Hr director volunteer volunteer roles in Birmingham

Are you passionate about sustainability? Do you want to make a real impact on household carbon footprints and promote sustainable living? Can you help us deliver our innovative E-Save app and outreach programme?

What will you be doing?

To support delivery of the E‑Save app, you’ll provide essential administrative support to our volunteer‑led, largely remote organisation. 

You’ll help keep the charity running smoothly by supporting the board and key personnel with communications, record‑keeping, document updates, online meeting organisation, task tracking and maintaining clear, well‑ordered systems.

What are we looking for?

We’re seeking a UK‑based volunteer with at least three years’ administrative experience, including confident use of Microsoft tools. 

You’ll be organised, detail‑focused and able to manage your own workload. 

You’ll support meetings, maintain online files, update documents, manage data and contact lists, and provide general admin support to the Board, Operations Director and volunteer HR team as needed.

What difference will you make?

Your work will provide the operational backbone needed for the organisation to grow and deliver its ambitious programme. 

By ensuring effective administration and communication, you’ll help enable drive the  focus on environmental impact—supporting the delivery of the E‑Save app and helping bring practical climate action into everyday homes across the UK.

Job description:

We are looking for 3 candidates to join our volunteer enhanced professional development programme and gain real world experience in your chosen field). While we only have 3 vacancies available through this programme, other options are available if your skills match our criteria.

About the Role

The ePDP Programme Manager is a strategic leadership role responsible for overseeing the Enhanced Professional Development Programme (ePDP) and managing the ePDP Liaison. This position ensures the successful delivery of the ePDP, aligning it with organisational goals and fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional growth. The Programme Manager will work closely with senior leadership, Heads of Department (HoDs), and the ePDP Liaison to design, implement, and refine the programme, ensuring it meets the needs of participants and the organisation.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Oversight of the ePDP

• Develop and execute the strategic vision for the ePDP, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives.
• Collaborate with the Director: HRBP, Legal, IT & ePDP to define programme goals, KPIs, and success metrics.
• Continuously evaluate and refine the programme to address emerging needs and industry trends.

2. Team Leadership & Management

• Manage and mentor the ePDP Liaison, providing guidance and support to ensure effective programme execution.
• Foster a collaborative and results-driven team culture, encouraging innovation and accountability.

3. Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain strong relationships with Heads of Department (HoDs) and external partners to ensure programme relevance and impact.
• Act as the primary point of contact for senior stakeholders, providing regular updates on programme progress and outcomes.

4. Programme Design & Implementation

• Oversee the design and delivery of ePDP content, ensuring it meets the developmental needs of participants.
• Coordinate with internal and external facilitators to deliver high-quality training sessions, workshops, and resources.
• Ensure the integration of feedback from participants and stakeholders to enhance programme effectiveness.

5. Monitoring & Evaluation

• Establish a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to track participant progress and programme impact.
• Analyse data to identify trends, challenges, and opportunities for improvement.
• Prepare comprehensive reports for senior leadership, highlighting achievements, challenges, and recommendations.

6. Communication & Advocacy

• Promote the ePDP across the organisation, ensuring high visibility and engagement.
• Develop communication strategies to highlight success stories and programme benefits.

Required Skills

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to align the ePDP with organisational goals and adapt to changing priorities.
• Leadership & Team Management: Proven experience in leading and mentoring teams to achieve results.
• Stakeholder Management: Exceptional relationship-building skills to engage and influence senior leaders and cross-functional teams.
• Project Management: Strong organisational skills to manage complex programmes, budgets, and timelines.
• Analytical Skills: Ability to analyse data, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills to articulate programme vision and outcomes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• 5+ years of experience in programme management, learning and development, or a related field.
• Experience in designing and implementing professional development programmes.

Job Types: Part-time, Volunteer

Benefits:

• Work from home

Application question(s):

• Are you sure you can commit to this being a non-paid role?
• Can you commit to 16 weeks ?
• Do you have access to personal PC or laptop?

Work Location: Remote

The Chair of Trustees will:

• Provide leadership and direction to the Board of Trustees and enable the Board to fulfil its responsibilities for the overall governance and strategic direction of the organisation.

• Ensure that the organisation pursues its objects as defined in its governing document, charity law, company law and other relevant legislation/regulations.

• Work in partnership with the Director to support employees and volunteers, helping them achieve the aims of the organisation; and to optimise the relationship between the Board of Trustees and the staff.

• Facilitate the Board of Trustees in stimulating excellent, well-rounded and carefully considered strategic decision-making.

Main Responsibilities of the Chair

The Chair of Trustees will be expected to:

In relation to the Board of Trustees

• Formulate strategic plans and regular review of long-term strategic aims of the charity.

• Develop organisational policies, define goals, targets and evaluate performance against agreed targets.

• Approve the annual cycle of the board meetings, meeting agendas, chair and facilitate meetings, monitor decisions taken at meetings and ensure they are implemented.

• Liaise regularly with the Treasurer to maintain a clear grasp of the charity’s financial position and to ensure full and timely financial transparency and information disclosure to the Board.

• Lead and mentor other Board members to fulfil their responsibilities and enable access to training/coaching/information to enhance the overall contribution of the board.

• Annually review the Board structure, role, staff relationships and ensure implementation of agreed changes/developments are carried out.

• Encourage team working among Board members and encourage them to identify and recruit new trustees as required.

• Create a strong, profitable and fulfilling working relationship with trustees and the Director through review and self-reflective evaluation of contributions and effectiveness of the board.

In relation to the Director 

• Assume guardianship of the legal and financial integrity of the organisation.

• Consult with the Director on matters of strategy, governance, finance and HR.

• Oversee the Director’s activities in the context of the implementation of the Board’s strategy and policies.

• Maintain careful oversight of any risk to reputation and/or financial standing of the organisation.

• Receive regular informal progress reports of the organisation’s work and financial performance through the Director.

In relation to the community and code of conduct

• Represent the organisation as a spokesperson at appropriate events, meetings or functions.

• Lead the Board in fostering relations with potential clients and potential funders/donors.

• Act as final stage adjudicator for disciplinary and grievance procedures if required.

• Facilitate change and address conflict within the Board of Trustees, within the organisation and liaise with the Director to achieve this.

• Undertake review of external complaints as defined by the organisation’s complaints procedure.

• Ensure adherence and compliance around key policies to e.g. Hiring Policy,Health & Safety and in all decisions and discussions of the Board and its sub-committees.

• Attend and be a member of other committees or working groups when appropriate in role as Chair.

• In order to perform the above role, the Chair should have reasonable access to all staff and information, in line with the board’s fiduciary duties.

In relation to Child Protection

• Uphold the charity’s Child Protection Policy, and ensure its rigid application to all of the Board’s duties and endeavours. 

• Place child safety at the forefront of all deliberations, and adopt a diligent awareness of any area in which child safety might be at risk.

• Report any and all potential violations of the charity’s Child Protection Policy to the Board of Trustees immediately. 

Qualities of a Chair

The Chair of Trustees is expected to demonstrate the following qualities:

Essential

• Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of Trusteeship and adhering to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

• Commitment to the charity’s objects, aims and values and willingness to devote time to carry out responsibilities.

• Strategic and forward looking vision in relation to the charity’s objects and aims.

• Good, independent judgement, political impartiality and the ability to think creatively in the context of the organisation and external environment.

• Good communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to respect the confidences of colleagues.

• Balancing tact and diplomacy with willingness to challenge and constructively criticise.

Desirable 

• Prior experience of committee/trustee work.

• Knowledge of the type of work undertaken by the organisation - disability care and poverty alleviation.

• A wider involvement with the voluntary sector.

• Experience of chairing meetings, committee work, some experience of charity finance, charity fundraising.

• Leadership skills exercised through a period change.

Time Commitment

• The Board meets at least 4 times a year and the Chair is expected to be available 4 times in a year.

• In addition to Board Meetings, other contact – usually electronic or by telephone – will be necessary.

We are currently looking to recruit an external trustee to join our Board of Trustees and also act as chair to the Finance and Audit Sub-Committee. We will also require the trustee to support our whistleblowing policy, acting as the nominated trustee contact for whistleblowing concerns.  You’ll champion openness and ensure the organisation has safe, fair, and effective processes for raising and handling concerns.

Your SU is overseen by our Board of Trustees, and our trading subsidiary (CUSU Services Ltd) is overseen by our Commercial Services Board . They are both made up of a collection of our elected Officers, students, university staff and external professionals that ensure the Charity and the Trading Subsidiary remain sustainable in terms of finance, legality and reputational status.

You will be expected to attend Board meetings 4 times per year – these will be a mix of in person and Teams meetings. You will also be expected to support at least one sub-committee of the Trustee Board (3-4 times per year) as well as complete training and induction. You will need some time to allow for prereading of reports and other documentation before meetings. 

Trustee meetings are typically held on a Friday afternoon 1pm-4pm. Most of the meetings are online, although you would be offered travel expenses for any face-to-face meetings (and hybrid meetings are usually offered if you do need to join remotely.) There is also a strategy day once a year as well as the occasional social activity!

For this trustee role, we are looking for an experienced professional ideally with third-sector governance experience. In addition to being a member of the Board of Trustees the trustee will be required to chair the Finance and Audit subcommittee and should possess a strong finance background with analytical skills and the ability to communicate complex financial information.

We are especially keen to encourage applications from people currently under-represented within the organisation, including but not limited to those from the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, and those from a Global Majority background. We hope that by enhancing our diversity we can extend our organisational creativity and problem solving through the different perspectives and life experiences which diversity brings.

Please note that this is an unpaid voluntary role.

For further information there is a full recruitment pack and role profile available to download or visit our website for more information.