At a glance

Skills

Accountancy / Auditing
Financial management

Where

Canterbury, CT1 1LT

Mainly at home

Travel limit? Preference that they live in Kent

Time

Either in or out of office hours Estimate of time needed:
0-5 hours / month Quarterly board meetings (usually on Wednesdays at 5pm) and up to 5 hours per month (flexible hours)

Our mission is to support people with mental health problems to improve their wellbeing and live happier, healthier lives in East Kent. Our support groups are led by people with lived experience of mental health issues.

What will you be doing?

Our board of six Trustees have experience in HR, business operations, fundraising, mental health and safeguarding. We are looking for someone who can bring financial expertise to the Board and help us build our financial resilience for the future.

We’re looking for someone based in Kent who is committed to our mission of supporting people with mental health issues and being peer-led. We’re seeking a Treasurer who will:

Provide financial oversight and guidance
Evaluate our current financial processes and advise/support with making any necessary changes to strengthen our monitoring and reporting.
Actively contribute to board-level decisions shaping our services.
Attend quarterly online board meetings (90 minutes starting at 5pm)
Bi-monthly online meetings where needed with Co-CEOs
Provide governance as well as strategic and practical input to Take Off’s financial decision-making, planning and reporting.
Play an active role in decision-making on the Board, ensuring that financial information is taken into account when making strategic decisions on our services and future direction.
Ensure that Take Off complies with all relevant legislation, including submitting their annual accounts to the charity commission on time.
Oversee the organisation’s financial risk management process
Review financial policies once a year, working with Take Off colleagues and making any relevant recommendations for change.

Time commitment (on average, one day a month). Four Board meetings a year online. Monthly/quarterly online meetings with SLT as needed to oversee financial management accounts and end of year accounts.

What are we looking for?

Essential criteria

A finance professional.
A passion or interest in supporting mental health in our communities.
A commitment to Take Off’s mission.
Willingness to commit the time required to prepare for and attend board and sub meetings, to read papers and communicate via email.
Ability to work as part of a team
A keen sense of strategic purpose
A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

Desirable criteria

Experience of governance
Qualified and experienced accountant with business planning skills
Knowledge of the Charity’s Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP)
Ability to operate at a strategic level
Knowledge and understanding of the charity sector

In addition to the above, the Treasurer will also have the responsibilities of all trustees:

Responsibilities of all trustees

Approve operational strategies and policies and monitor and evaluate their implementation.
Oversee Take Off’s financial plans and budgets and monitor and evaluate progress.
Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation.
Ensure that key risks are being identified, monitored and controlled effectively.
Review and approve Take Off’s financial statements.
Provide support and challenge to Take Off’s CEO in the exercise of their delegated authority and affairs.
Stay informed of changes in Take Off’s operating environment.
Attend quarterly Board meetings online, adequately prepared to contribute to discussions.
Use independent judgment, acting legally and in good faith to promote and protect Take Off’s interests, to the exclusion of their own personal and/or any third-party interests.
Contribute to the broader promotion of Take Off’s objects, aims and reputation by applying your skills, expertise, knowledge and contacts.

What difference will you make?

Your support will enable Take Off to continue providing a safe space for people with mental health issues in East Kent. Over 275 people every week will share their experiences, learn new skills, and develop a network of friendships with people who have had similar experiences to them. With your help, our beneficiaries will feel more supported, less isolated and more optimistic about their future.

Before you apply

Please apply through Reach in the first instance. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete our additional application form. Interviews will then be organised directly with you, which will take place on Zoom.

About Take Off

Causes

Mental health

Organisation type:

Charity

In East Kent, 1 in 3 people are struggling to live. From loneliness to suicidal thoughts, ill mental health prevents us feeling connected. Can you imagine your loved one feeling that low? Our peer...

Treasurer to help mental health charity build resilience for the future