At a glance

Skills

Governance
Strategic development and planning

Where

Guildford, GU1 2AG

Mainly at home

Time

Mostly outside office hours Estimate of time needed:
0-5 hours / month

Deadline

24 Jan 2025

Visitors from Fifth Day

Welcome to Reach Volunteering. We are a community and registered charity that connects people, skills and good causes.

To apply for this role, and any other on our platform, you need to be based in the UK, have at least three years of experience using the skills you wish to volunteer in a professional capacity or have lived experience (for trustee roles). Read more about our criteria.

An exciting opportunity for an experienced Director to join the organisation as it enters a new phase, ensuring SEN TALK CIC delivers impactful, legally compliant, and functionally effective activities.

What will you be doing?

The Chair will hold the Board and Executive Team accountable for the organisation's mission and vision. They will provide 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 be vital in leading four quarterly meetings each year and overseeing special sub-committee meetings as needed. They must communicate effectively and regularly engage with the Chief Executive, providing insightful guidance, support, and recommendations on operational matters. This active collaboration will ensure strong leadership and foster meaningful organisational engagement.

Main duties and responsibilities

Governance

Ensure that the governance arrangements are working most effectively 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 annually.
Ensure that the Board of Directors is regularly refreshed and incorporates the right balance of skills, knowledge and experience to govern and effectively lead the organisation, reflecting the wider population.
Work within any agreed policies adopted by the organisation.

Strategic Leadership

Provide leadership to the organisation and its Board, ensuring that the organisation has maximum impact on its beneficiaries.
Ensure that directors fulfil their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of the organisation.
Ensure that the Board operates within its charitable objectives, providing a clear strategic direction that keeps us focused and aligned with our mission.
Ensure that the Board can regularly review significant risks such as financial instability, regulatory changes, reputational risks, and associated opportunities like new funding sources, strategic partnerships, and innovative programs, and satisfy itself that systems are in place to take advantage of opportunities and manage and mitigate the risks.
Ensure the organisation has sound financial health and robust systems for financial accountability.

What are we looking for?

Personal Qualities

A desire to improve SEND outcomes for children and young people
Demonstrate a strong and visible passion for the organisation and its strategic objectives and mission.
Possess excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with comfort in acting as an ambassador for the organisation.
Exhibit tact, diplomacy, and listening attentively and engaging effectively.
Have strong networking abilities that can be leveraged for the organisation's benefit.
Foster and promote a collaborative team environment.
Be willing to dedicate time to execute the role effectively, including travelling and attending events outside regular office hours.

Essential skills, knowledge and capabilities

Experience operating at a senior strategic leadership level within an organisation
At least 2 years’ experience in the charity sector
Experience in charity governance and working with or as part of a Board of Trustees or Director
Significant experience in chairing meetings and events
Experience in external representation, delivering presentations and managing stakeholders
Broad knowledge and understanding of the voluntary sector and current issues affecting it
Strong leadership skills, ability to motivate staff and volunteers and bring people together
Experience in strategic planning and Business Development
Financial management expertise and a broad understanding of charity finance issues
Experience writing policies, procedures and relevant compliance measures.
Experience implementing policies, procedures
Good knowledge of UK GDPR and Data Protection 2018
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
Experience in financial management, budgets and reporting
Good knowledge of Safeguarding and Child Protection Laws and Regulations, including vulnerable adults
Experience in Impact Reporting
Excellent organisation and project management
Experience in progress evaluating and monitoring
Positive attitude to problem-solving
Strong IT skills

Desired skills, knowledge and capabilities

Knowledge of Community Interest Company structures
Lived- experience of Autism or ADHD

What difference will you make?

The Chair will be vital in leading the Board of Directors by conducting four quarterly meetings each year and overseeing special sub-committee meetings as needed. They will play a key role in assembling a strong board of Directors and ensuring that the organisation maintains ethical standards while delivering impactful, legally compliant, and functionally effective activities.

About SEN TALK CIC

Causes

Children / families

Education

Learning disabilities / difficulties

Mental health

Organisation type:

Not for profit

SEN TALK’s Mission is to significantly reduce the disproportionate adverse outcomes for Autistic and ADHD children and young people by providing unique opportunities for them to...

Chair of Board of Directors