Governance and Charity Sector Trustee

What will you be doing?

It's in the Bag is a passionate, community-rooted charity with a board that leads by example. Our trustees show up, get involved and are genuinely committed to the cause. That active, engaged culture is something we are proud of and something every new trustee joins.

The board currently has strong capability across strategic thinking, mission alignment, safeguarding and local knowledge. What we need to strengthen is our governance expertise. As the charity grows and its operational complexity increases, the board needs a trustee who can help it stay on top of its regulatory obligations, develop its policies and processes, and operate with the confidence and clarity that good governance makes possible.

As Governance and Charity Sector Trustee, you will be the board's go-to voice on governance questions. You will help the board understand its obligations under Charity Commission guidance, review and develop key policies, support good board processes and act as a sounding board for the Chair on compliance and regulatory matters. You will know when to escalate an issue and when to seek external advice, and you will help the board act on that advice effectively.

This is not a theoretical role. The challenges ahead are practical. The charity needs to ensure its policies are up to date and fit for purpose, that its decision-making processes are sound, and that it has the governance foundations in place to support its ambitions for growth and impact. This trustee will help build those foundations.

It is also a role with real strategic value. A board that governs well is a board that can focus on what matters: delivering its mission, supporting its community and making the most of the resources it has. By helping the board operate with greater confidence and clarity, this trustee frees up collective energy for the things that make the most difference. Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men aged 15 to 45 in the UK. It's in the Bag is working to change outcomes for those men. Getting the governance right is how we make sure that work can continue and grow.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for someone with significant experience of the charity sector, whether as a trustee, a senior leader, a governance adviser or in a related professional role. What matters is that you understand how charities work from the inside. You know what trustees are responsible for. You understand the relationship between the board and the staff or volunteer team. You have a feel for the difference between a well-governed organisation and one that is simply going through the motions.

A strong working knowledge of Charity Commission guidance and the regulatory framework that governs charities in England and Wales is important. You do not need to be a lawyer. What you do need is to understand the key obligations that apply to a charity of this type and size, to be able to identify when those obligations are or are not being met, and to know when the board needs to seek specialist external advice.

We are looking for a practical, grounded approach. The most valuable governance trustees are not those who cite regulation from memory. They are the ones who can translate requirements into plain English, help the board understand what it means in practice, and support the implementation of policies and processes that actually work. If you can make governance feel manageable rather than daunting, that is one of the most useful things you can do for a small charity.

Sound judgement is essential. This trustee will be the person the Chair and COO turn to when a governance question arises that does not have an obvious answer. The ability to assess a situation clearly, weigh the relevant considerations and give a measured view, including a view on when the charity needs to go further and seek external legal or regulatory advice, is central to the role.

Experience of policy development, compliance frameworks or legal matters relevant to charities, such as employment law, data protection or property, would be a valuable addition. So would previous experience as a company secretary or in a formal governance advisory capacity. None of these are requirements, but any of them would strengthen what you bring.

Finally, we are looking for someone with genuine commitment to the cause. Governance expertise is most valuable when the person applying it cares about the organisation they are serving. We want a trustee who understands why It's in the Bag exists, who is moved by the work it does, and who brings that sense of purpose into the boardroom alongside their professional knowledge.

What difference will you make?

The Governance and Charity Sector Trustee plays a foundational role in ensuring It's in the Bag is well-run, legally compliant and positioned to sustain its impact over the long term.

Good governance is not an end in itself. It is what makes everything else possible. When a board understands its obligations, follows sound processes and makes decisions with clarity and confidence, the organisation it leads is more effective, more resilient and more trusted. When governance is weak, even a charity with a brilliant mission and a committed team can find itself exposed, distracted or unable to operate as it should.

This trustee helps the board get governance right. By providing guidance on Charity Commission requirements and governance best practice, they ensure the board is meeting its legal duties and operating in a way that protects the charity and the people it serves. By supporting the development and review of key policies, including safeguarding, conflicts of interest, data protection and financial controls, they help create the frameworks within which the charity can operate safely and effectively.

There is also a significant impact on board confidence. A board that has a knowledgeable governance trustee to turn to is one that can navigate difficult questions with greater assurance. That confidence matters when the board is making significant decisions about the charity's direction, responding to an unexpected challenge, or considering a new initiative that pushes the boundaries of existing policy.

This trustee also plays an important role in the charity's relationship with external stakeholders. Funders, regulators and partner organisations all take confidence from a charity that demonstrably takes its governance seriously. A board that can point to sound policies, clear processes and a trustee with genuine governance expertise is one that is easier to trust and easier to fund.

Finally, this trustee helps the board look ahead. Good governance is not just about managing today. It is about building the structures and habits that allow a charity to grow, to adapt and to keep delivering on its mission for the long term. For a charity with the ambitions of It's in the Bag, that forward-looking governance function is not a luxury. It is a necessity.

Additional information

You can download the following documents: