Due to planned succession, our social enterprise Velocity Café & Bicycle Workshop is looking for a new director / board member with a view to taking on the Chair role in due course. This role would be ideal for an applicant with senior management or leadership experience in the third sector or a small businesses, motivated to take on a senior leadership role in a well-established, nationally recognised social enterprise. It would be working alongside a committed board of directors where we already have strong representation for finance, legal matters, project management and governance. Experience in human resources would be of particular interest.

Remuneration

The role of chair is not accompanied by any financial remuneration, although expenses for travel may be claimed 

Location

Inverness

Time commitment

Attendance at quarterly board meetings, and the AGM. The Chair is also expected to have regular meetings with the CEO, and to represent the organisation at various events and meetings with key stakeholders. Currently, this represents an average commitment of 1-2 hours per week.

Job Description 

The Chair will hold the Board and Executive Team to account for the organisation’s mission and vision, providing inclusive leadership to the board of directors, ensuring that each director fulfils their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of the organisation. The Chair will support, and, where appropriate, challenge the CEO, ensuring that the Board functions as a unit and works closely with the management of the organisation to achieve agreed objectives. They will act as an ambassador and the public face of the organisation in partnership with the CEO. 

Principal responsibilities 

Strategic leadership 

• Provide leadership to the Organisation and its board, ensuring that the Organisation has maximum impact for its beneficiaries 

• Ensure that directors fulfil their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of the Organisation 

• Ensure that the Board operates within its purposes, and provides a clear strategic direction for the Organisation 

• Ensure that the Board is able to regularly review major risks and associated opportunities, and satisfy itself that systems are in place to take advantage of opportunities, and manage and mitigate the risks 

• Ensure that the Board fulfils its duties to ensure sound financial health of the Organisation, with systems in place to ensure financial accountability and governance, working alongside the two directors who currently oversee finances and governance.

• Ensure that the governance arrangements are working in the most effective way for the Organisation 

• Develop the knowledge and capability of the Board of Directors 

• Encourage positive change where appropriate

• Address and resolve any conflicts within the Board 

• Appraise the performance of the Directors and the Board on an annual basis 

• Ensure that the Board of Directors is regularly refreshed and incorporates the right balance of skills, knowledge and experience needed to govern and lead the organisation effectively, and which also reflects the wider population 

• Work within any agreed policies adopted by the Organisation 

External Relations 

• Act as an ambassador for the cause and the Organisation 

• Act as a spokesperson for the Organisation when appropriate 

• Represent the organisation at external functions, meetings and events 

• Facilitate change and address any potential conflict with external stakeholders 

Efficiency and effectiveness 

• Chair meetings of the Board of Directors effectively and efficiently, bringing impartiality and objectivity to the decision-making process 

• Ensure that board members are fully engaged and that decisions are taken in the best, long-term interests of the Organisation and that the Board takes collective ownership 

• Foster, maintain and ensure that constructive relationships exist with and between board members 

• Work closely with the CEO to give direction to board policy-making and to ensure that meetings are well planned, meaningful and reflect the responsibilities of directors 

• Monitor that decisions taken at meetings are implemented.

• Establish and build a strong, effective and a constructive working relationship with the CEO, ensuring they are held to account for achieving agreed strategic objectives 

• Support the CEO, whilst respecting the boundaries which exist between the two roles 

• Ensure regular contact with the CEO and develop and maintain an open and supportive relationship within which each can speak openly about concerns, worries and challenges 

• Liaise with the CEO to maintain an overview of the Organisation’s affairs, providing support as necessary 

• Conduct an annual appraisal and remuneration review for the CEO in consultation with other directors 

• Ensure that the CEO has the opportunity for professional development and has appropriate external professional support 

The above list is indicative only and not exhaustive. The Chair will be expected to perform all such additional duties as are reasonably commensurate with the role. 

Person Specification 

In addition to the qualities required of a director of the Organisation, the Chair must also meet the following requirements:

• Demonstrate a strong and visible passion and commitment to the organisation, its strategic objectives and cause 

• Exhibit strong inter-personal and relationship building abilities and be comfortable in an ambassadorial role 

• Demonstrate tact and diplomacy, with the ability to listen and engage effectively 

• Strong networking capabilities that can be utilised for the benefit of the organisation 

• Ability to foster and promote a collaborative team environment 

• Ability to commit time to conduct the role well, including travel and attending events out of office hours

• Experience of operating at a senior strategic leadership level within an organisation 

• Successful track record of achievement through their career 

• Experience of organisation governance and working with or as part of a Board of Directors 

• Experience of external representation, delivering presentations and managing stakeholders 

• Significant experience of chairing meetings and events Knowledge and skills 

• Broad knowledge and understanding of the charitable sector and current issues affecting it 

• Strong leadership skills, ability to motivate staff and volunteers and bring people together 

• Financial management expertise and a broad understanding of organisation finance issues 

• Good understanding of organisation governance issues 

Length of term

The organisation’s Chair (and board members) will serve a three-year term to be eligible for reappointment for one additional term. 

Further information

To apply please send a CV and covering letter to katiewaltervelocity@gmail.com. Application deadline 19th January 2024.

Please contact Katie Walter Current Chair, for any further information or informal discussion prior to applying.