At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Board to drive strategic oversight and ensure Riverside's social purpose is met.
- Company: Riverside Group, a leading housing association with a strong social mission.
- Benefits: Competitive remuneration of £32,500 per annum for approximately six days of commitment each month.
- Other info: Join a diverse team dedicated to improving lives and delivering high-quality homes.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in communities while shaping the future of housing in the UK.
- Qualifications: Significant Board-level leadership experience and a commitment to equality and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 32500 - 32500 £ per year.
The Riverside Group Limited is seeking an exceptional Group Chair to lead its Board through the next phase of its development, supporting the organisation to deliver its social purpose, strategic ambitions and long-term financial resilience.
Riverside is one of the UK’s largest housing association groups, owning more than 75,000 homes across England and Scotland and operating as the nation’s largest housing association provider of supported housing. With annual turnover of approximately £680 million and assets of £5.2 billion, Riverside combines significant scale and complexity with a clear social purpose.
Its five-year strategy, Brighter Future Together 2026–31, is underpinned by the vision “Homes for the life you want to live” and focuses on safe and high-quality homes, reliable customer services, sector-leading care and support, an inclusive high-performing workforce and maintaining financial resilience while delivering new homes. At its heart is a commitment to listening to customers, improving the quality of homes and services, and ensuring that Riverside’s decisions are shaped by the lived experience of the people and communities it serves.
The Group Chair will lead the Board in providing strategic oversight, assurance and accountability across Riverside, helping to create the conditions for an effective, high-performing and inclusive governance environment. A key focus will be overseeing delivery of the Brighter Future Together 2026–31 strategy and Riverside’s longer-term ambitions, ensuring the organisation remains firmly focused on its social purpose while maintaining strong commercial and financial stewardship.
The Chair will support effective governance and compliance with relevant legal and regulatory requirements, while providing constructive oversight of organisational performance, risk management, assurance and internal controls. They will promote the highest standards of integrity and ethical behaviour, build a trusted and constructive relationship with the Chief Executive and ensure Board members are able to contribute fully, independently and effectively. Central to the role will also be championing Riverside’s values, culture and social purpose, ensuring that customer insight and feedback continue to inform Board discussion, decision-making and strategic oversight.
Riverside is looking for an accomplished Board-level leader who can bring sound judgement, independence and credibility to a substantial and complex organisation. Candidates should demonstrate:
- Significant Board-level leadership experience within a substantial and complex organisation.
- Previous experience as a Chair, Vice Chair, senior Non-Executive Director or in an equivalent Board leadership role.
- Experience of leading organisations through periods of change while maintaining stability and strong performance.
- A strong commitment to customer voice, service quality and tenant accountability, with the ability to ensure customer insight informs Board-level decisions.
- A strong understanding of governance, risk management and organisational performance oversight.
- Experience of non-executive leadership, oversight and constructive challenge within a regulated environment.
- The ability to build productive relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.
- A clear commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
- An applied understanding of the social, economic, political and regulatory environment in which Riverside operates, including the Regulator of Social Housing’s Standards.
The successful candidate will be collaborative, inclusive and values-led, with the ability to balance support and challenge appropriately. They will bring integrity, resilience and curiosity, alongside a genuine commitment to Riverside’s purpose and the communities it serves.
The role requires an average commitment of approximately six days per month, with some additional time required during the initial induction period. The commitment will include Board and Committee meetings, strategy sessions, appraisal activity and engagement with the Chief Executive and senior stakeholders. The remuneration is £32,500 per annum.
Applications close on 19 October 2026, with preliminary interviews taking place between 2 and 6 November 2026. Final interviews are scheduled for 24–27 November 2026, with Board appointment planned for 10 December 2026. The appointment will take effect from 1 April 2027.
To apply, candidates should submit a CV and a short covering letter outlining how they meet the requirements of the role.
Riverside is committed to building a diverse, inclusive and values-led organisation. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Our recruitment process is fair and accessible, and we are committed to providing equal opportunities for all candidates. As a Disability Confident employer, we’re happy to make reasonable adjustments throughout the process, please let us know if there’s anything we can do to support you.
Locations
Group Chair in Cheshire, Warrington employer: Riverside
Riverside is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the well-being and development of its employees. As a Trauma-Informed Support Worker at The Stages Academy in Middlesbrough, you will benefit from flexible part-time hours, competitive pay, and opportunities for professional growth while making a meaningful impact in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Group Chair in Cheshire, Warrington
✨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 Riverside.
✨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 Riverside.
✨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 Riverside.
✨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 Riverside. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Group Chair in Cheshire, Warrington
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 Riverside. 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 Group Chair, 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 Riverside
✨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 Riverside. 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!
