Chair of Trustee Board

What will you be doing?

Due to the relocation of our longstanding Chair of Trustees, we need to recruit a leader for our dynamic team. The ideal candidate will want to help us to shape the next phase of LDCVS’s development, and to make a real difference to our local community. This is an exciting opportunity to work with the VCFSE sector in our district and to develop your understanding of the challenges and rewards. Experience in mentoring, coaching and/or facilitation would be welcomed, and you will have served as a charity trustee previously.

We are looking for someone with the time and capacity to regularly engage with the staff, both as individuals and as a team, including working closely with the Chief Officer, and to provide leadership and direction to our board of Trustees. They will be a skilled networker, able to help us build our profile in person and online, and will be sympathetic to the evolution of the organisation in the context of wider developments in the Third Sector both locally and nationally. 

What are we looking for?

You will be providing leadership and direction to the Board of Trustees, enabling fellow trustees to fulfil their responsibilities for the overall governance and strategic direction of the organisation, ensuring that the organisation pursues its objects as defined in its governing document, charity law, company law and other relevant legislation/regulations. You will support the Board to make well-rounded and carefully considered strategic decisions that respond to the challenges and opportunities presented in the wider context of LDCVS operations. You will work with the Chief Officer and Senior Administrative Officer to optimise the relationship between the Board of Trustees and the staff.  

The current Board has a good range of skills and we’ll be happy to help someone develop into the role of Chair – a willingness to work collaboratively is a key aspect of the role. We anticipate a time commitment of at least two days a month.  

What difference will you make?

The VCFSE sector is playing a crucial part in the recovery and economic development of Lancaster district and is working closely with other local infrastructures across Lancashire and South Cumbria. In the context of national, regional and local reform agendas, LDCVS is co-ordinating the voice of local charities and voluntary groups. We have refreshed our business plan in light of these changes and this is an exciting time to be working closely with a range of partners.

You'll be supporting the formulation of strategic plans and ensuring regular reviews of the long-term strategic aims of the charity, and overseeing the development and review of organisational policies, working with other Board members to define goals and targets and evaluate performance against agreed targets. 

You'll liaise regularly with our Treasurer to maintain a clear grasp of the charity’s financial position and to ensure full and timely financial transparency and information disclosure to the Board. 

You'll lead, and where appropriate, mentor other Board members to fulfil their responsibilities, enabling access to training/coaching/information to enhance the overall contribution of the Board. 

You will promote team working among Board members and also encourage them to identify and recruit new trustees as required. You will create a strong and fulfilling working relationship with trustees and the Chief Officer through review and self-reflective evaluation of contributions and the effectiveness of the Board. 

In the longer term, we hope that you will lead the Board in fostering relations with potential clients and potential funders/donors. 

Additional information

You can download the following documents: