At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Board to support governance, business development, or leadership in a meaningful charity.
- Company: Sift, a compassionate UK charity focused on self-harm support.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience, network with professionals, and make a real difference.
- Other info: Voluntary positions with travel expenses reimbursed; applications via our website only.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission-driven team that values lived experience and positive change.
- Qualifications: Experience in governance, business development, or leadership roles preferred.
Sift (formerly Self Injury Support) is a UK charity providing specialist support, information and advocacy for people affected by self-harm. We work alongside people who have been directly affected by self-harm at every level of our organisation. We are service‑user centred, and ensure our service users are at the heart of everything we do. Following an exciting rebrand and the launch of a new website, we are entering a new phase of growth, visibility and influence. To support this next chapter, we are expanding our Board of Directors and are seeking professional, values‑led individuals who share our commitment to compassion, dignity and meaningful change. All Board roles are voluntary, unpaid positions. Reasonable expenses such as travel will be reimbursed.
Please note that we are only accepting applications through the dedicated application form via our website and will not be accepting CVs sent via email. More information can be found in our downloadable Trustee Recruitment Pack – see website for more details. We look forward to receiving your application. Deadline for applications is 12th April 2026.
The Roles:
Board Secretary
Role Purpose: The Board Secretary helps ensure that Sift is governed with clarity and accountability. This role supports the Board to function well, ensuring that decisions are properly recorded and that governance processes enable the charity’s mission.
Key Responsibilities:
- Prepare agendas and papers for Board and sub‑committee meetings with the Chair and CEO.
- Take clear, accurate minutes that reflect decisions, context and agreed actions.
- With support from the Head of Operations, maintain key governance records, including trustee details, conflicts of interest and policies.
- Support compliance with the charity’s governing document and Charity Commission requirements.
- Assist with timely statutory filings and good governance practice.
- Act as a trusted point of reference for governance‑related queries.
Person Specification:
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
- Respect for confidentiality and sensitive information.
- Commitment to Sift’s mission and lived‑experience‑informed values.
- Experience in charity governance, company secretarial work or familiarity with Charity Commission guidance.
Time Commitment: 6–8 Board meetings per year, plus preparation time. Up to 4 in person meetings in our Bristol based office.
Business Development Lead
Role Purpose: The Business Development Lead supports Sift to grow sustainably, so that more people affected by self‑injury can access support. This role brings a strategic lens to income generation, partnerships and opportunity development, grounded in the charity’s values and ethical approach.
Key Responsibilities:
- Contribute to the development and oversight of Sift’s income generation strategy.
- Support exploration of new funding, partnership and collaboration opportunities including the expansion and relaunch of our national in‑person and online training programme.
- Offer insight and challenge on fundraising, commercial or social enterprise ideas.
- Network with key players in the mental health and wellbeing field.
- Help assess risk, impact and alignment with Sift’s mission.
Person Specification:
- Experience in business development, commercial income generation, partnerships or strategy.
- Ability to balance ambition with care and ethical decision‑making.
- Strong communication and influencing skills.
- Commitment to SIFT’s mission and lived‑experience‑informed ethos.
- Experience working with charities or social enterprises.
- Knowledge of trusts, foundations, corporate giving.
Time Commitment: 6–8 Board meetings per year, with occasional input outside meetings. Up to 4 in person meetings in our Bristol based office.
Leadership & Governance Director
Role Purpose: The Leadership & Governance Director helps ensure that Sift’s leadership, culture and governance remain strong, inclusive and fit for purpose. This role supports the Board to be reflective, effective and accountable as the organisation grows.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide oversight and constructive challenge on governance, leadership and culture.
- Support trustee recruitment, induction and ongoing Board development.
- Contribute to succession planning and long‑term organisational resilience.
- Ensure governance arrangements evolve appropriately with growth.
- Champion equity, inclusion and lived experience at Board level.
Person Specification:
- Experience in senior leadership, governance, HR or organisational development.
- Strong understanding of effective Board dynamics.
- Confidence in offering thoughtful challenge and strategic insight.
- Commitment to Sift’s mission and values.
- Experience as a trustee, Chair or committee lead.
- Knowledge of safeguarding and people governance in charities.
Time Commitment: 6–8 Board meetings per year, with some additional involvement as needed. Up to 4 in‑person meetings at our Bristol based office.
Trustees - Board Secretary / Business Development / Leadership & Governance employer: Sift UK
Sift is an exceptional employer that prioritises compassion, dignity, and meaningful change, making it a rewarding place for individuals passionate about supporting those affected by self-harm. With a strong commitment to service-user centred values, Sift fosters a collaborative work culture where volunteers can contribute to impactful governance and business development while gaining valuable experience in the charity sector. Located in Bristol, the organisation offers opportunities for personal growth and professional development, ensuring that every board member plays a vital role in shaping the future of the charity.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Trustees - Board Secretary / Business Development / Leadership & Governance
✨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 Sift UK.
✨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 Sift UK.
✨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 Sift UK.
✨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 Sift UK. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Trustees - Board Secretary / Business Development / Leadership & Governance
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 Sift UK. 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 Trustees - Board Secretary / Business Development / Leadership & Governance, 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 Sift UK
✨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 Sift UK. 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!
