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 Sheila McKechnie Foundation (SMK) was set up in June 2005 in memory of legendary campaigner, Sheila McKechnie.Campaigning is vital to a healthy society. We help campaigners to thrive. In a free and hopeful society, people need to know they have the power to make a difference: that they are able to envisage change and can push for that change to happen. For nearly two decades, we have helped all sorts of individuals, causes and charities to find their power as changemakers – as campaigners. We support, connect and champion these campaigners, equipping them to go after the social change they seek.
The Chair will hold the Board and staff team to account for SMK’s mission and vision, provide inclusive leadership to the Board and ensure that Board members fulfil their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of SMK. The Chair will line manage and support the Chief Executive and ensure that the Board functions as a unit and works closely with the Chief Executive and staff team to achieve agreed objectives. They may also be asked to act as an ambassador and a public face of SMK in partnership with the Chief Executive and the Board.
For further information, see our website and the recruitment pack.
The Lyric Hammersmith Theatre is one of London’s leading producing houses. We produce world class theatre from the heart of Hammersmith. The Lyric is committed to being part of the community, and we believe passionately in excellence and integrity in everything we do.
The Lyric’s Nomination Committee is seeking a new Chair for Lyric Hammersmith Enterprises Ltd, who will also serve as a Trustee of Lyric. The subsidiary is governed by a non-executive Board of Directors, chaired by this role. Lyric Hammersmith Enterprises is responsible the Lyric’s non-charitable trading operations including catering, hires and events. Our commercial income is critical to helping the Lyric achieve its artistic and charitable objectives.
We are looking for a Chair with influence and authority, strategic thinking and sound judgement with particular expertise in commercial operations and income generation. You will need to share a passion for our artistic work and our commitment to being an equal, diverse, inclusive and environmentally sustainable organisation.
This role will serve as a Trustee to the charity, joining the existing Board for an initial three-year term. Trustees support the Chair, Lorraine Heggessey, and offer their expertise and guidance to the Executive Team.
We are particularly interested in those who have a strong connection with West London.
‘‘The Lyric …it’s simply a theatre that thinks for itself.’’ A.A. Milne
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
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!
Since 2002, we’ve delivered a structured, high-impact, programme of mentoring, a paid internship, skills masterclasses, and workplace visits for young people from under-represented backgrounds.
Our programme empowers them with new-found skills, confidence, aspirations, and support networks, boosting their life outcomes. It also enables employers to engage with and shape future talent, adding value to their organisation, and make a positive difference in their local communities.
Our values
Our people are committed and passionate about changing the lives of young people. Our organisational values underpin how we work and are at the core of everything we do.:
· Trust
· Bravery
· Collaboration
· Empowerment
· Inclusion
We have 40 colleagues across the UK, and strong collaboration across a remote working environment is critical to our success. We champion flexibility and wellbeing, and strive to be a positive place work, both in terms of our mission and our culture.
Our impact and growth
Across the UK in 2024 we supported 4,238 young people across our two programme cohorts, with 4,395 volunteers supporting them. We worked with 374 employers to provide mentors and summer internships in 2024 and have 194 school and college partners.
Thanks to the support of our network, we’re able to have the following impact for young people:
· 99% of programme graduates go into higher education, apprenticeships or work
· 90% of students said they felt more confident than before the programme
· Career Ready alumni have a professional network twice the size of their non-programme peers
· 90% of students rated their career skills a strength following their paid internship
Following a challenging couple of years in the charity sector and wider economy, we have just closed the 2024/25 financial year in a more positive position. We are set to embark on a new 2025-30 strategy which focuses around 4 key pillars:
· Income sustainability
· Digital enablement and adoption
· UK programme alignment
· People & Culture
As some of our longstanding Trustees have recently retired, we are looking for individuals with skills and backgrounds that will help us excel our new strategic focus.
About the role
Role purpose
As a Trustee you will make a significant contribution to creating empowering opportunities for young people from under-represented backgrounds.
The role of the Trustee is to ensure that Career Ready is carrying out its purpose, as set out in the Memorandum and Articles of Association, and that it complies with the law.
Trustees must always act in the best interests of Career Ready, with reasonable care and skill, whilst also ensuring it is accountable. They must also ensure that Career Ready manages its’ resources effectively and sets the forward direction of the organisation.
Main responsibilities and accountabilities
· Ensuring that Career Ready functions within the legal and financial requirements of a Charitable Company
· Account for the work of Career Ready to Companies House, The Charity Commission, OSCR, funders
· Managing risks, protecting assets (reputation) and people
· Ensuring that Career Ready strives to achieve best practice in all aspects of its work
· Determining the overall policy and direction of the Charity
· Fixing the annual budgets and approving accounts
· Recognising and dealing with conflicts of interest
· Appointing the Chief Executive Officer when required
· Agreeing strategic and work plans
· Collaborating with members of the senior management team in the development of strategic plans
· Hearing membership appeals against the decisions of the Chief Executive Officer
· Ensuring that Career Ready maintains and complies with a policy of equal opportunities in respect of staff, members and stakeholders
· Act as a champion and ambassador for the work of Career Ready
Person Specification
We are looking for 3-4 Trustees who have:
· A commitment to the mission of Career Ready
· An understanding of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of Trusteeship
· Integrity
· Sound judgement
· Strategic vision
· A willingness to contribute ideas and challenge
· Willingness to actively participate in developing the senior leadership team through sharing of skills and expertise
As part of this recruitment exercise, we aspire to have greater Trustee representation from the following sectors/areas of expertise:
· Digital/technology/systems
· Comms/marketing
· Fundraising
· Finance
· Government/Policy
· Operations
In addition, we welcome applications from individuals from underrepresented groups, to align with the diverse range of young people we serve, for example, lived experience of social mobility.
Commitment
At least four meetings per year plus AGM. Usually held in person in London/other locations with opportunity to join remotely.
Up to three-year initial term.
Invitation to join Career Ready team at annual All-Colleague event.
Encouraged to support and participate in Career Ready events.
Opportunities to join and influence other projects and governance committees.
Timetable
Applications close at 5pm on Thursday 31st July.
Please note that the closing date may be brought forward if we receive strong applications.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.