At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape the digital future of a leading surgical organisation and influence national healthcare standards.
- Company: Royal College of Surgeons of England, a historic and globally recognised professional body.
- Benefits: Unremunerated role with expenses covered, plus the chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Join a diverse and inclusive environment committed to public good.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission-driven team transforming healthcare through digital innovation.
- Qualifications: Experience in digital transformation and strategic leadership at Board level.
Location: Hybrid, with attendance at London meetings
Remuneration: Unremunerated (expenses covered)
Type: Non-Executive / Governance Role
About the Royal College of Surgeons of England
The Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) is a historic and globally recognised professional body, dedicated to advancing surgical practice, improving patient outcomes, and influencing healthcare standards worldwide. With 26,000 members and a mission that touches clinicians, students, policymakers, and the public, the College plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of surgery.
RCS is partway through an ambitious programme of digital modernisation. Following significant recent investment in platforms, infrastructure, data systems and digital capability, the College is entering a new and exciting phase: turning strong digital foundations into genuine organisational transformation.
This is a rare opportunity to influence digital strategy at national level within an institution committed to modernising, becoming more agile, and expanding its impact across the health landscape.
What You Can Look Forward To
- Guide and Influence Strategic Digital Transformation
- Provide Robust Challenge and Expert Insight
- Champion a Confident, Ethical and Forward‑Thinking Approach
- Coach and Encourage Teams Driving Change
- Shape the Digital Culture of a National Institution
Why This Role Matters
- The organisation is at a pivotal moment.
- Your expertise will directly influence national impact.
- You will support an organisation genuinely trying to evolve.
- You will be part of a warm, committed and mission‑driven Board.
About You
The College is seeking a strategic digital leader who can challenge constructively, inspire confidence, and bring fresh perspective.
Skills and Experience
- Strong grounding in digital transformation, either from a “hard tech” perspective (systems, data, infrastructure) or “soft digital” (web, UX, content, CRM engagement) - ideally with appreciation for both.
- Understanding of data strategy, CRM value, and digital member/user engagement.
- Awareness of cybersecurity, technology resilience and digital risk.
- Knowledge of responsible and ethical AI, with a positive and future‑oriented outlook.
- Experience in membership organisations, B2C digital engagement, or resource‑constrained environments is highly advantageous.
- Ability to operate confidently at Board level, providing high‑quality governance oversight without becoming operational.
Personal Attributes
- Strategic, visionary and ambitious - yet pragmatic about scale and resources.
- Empathetic, relatable and skilled at building trust.
- A natural coach and mentor who builds confidence in others.
- Comfortable challenging senior stakeholders constructively.
- Values‑driven, collaborative, and motivated by public‑good impact.
Charity People actively promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion. We match charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates, irrespective of age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender‑identity or gender re‑assignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we know greater diversity will lead to even greater results for the charities with which we work.
Lay Trustee – Digital Transformation employer: Acevo
Contact Detail:
Acevo Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lay Trustee – Digital Transformation
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those connected to the Royal College of Surgeons. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the organisation’s digital transformation goals. Show us you understand their mission and how your skills can help shape their future. Tailor your responses to highlight your experience in both hard and soft digital aspects.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a friend or mentor to do mock interviews with you. Focus on articulating your vision for digital strategy and how you can contribute to the College’s goals. The more comfortable you are, the better you’ll perform when it counts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to engage with us directly. Let’s make this happen together!
We think you need these skills to ace Lay Trustee – Digital Transformation
Some tips for your application 🫡
Know Your Stuff: Make sure you really understand the role of Lay Trustee and what digital transformation means for RCS. Highlight your experience in digital strategy and how it aligns with their mission to modernise.
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through! We want to see who you are beyond your qualifications. Share your passion for digital transformation and how you can contribute to shaping the future of surgery.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application. Tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences that match the job description. Show us why you’re the perfect fit for this pivotal role!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people and shows your enthusiasm for joining our mission-driven team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Acevo
✨Know Your Digital Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends in digital transformation, especially in healthcare. Understand both the 'hard tech' and 'soft digital' aspects, as this role requires a solid grounding in both areas.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Prepare examples of how you've influenced digital strategy in previous roles. Be ready to discuss how you can guide and challenge the College's digital direction while keeping an eye on ethical considerations and user engagement.
✨Be Ready to Challenge Constructively
This role is all about providing robust challenge and expert insight. Think of scenarios where you've successfully navigated difficult conversations with senior stakeholders and how you can apply that experience here.
✨Emphasise Your Collaborative Spirit
Highlight your ability to build trust and coach teams. The College values a collaborative approach, so be prepared to share how you've fostered a positive culture in past organisations.