EYAI supports young adults to become productive members of their communities, building their confidence, independence and self esteem.
Chair of the Board of Trustees
Practical details
Volunteering • Organisation role
Contact person
Jo brown
#118651
Scan me or visit www.volunteerbucks.org.uk/o/Enhancing-young-adults-independence/opportunities/Chair-of-the-Board-of-Trustees/118651 to join
Providing strategic leadership, ensuring EYAI functions effectively. Acting as a critical link between the trustees and Operations manager.
Role Description:
Chair of the Board of Trustees
Purpose of the role
The Chair provides strategic leadership to the Board of Trustees, ensuring that it functions effectively and meets its legal and ethical obligations. The Chair acts as a critical link between the Board and the Operations Manager, ensuring that the EYAI’s mission is delivered within a safe and solvent framework.
Key responsibilities
Leadership and management
- Line management of the OM: Provide regular 1-to-1 supervision for the Operations Manager, setting clear objectives and reviewing performance.
- Board development: Ensure the board has the right mix of skills (working closely with the Governance Lead on recruitment and inductions).
- Deadlock resolution: Use the ‘Casting Vote’ (as per the Constitution) to ensure the charity can make decisions during split votes.
Governance and compliance (2026 Standards)
- Material oversight: Ensure the board is actively monitoring the balance and the Insolvency Cashflow Tests.
- Connected persons: In partnership with the Governance Lead, ensure all ‘Connected Person’ contracts (eg. the marketing contract) are transparent and benchmarked.
- The Board Covenant: Model the ‘Two Hats’ behaviour, ensuring trustees stay out of the operational ‘weeds’ and focus on strategy.
Meetings and strategy
- Agenda setting: Work with the Secretary (Governance Lead) to set strategic agendas that prioritise high-level decisions over operational updates.
- Facilitation: Ensure every trustee (including new recruits) has a voice in meetings and that no single person (staff or trustee) dominates the discussion.
- Strategic planning: Lead the annual review of the 3-year plan and the CIO's financial sustainability.
- Person specification
- Leadership experience: Ideally, experience in chairing meetings or managing teams in a professional or voluntary capacity.
- Financial literacy: A clear understanding of charity finance (or a willingness to be briefed by the FAR committee) to recognise ‘Going Concern’ risks.
- Neutrality: The ability to remain impartial and challenge the Operations Manager, Treasurer or Governance Lead when necessary.
- Communication: Comfortable acting as the face of the charity for grant-makers and external partners.
- Time commitment
- Preparation for and chairing of 6-10 board meetings per year.
- A monthly 30-minute check-in with the Operations Manager.
Occasional representation at community events or with major
Related to
About Enhancing young adults' independence
EYAI supports young adults to become productive members of their communities, building their confidence, independence and self esteem.
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