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 and inclusive team dedicated to positive social impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in communities by guiding a major organisation towards its goals.
- Qualifications: Significant Board-level leadership experience and a commitment to customer service and governance.
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.
About you
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.
Time commitment and remuneration
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.
Recruitment timetable
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.
Our Commitment to Inclusion
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.
By submitting your application, you consent to Neemar Search sharing your details with relevant third parties as part of the recruitment process.
Group Chair in 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 Warrington
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We think you need these skills to ace Group Chair in Warrington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Leadership Skills:In the corporate leadership and management field, it's essential to highlight your leadership experience. Use your CV to flesh out examples of how you've led teams to success or managed significant projects. We want to see specific instances where your actions made a tangible difference in your previous roles!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers talk, especially in management! When detailing your achievements in your CV or cover letter, don’t just say you improved team performance. Instead, say you boosted productivity by 30% over six months through effective strategy implementation. This makes your application pop and shows us what you can bring to Riverside.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to narrate your professional journey. We’re looking for motivation and a clear understanding of what corporate leadership means to you. Dive into your aspirations and how they align with the values and vision of Riverside. Make it personal – we want to get to know you!
Tailor Your CV for Management Roles:Ensure your CV reflects the management skills that are essential for this role. Focus on competencies like strategic planning, team building, and problem-solving. Use a clean layout, and don’t forget to align your experiences with those keywords mentioned in the job listing. This will help you stand out from the crowd!
How to prepare for a job interview at Riverside
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
You’ll want to thoroughly convey your unique approach to leadership. During the interview with Riverside, be ready to share real-life examples of how you've inspired and motivated teams in the past. Think about specific achievements that illustrate your strategic thinking and your ability to drive results.
✨Brush Up on Management Theories
Expect some technical questions related to management theories and practices. Brush up on concepts like transformational leadership, servant leadership, or situational leadership. Be prepared to discuss how you would apply these theories to the role at Riverside, especially in the specific context of the challenges they’re currently facing.
✨Craft Your Vision for the Company
Since this is a full-time leadership role, spending time thinking about your vision for Riverside could really set you apart. Consider potential strategies for growth and how you would lead teams towards achieving them. This shows not just enthusiasm, but also strategic foresight that they’ll likely be looking for in a candidate.
✨Emphasise Team Dynamics and Culture
In corporate leadership, team dynamics and organisational culture are everything. Be ready to discuss how you've fostered a positive work environment in previous roles. Bring up examples of how you've managed diverse teams effectively—this will resonate well at Riverside as they’re likely seeking a candidate who can enhance their workplace culture.
