At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a charity through pivotal change, shaping its direction and approach.
- Company: Established infrastructure charity with a strong local reputation.
- Benefits: Voluntary role with expenses covered, meaningful community impact.
- Other info: Flexible commitment with opportunities for personal growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in community life and strengthen local organisations.
- Qualifications: Experience in leadership, strategic thinking, and relationship building.
What does it look like to Chair a charity at a pivotal moment of change? Charity People is partnering with an established infrastructure charity supporting, connecting and championing voluntary and community organisations across North Somerset and beyond. With a strong local reputation and a clear ambition for the future, this charity plays a vital role in strengthening communities by bringing organisations together, amplifying collective voice, and enabling others to deliver impact. Now, at an important point in its development, the organisation is focused on building on its strengths, refining how it works, and positioning itself to be futureproof. We're looking for a new Chair to lead the charity into its next phase.
Location: Based in North Somerset working across the South West and beyond
Remuneration: Voluntary, with expenses covered
Time commitment: Governance commitment supported by a Vice-Chair. Currently, 4 Board meetings and 2 Development days per annum, 3-4 Governance group meetings, regular meetings with the CEO, as well as ad-hoc meetings, preparation and urgent matters arising.
About the opportunity: This is a Chair role with real scope to shape both direction and approach. You'll work alongside a committed Board and Chief Executive to provide strategic leadership, focus on achieving growth, and building a high-performing team and organisation as it continues to evolve.
As Chair, you'll play a key role in:
- Keeping the Board focused, effective and forward-looking
- Providing support and constructive challenge to the Chief Executive
- Ensuring clear governance, decision-making, and delivery
About you: We're open to different backgrounds and pathways into this role. You may already be a Chair, or an experienced trustee or senior leader ready to be one. What matters most is your ability to provide confident, thoughtful and effective leadership. We're particularly interested in people who can:
- Operate at a senior strategic level and see the bigger picture
- Build strong, effective relationships across a Board and executive team
- Balance support and challenge in a constructive way
- Bring a level of commercial awareness and focus on sustainability
Experience of the voluntary sector, health or place-based working would be valuable, but it's not essential if you can quickly build that understanding.
Why this role matters: This organisation has laid solid foundations under the previous Chair's tenure, with a strong local reputation, passionate people and now gathering momentum. The next Chair will play an important role in ensuring the organisation is:
- Strategically-focussed, well governed and meets its goals
- Investing in building the organisation, and financially resilient
- Ready to grow its impact across North Somerset and beyond
This is a unique and special opportunity to meaningfully contribute to an organisation at the heart of community life.
How to apply: A CV or short profile is a great first step. We'd also welcome an informal conversation if you'd prefer to ask some questions first. Amelia Lee at Charity People is leading this search.
Deadline: As this role has been advertised previously, we will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis. If you feel this approach disadvantages you in any way at all, please get in touch with Amelia, who will ensure you are given full and fair consideration and do not miss out.
Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.
Chair of the Board in Bristol employer: Charity People
Maudsley Charity is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that prioritises mental health advocacy and community impact. With a strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, employees are encouraged to grow professionally while contributing to meaningful initiatives that shape mental health care across the UK. The hybrid working model allows for flexibility, and the collaborative culture fosters innovation and engagement with key stakeholders in the sector.
