Learner support officer volunteer roles

Independent Chair and Non-Executive Director Recruitment

Somerset Skills & Learning CIC (SS&L)
Voluntary roles | Somerset / Hybrid

Changing lives through learning

Somerset Skills & Learning (SS&L) is a thriving Community Interest Company delivering education and skills to around 4,000 learners each year. Working with over 145 employers, we improve confidence, wellbeing, employability and life chances across Somerset and beyond.

We are now seeking two Independent Non-Executive Directors to join our Board at an exciting and pivotal time.

Following seven successful years on the Board, our Chair will step down in November 2026. As part of this recruitment, we will identify our next Non-Executive Chair, offering a unique opportunity to shape the future direction of a values-driven organisation making a tangible difference.

The Opportunities

Non-Executive Director – Finance & Sustainability

You will bring senior financial leadership experience to help guide SS&L’s long-term sustainability.

You will contribute to:

• Financial strategy, oversight and resilience
• Risk management, audit and governance
• Supporting sustainable, values-led growth

Non-Executive Director – Further Education Quality & Impact

You will bring expertise from the further education or skills sector to help ensure high-quality outcomes.

You will contribute to:

• Quality assurance and continuous improvement
• Learner outcomes and progression
• Strategic curriculum development aligned to community need

About the Roles

As a Board member, you will:

• Provide strategic oversight, challenge and support
• Help shape organisational direction and impact
• Work collaboratively with fellow Directors and the Executive team

From these appointments, we are particularly interested in individuals with the capability and interest to step into the Chair role.

Commitment

• Approximately 4–5 hours per month
• Four Board meetings per year (hybrid)
• Participation in sub-committees
• Voluntary roles (reasonable expenses reimbursed)

About You

We are looking for individuals who:

• Bring senior leadership or Board-level experience
• Can offer constructive challenge and strategic insight
• Share our commitment to inclusion, learning and community impact

We particularly welcome applications from individuals who reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.
 

How to Apply

Full details about this opportunity in the attached brief. For a confidential discussion, please contact Anna Jay, Managing Director, Public Leaders Appointments

Closing date for applications: Midday, 21st May 2026. Interviews 10th or 11th June 2026.

If you are inspired by the opportunity to help shape an organisation that is transforming lives through learning, we would love to hear from you.

We are a Theatre Without Walls, have imagination without limits and exist to make extraordinary, relevant theatre by, with and for contemporary Scotland.

As we continue our journey, we are seeking to recruit at least two Non-Executive Directors who share our passion for theatre and the arts to support our collective responsibility to develop our vision and our people.

In line with our strategic framework, one of our priorities in the coming years is the development of our artistic programme at home and internationally.

We know that to achieve this, we will need to find new ways of working and continue to diversify our revenue, optimising the commercial and financial guidance the Board can offer.

We are also looking to maximise our strategic communications in this current fast-changing landscape, and considering how evolving technology can best extend our programming and reach, engaging learners, supporters and wider audiences. We are excited by the prospect of Board members who can support the governance requirements of this journey.

We also welcome a diversity of voices around the table, reflecting the audiences and communities we serve. Applications from divergent and collaborative thinkers from all walks of life are welcome and we strongly encourage applications from candidates of colour, gender diverse and disabled people.

If this is of interest, please read the full Information Pack, which contains further information and details of how to apply.

Role Description

The role of a Non-Executive Director Board member is to ensure that: The National Theatre of Scotland, as a registered Charity fulfils its duty to its beneficiaries and delivers on its Vision, Mission and Values.
The statutory duties of a Non-Executive Director Board member are:

• To ensure that the company complies with its governing documents - Memorandum and Articles of Association.
• To ensure that the company pursues its objectives as defined in its governing document.
• To ensure that the company applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objectives - the company must not spend money on activities which are not included in its own objectives, no matter how ‘charitable’ and ‘worthwhile’ those activities are.
• To contribute actively to the Board's role in giving firm strategic direction to the company, setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets.
• To safeguard the reputation and values of the company.
• To ensure the effective and efficient operation and administration of the company.
• To ensure the financial stability of the company
• To protect and manage the property of the company and to ensure the proper investment 
  of the company’s funds.
• To appoint the Co-Chief Executive Officers and monitor their performance.

Remuneration: The role is voluntary, so there is no salary or payment for being on the Board but expenses for travel may be claimed.

Location: Board meetings take place in Rockvilla, our creation space located in Glasgow, and we strongly encourage attending these in person whenever possible. However, we absolutely welcome candidates from all over Scotland and beyond and can facilitate online attendance if required.

Time commitment:We have four Board meetings per year and up to four Committee meetings depending on the membership of the Committee. Committee membership is not a requirement to be a Board member, but on this occasion, we are seeking to appoint at least one new trustee to the Finance, Risk and Audit Committee.

Board members are also expected to see as much of the company’s work as possible including performances (tickets are provided) and events and to occasionally represent the company at these.

Reporting to: Chair of the Board.