Chair Of Governors Volunteer Roles in Edinburgh
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Chair of Governors & Trustee – Education Specialist
We are looking for a skilled educationalist to become a Chair of Governors & Trustee to drive impactful change for leading charity.
Position: Chair of Governors & Trustee - Education Specialist
Location: North of England (with travel for Board meetings)
Expenses: Unremunerated, however reasonable expenses will be paid.
Are you passionate about transforming lives and making a lasting impact? This is your opportunity to play a pivotal role in the governance of a leading charity that empowers individuals with sight loss and other disabilities to achieve greater independence and fulfilment.
About the Role:
This charity, with over 185 years of heritage, is seeking an experienced and dedicated individual to join its Board of Trustees and Chair their board of Governors. As Chair of Governors and Trustee, you will contribute your expertise to oversee the implementation of the strategic plan, provide valuable advice to the senior leadership team, and ensure the organisation continues to deliver on its life-changing mission.
This is a voluntary position that offers an unparalleled opportunity to develop your leadership skills, expand your professional network, and give back in a meaningful way.
What We Are Looking For:
We are particularly keen to hear from candidates with a strong background in education and an understanding of OFSTED standards. You will:
- Offer strategic guidance while assessing organisational risks.
- Commit time to attend Trustee Board meetings and contribute effectively to discussions.
- Demonstrate good, independent judgment and the ability to work collaboratively as part of a diverse team.
- Embody the charity’s values: being informed, sharing, proactive, inspiring, compassionate, and empowering.
- Knowledge or experience of physical or learning disabilities is desirable but not essential.
Your Impact:
You will directly influence initiatives such as:
- Specialist education programmes empowering young adults with special needs to achieve their goals.
- Innovative arts and crafts centres fostering creativity and social inclusion.
- Sight loss support services that transform lives.
Our client is committed to building a diverse and inclusive Board. Applications are particularly welcomed from individuals with visual impairments, disabilities, or relevant lived experiences.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
The Southover Partnership
The Southover Partnership (“Southover” or the “School”) is an independent special needs day school for pupils with social, emotional and mental health difficulties, autistic spectrum disorder and other complex needs. It is situated on three sites in the London boroughs of Brent, Barnet and Enfield. All pupils have education, health and care plans (EHCP) and are placed by a wide range of local authorities. Typically, the pupils placed at the School have significantly disrupted educational histories.
The work at Southover is underpinned by the principles of attachment theory. The School follows a small school model because we believe it delivers the best outcomes for our students. This means each school community gets to deeply know and understand its members and gives students the opportunity to be more directly involved in their own education. It allows the different school sites to serve as pupils’ primary attachment, and therefore build up a trusting relationship with others and eventually society. The aim is to deliver a truly personalised and holistic education experience for all our pupils.
Specific responsibilities
1.Provide oversight and support to the School Business Manager, together with the Chair and the Executive Headteacher.
2.Chair the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee.
3.Review and report on Southover’s financial performance to ensure the safeguarding of organisational assets and its short- and long-term viability.
4.Oversee the financial implications of strategic plans, annual budgets, risk management and financial management reports, explaining technical aspects in plain language.
5.Propose and implement an ongoing review of Southover’s financial and risk policies.
6.Ensure there is an effective external and internal audit function.
7.Act as sounding board and finance professional to the non-finance board members, while reminding each trustee of their own responsibilities in this area.
Person Specification
Personal Qualities
• Demonstrate a strong and visible passion and commitment to the charity/school, its strategic objectives and cause.
• Exhibit strong inter-personal and relationship building abilities.
• Demonstrate empathy, tact and diplomacy, with the ability to listen and engage effectively.
• Strong networking capabilities that can be utilised for the benefit of the charity/school.
• Ability to foster and promote a collaborative team environment.
• Ability to commit time to conduct the role well, including travel and attending events, functions, meetings etc as appropriate out of office hours.
Experience
Essential
• Experience of operating at a senior strategic leadership level within an organisation
• Successful track record of achievement through their career
• Experience of working with or as part of a Board of Trustees
• Extensive experience of managing financial statements (P&L, balance sheet and cash flow) as FD or CFO of an organisation with revenue >£4m
• Significant experience of chairing meetings and events
• Experience of handling sensitive and confidential issues
Desirable
• Experience as a school governor
• Experience of charity governance
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
• Knowledge of accounting, budgeting, internal financial controls and systems, fraud prevention
• A professional accountancy qualification
• Knowledge and understanding of corporate and charity governance.
• Good understanding of the Charity Commission’s guidance in respect of Charity finances
• An approachable personality with the desire to meet with people from a range of different communities and disciplines.
Desirable
• Knowledge and understanding of the education sector.
• Understanding of the regulatory frameworks and governance of schools (and what it means to be both a school and a charity)
• Knowledge and experience of charity finance
• A good understanding of the key issues facing Southover and/or any SEN provider.
Terms of Office
The Chair will serve a three-year term, eligible for re appointment at the end of one term of office for one additional term only i.e. a maximum of 6 years.
Yes, document attached
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.