At a glance

Skills

Marketing strategy
Accountancy / Auditing
Bookkeeping
Financial management
Business development / Sales
Commissioning / Contracting

Where

Leeds, LS10 1BX

Mainly at the office

Time

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

This role will involve active contribution to the Board of Trustees’.

Providing firm strategic direction to Leeds Autism Services, setting a vision, goals, policy and plans, targets and key performance indicators

What will you be doing?

The statutory duties of a Trustee:

Main duty Under charity law, Leeds Autism Services’ Trustees have and must accept the ultimate responsibility for directing the affairs of Leeds Autism Services, and ensuring that it is solvent, well-run and delivering the charitable outcomes for which it has been set up. In law, Trustees of Leeds Autism Services have three particular duties — care, compliance and prudence — which are set out below following the wording given by the Charity Commission.

Duty of care — Trustees must:

Use reasonable care and skill in their work as Trustees, using their personal skills and experience as needed to ensure that Leeds Autism Services is well-run and efficient
Consider getting external professional advice on all matters where there may be material risk to Leeds Autism Services, or where the Trustees may be in breach of their duties

Duty of compliance — Trustees must:

Ensure that Leeds Autism Services complies with charity law, and with the requirements of the Charity Commission as regulator; in particular ensure that the charity prepares reports on what it has achieved and Annual Returns and accounts as required by law
Ensure that Leeds Autism Services does not breach any of the requirements or rules set out in its governing document and that it remains true to the charitable purpose and objects set out there
Comply with the requirements of other legislation and other regulators which govern the activities of Leeds Autism Services
Act with integrity, and avoid any personal conflicts of interest or misuse of Leeds Autism Services’ funds or assets.

What are we looking for?

Commitment

Focus

Communication and team working

Accountability

Senior level strategic management experience within a third, commercial or public sector organisation
Recent experience (within the last 5 years) of fundraising for, or in, a third sector organisation
Experience at senior level of financial management
A professional qualification and significant practitioner experience in an area of relevance to Leeds Autism Services such as accountancy, charity law, project management, etc.
Knowledge and experience of policy formulation and influencing techniques across local, regional or national government
Knowledge and experience of marketing or public relations in the third sector
Experience of service provision at a senior level to people with autism or on the autistic spectrum in a health, education or social care setting
Experience at a senior level of developing and delivering services/support to autistic people or on the autistic spectrum which promote acceptance, awareness, inclusion, equal opportunities and diversity

What difference will you make?

As a member of the board you will play a critical role in shaping the organization's direction, ensuring its sustainability, and maximizing its impact:

1. Strategic Direction and Vision

Guiding Mission and Vision: Trustees help define and refine the charity's mission and vision, ensuring that the organization stays true to its goals and adapts to changing needs in the autism community.
Long-Term Planning: Trustees are involved in setting long-term strategic goals, which determine how the charity will allocate resources, prioritize projects, and measure success.

2. Governance and Compliance

Ensuring Compliance: Trustees are responsible for ensuring that the charity complies with legal and regulatory requirements, including financial reporting, safeguarding policies, and charity laws.
Ethical Oversight: They ensure that the charity operates ethically, maintaining transparency and accountability to donors, beneficiaries, and the public.

3. Financial Stewardship

Financial Management: Trustees oversee the charity’s financial health, including budgeting, fundraising, and resource allocation. Their decisions can directly impact the charity’s ability to fund programs and initiatives.
Risk Management: Trustees assess and manage risks to the charity’s financial stability and reputation, ensuring that funds are used effectively to benefit those with autism.

About Leeds Autism Services

Causes

Social care

Organisation type:

Charity

Mission, Vision and Values

Our Mission

To create a more autism friendly society by promoting understanding and acceptance of autistic people. ...

Trustee with a Finance Background to join board of an autism charity