperson for the Organisation when appropriate
- Represent the organisation at external functions, meetings and events
- Facilitate change and address any potential conflict with external stakeholders
Efficiency and effectiveness
- Chair meetings of the Board of Directors effectively and efficiently, bringing impartiality and objectivity to the decision-making process
- Ensure that board members are fully engaged and that decisions are taken in the best, long-term interests of the Organisation and that the Board takes collective ownership
- Foster, maintain and ensure that constructive relationships exist with and between board members
- Work closely with the CEO to give direction to board policy-making and to ensure that meetings are well planned, meaningful and reflect the responsibilities of directors
- Monitor that decisions taken at meetings are implemented.
- Establish and build a strong, effective and a constructive working relationship with the CEO, ensuring they are held to account for achieving agreed strategic objectives
- Support the CEO, whilst respecting the boundaries which exist between the two roles
- Ensure regular contact with the CEO and develop and maintain an open and supportive relationship within which each can speak openly about concerns, worries and challenges
- Liaise with the CEO to maintain an overview of the Organisation’s affairs, providing support as necessary
- Conduct an annual appraisal and remuneration review for the CEO in consultation with other directors
- Ensure that the CEO has the opportunity for professional development and has appropriate external professional support
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.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
In addition to the qualities required of a director of the Organisation, the Chair must also meet the following requirements:
- Demonstrate a strong and visible passion and commitment to the organisation, its strategic objectives and cause
- 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 organisation
- 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 of operating at a senior strategic leadership level within an organisation
- Successful track record of achievement through their career
- Experience of organisation governance and working with or as part of a Board of Directors
- 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 charitable sector and current issues affecting it
- Strong leadership skills, ability to motivate staff and volunteers and bring people together
- Financial management expertise and a broad understanding of organisation finance issues
- Good understanding of organisation governance issues
LENGTH OF TERM
The organisation’s Chair (and board members) will serve a three-year term to be eligible for reappointment for one additional term.
Application notes
To apply please send a CV and covering letter to katiewaltervelocity@gmail.com. Application deadline 19th January 2024.
Please contact Katie Walter Current Chair, for any further information or informal discussion prior to applying.
Established in 2018, Moray Rape Crisis provides therapeutic support, information and advocacy for adults and young people of all genders, aged 11 and over, in the Moray area, who have experienced any form of sexual violence at any time in their lives, including rape, sexual assault, childhood sexual abuse and sexual exploitation. We also work directly with young people in schools and youth settings, and with strategic partners, towards preventing sexual violence.
We are looking for Trustees to join our dedicated Board of Trustees
We are seeking motivated Trustees to help govern our growing and developing service in Moray.
Working to intersectional feminist values, we are seeking a diverse range of women with a commitment to the work we do across Moray. We are particularly interested in applicants with knowledge and experience of HR, communications and marketing, fundraising, counselling and psychotherapy, trauma-informed practice, and equality and human rights.
Please note only women need apply under Schedule 9, Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010.
We are committed to a becoming a diverse organisation, and particularly welcome applications from women of colour.
We also welcome applications from women both located in Moray and outwith the area. MRC’s Board of Trustees meetings are conducted online, with occasional in-person training and events.
Please see our website (morayrapecrisis.scot) for further information about our work as an organisation.
Would you like to contribute to the vital supports in place for local families to thrive in Clackmannanshire? Home-Start Clackmannanshire are looking for vibrant, enthusiastic individuals, particularly those with knowledge/ skills relating to the Scottish Health system or Communications and Marketing, to join our board of trustees.
About us:
Home-Start offers guidance, friendship and practical support to families across Clackmannanshire who have at least one child under the age of twelve. We work with families to help them overcome issues impacting their lives, through a range of family support services. Our families are each unique, however common issues we support include: isolation and loneliness, mental health difficulties, bereavement, family breakdown, addiction, and physical ill-health. We’ve been supporting local families across Clackmannanshire since 1988. The Home-Start team (staff, volunteers and trustees) are committed to ensuring that children are given the best possible start in life as #childhoodcantwait.
The role of our trustees:
Charity trustees are responsible – and accountable - for the governance and strategy of their charity. They are responsible for making sure that their charity is administered effectively and can account for its activities and outcomes.
As a trustee on our board, you will contribute to:
1. Providing leadership and direction within the ethos of Home-Start.
2. Ensuring the scheme has a clear vision, mission and strategic direction.
3. Being responsible for the effective performance and management of the scheme.
4. Ensuring the scheme complies with legal and regulatory requirements, the objects of the scheme, the governing documents including the Home-Start Standards and Methods of Practice, the Home-Start Agreement and quality standards.
5. Securing and guarding the scheme’s assets and taking care of their security, deployment, and proper application.
6. Ensuring that the scheme’s governance is of the highest possible standard.
7. Undertaking an ambassadorial role for the scheme.
8. Appointing sub-committees and agreeing their terms of reference and membership.
Time Commitment:
Our board meets every 7-8 weeks, a hybrid approach where trustees can attend in-person meetings at our offices in Alloa or via Teams. Our offices are fully accessible.
As a trustee, you would also attend our Annual General Meeting (AGM) once a year.
Support:
Volunteers are the heart of Home-Start, and so in return for your time and commitment, you will be fully supported in role by our Chair. A full induction will be provided, and opportunities for both training and networking are also available.
All reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed.
From September 2026 and initially for three years
Due to the expiry of the term of office of the current Chair, COSCA (Counselling & Psychotherapy in Scotland) needs a new Chair to provide strategic direction and governance.
As Scotland’s professional body for counselling and psychotherapy, COSCA aims to advance and support all forms of counselling, psychotherapy, and the use of counselling skills, build confidence in counselling and psychotherapy and protect the public in its use of services.
The Chair will be a facilitator, a diplomat, a communicator, a coach, a leader and a listener. The Chair will:
- attend and chair Board meetings (4 per annum)
- provide leadership and guide the members of the Board to set overall policy and targets and monitor outcomes
- understand the voluntary sector, governance of a charity, charity law and the funding of charities
- be committed to the advancement of counselling and psychotherapy and enthusiasm for COSCA’s work
- be a strategic thinker, be able to communicate well and work collaboratively with colleagues and the Chief Executive
- be willing to devote time and effort to the organisation and represent COSCA where appropriate.
Out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed.
Chair and Trustee Recruitment
- Management Board
- Unpaid
- Hybrid/Remote: Edinburgh
- Closing 16th January 2026
Arts Culture Health & Wellbeing Scotland (ACHWS) are looking to recruit a new Chair and several new Trustees to join our Board of Trustees in 2026.
If you are passionate about the role of arts and culture in health and wellbeing outcomes, want to help shape the future of culture and health collaboration in Scotland, support the engagement with the growing membership and make a difference at a local and national level, we’d love to hear from you.
ACHWS is Scotland’s national network linking together, advocating for and supporting those working at the interface of arts, culture, health and wellbeing in Scotland. We seek to advance health and wellbeing in Scotland through the promotion and practice of arts and cultural work across a range of health, social, cultural, care and community contexts. Our vision is for arts and culture to be recognised as transformative to health and wellbeing and accessible to everyone in Scotland.
Applications are welcome from across Scotland with option to join meetings by Zoom with in-person attendance at one meeting per year and board away day. Travel, accommodation and childcare expenses are available for all meetings for those who live outwith Edinburgh, as well as support with access requirements and reasonable adjustments.
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