Chair

Chair – Croydon Almshouses:
Croydon Almshouses (CA) is seeking an individual with significant leadership experience to lead its well-established Board of Directors (equivalent to trustees) which meets quarterly in South Croydon. They must possess the much-needed passion and motivation to work collaboratively with the Senior Leadership Team to help steer the organisation into its next phase of development and ensure it delivers on its ambitious and forward-thinking strategy.

About The Croydon Almshouses:
CA is the oldest charity in Croydon, and they are proud of this heritage. For over 550 years they have been supporting people who are in need in the Croydon community. Moving into this transformative next chapter, CA have highlighted five goals which underpin their efforts to expand their operations and enhance their impact on the community:
     * Foundation Goal
            We will work in partnership
     * Heritage Goal
           We will provide security
     * Improving Lives Goal
           We will offer support
     * Enabling Others Goal
           We will champion community
     * Reaching Potential Goal
           We will create opportunity

About the Chair Role:
The incoming Chair will be taking on this vital role at a crucial time in Croydon Almshouses’ growth and development as an organisation. With the organisational commitment to “Do more, Do Better” underpinning the 2024-2028 strategy, the organisation is excited to move into the next chapter by expanding operations to enhance impact in the communities being served. There is an understanding that this will require strong leadership from the CEO and Chair, with and the Chair playing a crucial role in ensuring strong governance and a supported staff team.

Purpose of the post:
* To ensure the proper governance and strategic oversight of the Charities
* To secure the delivery of the Charities’ agreed plans and objectives, in partnership with the CEO and staff.
* To support and, where appropriate, constructively challenge the CEO and hold them to account for their performance and hold them to account for delivery of the Charities’ plans in accordance with agreed KPIs.

Responsibilities will Include:
* To provide leadership to the Board and ensure that Directors fulfil their duties and responsibilities for the proper governance and strategic direction of the Charities.
* To safeguard the long-term future of the Charities by ensuring effective stewardship of the Charities’ resources.
* To uphold and promote the highest standards of corporate governance, in line with current best practice.
* To ensure the Board as a whole works in partnership with the CEO and staff, while respecting their responsibility for the operational management of the Charities.

Time Commitment:
Estimated at around 1.5 days a month
The expected time commitment is four Board meetings per year (face to face), one half strategy day and some ad hoc project work.
The Chair is also expected to:
* hold meetings (either by Teams, phone, or in-person) at least monthly with the CEO to plan the Board’s business and to manage their performance in the delivery of the Charities plans;
* meet each of the Directors at least annually to discuss and obtain feedback, and offer support;
* be available to act as a sounding board for, and advise, the CEO on the handling of particular issues; and
The almshouses are a community of Directors, staff and residents and attendance at at least two community events is expected.

How to Apply:
If you believe your values and experience align with those of Croydon Almshouses and you are keen to be pivotal in driving forward the organisation’s mission and ambitious strategic goals, then we look forward to hearing from you. 

Timeline:
Closing date for applications: 9am Wednesday 23rd October
Interview: Monday 4th November
We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability, and potential; please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so we can help make the application process work for you.

Charity People actively promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion. We match charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates, irrespective of age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we know greater diversity will lead to even greater results for the charities with which we work.