Role description
Chair
Remuneration: The Chair role is a voluntary commitment not accompanied by any financial remuneration. Reasonable expenses such as travel or childcare may be claimed.
Location: Leeds (Hybrid) – meetings are held in Leeds, or virtual.
Reporting to: Board of Trustees
Direct Reports: Chief Executive Officer
Purpose: The Chair will work closely with the Board of Trustees and the Chief Executive to lead the strategic direction of Turning Lives Around at a critical point in its development. The Chair will lead the Board in delivering effective governance, ensuring Trustees are supported, accountable, and equipped to fulfil their responsibilities. The Chair will also help embed newer Trustees, strengthen board capacity, and act as a visible ambassador for the organisation, working in partnership with the Chief Executive to represent TLA externally and build strong relationships with key stakeholders.
Key responsibilities
Strategic leadership
Provide clear leadership to the Board, ensuring alignment with Turning Lives Around’s mission, values, and long-term objectives.
Guide the organisation through its transition toward becoming a registered Social Housing Provider, supporting the development and delivery of strategic goals.
Play a central role in shaping and championing the organisation’s long-term strategy, ensuring TLA is well positioned to grow its impact, strengthen its housing offer, and respond to emerging opportunities in the external environment.
Ensure the charity delivers maximum impact for its beneficiaries through strong strategic oversight and direction.
Governance and accountability
Ensure the Board operates within its charitable objectives and complies with all legal, regulatory, and constitutional requirements.
Lead the Board in regularly reviewing risks and opportunities, ensuring appropriate systems are in place to manage and respond to both.
Promote and uphold high standards of governance, integrity, and ethical conduct across the organisation.
Ensure the Board fulfils its responsibilities for financial oversight and accountability.
Board development and effectiveness
Support the recruitment, induction, and development of Trustees to ensure the Board has the right mix of skills, experience, and perspectives.
Lead succession planning and ensure the Board is regularly refreshed to reflect the communities TLA serves.
Conduct annual appraisals of the Board and individual Trustees, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and learning.
Relationship with the Chief Executive
Build and maintain a strong, constructive, and supportive working relationship with the Chief Executive.
Provide regular support and challenge, ensuring the Chief Executive is held to account for delivering strategic objectives.
Lead the Chief Executive’s annual appraisal and ensure appropriate development and remuneration arrangements are in place.
External representation
Act as an ambassador for Turning Lives Around, representing the organisation at key events, meetings, and with external stakeholders.
Support the development of strategic partnerships and maintain strong relationships with commissioners, funders, and sector bodies.
Serve as a spokesperson for the organisation when appropriate, helping to raise its profile and influence.
Meeting leadership and decision-making
Chair Board meetings effectively, ensuring inclusive, objective, and timely decision-making.
Ensure meetings are well-structured, purposeful, and aligned with the responsibilities of the Board.
Monitor the implementation of Board decisions and ensure effective communication and follow-up between meetings.
Person specification
Experience
Proven experience of chairing a Board or providing leadership at Board level within a complex organisation.
A strong track record of strategic leadership, ideally within a charity, housing, or public service environment.
Experience of working in or with organisations that are dependent on commissioned contracts, with an understanding of the commissioning landscape, and working with local authorities.
Experience of charity governance and working effectively with or as part of a Board of Trustees.
Experience of external representation and ambassadorial roles, with the ability to build credibility and influence across a range of stakeholders.
Knowledge or experience of the housing, homelessness, or supported accommodation sectors is highly desirable.
Knowledge and skills
Strong understanding of strategic development and the ability to shape and drive long-term organisational direction.
Good knowledge of governance best practice, risk management, and financial oversight in a charitable or not-for-profit context.
Ability to support and challenge constructively, ensuring accountability and high performance across the Board and executive team.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage confidently with stakeholders at all levels.
Understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing organisations working with vulnerable or marginalised communities.
Personal attributes
A clear commitment to the mission, values, and social purpose of Turning Lives Around.
Collaborative and inclusive leadership style, with the ability to foster a positive and high-performing Board culture.
Sound judgement, impartiality, and the ability to navigate complex or sensitive issues with tact and diplomacy.
Strong ambassadorial presence, with the confidence to represent the organisation externally.
Willingness and capacity to commit the necessary time and energy to the role, including attending meetings, events, and engaging with stakeholders.
