12 Moving on officer volunteer roles in Belfast

About The Pinnacle Centre

The Pinnacle Centre is a third space in Birmingham helping young adults grow holistically. We work across three domains: personal development, sports and wellbeing, and community and belonging.

Vision 2030 is where that work is heading. We're building a multi-purpose centre in Birmingham — sports facilities, co-working space, an auditorium and a café — designed as a home for young adults to train, work, learn and gather.

Role Summary

You bring in corporate support — sponsorship, charity-of-the-year partnerships, in-kind giving and employee fundraising. You build relationships where the business genuinely gets something back.

Key tasks

1.  Prospecting

○ Identify businesses whose interests align with Pinnacle's work and audience.

○ Research decision-makers and the best route in.

○ Maintain a prospect pipeline with clear ownership so approaches never collide with other teams.

2.  Proposition & pitch

○ Build sponsorship packages with clearly defined deliverables and honest value.

○ Pitch to businesses and negotiate terms.

○ Agree everything in writing before delivery begins.

3.  Delivery & stewardship

○ Deliver what was promised: visibility, access, engagement and reporting.

○ Provide sponsors with evidence of impact and reach.

○ Renew partnerships before they lapse rather than after.

4.  Coordination

○ Coordinate with the Partnerships Lead so one organisation has one relationship with us.

○ Work with Events on sponsor presence and experience on the night.

○ Report income and pipeline to the CFO.

What we're looking for

● Sales, business development or sponsorship experience.

● Confident with senior business contacts and comfortable making the first approach.

● Commercially minded — you can structure something where both sides win.

● Strong follow-through; the role is mostly what happens after the pitch.

● Knowledge of the Birmingham business network (desirable).

What we have to offer

● Real ownership of a function, not a task list — you will shape how it works, not just execute someone else's plan.

● A seat in a team building towards a 2030 horizon, with a clear line of sight to the leadership team.

● Access to our network of founders, professionals, entrepreneurs and investors through Pinnacle's events programme.

● Training, mentoring and the opportunity to build and lead a team of your own as the organisation grows.

● The reward of building something in your city that will outlast all of us.

Please note: this is currently a volunteer position. Reasonable expenses for travel, equipment and refreshments are reimbursed in line with our Expenses Policy. As Pinnacle grows and funding allows, we expect several senior roles to move to paid positions, and volunteers already in post will be considered first.

About The Pinnacle Centre

The Pinnacle Centre is a third space in Birmingham helping young adults grow holistically. We work across three domains: personal development, sports and wellbeing, and community and belonging.

Vision 2030 is where that work is heading. We're building a multi-purpose centre in Birmingham — sports facilities, co-working space, an auditorium and a café — designed as a home for young adults to train, work, learn and gather.

Role Summary

You build the non-financial relationships that give Pinnacle reach and credibility — mosques, universities, community organisations, sports clubs and local institutions. Corporate Partnership handles money; you build mutual value.

Key tasks

1.  Relationship building

○ Map and prioritise the organisations worth partnering with across the city and country.

○ Make first approaches and build genuine working relationships.

○ Define what Pinnacle offers a partner, not only what we want from them.

2.  Partnership delivery

○ Agree scope in writing through MOUs or referral arrangements.

○ Coordinate joint events, cross-promotion and shared initiatives.

○ Deliver our side properly, so partners want a second year.

3.  Reach & audience

○ Use partnerships to reach young adults we are not currently reaching.

○ Support Marketing with partner distribution channels.

○ Represent Pinnacle credibly at partner events.

4.  Coordination & records

○ Coordinate with the Corporate Partnership Lead so one organisation has one relationship with us.

○ Maintain the partnerships register: status, owner, value and renewal date.

○ Report on partnership activity to the CMO.

What we're looking for

● Relationship-building or community engagement experience.

● Confident making a first approach to someone you do not know.

● Strong follow-through — most partnerships die of neglect.

● Credible representing Pinnacle without senior cover in the room.

● Knowledge of Birmingham's community and institutional landscape (desirable).

What we have to offer

● Real ownership of a function, not a task list — you will shape how it works, not just execute someone else's plan.

● A seat in a team building towards a 2030 horizon, with a clear line of sight to the leadership team.

● Access to our network of founders, professionals, entrepreneurs and investors through Pinnacle's events programme.

● Training, mentoring and the opportunity to build and lead a team of your own as the organisation grows.

● The reward of building something in your city that will outlast all of us.

Please note: this is currently a volunteer position. Reasonable expenses for travel, equipment and refreshments are reimbursed in line with our Expenses Policy. As Pinnacle grows and funding allows, we expect several senior roles to move to paid positions, and volunteers already in post will be considered first.

About The Pinnacle Centre

The Pinnacle Centre is a third space in Birmingham helping young adults grow holistically. We work across three domains: personal development, sports and wellbeing, and community and belonging.

Vision 2030 is where that work is heading. We're building a multi-purpose centre in Birmingham — sports facilities, co-working space, an auditorium and a café — designed as a home for young adults to train, work, learn and gather.

Role Summary

You own campaigns end to end, and the audience thinking behind them. You take a target — attendance, sign-ups, donations — work out who we need to reach and how, brief the team, and deliver the number.

Key tasks

1.  Audience & planning

○ Define priority audiences and what genuinely motivates each of them to turn up.

○ Own the marketing calendar, mapped to the programme, event and fundraising calendars.

○ Set and publish targets: reach, sign-ups, attendance and return rate.

2.  Campaign execution

○ Build campaign plans with objective, audience, message, channels and timeline.

○ Write clear briefs for Creative, Video and Social, with realistic lead times.

○ Manage paid promotion within budget, and adjust mid-campaign on what the numbers say.

3.  Measurement

○ Track performance against target daily while a campaign is live.

○ Run post-campaign reviews with honest conclusions.

○ Own analytics, CRM data quality and GDPR compliance for marketing communications.

4.  Coordination

○ Coordinate with Fundraising on income campaigns and with Events on ticketing.

○ Support Partnerships with distribution through partner channels.

○ Report to the CMO against target.

What we're looking for

● Campaign management experience with outcomes you can quantify.

● Fluent in analytics and comfortable running paid social.

● A clear brief writer — precise about audience, message and what success looks like.

● Organised; much of this role is running other people's deadlines.

● Persuasive copywriting ability (desirable).

What we have to offer

● Real ownership of a function, not a task list — you will shape how it works, not just execute someone else's plan.

● A seat in a team building towards a 2030 horizon, with a clear line of sight to the leadership team.

● Access to our network of founders, professionals, entrepreneurs and investors through Pinnacle's events programme.

● Training, mentoring and the opportunity to build and lead a team of your own as the organisation grows.

● The reward of building something in your city that will outlast all of us.

Please note: this is currently a volunteer position. Reasonable expenses for travel, equipment and refreshments are reimbursed in line with our Expenses Policy. As Pinnacle grows and funding allows, we expect several senior roles to move to paid positions, and volunteers already in post will be considered first.

About The Pinnacle Centre

The Pinnacle Centre is a third space in Birmingham helping young adults grow holistically. We work across three domains: personal development, sports and wellbeing, and community and belonging.

Vision 2030 is where that work is heading. We're building a multi-purpose centre in Birmingham — sports facilities, co-working space, an auditorium and a café — designed as a home for young adults to train, work, learn and gather.

Role Summary

You run Pinnacle's finance function day to day: accurate books, timely reporting, tight controls and no surprises. The CFO sets financial strategy; you own the numbers underneath it.

Key tasks

1.  Bookkeeping & transactions

○ Record income and expenditure accurately and promptly.

○ Reconcile bank accounts, card transactions and payment platforms.

○ Process supplier invoices and volunteer expense claims in line with policy.

2.  Reporting

○ Produce monthly management accounts with commentary, not just figures.

○ Report budget against actual by department and flag variances early.

○ Track restricted fund spend against funder conditions.

3.  Controls & compliance

○ Enforce authorisation limits, expenses policy and segregation of duties.

○ Prepare for year end and support Companies House filings and the CIC annual report.

○ Keep records in a state that would survive scrutiny.

4.  Budgeting support

○ Help each lead build a budget they can realistically hold.

○ Provide event and programme costings, including cost per participant.

○ Challenge spending that is unbudgeted or unjustified.

What we're looking for

● Qualified, part-qualified or experienced in bookkeeping and management accounts.

● Accurate and methodical — small errors bother you.

● Confident with accounting software such as Xero or QuickBooks.

● Familiar with restricted fund accounting in a charity or CIC context (desirable).

● Discreet and trustworthy with confidential information.

What we have to offer

● Real ownership of a function, not a task list — you will shape how it works, not just execute someone else's plan.

● A seat in a team building towards a 2030 horizon, with a clear line of sight to the leadership team.

● Access to our network of founders, professionals, entrepreneurs and investors through Pinnacle's events programme.

● Training, mentoring and the opportunity to build and lead a team of your own as the organisation grows.

● The reward of building something in your city that will outlast all of us.

Please note: this is currently a volunteer position. Reasonable expenses for travel, equipment and refreshments are reimbursed in line with our Expenses Policy. As Pinnacle grows and funding allows, we expect several senior roles to move to paid positions, and volunteers already in post will be considered first.

About The Pinnacle Centre

The Pinnacle Centre is a third space in Birmingham helping young adults grow holistically. We work across three domains: personal development, sports and wellbeing, and community and belonging.

Vision 2030 is where that work is heading. We're building a multi-purpose centre in Birmingham — sports facilities, co-working space, an auditorium and a café — designed as a home for young adults to train, work, learn and gather.

Role Summary

You own how money comes into Pinnacle. Grants, corporate sponsorship, community giving and donor relationships all sit with you, and your job is to make them add up to an income that is diversified enough to survive one of them failing — while laying the groundwork for the campaign that funds Vision 2030. Finance manages what we spend; you determine what there is to spend.

Key tasks

1.  Strategy & pipeline

○ Own the annual fundraising plan with clear targets by income stream, agreed with the CFO.

○ Maintain a live pipeline of funders, sponsors and donors with deadlines, values and likelihood.

○ Balance the portfolio so that no single funder or channel is a point of failure.

○ Sequence effort towards the Vision 2030 capital requirement rather than only this year's costs.

2.  Community & digital giving

○ Design and run giving campaigns, including seasonal appeals and sponsored challenges.

○ Own our giving platforms, donation pages and Gift Aid processing.

○ Build a regular giving programme and reduce lapse rates through timely, human communication.

○ Set the ask and the case; work with Marketing, who own the channels and audience.

3.  Donor care, compliance & reporting

○ Ensure every donation is acknowledged promptly and that donors hear what their money changed.

○ Maintain an accurate donor record with consent and preferences, compliant with GDPR.

○ Ensure all fundraising meets Fundraising Regulator standards.

○ Report income against target to the CFO monthly, with an honest read on the pipeline.

What we're looking for

● A track record of raising money —community fundraising or High net worth.

● Excellent written English; you can make a case that persuades a stranger to fund it.

● Comfortable with targets, pipelines and being measured against them.

● You understand the difference between an ask and a relationship, and know when each is appropriate.

● Organised enough to run several income streams without dropping the reporting on any of them.

● Experience of a capital appeal or major campaign (desirable).

What we have to offer

● Real ownership of a function, not a task list — you will shape how it works, not just execute someone else's plan.

● A seat in a team building towards a 2030 horizon, with a clear line of sight to the leadership team.

● Access to our network of founders, professionals, entrepreneurs and investors through Pinnacle's events programme.

● Training, mentoring and the opportunity to build and lead a team of your own as the organisation grows.

● The reward of building something in your city that will outlast all of us.

Please note: this is currently a volunteer position. Reasonable expenses for travel, equipment and refreshments are reimbursed in line with our Expenses Policy. As Pinnacle grows and funding allows, we expect several senior roles to move to paid positions, and volunteers already in post will be considered first.

About The Pinnacle Centre

The Pinnacle Centre is a third space in Birmingham helping young adults grow holistically. We work across three domains: personal development, sports and wellbeing, and community and belonging.

Vision 2030 is where that work is heading. We're building a multi-purpose centre in Birmingham — sports facilities, co-working space, an auditorium and a café — designed as a home for young adults to train, work, learn and gather.

Role Summary

You own grant income. You find the funders worth applying to, write applications that win, and meet the reporting obligations that make funders willing to fund us again.

Key tasks

1.  Research & pipeline

○ Research trusts, foundations and statutory funders whose priorities genuinely match our work.

○ Maintain a pipeline with deadlines, values and likelihood.

○ Recommend which opportunities to pursue and which to decline.

2.  Applications

○ Write applications, working with Programmes for evidence and Finance for budgets.

○ Tailor each application rather than recycling the same text.

○ Manage submission deadlines so that nothing is missed.

3.  Reporting & relationships

○ Deliver monitoring reports on time and to the funder's specification.

○ Track restricted spend against grant conditions with Finance.

○ Build relationships with funders that go beyond the application form.

4.  Records & learning

○ Maintain accurate records of applications, outcomes and feedback.

○ Learn from unsuccessful bids and share what you learn.

○ Report progress against target to the CFO.

What we're looking for

● Grant writing experience with a success rate you can describe.

● Excellent written English and the discipline to follow a specification exactly.

● Comfortable interpreting funder criteria and reading between the lines.

● Deadline-driven and well organised.

● Knowledge of the UK grant landscape (desirable).

What we have to offer

● Real ownership of a function, not a task list — you will shape how it works, not just execute someone else's plan.

● A seat in a team building towards a 2030 horizon, with a clear line of sight to the leadership team.

● Access to our network of founders, professionals, entrepreneurs and investors through Pinnacle's events programme.

● Training, mentoring and the opportunity to build and lead a team of your own as the organisation grows.

● The reward of building something in your city that will outlast all of us.

Please note: this is currently a volunteer position. Reasonable expenses for travel, equipment and refreshments are reimbursed in line with our Expenses Policy. As Pinnacle grows and funding allows, we expect several senior roles to move to paid positions, and volunteers already in post will be considered first.

About The Pinnacle Centre

The Pinnacle Centre is a third space in Birmingham helping young adults grow holistically. We work across three domains: personal development, sports and wellbeing, and community and belonging.

Vision 2030 is where that work is heading. We're building a multi-purpose centre in Birmingham — sports facilities, co-working space, an auditorium and a café — designed as a home for young adults to train, work, learn and gather.

Role Summary

You own how Pinnacle sounds. Every word that goes out under our name — website, emails, WhatsApp, programme materials, funding applications — either comes from you or meets a standard you've set. You make sure we read like one organisation rather than fifteen people with fifteen styles, and that the way we describe our work holds up in front of a funder as well as in front of a 24-year-old deciding whether to come on Friday.

Key tasks

1. Voice and standards
   • Define Pinnacle's tone of voice and make it usable by other people — a short, practical guide, not a brand bible nobody opens.
   • Write or review the copy that carries weight: website pages, campaign emails, WhatsApp broadcasts, programme descriptions, sign-up flows.
   • Keep language consistent across every channel, including the ones you don't publish on yourself.
2. Owned channels
   • Own website, email and WhatsApp as channels we control outright.
   • Keep the mailing list clean, segmented and GDPR compliant.
   • Make sure nobody who contacts Pinnacle goes unanswered.
3. Vision-aligned and funder-ready language
   • Translate what we actually do into language funders, partners and institutions recognise — personal development, sports and wellbeing, community and belonging.
   • Maintain an approved set of core descriptions: boilerplate, programme summaries, impact statements — so bids and partnership decks aren't rewritten from scratch each time.
   • Work with the CFO on funding applications and with Partnerships on how we come across externally.
4. Performance
   • Track open rates, click-throughs, response times and list growth.
   • Report monthly with insight rather than screenshots.

What we're looking for

• A strong writer first, a marketer second.
• Able to write for two audiences at once: young adults who need to feel something, and funders who need to see rigour.
• Comfortable editing other people's work and holding a standard without being precious about it.
• Email marketing experience and a working understanding of GDPR.
• Grant, bid or case-for-support writing experience (desirable).

What we have to offer

● Real ownership of a function, not a task list — you will shape how it works, not just execute someone else's plan.

● A seat in a team building towards a 2030 horizon, with a clear line of sight to the leadership team.

● Access to our network of founders, professionals, entrepreneurs and investors through Pinnacle's events programme.

● Training, mentoring and the opportunity to build and lead a team of your own as the organisation grows.

● The reward of building something in your city that will outlast all of us.

Please note: this is currently a volunteer position. Reasonable expenses for travel, equipment and refreshments are reimbursed in line with our Expenses Policy. As Pinnacle grows and funding allows, we expect several senior roles to move to paid positions, and volunteers already in post will be considered first.

Who we are

The Humane League UK (THL UK) is dedicated to ending the abuse of animals raised for food by influencing the policies of leading food companies, advocating for stronger animal protection laws, and encouraging individuals to take action. We are part of a global network of organisations working to create a future where all animals are treated with respect and compassion.

Thanks to our effectiveness, The Humane League has been named Top Charity by the independent evaluator Animal Charity Evaluators for every rating period since 2012.

THL UK is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to furthering equity and inclusion, and we value diversity. We seek people from a wide range of backgrounds who will bring a fresh perspective to the team, not just because it is the right thing to do, but because it makes us stronger. We are proud to be a Disability Confident Committed Employer, demonstrating our commitment to recruiting, retaining, and supporting disabled people and people with health conditions, based on their skills and talent.

The Position

We are seeking two new Trustees to add to the current Board of four voluntary members.

Board members (trustees) of THL UK are responsible for providing strategic leadership, ensuring strong governance, and safeguarding the organisation’s mission, values, and financial sustainability.

This is a voluntary position, and trustees are expected to act in the best interests of the charity and in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements.
 

Whether you are an experienced charity trustee or looking for your first board position; if you believe you can share our commitment for ending the abuse of animals raised for food and have the qualities, knowledge and experience we are looking for, then we’d love to hear from you.

For full details about the role of trustees please view our information pack which you can find in the application resources below.

If you would like to watch a recording of our recent webinar where we discussed the role in more detail, you can view this by following the link to our website.

Person specification and requirements for this role

While specific experience in animal protection is not essential, all Board members must:

• Demonstrate a commitment to the aims and values of THL UK.

• Understand and accept the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of trusteeship.

• Bring a strategic mindset and the ability to make well-reasoned, independent decisions.

• Be able to communicate in ways that build understanding and trust, and contribute positively to collaborative team working.

• Be willing to devote the necessary time and effort to the role.

• Be committed to moving forward with Diversity, Equity and Inclusion best practices.

Specialist Expertise Sought

In addition to the general requirements above, we are particularly seeking candidates who can bring expertise in one or more of the following areas:

1. Charity Governance

• In-depth knowledge of charity governance best practice, preferably gained through prior trustee, board, or senior charity leadership experience.

• Understanding of regulatory compliance and governance frameworks for UK charities.

• Legal skills relating to charity law, contracts, risk management, or related fields (desirable).

2. Charity Fundraising

Experience and understanding of charity fundraising, with particular relevance to EA-aligned funding environments.

• Knowledge of charity fundraising principles, governance considerations, and ethical fundraising practice.

• Understanding of the Effective Altruism funding landscape, including grant-making bodies, donor expectations, and impact-led funding criteria.

• Experience supporting or advising on grant applications, funder relationships, and individual donor stewardship.

3. Farmed Animal Campaigning

Knowledge of campaigning and advocacy within animal protection movements, with a particular focus on farmed animals.

• Understanding of the strategic landscape of farmed animal protection, including corporate campaigns, legislative advocacy, public engagement, and movement priorities.

• Experience of designing, advising on, or evaluating campaigns that seek measurable improvements for farmed animals.

• Awareness of the wider animal protection movement, including key organisations, campaign tactics, risks, and opportunities for collaboration.

• Scientific or veterinarian understanding and experience with farmed animals (desirable).

We welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds and with a range of perspectives. Having reviewed existing Trustees' diversity we would particularly welcome applications from ethnic minorities, disabled people and marginalised groups.

Where candidates bring similar skills and experience, we may take lived experience or background into account to help us build a more representative and inclusive board.
 

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute actively to the Board’s role in giving strategic direction, setting overall policy, defining goals, and evaluating performance.

• Ensure that THL UK complies with its governing document, charity law, and any other relevant legislation or regulations.

• Oversee the financial health of the charity, approving annual budgets and monitoring financial performance.

• Champion the fundraising work of THL UK in various ways–for example by introducing new donors from your network, actively promoting THL UK’s fundraising initiatives (like our end of year appeal), or by donating directly if you have the means to do so.

• Protect and promote the charity’s values, reputation, and effectiveness.

• Support and challenge the executive team to achieve the organisation’s objectives.

• Act as an ambassador for THL UK, promoting its work to stakeholders and the public.

• Participate in Board meetings (typically four per year) and occasional sub-committee meetings, as well as contributing advice and guidance outside formal meetings when required.

Key competencies

• Strategic thinker: Looks at consequences, implications, interdependencies, and indirect effects, all in both the short and longer term. Looks beyond the immediate goal or issue and with the greater context, not just the content of the moment. Is able to think and act creatively in difficult situations.

• Problem solver: Identifies issues, effectively structures problems, analyses information to produce insights and generates wise, actionable recommendations. A forward-looking thinker who anticipates the needs of the organisation.

• Effective: Strategically able to focus our energy, resources and talent toward impactful actions that will reduce, and ultimately end, the abuse of animals for food.

• Communication and strong interpersonal skills: Ability to communicate in ways that build understanding and trust and can adapt to different tones and styles and be able to engage with people from all walks of life.

OVERVIEW

Ditch the Label is a global young people’s organisation that helps young people thrive in an increasingly complex digital world. 

We combine research, education and direct support to ensure young people are able to navigate the digital world safely and confidently. We work alongside young people giving them opportunities to take the lead on issues that matter to them, including identifying the challenges we address and helping to shape the solutions.

This is a rare opportunity to shape the governance of an organisation at an inflection point. We have strong funder relationships, an ambitious international growth plan, and a mission that has never mattered more. Every day, millions of young people navigate online bullying, harassment and digital harm. Ditch the Label exists to change that. 

WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO

1. RESEARCH - We generate high-quality, youth-led insights to better understand the issues shaping young people’s lives. Our reports inform our programmes and policy work to ensure they are evidence-based and effective.

2. EDUCATION - We work with educators and young people to promote positive online practice, and provide solutions when challenges arise. We deliver this through our school membership programme of training, resources and support

3. SUPPORT - We provide free, confidential support to young people through online communities, one-to-one mentoring and therapeutic services. Delivered by our team of psychologists, counsellors and psychotherapists, our support helps young people feel seen, heard, overcome challenges and access the tools they need to thrive

TIME COMMITMENT

Approximately two days per month, including quarterly board meetings, catch ups with the CEO every two weeks, and occasional representation of the charity externally.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Lead the board in overseeing strategy, financial sustainability and risk, while giving the executive team room to execute

• Champion good governance without stifling pace, helping Ditch the Label move fast and responsibly as it grows

• Represent Ditch the Label to funders, partners and stakeholders, opening doors as the organisation expands into new markets

• Support recruitment and development of a high-calibre, diverse board

• Ensure the voice of young people remains central to every governance decision

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• Experience at Senior leadership or board-level, ideally including chairing or co-chairing a board

• A genuine passion for young people's safety, wellbeing or digital rights

• Comfort with ambiguity and pace; we are a growing organisation

• Confidence to challenge constructively and hold the executive to account, paired with the generosity to support them

• Experience of international or multi-market growth is a strong plus

Please send an initial expression of interest setting out what you would bring the Ditch the Label, along with your CV.

We look forward to hearing from you! 

Ditch the Label is committed to equality of opportunity and building a team and trustee board that reflects the diversity of the people we serve. We actively welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those with lived experience of online harms, bullying, mental health or any of the issues central to our work.

As we move forward with our new strategic vision and plan, Lively Minds is refreshing its board and we are looking for a Trustee to help shape this next chapter with us.

We work with governments and communities across sub-Saharan Africa to deliver low-cost, high-impact early childhood development programmes. Since the beginning of 2026, we have successfully expanded into multiple new countries, where we work very closely with governments via our Technical Assistance programme. As we continue to grow, by working with other new countries, we want a board that reflects the breadth of skills that this growth demands. At this stage we are therefore particularly keen to hear from people with governance and compliance experience, though we welcome interest from anyone who shares our belief that every child deserves the chance to thrive in their earliest years.

By joining our refreshed board, this is a chance to leverage your experience and expertise to help steward an award winning organisation with an exciting growth agenda. As part of our board, you will work alongside an ambitious and fast-paced executive team who are passionate about the difference we can, and have, already made. 

If this sounds like an opportunity that you, or someone in your network, would relish, then we would love to hear from you.

Please read further for more information 

‍Role Overview

Help build the governance foundations for early childhood development at scale

Over 250 million children under five across the Global South miss out on the care, play and stimulation they need during the most important years of their lives. Governments increasingly recognise the importance of early childhood development, but many struggle to find approaches that are affordable, scalable and sustainable.

Lively Minds believes the solution is hiding in plain sight: parents.

For almost twenty years we have worked alongside governments and communities to develop and test a parent-powered approach that enables families -regardless of their income or level of education - to give children the best possible start in life. We have shown that this approach can be successfully integrated into government systems and delivered at scale. In Ghana alone, our model has been adopted nationally, reaching more than 700,000 children and supporting over 130,000 parents. Independent research found participating children made developmental gains equivalent to an additional year of schooling.

Having demonstrated what is possible, we are now entering an exciting new phase.

Rather than operating as a traditional program delivery organisation, Lively Minds has evolved into a specialist technical assistance partner. We work alongside governments to design, test, and scale parent-powered early childhood development within national education systems - building the capability, evidence, and implementation approaches that enable governments to lead sustainable, long-term change.

Today we support governments in Ghana, Uganda,Ethiopia and The Gambia, with partnerships in development in Togo and Senegal. Our ambition is to help many more governments transform early childhood development over the coming decade.

We realise that our strategy requires an organisation that is not only ambitious and effective but also well-governed. We are looking for a governance trustee who can help ensure we have the structures, standards, and accountability needed to operate with confidence at scale

The Opportunity

This is not a traditional governance trustee role

Lively Minds is at an important strategic inflection point. As we expand our technical assistance model across multiple countries, we are asking new questions about scale, innovative partnerships, and operating with complexity and uncertainty.

We are looking for someone who enjoys helping ambitious organisations navigate those questions.

Lively Minds has recently undertaken a significant governance reset, developing a new governance framework, decision-making and delegation policy, committee structures and trustee role expectations. We are now looking for a governance trustee to help embed and champion that work, ensuring it translates into practice and evolves as the organisation grows.

As Governance Trustee, you will bring expertise, independent judgement and constructive challenge to the Board on governance matters. You will act as a trusted sounding board for the Chair and CEO, help the Board meet its legal and regulatory obligations, and ensure that the processes and structures that underpin good governance are understood, followed and kept current.

You will join a board that believes its role is to help the organisation realise its potential. That means asking difficult questions, opening doors, sharing expertise, encouraging innovation and supporting the executive team to succeed - while respecting the principle that the Board governs and management manages.

Key Responsibilities

As Governance Trustee you will help the Board to

Champion good governance

• Champion good governance practice across the Board, ensuring it is meeting its legal and regulatory obligations
• Ensure the Board Governance Framework, Code of Conduct and committee Terms of Reference are understood, followed and kept current 
• Act as a sounding board for the CEO and Chair on governance questions and emerging governance and legal risks

Strengthen board effectiveness

• Lead or support the annual board performance review process
• Support trustee recruitment, induction and tenure processes, including the skills audit and succession planning
• Help ensure the Board has the right composition, culture and working practices to govern effectively

Oversee complaints and dispute resolution

• Oversee the Complaints, Disputes and Escalation Policy, ensuring it is fit for purpose and followed when triggered
• Provide independent governance oversight when complaints or disputes are activated

Contribute as a Trustee

Like all trustees, you will contribute to the overall leadership and governance of Lively Minds, participating fully in Board discussions on strategy, organizational performance, risk, people, and governance. We also expect trustees to champion the organisation actively - using their networks, credibility and relationships to open doors, support fundraising, strengthen partnerships and increase Lively Minds' visibility in the spaces where it matters most. The Board governs rigorously and champions energetically; we are looking for trustees who are ready to do both.

‍

Candidate Profile

Who we are looking for

We're looking for someone who combines deep governance expertise with practical judgement and a commitment to our mission.

You will probably have:

• strong knowledge of charity governance and UK Charity Commission requirements
• experience as a senior governance professional or senior lawyer
• familiarity with board effectiveness, trustee duties and regulatory compliance
• the confidence to provide constructive challenge while building positive relationships
• an understanding of the respective roles of trustees and management
• the ability to translate governance principles into practical, proportionate action

Desirable Experience

Experience in one or more of the following would be particularly valuable:

•  supporting governance reform or board development in a scaling organisation
•  international development or cross-jurisdictional governance environments
• complaints handling, dispute resolution or employment law
• trustee recruitment and board succession planning

Most importantly, we're looking for someone who is excited by our mission and motivated by the opportunity to help build an organisation capable of transforming early childhood development at scale.

Time commitment

The expected commitment is approximately one to two days per month.

This includes:

• four Board meetings each year
•  preparation for meetings, including reviewing governance compliance ahead of each meeting
• the annual board performance review process
• annual review and update of governance documents
• occasional availability as a sounding board for the Chair and CEO on governance questions and emerging risks
• oversight of complaints or dispute resolution processes when triggered

Meetings are primarily held remotely, with occasional in-person meetings.

The role is voluntary and unpaid, although reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

We believe stronger boards are built through diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds.

We particularly welcome applications from people with lived or professional experience in the countries and regions where we work, and from groups currently underrepresented on charity boards.

We are committed to making our recruitment process accessible and will make reasonable adjustments wherever needed

Application Instruction

If you are motivated by using your governance expertise to help governments transform the lives of millions of children, we would love to hear from you.

 Please send:

• Your CV (or short professional biography)
• A covering letter explaining why you are interested in joining the Board of Lively Minds and what you would bring to the role.

Timeline:

Closing Date: 5th September 2026

Seeking a Chair/Co-Chair and a Treasurer

Are you passionate about helping children develop a love of reading? 

We are looking for a Chair/Co-Chair and a Treasurer with Board level experience to support our small but mighty charity to bring the joy of reading to primary school children across the country.

Location: Online Salary: Voluntary with reasonable expenses reimbursed

Deadline for applications: 30th September 2026

About Us:

The Children’s Bookshow is a national charity that inspires children with a love of books and reading through an annual programme of inspiring theatre and digital performances and engaging creative workshops. We showcase some of the best authors and illustrators of children’s books from around the world, and celebrate children’s literature in translation. 

We are an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation that has been running successfully for 24 years. Each year, we deliver 15 events in venues ranging from iconic theatres such as The Old Vic in London to community spaces and smaller scale theatres such as the New Wolsey in Ipswich, plus a programme of 60 creative workshops in primary schools. We target areas of high socio-economic deprivation, support environmental sustainability, and partner with local authorities, libraries and education providers. Every child who attends our theatre performances receives a free copy of the author’s book to take home and keep. This is integral to our offer - putting excellent books directly into the hands of children.

“Having Frank Cottrell-Boyce in for a free workshop really did make such a difference to our school and to our children. Frank was able to inspire every single child to write, no matter their need or ability, and children who would normally be reluctant to share their ideas in front of the class were confident to do so. Every single one of them went home talking non-stop about the amazing author they had met - with many now inspired to become authors. I can't put into words how grateful we are or how much of an impact those couple of hours have had on both the children and staff.”  Teacher,Winyates Primary, Peterborough

The opportunities:

If you have the expertise and passion to support our work and help us to deliver the impact and change experienced by Winyates Primary, then we would love to hear from you!

Thanks to successful fundraising, The Children’s Bookshow is financially stable for the next two years. Iterative growth and continued financial sustainability are crucial for us to fulfill our aspirations for the future: 

• Give more primary school children the invaluable experience of a live author event at a local theatre.

• Enable children to work creatively with a world class artist in their own classroom.

• Increase book ownership by putting a free book into the hands of every child who attends one of our performances.

We are recruiting a Chair/Co-Chair and a Treasurer to join our Board of highly-skilled, committed and friendly Trustees to guide and support us in achieving these aims.

Chair/Co-Chair:

We are looking for a passionate and dedicated Chair/Co-Chair to lead our Board of Trustees. You will work with our Board to ensure good governance, and act as a supportive, critical friend to our Senior Leadership team. 

What You Will Do

• Lead Board meetings and maintain focus on our core mission.

• Support and guide our CEO and Senior Leadership Team.

• Collaboratively with Trustees, ensure our charity complies with legal duties and Charity Commission regulations.

• Act as an external figurehead to help raise our profile.

We Are Looking For:

• A commitment to the values and mission of our charity.

• Strong strategic leadership, communication, and listening skills.

• A supportive, engaged and positive approach helping to move our charity forward to achieve our shared aims.

Time commitment: around 8-10 days per year.

Treasurer:

We are seeking a new Treasurer to ensure high standards of financial governance and decision-making, and to act as a key sounding board for the Co-Directors in the financial planning, management and reporting of our charity. This will include overseeing our annual budget and cashflow and quarterly management accounts, and advising on how best to invest our reserve fund. 

We are looking for: a skilled and experienced  finance professional, ideally with accountancy qualifications, with Board level experience with a UK charity and an interest in our work.

Time commitment: around 5-7 days per year.

Meetings:

There are typically four Board meetings a year lasting around an hour. Three of these meetings take place online and we endeavour to meet in person once a year in central London for a meeting followed by lunch. We welcome Trustees to attend our theatre performances and online events wherever possible to directly experience our work. 

We also have a Finance and Operations Committee that occasionally meets online and reports to the Board, which Trustees are invited to opt into to share their expertise in specific areas such as Finance, Staffing, Fundraising and Development. 

How to apply

Please email your CV and a covering letter (each a maximum of 2 sides of A4) detailing your relevant expertise and experience for the role of Chair/Co-chair or Treasurer, and why you would like to be part of The Children’s Bookshow. We look forward to hearing from you. 

The Children’s Bookshow is committed to creating a collaborative Board of Trustees that is inclusive and representative of our society. We actively encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds and from all sections of society to apply.