HF Mencap
Chair of the Board of Trustees
Role Description
Commitment:
Expected to be an average of up to 10 hours a month, including:
- Running a minimum of four board meetings a year
- Occasional participation at internal working groups
- Occasional attendance at external meetings and events
A higher time investment will be needed during the period of induction.
Period: Three-year term on election with the opportunity to be re-elected for a further term of three years.
Terms: Voluntary role, necessary out of pocket expenses reimbursed.
Location: Addison Road Primary School, London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Mix of local and remote working, currently weighted heavily towards the latter.
Role Purpose
The purpose of the Chair is to provide leadership and direction to the Board of Trustees and to lead oversight of the charity’s management.
Key Responsibilities
- Enables the Board to fulfil its responsibilities for the overall governance and strategic direction of HF Mencap.
- Works collaboratively with the other Trustees and the Chief Executive to ensure that the organisation complies with its legal duties and pursues its objectives as defined in its governing documents.
- Ensures that the charity has a clearly defined vision and mission, with strategic objectives developed and resources used to enable maximum impact for its beneficiaries.
- Focuses the effort of the Trustees and the Chief Executive in achieving the strategy.
- Ensures renewal of the Board membership in line with governance.
- Makes certain that the Board determines the nature and extent of the risks that it is willing to tolerate.
- Acts as the line manager of the Chief Executive on behalf of the Board. Supports and, where appropriate, constructively challenges or gives direction to the Chief Executive to help them in operational management. Communicates the decisions of the Board to the Chief Executive and as appropriate to staff.
- Facilitates change, addressing any potential conflict with stakeholders.
- Acts as an ambassador promoting the charity’s ideas and strategies and collaborates closely with the Chief Executive and Trustees to build strategic alliances and networks.
- When appropriate acts as a spokesperson at external meetings and events.
- Leads an appraisal of the performance and effectiveness of the Board and the Trustees at least once a year. Ensures that a process is in place for developing knowledge and capability.
- Manages the evaluation by the Board, at least once a year, of the performance and effectiveness of the Chief Executive and conducts an annual remuneration review. Ensures opportunity for professional development and appropriate support.
Person Specification
Personal Qualities
- Can both work collaboratively and give appropriate direction where necessary.
- Has a strong and visible passion and commitment to the charity, its strategic objectives and cause.
- A personal connection to people with learning disabilities either by means of a family relationship or work is desirable.
- Must have the ability to effectively connect and communicate with people with a range of learning disabilities and/or autism to ensure the charity is meeting their needs.
- Able to lead meetings in an open and inclusive way.
- Exhibits strong networking capabilities and is comfortable in an ambassadorial role.
- Commits time to conduct the role well, including travel and attending events out of office hours.
Experience
- Operation at a strategic leadership level.
- Experience of chairing meetings and/or events.
- Successful record of achievement.
- Charity governance and working with or as part of a Board of Trustees is advantageous but not essential.
- External representation.
Knowledge and skills
- Broad knowledge and understanding of the learning disabilities sector and current issues affecting it.
- Strong leadership skills, ability to motivate staff and volunteers and bring people together.
- Familiarity with financial reporting
- Understanding of the principles of company law and charity law.
- Some understanding of the strategic, legislative, and political contexts that affect and influence HF Mencap’s work.
All applicants will go through HF Mencap’s recruitment procedure and the successful candidate will be proposed for election by members for an initial 3-year term.
How to apply
Please send a comprehensive CV with your full name and contact details (including an e-mail address) to [email protected] by April 19th 2022 at the latest, together with a supporting statement setting out why you are for applying for this role and how you meet the criteria set out in the Person Specification.
Please also supply the names and contact details of two references (who will only be contacted if you reach final interview stage).
Please note that you will require DBS clearance to fulfil this role.
If you are interested in an informal discussion prior to applying, please e-mail [email protected] to arrange a call.
