We’re Recruiting: Chair of the Board!

The role of our Trustees is to provide governance to the organisation, ensuring that we achieve our ambitions, and undertake best practice in all areas of our business activities. This includes operating within a care-centred practice as part of our organisational culture.  

The Chair provides strategic leadership to People United’s Board of Trustees, ensuring that it governs the charity effectively, and delivers our programme in line with our positions and our business plan. Our Director reports directly to the Chair, and together they oversee the governance and financial management of the company, ensuring good practice in fulfilling its charitable aims and financial sustainability.  

Our interim Chair is looking to stand down in December, so we are hoping to appoint as soon as possible to facilitate an appropriate handover.  

The role includes:  

• Supporting the development of the vision and mission of PU  

• Line management of the Director 

• Leading the board, ensuring that it fulfils its responsibilities for the governance and fudiciary accountability of the organisation in line with Charity Law.  

• Supporting, planning and Chairing quarterly board meetings and annual Away Days.  

• Enabling ongoing Trustee development, and ensuring that all members of the board are actively involved in decision making, and optimising the relationship between the board, staff, and other stakeholders.  

• Acting as a spokesperson and figurehead for PU, when necessary, and advocating for our work and its impact. 

• Supporting PU in its relationships with key funders, in particular Arts Council England.  

• Maintaining an awareness of Arts Council’s expectations of NPOs in relation to good governance. Actively engaging with and understanding Arts Council England’s Investment Principles and Outcomes, setting and monitoring targets with PU’s Director and Deputy Director. 

• Attending public and stakeholder events in the region on behalf of PU.  

• Providing leadership and pastoral support to PU staff, where suitable and necessary.  

What we’re looking for:  

• Experience of being a trustee (you don’t need to have been a Chair before).  

• Ability to understand and contribute to financial reporting, supported by our current board and treasurer.  

• A good understanding of and interest in PU’s artistic practice, care-centred practice and our strategic purpose.  

• A strong personal commitment to social justice, championing equality, diversity, inclusion, and belonging.  

• An inclusive leadership style, being able to inspire and support everyone to participate on an equal footing.  

• An ability to listen and engage effectively, being comfortable with challenge and debate, able to encourage that in others whilst fostering a collaborative and accountable board environment.  

• An appetite for change and for shaping the organisation through a period of transition and exploration.  

• An ability to champion PU’s work in person, through personal networks, both locally and nationally.  

• An ability to be responsive when advice, support or authorisation are needed.  

• A knowledge and understanding of, and networks within Kent.