At a Glance
- Tasks: Support financial oversight and strategy for a charity empowering young voices.
- Company: Smart School Councils, a charity dedicated to helping children find their voice.
- Benefits: Make a real impact while gaining governance experience and networking opportunities.
- Other info: Attend online meetings and collaborate with a dynamic board for positive change.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team and help shape the future of youth participation.
- Qualifications: Experience in finance or strategic planning, with a commitment to inclusivity.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 € per year.
About us
Helping Every Child Find Their Voice. Smart School Councils is a charity helping every child to find their voice. At a time of deep division in society, too few young people get this opportunity.
Our simple idea: We believe that the most powerful tool is your voice, and learning to use it takes time, practice, and belief. Our award-winning, easy-to-use platform supports over 700+ member schools and helps 250,000 young people to speak up and make change in their schools. Schools in the most disadvantaged areas are hugely over-represented on our programme. Our schools use a simple tool to organise short, student-led class meetings that lead to real change and build oracy skills. Schools pay an annual subscription to access the platform. We generate income from this trading activity, and partnerships and philanthropy.
Governance: Our Board of Trustees ensures Smart School Councils continues to grow sustainably while staying true to its mission and values. Trustees oversee the charity’s long-term strategy, governance, and financial stability.
Achievements:
- Scale: With a tiny amount of seed investment from The Young Foundation, we have built an exciting and scalable platform used by 700+ paying member schools across the world. It’s regularly used by 250,000 young people.
- Impact: Our programme increases the percentage of pupils involved in democracy from 6% to 80% in a single term. It increases the average percentage of pupils who feel listened to from 36% before the programme to 83% after. 93% of teachers say it’s having a positive impact on speaking and listening skills.
- Financial model: In a difficult economic climate with deep school cuts, we have developed a healthy, trading subscription model. This is currently growing at 25% per year and brings in 50% of our turnover.
- Awards: We’re multi-award winning and have been championed by figures like Brian Eno and Alastair Campbell.
Priorities:
- Growth: We want to accelerate our growth in schools in the UK and internationally in order to create a bigger impact.
- Vision: With growth challenges, different projects and funding sources, we need to do further work to develop the organisation around a clear unified vision.
- Roadmap: Our goal is to be a ‘tech charity’ - 100% funded by trading rather than grants. We borrow our approach from the tech sector, but without tech sector budgets. This can be a challenge.
- Product suite: Building an exciting product suite to increase the amount of income per school per year. This is one of our key goals in becoming default alive.
Who are we looking for? We’re looking for a Finance Trustee who can help us strengthen our financial oversight and strategy as we continue to grow. Our previous Finance Trustee came to the end of their term, and we are looking to replace them. Our financial systems are strong, and we employ a part-time Financial Director to help us. Your role will be ensuring our financial resilience and sustainability as we expand our programmes and reach.
You’re likely to have:
- Significant experience in finance, accountancy, or strategic financial planning.
- Insight into charity finances, reserves policy, and governance requirements.
- Ability to advise on financial risk, sustainability, and investment opportunities.
- Ability to communicate financial information clearly to a non-finance audience.
- Commitment to inclusivity, participation, and creating positive change for young people.
What does being a charity trustee involve?
In a sentence: You’ll support and challenge our team and board to ensure Smart School Councils’ work is financially sustainable, transparent, and impactful.
In legal terms: It involves six main aims associated with ensuring that we act in a responsible, lawful way.
In practical terms: You’d be expected to attend four online trustee meetings a year, offer occasional advice between meetings, particularly on budgets, forecasts, or funding decisions, and have a short monthly 1:1 check-in with Greg, our Co-Founder, to support and advise our work. We’re aiming to have an annual trustee offsite too. You don’t need to be a finance specialist in the charity sector, but you do need to be passionate about what we do and bring your expertise to help us thrive.
How to apply: If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you! You can apply directly through this LinkedIn ad or send your CV and a short covering letter explaining why you’d like to join us as a Trustee to recruitment@smartschoolcouncils.org.uk by 15 Dec 2025. Our intention is to meet with a shortlist of candidates in the new year (January 2026). If you have any questions about the role, please feel free to contact Greg, Co-Founder at greg@smartschoolcouncils.org.uk.
Finance Trustee in Chelmsford employer: Smart School Councils
Smart School Councils is an exceptional employer dedicated to empowering young voices through innovative educational programmes. With a strong commitment to inclusivity and positive change, employees enjoy a collaborative work culture that fosters personal and professional growth, alongside the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children across the UK and beyond. The charity's focus on sustainability and strategic financial oversight ensures a stable environment for its team, making it an ideal place for those passionate about education and social change.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Trustee in Chelmsford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the charity sector, especially those involved with governance and finance. Attend events or webinars where you can meet potential contacts and share your passion for making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Be prepared for interviews by researching Smart School Councils thoroughly. Understand our mission and values, and think about how your financial expertise can help us grow sustainably. Show us you’re not just a number cruncher but someone who genuinely cares about our cause.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview or networking event, drop a quick thank-you email. It keeps you on our radar and shows your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it’s a great way to reiterate your commitment to supporting young voices.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and really interested in joining our team at Smart School Councils.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Trustee in Chelmsford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself:When writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to get to know the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your passion for helping young people and your commitment to inclusivity.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in finance and governance. We’re looking for someone who can bring insight into charity finances, so showcase any related roles or projects that demonstrate your expertise.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you want to join us as a Trustee. Be specific about what excites you about our mission and how your skills can help us grow. Keep it concise but impactful!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, and we can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Smart School Councils
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Finance Trustee, it's crucial to have a solid grasp of financial concepts. Brush up on charity finance, reserves policy, and governance requirements. Be ready to discuss how your experience can help the organisation maintain financial resilience and sustainability.
✨Communicate Clearly
You’ll need to explain complex financial information to a non-finance audience. Practice simplifying your language and using relatable examples. This will show that you can bridge the gap between finance and the mission of Smart School Councils.
✨Show Your Passion
Smart School Councils is all about giving young people a voice. Make sure to express your commitment to inclusivity and positive change during the interview. Share any relevant experiences that highlight your dedication to these values.
✨Prepare Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the organisation's financial strategies and growth plans. This not only shows your interest but also helps you assess if this role aligns with your goals and values.
