Heart of Glass Chair / Co-Chairs of the Board of Trustees

Heart of Glass is looking for a Chair / Co-Chair to effectively lead our board, managing the Chief Executive and representing the organisation as an ambassador and advocate.

Title: Chair / Co-Chair of the Board of Trustees - one (Chair) or two (Co-Chair) positions available

Salary: Voluntary unpaid role (travel and other reasonable expenses will be reimbursed)

Tenure: Four year term with up to two terms being served

Location: We strongly encourage applicants from the North West, but location should not be considered a barrier to applying

Apply by: Wednesday 1st May 2024

Commitment

Five board meetings a year (usually in person, occasionally virtually). Currently we meet on a Wednesday evening (5pm - 7pm) in February, May, July (online), October and December, this includes one Board/Staff Development Day (in person, usually in October), plus occasional extra meetings.

Additional meetings with the CEO/Executive Team as needed.

Occasional sub-committees or working groups (held virtually/hybrid).

About the role

As Chair/Co-Chair for Heart of Glass you will support the other trustees and the senior leadership team to shape our vision and mission, track our progress on achieving our strategic goals and ensure that we are compliant with all legal and regulatory requirements. You will also be our sounding board and critical friend, bringing your skills and experience into conversations to help us shape our organisation for the better.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead the Board, set its agenda, ensure legal and financial governance duties are met effectively and keep in touch with the organisation and its activities.
• Convene and lead board meetings and attend working groups.
• Ensure the effectiveness of individual trustees and the Board as a whole in all areas and responsibilities.
• Champion our Equity, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Environmental Responsibility commitments and actions. 

Stakeholder management

• Build and maintain positive relationships across the Board, Executive team and with key external stakeholders, including existing and potential funders.
• Represent the organisation at outside events, be an ambassador, advocate and spokesperson for the Board, and represent the organisation, together with the Executive Team.
• Support the Executive Team in fundraising and encourage Trustees to do so.

Organisational governance

• Support the Charity’s vision and strategy and monitor its implementation, together with the senior executive team and the rest of the Board.
• Line manage the CEO and work closely with them, and the Executive Director. 
• Ensure timely and effective succession planning of Board members, Executive Team and other key roles.

How to apply

The closing date for applications for this role is Wednesday 1st May 2024. 

If you would like to be considered for the role(s) please send us:

• your detailed and up-to-date CV; and
• a supporting statement that addresses why you would like to be our new Chair/Co-Chair, and what skills and experience you will bring to the role.

We are happy to receive the above information in a format that suits you, be that written or audio.

Informal chat 

Keen to find out more before you apply? 
Our CEO Patrick Fox and current Chair Joanna Rowlands can be available for informal discussion with potential applicants. You will be able to ask questions or hear a bit more about our work and how you could be involved. We are offering 12th April as a potential date for further discussion but will do our best to accommodate other requests. Please be aware that outside of this date (April 12th), discussions may need to be undertaken separately with our CEO and Chair due to diary availability.  

Do let us know if you have any access requirements.

Some additional dates for consideration 

If appointed, include the following:

• June 1-1 with the current Chair / CEO to be arranged at an agreed time.  
• Attendance as an Observer to Online Board Meeting - 31 July . 
• Attendance and participation at our Board / Staff Away Day on 9 October which will take place all day at a location in Merseyside.  
• Take up the role of Chair at AGM on 4 December Board Meeting with formal handover. 

Please register your interest below for the next steps in your application.