Chair / Co-Chair

S&you are pleased to be supporting Heart of Glass in their search for a new Chair or Co-Chair of their Board. After a very successful two terms, their current Chair is preparing to make way for new leadership to support their next phase of development.

Heart of Glass is a Merseyside based community arts charity that brings together artists and communities to imagine new futures and spark change. Believing that art has the power to bring communities together, their aim is to create spaces where people can bring unique lived experiences, knowledge and perspectives to understand the world differently, together.

We are keen to hear from applicants who have lived experience of overcoming marginalisation and can help us remove barriers to engagement in the art sector and our organisation. We encourage applications from people who have a lived experience of the impact of racism and/or discrimination; identify with coming from a disadvantaged background; people who are D/deaf, disabled or neurodiverse; and people who identify as LGBTQIA+.

We also want to ensure that our Board includes a balance of ages, genders and includes those with caring responsibilities.

If you are interested in this opportunity but feel there are barriers that may prevent you from applying for the post or from fulfilling the expected duties, then please get in touch and we'll do our best to accommodate any requests.

Key Details

Location: The location of meetings will alternate between St Helens and via online platforms.

Term: 4-year term with the option to extend for a second term.

Salary: This is a voluntary position, but all expenses incurred during the fulfillment of duties will be covered by Heart of Glass.

Time Commitment: 5 Board meetings a year usually held on Wednesday evenings in February, May, July, October and December. Additional staff/board development day, AGM, additional meetings with Executive team as required and the occasional event or sub-committee.

We strongly encourage applicants from the Northwest of England but we're open to hear from all and location should not be considered a barrier to applying.

Purpose

The Chair / Co-Chair role/s will have the responsibility of leading an effective board, managing the Executive Team and representing the organisation as an ambassador and advocate.

As Chair/Co-Chair for Heart of Glass you will support the other trustees and the senior leadership team to shape our vision and mission, track our progress on achieving our strategic goals and ensure that we are compliant with all legal and regulatory requirements. You will also be our sounding board and critical friend, bringing your skills and experience into conversations to help us shape our organisation for the better.

Responsibilities

Lead the Board, set its agenda, ensure legal and financial governance duties are met effectively and keep in touch with the organisation and its activities.
Convene and lead board meetings and attend working groups.
Ensure the effectiveness of individual trustees and the Board as a whole in all areas and responsibilities.
Champion our Equity, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Environmental Responsibility commitments and actions.
Build and maintain positive relationships across the Board, Executive team and with key external stakeholders, including existing and potential funders.
Represent the organisation at outside events, be an ambassador, advocate and spokesperson for the Board, and represent the organisation, together with the Executive Team.
Line manage the CEO and work closely with them, and the Executive Director.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Key Attributes

A demonstrable commitment to Heart of Glass and its objectives.
A commitment to inclusivity, equity, equality and diversity.
Passion for community arts as an agent of change.

Essential

Previous governance experience, as a Trustee or equivalent.
Professional leadership experience.We are keen to hear from all applicants and there's no requirement to have previous Chair experience although that is equally welcomed. We will work with the successful candidate(s) to meet any access requirements and will provide a full induction programme to help embed you into the role.

Further information

Please visit the Candidate Pack on our website for further information about Heart of Glass, the opportunity and process.

The closing date for applications is the 23rd of June 2024. If you would like to be considered, please send us:

Updated CV
Address why you'd like to be our new Chair / Co-Chair and what skills / experience you believe you'll bring to the role.We're happy for you to submit the above information in a format of your choice. If you would like support in submitting this, either written, verbal or via video then please let S&you know who will be happy to assist.

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