5 Head of communications and external affairs volunteer roles

Help us to shape the future of a specialist organisation advocating for rights, justice and action for Black and minoritised migrant women. 

About Hibiscus 

The women supported by Hibiscus have been subjected to violence against women and girls (VAWG) including trafficking, modern slavery, sexual violence, rape, violence against women in war, conflict and post-conflict and institutional violence among other forms of violence. Hibiscus continues to develop specialist services from an intersectional feminist and trauma-informed perspective addressing everyday experiences of violence to which women are subjected and institutional harms.

Hibiscus is seeking new Trustees to join our Board and support the next stage of our work. This is an opportunity to contribute to the governance of an intersectional feminist, anti racist organisation and support women navigating complex immigration and criminal justice systems to drive lasting change for the women we serve.

As a Trustee, you will work collectively with the Board to provide strategic direction, uphold Hibiscus’ values, ensure sound governance and compliance, oversee financial sustainability, and support effective organisational decision-making.

About You

We are looking for Women who can bring:

• A commitment to Hibiscus' mission, values and objectives
• Strategic thinking and sound judgement
• The ability to contribute effectively to Board discussions and decision-making
• A willingness to provide constructive challenge and support
• An understanding of good governance and accountability
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion

What will your gain 

By becoming a Trustee, you will have the opportunity to use your skills and experience to influence meaningful change, support a vital organisation, and help improve the lives of women facing multiple and intersecting disadvantages.

Join us in creating a fairer and more equitable future for the women we serve!

Please note: This post is restricted to women only as a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9 paragraph 1, Equality Act 2010.

Please read our Application Pack Provided with instrutions on how to Apply.

Closing date: Wednesday 30th September 5pm.

Join our Board of Trustees to advocate for the rights of Black and minoritised migrant women interacting with the immigration and criminal justice systems.

 Who we are

The women supported by Hibiscus have been subjected to violence against women and girls (VAWG) including trafficking, modern slavery, sexual violence, rape, violence against women in war, conflict and post-conflict and institutional violence among other forms of violence. Hibiscus continues to develop specialist services from an intersectional feminist and trauma-informed perspective addressing everyday experiences of violence to which women are subjected and institutional harms.

Why join our Board

This is an important opportunity to contribute financial expertise, governance insight and commitment to an intersectional feminist organisation working for rights, justice and safety for women and girls. As a treasurer your financial expertise will help us create lasting impact for women facing some of the most complex barriers in society.

You will work closely with the Chair, CEO, the Operations and Services Director, fellow trustees to monitor the charity’s financial standing, oversee budgeting and strategic financial planning. You will support strong reporting and audit processes and chair the Finance Sub-Committee. You will help ensure that Hibiscus’ financial resources are well managed, transparent and aligned with our mission, values and long-term sustainability.

What we are looking for:

We are looking for a Treasurer who can bring both technical financial expertise and a thoughtful, values-led approach to governance. You will be a qualified accountant with a strong understanding of charity finance, financial controls, budgeting, reserves, audit processes and the regulatory environment in which charities operate, including Charity Commission requirements and Charity SORP.

What you will bring to the role:

You will be confident interpreting financial information, asking constructive questions and helping fellow trustees understand the financial implications of strategic decisions. The successful candidate will be able to translate complex financial information into clear, accessible advice that supports strong collective decision-making by the Board.

• A clear understanding of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of charity trusteeship.
• Experience of financial planning, management accounts, cash-flow forecasting, risk management and annual audit processes.
• The ability to work collaboratively with the Chair, CEO, Director of Operations and other trustees while maintaining appropriate independence and oversight.
•  Strong analytical judgement and the confidence to advise the Board on financial sustainability, reserves, income, expenditure and strategic risk.
• A commitment to Hibiscus’ intersectional feminist, anti-racist and social justice values, and to centring the rights and experiences of Black and minoritised migrant women.
•  A team-oriented approach, with the capacity to support good governance, constructive challenge and long-term organisational sustainability.

Key details about the role

The Role: Previous experience as a charity treasurer, or wider experience in the voluntary sector, charity fundraising or strategic funder engagement would be an advantage. Most importantly, you will share Hibiscus’ commitment to good governance, accountability and financial stewardship in support of our mission.

   Term: The initial term is three years, renewable for up to a maximum of nine years. This role is restricted to women only as a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9 paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010.

How to apply

To apply, please send your completed application form and CV to clearly stating “Application for Treasurer” in the subject heading of your email. In your application, please highlight your experience of financial management, particularly within the charity or voluntary sector, and explain how your skills and values align with Hibiscus’ mission and ethos. Please review the skills criteria within the personal specification of the application pack.

The deadline for applications is Wednesday 30 September 2026.

Position Description 
This is an exciting time to join the Heart of the City trustee board. You will join a small but ambitious Charity with strong foundations and networks across the public and private sector. This is an opportunity to shape the next chapter for the Heart of the City, with a strong focus on developing a robust, sustainable three-year Strategy. The Strategy will be supported by work to further diversify funding streams, that provide greater financial resilience without compromising our mission to support SMEs to become responsible businesses and play a full role in responding to the Climate Emergency.

The incoming Chair will support the team to develop a three-year Strategy to support the growth of the Charity.

The plan will explore:

• The Mission of the Charity and how it should grow
• Diversifying and securing new sources of funding
• Broadening our programmatic offer to SMEs
• Defining the strategic relationship between Heart of the City and the City of London Corporation

Unlike most small charities, Heart of the City has an extensive network and governance structures with prestigious organisations. The Chair will help manage key relationships with the Bank of England and Corporation of London, as well as key Council Members. The Chair will be instrumental in managing an effective and focussed set of Trustees to help shape, scrutinise and deliver the Charity’s mission.

By the end of the three-year period as Chair, you will have supported the development and implementation of a Strategy, which meets the vision of the Charity, helped develop a sustainable and resilient funding model, ensured that the Charity is making an impact and reporting on its achievements and maintains effective relationships with key strategic partners.

Typically, the Chair will:

• Hold regular fortnightly meetings with the Managing Director.
• Attend quarterly Trustee Board meetings (usually lasting around two hours and held during the working day).
• Participate in a strategy half-day with Trustees and staff.
• Attend Council meetings (up to two per year).
• Support introductions to potential members, partners and stakeholders.
• Attend and occasionally speak at Heart of the City events on an ad hoc basis.

The Chair will contribute to ad-hoc requests including:

• Sharing their views on responsible business in interviews for our newsletter, social media or webinars
• Championing our work at other external events and meetings, on social media and on their own biographical profiles

About you
We do not expect one person to fulfil all specifications but would welcome applications from individuals who are able to demonstrate most of the following:

Experience & Knowledge

• Senior Executive experience in the Corporate, Charity or Public sector.
• Strong understanding of SMEs, their motivations and challenges.
• Strong commitment to sustainability and responsible business practices.
• Proven track record of setting strategic direction and leading senior teams.
• Well-connected senior network across businesses.

Skills & Attributes

• Excellent chairing, facilitation and sound judgement in complex situations.
• Strong strategic thinking with the ability to align resources to long-term mission and impact.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, able to engage audiences from SME leaders to senior stakeholders.
• Strong ambassadorial and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent listening, questioning and consensus-building abilities.

Commitment

Commitment to Heart of the City’s mission, values and responsible business agenda. Willingness to devote the time and energy required to fulfil the role effectively.

Closing application date
Midnight on 27 September 2026

Interviews
Trustees aim to meet with the candidates in the week commencing 12 October 2026.

Inclusive Boards is delighted to support University of Birmingham Guild of Students in their search for their next Chair of Trustees. 

The Guild of Students plays a key and pivotal role in the student experience at Birmingham, offering a range of services and activities which not only help to attract students to the University, but which also contribute to a vibrant student experience, as well as supporting the wider sense of community and belonging.

The breadth of the Guild’s service and activity portfolio is comparable with other large students’ unions in the Russell Group and as an organisation the Guild is well regarded within the sector. As leaders in the field, the Guild has paved the way in key areas such as representation, student groups and societies, social opportunities, events and activities.

About the Chair opportunity

This is a brilliant opportunity to join an award-winning, multifaceted, and complex charity as our next Chair of Trustees. The Trustee Board is collectively responsible for overseeing the affairs of the Guild and ensuring that the Guild works for and with its membership in all that it does.  The Chair’s role is to steward this at the highest level. They act as a role model for the Board, maintaining the highest standards of good governance, with a focus on strategy, risk, and long-term sustainability.

They must ensure a culture of inclusion, trust, and openness where all Trustees contribute their views and expertise, and champion student democracy. The Chair will work closely with the President and Chief Executive Officer, supporting them to achieve the aims and objectives of the Guild’s strategy and vision, and ensure the Guild meets the needs of its diverse student membership.

We are in the final year of the Guild’s 2022-27 strategy (aligned to the University’s priorities under its strategic framework, ‘Birmingham 2030’), making this a formative time as we look beyond 2027, in a challenging time for the Higher Education sector. We are seeking skilled leadership to continue to support us to deliver excellence and are, therefore, looking for an experienced non-executive, with demonstrable experience of supporting organisations at Board level.

The Guild values applications from a wide range of backgrounds that are reflective of the full diversity of Birmingham’s community, in particular from Black, Asian, and minoritised ethnicities as we seek to continually enhance diversity within our governance structures.

We would encourage candidates with current or previous experience in charities or the public sector, with experience of chairing meetings and of non-executive leadership, to apply. A connection to the Guild or University and/or to the West Midlands area is also beneficial, but not essential. Full details are outlined in the role description and person specification.