Founded in 1963, we operate as an independent charity with a vision to make a real difference to people’s lives by improving the quality of mathematics education and learning.
We are passionate about mathematics and mathematics education, and the users of our services are at the centre of what we do. We offer professional development for teachers and innovative resources for teachers and students, and are recognised national experts in mathematics curriculum development. We find our work hugely rewarding and stimulating, and our innovative and collaborative work with a range of partners, including government, enables us to deliver flagship mathematics education development programmes for teachers, as well as informing national policy. We run some government contracts, in partnership with others, where we believe they are consistent with our charitable objects. We also promote innovation through ground-breaking development work and awareness raising.
We work at the forefront of innovation in education. To maintain and build on this innovation and leadership we hope to work with a wider range of donors who share our aspirations for improved maths education for everyone. The fundraising trustee is a new role to help us steer this new ambition.
If you have the experience to support us, and you are passionate about the development of the next generation, we would love to have you on board!
We are looking for a Trustee with experience of fundraising with corporate funders and high net worth individuals. In addition to the standard trustee responsibilities of setting strategy and policy for the organisation while ensuring that it is operating efficiently and in compliance with relevant laws and regulations, the Fundraising Trustee supports the development and overall governance of MEI’s fundraising and related communications strategy, working closely with the CEO, Deputy CEO and the contracts and finance committees.
This is a new post and an exciting opportunity to make a significant contribution to a national charity at a critical stage in developing its ambitions for the future.
The statutory duties of a trustee:
- To ensure that the organisation complies with its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
- To ensure that the organisation pursues its objects as defined in its governing document.
- To ensure the organisation uses its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects: it must not spend money on activities which are not included in its own objects, no matter how worthwhile or charitable those activities are.
- To contribute actively to the Board by giving strategic direction to the organisation, setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets.
- To safeguard the good name and values of the organisation.
- To ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation.
- To ensure the financial stability of the organisation and its sustainable growth.
- To secure the appointment of the Chief Executive and monitor his/her performance.
It is expected that the new Trustee will:
- have senior strategic level experience or as a charity Trustee;
- understand the role of the Trustee and be able to add value to the charity through expertise, counsel and sound judgement;
- understand the competing pressures (financial, operational, personnel) involved in running a complex organisation;
- have experience of dealing with the challenges associated with delivering organisational and governance changes;
- have a broad range of business and financial skills and experience;
- be able to contribute strategically on a wide range of issues;
- take collective responsibility for the direction of the organisation, be good at working in teams, and able to be effective in a complex organisational environment where significant cross-boundary collaboration and partnership are essential.
- In addition to these generic duties and responsibilities, the specific responsibilities of the fundraising trustee will entail the following:
- To have a substantial background in either a corporate giving/CSR or fund/foundation management role, or as a senior charity fundraiser with a sound understanding and experience of charity fundraising at strategic and operational levels.
- Bring overall leadership and drive as the Fundraising Trustee, supporting the development and overall governance of MEI’s fundraising and related communications strategy, working closely with the CEO and Trustee for Finance.
- To ensure that there is the right breadth and depth of fundraising and related communications skills within MEI and the Board of Trustees, with access to the right networks, in order that the charity is in the best possible position to develop and deliver high quality strategies in fundraising and related communications.
- To be an active member of the Finance, Audit and Risk (FAR) Committee, ensuring that fundraising and related communications strategies are aligned to the wider budget strategy.
MEI is committed to promoting and ensuring equality and valuing diversity. We will not discriminate unlawfully in any aspect of employment and want MEI to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds, especially from underrepresented groups, including people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.
Further information available on application.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Since 1907, Improving Lives Plymouth has been working within the city of Plymouth and the surrounding area, delivering services and developing new ones to meet the needs of individuals, community and voluntary organisations.We describe ourselves as a small but perfectly formed organisation informing and influencing the quality of services delivered not only by us but also our partners in Plymouth.We operate across two hubs, our Mannamead Hub focuses on our Health and Wellbeing services whilst our Veterans and Family Hub and Information and Advice Service operate from our City Centre offices.
For many years the organisation has been led and shaped by our CEO and thanks to him and our excellent team, we have discovered how resilient we are during the recent pandemic. Our longstanding CEO retires in 2021, hence this recruitment.
The CEO of Improving Lives Plymouth (ILP) leads a progressive and responsive charitable organisation that has a big impact, wide reach and valued reputation.‘A business head with a charity heart’ is the hallmark of our CEO’s work and indeed, the organisation itself.Balancing the challenges and opportunities of today with ensuring a bright and sustainable future supporting people who need our help by leading a team of brilliant and committed staff and volunteers.
We are therefore looking for someone:
- with the rare ability to balance high level strategic priorities with key operational, organisational and financial activity
- who engages with a wide range of professional people; possessing the confidence, gravitas and social skills to speak with passion and integrity in a variety of settings and locations
- with a love of leading, inspiring and developing teams, identifying skills and potential in others and helping them to develop
- who is looking to further develop a culture and working environment which attracts and retains great people
- and who is values-driven and passionate about people, families and communities
We are working with Jackie Dawkins of Shine Charity Recruitment who will support and guide the Trustees to find and appoint our new CEO.For further information about the role and how to apply, please download the information pack.
Key Dates
- Closing Date30th October 2020
- First Interview (with Jackie Dawkins)W/c 2nd November 2020
- Second Interview and Assessment DayTuesday 8thth December 2020
- Final InterviewTuesday 15th December 2020
Shine Charity Recruitment Director, Jackie Dawkins started her recruitment career in 1986 and launched Shine, a specialist charity recruitment ... Read more
Founded in 1963, we operate as an independent charity with a vision to make a real difference to people’s lives by improving the quality of mathematics education and learning.
We have always had a well-established and well-respected board, and in the last twelve months we have recruited several new board members to support MEI’s continued development through their wisdom, passion, and expertise. We are a friendly, supportive, and very committed team. MEI’s head office is in Trowbridge, in beautiful Wiltshire. Our team of mathematics education experts works from home, spread across England. Our dedicated staff of around 70 employees and our 10 board members make effective use of online technology to collaborate – never more so than this year.
MEI’s origins were in working to ensure mathematics education was relevant to equipping people to use mathematics effectively in their everyday lives and work. Much has changed in society since MEI was founded and mathematics education has never been more important. Our commitment to make a positive difference to people’s lives through mathematics education and learning remains as strong as ever.
Our links with students have generally been through their teachers, but the rapid changes in society and the way that people engage with knowledge and learning mean that we need to deepen our understanding of the needs and perspectives of students. The young trustee role is a new role on the MEI board that will help us to do this. It is only one part of a number of activities with this aim. We would expect the young trustee to help support these developments.
The Board of Trustees is looking forward to having a young trustee within our team, and benefiting from the contributions and experience of the successful candidate. This will not be a ‘token’ position. The successful candidate will have the same influence, responsibilities, and liabilities as any other trustee. In turn, we commit to provide the support, training and development that you, and indeed all new trustees, need to undertake this role. As our pioneer young trustee, you will be able to help us shape the role and the way we work so that we harness your experience and wisdom at a critical stage as we drive forward our developing ambitions for the future.
If you think you have what it takes to bring a new perspective, and you are passionate about the development of the next generation, we would love to have you on board
MEI is committed to promoting and ensuring equality and valuing diversity. We will not discriminate unlawfully in any aspect of employment and want MEI to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds, especially from underrepresented groups, including people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.
Further information available on application.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.