At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Board to shape services and improve lives for vulnerable people.
- Company: Advance, a leading provider of housing and support for those with disabilities.
- Benefits: Earn £5,000 p.a. while making a real difference in the community.
- Other info: Diverse backgrounds welcomed; hybrid meetings and excellent governance opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission-driven organisation transforming lives through quality housing and support.
- Qualifications: Experience in housing operations and specialist services is essential.
Joining Advance provides an opportunity to have a real impact, ensuring that we maintain high standards of governance with appropriate scrutiny and challenge, and helping us to develop our services to be the best high-performing organisation we can be, ultimately benefitting vulnerable people that need more choice and more opportunities. It's a great time to join us as we seek to make a real difference to people's lives and to deliver our 2026-29 Strategic Plan.
Advance is a leading national provider of homes and support for people with a disability or mental health condition. We operate over a large geographical area across the Midlands, London, South East and South West and have offices in Witney (Oxfordshire), London, Leicester and Truro. Our vision is to transform people's lives by providing the best quality housing and support services.
Role: Board member
Location: Board meetings operate on a hybrid basis, including onsite meetings and occasional engagement with Advance colleagues and customers.
Remuneration: £5,000 p.a.
We have identified that it is important for our new Board member to have skills and experience in housing operations and the provision of related specialist services. If you are interested in joining us to support us to continue to make a real difference and to help to shape our plans, we look forward to receiving an application from you.
Advance values diversity and proactively seeks to achieve diversity within our Board and Committees to support good governance, and we welcome applications from people with a wide range of backgrounds including lived experience.
If you decide to apply, please:
- Provide an up-to-date CV which includes your contact details, education and vocational qualifications, any memberships of professional bodies, relevant career history including any non-executive experience, past and/or current.
- Write a brief supporting statement setting out why you are applying, drawing out of your CV any relevant experience that equips you for the role and why you think you might be the best candidate for Advance - the information in your statement and the way it is presented will form a key part of the shortlisting process.
- Provide the names of two professional referees (we will only make contact if you are successful).
- Let us know if you cannot make the published interview date.
A copy of our Recruitment Information Pack and Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form can be downloaded from Forest HR website.
Closing date: noon, Wednesday 18th November 2026.
Interview date: In person at the Advance offices in Witney, Wednesday 2nd December 2026.
Board Member employer: Advance
Advance Charity is an exceptional employer dedicated to empowering women and girls, offering flexible and rewarding roles that align with a strong feminist ethos. With a commitment to employee growth and a supportive work culture, staff are encouraged to collaborate and innovate while making a meaningful impact in the community. Working across Hampshire, you'll be part of a passionate team that prioritises safeguarding and inclusivity, ensuring that every employee feels valued and supported in their mission to create safer lives for women.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Board Member
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Advance.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Advance.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Advance.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Advance. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Board Member
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Advance. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Board Member, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Advance
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Advance. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
