At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our board to shape the future of support for chartered surveyors and their families.
- Company: LionHeart, a charity dedicated to helping surveyors and their families.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience, training, and mentorship while making a real difference.
- Other info: Hybrid role with opportunities for professional development and fresh perspectives.
- Why this job: Be part of a legacy that supports individuals through life's challenges.
- Qualifications: Open to all backgrounds; no prior experience needed for associate members.
LionHeart is the independent charity for chartered surveyors and their families. We are looking for full and associate board members to join us and we’d particularly welcome applications from people with a small business background.
Over the last six years, we’ve seen demand for our support more than double, and we continue to support hundreds of people each year. In 2024/25, our support services team was helping 153 people on average on any given day. We approved over £400,000 in grants to alleviate financial crisis, and provided thousands of hours of support, advice and counselling.
We hope that you will consider becoming part of the LionHeart story and help shape the future of the support we offer. If you are willing to share your time and skills with us, we can offer you a rewarding role that will provide you with fresh perspectives, rich discussion, and the chance to contribute to something special.
What are we looking for?
- Full board members: As we look to further diversify the skills and experiences among our trustees, we’d particularly welcome applications from people with a small business background. Our board currently includes surveyors who specialise in valuation, project management, planning and development, real estate, investment and land economy, and from a range of backgrounds. We are looking for surveyors (AssocRICS, MRICS or FRICS) from different areas or with different lived experience. But trustees do not need to be surveyors at all - in fact, we’d love to hear from partners or family members of surveyors, or those from other professional backgrounds.
- Can you bring…
- Experience And Understanding: Experience of effective team working and the ability to negotiate and compromise where necessary. A positive attitude to and experience of formal meetings, and the ability to analyse information and challenge constructively. An understanding of the requirements of small charities to maximise and cultivate donor income.
- Knowledge and ability: The ability to understand the difference between strategy and management, and the boundaries of the executive and governance roles. Experience of assurance of financial reporting, governance arrangements, compliance and risk management. Experience contributing to business planning. Innovation, creativity, drive and enthusiasm. An understanding of the surveying profession and of RICS as a body is advantageous but not essential.
- Associate board members: Board membership can be really enriching and support professional development – but it can be a catch 22 situation for people who want to join boards to get the experience they need to do so. Associate trustees join for a two-year term, during which they get first-hand experience of board meetings and chance to broaden their skills base. We offer a great induction and training, and can match you up with another more experienced trustee as a mentor if you’re new to this kind of role.
- Can you bring…
- Fresh insight and perspective: In 2022, we established an exciting new opportunity for newly qualified or trainee chartered surveyors to develop board skills and an understanding of charity governance. Removing the traditional barriers of experience gave us a great opportunity to see things from a different perspective, with fresh insight from professionals early on in their careers. We have been so impressed by our Associates over the past four years; they have brought their own thoughts and worked as part of the Board to support the charity. No experience is necessary - in fact, we are actively looking for individuals with NO experience at this level. We will ensure that you are supported, including a board ‘buddy’, and receive all relevant training.
Hybrid
Thank you for taking the time to consider joining LionHeart as a trustee. LionHeart’s story began in 1899 and over time, we’ve evolved from those origins supporting the widows and orphans of surveyors into an organisation offering multi-faceted support to get people through any of life’s unexpected challenges. This includes everything from financial grants to health, wellbeing and work-related support. Our commitment extends to a broad spectrum of individuals, including current and past RICS members, their partners, and dependants, from new entrants to the profession to retired or inactive surveyors, regardless of their location around the world.
Our board care deeply about supporting our beneficiaries to receive the best support they can, in whatever form that needs to be, and we would love to welcome you to join us. We have a long and proud history of supporting surveyors but we are not stuck in the past; we want to ensure that the charity thrives and supports future generations of surveyors and their families. We are looking for new trustees to join us as we positively move forward and continue to shape the organisation to do just that.
LionHeart is recruiting for new trustees! - Volunteer in Birmingham employer: LionHeart
LionHeart is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact as a trustee within a supportive and collaborative environment. With a strong commitment to professional development, we provide comprehensive training and mentorship for both full and associate board members, ensuring that every individual can contribute their insights while growing their skills. Join us in our mission to support chartered surveyors and their families, and be part of a rich legacy that values innovation and community engagement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land LionHeart is recruiting for new trustees! - Volunteer in Birmingham
✨Get Involved with Local Causes
Start connecting with local nonprofits or social impact projects in your area. Attend their events, offer to help out with community initiatives, or just drop by to chat about their mission. This way, you’ll not only learn about the work they do but also make meaningful connections that could lead to volunteer opportunities.
✨Leverage Social Media for Social Impact
Platforms like Twitter and Instagram are goldmines for discovering volunteer opportunities in the nonprofit sector. Follow organisations you’re passionate about, engage with their posts, and keep an eye out for their volunteer calls. It’s a great way to show your interest and dedication!
✨Utilise Volunteer Matching Platforms
Sites like VolunteerMatch or local community boards are perfect for finding short-term and long-term volunteer roles. These platforms can connect you with causes that align with your passions and skills, and often allow you to browse opportunities tailored to your interests.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
When you spot an organisation you like, don't hesitate to visit their website and check out their volunteer section. Many nonprofits have dedicated pages for volunteers where you can apply directly – and we’ve found that this route often leads to quicker responses and more personalised interactions!
We think you need these skills to ace LionHeart is recruiting for new trustees! - Volunteer in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Share Your Passion for Social Impact:When you're applying for a volunteer role at a nonprofit like LionHeart, don’t just list your skills. Show us why you're passionate about social impact! Use your cover letter to tell a story about what drives you and how you've been involved in similar initiatives. Personal connections to the cause can really make your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:Make sure to showcase any previous volunteer work or projects that demonstrate your commitment to social impact. Whether it’s fundraising, community outreach, or project management, detail your contributions and the results achieved. This kind of experience is invaluable in the nonprofit sector and can help us see your potential!
Get Creative with Your CV:In the world of nonprofits, a standard CV might not cut it. Consider using a more creative format that showcases your personality while maintaining professionalism. Use headings like 'Community Engagement' or 'Social Impact Projects' to highlight your experiences related to the role. Remember, we want to see what makes you unique!
Keep It Community-Focused:Make sure your application emphasises collaboration and community. Volunteer roles are about working well with others and contributing collectively towards a common goal. In your cover letter, mention any teamwork experiences or community projects you've been part of, and how you contributed to their success. This shows that you’re ready to jump into the collaborative spirit here at LionHeart.
How to prepare for a job interview at LionHeart
✨Know Your Passion
Dive deep into the mission of LionHeart and understand the issues they tackle. When they ask about your motivation to volunteer, share specific experiences that link your passion to their cause—whether it’s local community work or a broader social impact.
✨Bring Your Skills to the Table
Highlight any relevant skills that can aid in their projects, such as fundraising, project management, or community organising. Be prepared to share examples of how you’ve used these skills in past volunteer roles or relevant experiences.
✨Get Ready for Scenario Questions
In non-profit interviews, especially for volunteer roles, you might get scenario-based questions. Think about times when you've encountered challenges in team work or community engagement, and how you resolved them—this shows your problem-solving abilities.
✨Show Your Commitment
Since this is a volunteer role, they’ll likely want to see your commitment to the cause over an extended period. Be ready to discuss how much time you can dedicate, any special skills you can bring, and your eagerness to learn and grow with the organisation—this excites them to have you on board!
