YOUNG LAMBETH COOPERATIVE
Role description & Person Specification – Non Executive Director
Overall Purpose:
The Board of Directors is responsible for providing appropriate oversight, governance and leadership to the Young Lambeth cooperative (YLC) in the pursuit of its strategies to become a successful community commissioner and enterprise in Lambeth. The YLC is a membership organisation registered as a community benefit society and conducts its business through properly regulated meetings.
The Board scrutinises, amends and ratifies the proposed strategic direction and financial plan of the YLC as presented to them by the Managing Director. The Board is legally responsible for all decisions made within the YLC and will oversee the work of the YLC’s Management Team. The Board of Directors is responsible for ensuring that all decisions and work is carried out is in line with the YLC’s constitution.
TIME COMMITMENT:
The Board meets bi-monthly in Brixton, with most meetings taking place after working hours. Baord members are also expected to join one of 3 sub-committees, whose meetings are usually scheduled on the same day as full Board meetings.
KEY DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategy and Performance
· Analysing and contributing positively to the strategic development of YLC and any other material and significant issues facing the organisation. This includes delivering the strategy in light of the overall direction provided by the membership through the YLC Steering Group.
· Approving and monitoring the annual budget and financial plan
· Establishing clear objectives to deliver the agreed plans and strategy and regularly review performance against those objectives
· Ensuring the effective implementation of Board of Directors decisions by the Managing Director and the senior management team
· Holding the Managing Director to account for the effective management and delivery of the organisation’s strategic aims and objectives
· Ensuring the long term sustainability of YLC
· Ensuring the Board of Directors set challenging objectives for improving performance
Relationships
· Ensuring that there is an effective working relationship between the Board and the Steering Group and the Membership of the YLC
· Providing vision to YLC allowing it to capitalise on its unique position as a community owned organisation
· Building and maintaining close relations between YLC’s members and stakeholder groups to promote the effective operation of activities
· Working with partner organisations to ensure the effective commissioning of services for young people
Compliance
· Taking ownership and responsibility for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people within the YLC. This is central to everyone’s role, however a lead for safeguarding will be appointed within the Board.
· Ensuring that YLC complies with its constitution and any other applicable legislation and regulations
· Maintaining the financial viability of YLC and ensuring the best use of financial and other resources in order to maximise the success of YLC
· Ensuring that financial controls and systems of risk management are robust and that the Board is kept fully informed through timely and relevant information
Board Activities
· Participating fully in the work of the Board, ensuring the corporate responsibility of the Board of Directors
· Attending and possibly chairing, committees and other ad hoc meetings of the main Board
· Working co-operatively with the other Directors of the YLC
· Liaising and co-operating with the YLC funders, having due regard of their opinions and ensuring they are reflected in Board discussions
· Participating in any Board induction, training and evaluation identified as an individual and as part of the Board or committee
· Upholding the highest standards of integrity and probity, adhering to the Board Code of Conduct
· Participating in the appointment of the Managing Director and other senior staff, as appropriate
· Participating in the Board appraisal process to review the performance of the Board including the role of individual Directors
Miscellaneous
· Uphold the highest standards of integrity and probity, adhering to the Nolan Principles[1]
· Ensuring the YLC promotes equality and diversity for all its service users, members, staff and other stakeholders
· Safeguarding the name and reputation of YLC
Person specification
Experience, knowledge and skills
There is a general set of requirements which all Directors would be expected to demonstrate, as follows:
· high level and broad management experience, both strategic and operational, in a complex organisation
· proven leadership skills and the willingness and ability to constructively challenge the YLC management across a broad range and not limited to a single specialism
· a sense of commitment to the local community and to the provision of quality services for young people
· a genuine interest in the YLC and commitment to its mission and values
· knowledge and understanding of safeguarding and the protection of children and young people
· previous experience of working in a non-executive role at Board level in the private, public or not-for-profit sectors would also be an advantage
· demonstrable experience of building and sustaining relationships with key stakeholders and colleagues to achieve organisational objectives
· specialist expertise in one of the following seven areas:
1. Finance and accounting – Including VAT and tax issues
2. Business development and growth, including fundraising
3. Company law and compliance
4. Human resources and employment law
5. PR, marketing and communications, including digital media
6. Community commissioning and community development
7. Youth services
[1] The Seven Principles of Public Life include: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership. Further information about the Nolan Committee and its findings can be found at: http://www.public-standards.gov.uk/aboutus/the seven principles oflife.aspx