Professional Board Member

CILEX PROFESIONAL BOARD MEMBER

ROLE DESCRIPTION

CILEX Professional Board are recruiting for Professional Board Members from our membership with terms commencing in February 2027. If you are passionate about the future of the legal profession and want to help shape a more accessible, diverse and representative legal sector, we would welcome your application to join the CILEX Professional Board. This is an opportunity to contribute strategically to the future direction of CILEX, represent the voice of its members and support the development of the next generation of legal professionals. Whether you are a CILEX lawyer with practice rights, or a Chartered Legal Executive, if you have insight, commitment and a collaborative approach and keen to make a meaningful impact – we want to hear from you.

About CILEX

CILEX is redefining what it means to be a lawyer. We believe professional excellence is not determined by background or traditional university route (although many of our members are graduates), but by high quality legal training, specialist practical expertise and strong ethical standards.

As the professional body for CILEX Lawyers, Chartered Legal Executives and Paralegals, we are committed to widening access to legal careers, promoting social mobility and improving access to justice. Through our professional qualification framework (CPQ) apprenticeship programmes and continuing professional development, we support legal professionals at every stage of their careers while advocating for a diverse and representative legal sector.

The Professional Board

The Professional Board plays a central role in representing the voice of the membership within CILEX. It provides strategic oversight and insight into the development of the CILEX membership proposition, helping to ensure that the institute continues to meet the evolving needs of members, employers, the public and the wider legal sector.

The Professional Board will comprise of eight members, including the three office holders who also sit on the main CILEX board in their capacity of Vice President, President and Immediate Past President. The Vice President is elected from within the Professional Board following an electoral competition.

Working closely with the Executive Leadership Team, the Professional Board contributes to the development of professional standards, member engagement, career development initiatives and the overall member experience. The Professional Board acts as an important ambassadorial body for CILEX, championing the value of the CILEX route into the law and supporting the institutes strategic objectives.

Key responsibilities of the Professional Board include: -

• Representing the interests and perspectives of the CILEX membership
• Providing strategic input on membership services, benefits and engagement
• Attending quarterly Professional Board Meetings
• Able to sit on a main CILEX board sub-committee as a Professional Board Member
• Representing the Professional Board at regional and national member events including the connect and grow events, the CILEX conference and the CILEX graduation admissions ceremony
• Supporting the development of the CILEX professional community and member proposition
• Advising on emerging issues affecting legal professionals and, the legal sector
• Promoting diversity, inclusion and social mobility within legal careers
• Supporting the development of future legal professionals through advocacy and engagement
• Contributing to discussions on the future direction and positioning of CILEX.

What we are looking for

We welcome applications from legal professionals who have entered the legal profession via the CILEX route.

We are seeking individuals who

• Understand and value the unique role of CILEX within the legal profession
• Want to champion the diversity and experiences of the CILEX membership
• Are passionate about supporting the next generation of legal professionals
• Bring sound judgement, curiosity and a collaborative mindset
• Are motivated to contribute strategically to the future development of CILEX

Skills and Experience

Successful candidates will demonstrate: -

Leadership

A strategic and forward-thinking approach, with the ability to influence, motivate and contribute to development and change

Commercial Acumen and Professional Awareness

An understanding of the operational, financial and professional challenges facing membership organisations and the legal sector more broadly.

Emotional Intelligence and Communication

Strong interpersonal skills, empathy and the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders.

Objectivity and Independent Thinking

The confidence to challenge constructively, analyse issues critically and contribute balance perspective to discussions.

Decision Making

The ability to assess information carefully, manage competing priorities and exercise sound judgement.

Collaboration

Experience working collaboratively as part of a team, building trusted relationships and contributing positively to collective decision making.

Governance Awareness

An understanding of the responsibilities associated with serving on a Professional Board of a professional body including integrity, accountability and good governance.

Commitment to Public Service Values

A commitment to the Nolan Principles of public life and to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, ethics and inclusion.

Personal Attributes

We are looking for individuals who are

• Solution focused and collaborative
• Self-starting and seek out opportunities to advance the profession
• Passionate about widening access to legal careers
• Committed to equality, diversity and inclusion
• Able to represent members at local and national level
• Supportive of the strategic ambitions and future direction of CILEX

Previous board or trustee experience is welcome but not essential.

Time Commitment

The Professional Board meet formally four times a year. Meetings are typically held virtually via Microsoft Teams and usually last between three and five hours. Professional Board Members have the opportunity to sit on a sub-committee from the main board, and these meetings are also held quarterly via teams for between two and three hours.

From time to time. Professional Board Members may also be invited to: -

• Attend in-person meetings
• Represent CILEX at external events including graduations and sector events
• Participate in working groups or member engagement activities.

Meetings are generally held during standard working hours, so some flexibility will be required. Attendance for the entirety of all Professional Board Meetings is expected.

Support and Development

Professional Board Members will receive: -

• A full induction programme
• Ongoing support from office holders and CILEX staff
• Access to training and development opportunities where appropriate
• Reimbursement of reasonable travel and subsistence expenses incurred whilst representing CILEX.
• £3000 renumeration per annum.

Appointments will be made for an initial term of 1 year which is subject to performance review throughout.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministerial-code

The role is remote however please note that if you wish to be considered in the future for Presidential Office, easy access to London will be an advantage.

To apply, please submit your CV and covering letter

Closing date: Sunday 29th November 2026 at 23:59

Successful candidates for these roles must undergo DBS, and background checks as part of the hire process. They will also be required to declare conflicts of interest.

This organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of learners and expects all staff to share this commitment. We are dedicated to ensuring that diversity, equity and inclusion are at the heart of our business, and we welcome applications from all backgrounds. CILEX is a Disability Confident employer, as well as an Armed Forces Covenant signatory, with guaranteed interview for those who meet the essential criteria.

Our Website

www.cilex.org.uk