Building and Maintenance Trustee

Open Road is looking to add to our Board of Trustees 

We have two vacancies on our Board and welcome applications from candidates with experience in the building and maintenance sector and human resources personnel sector. New board members would join our current board of nine trustees, who bring a wide variety of expertise and knowledge to support the charity; business management, legal, IT, clinical, marketing as well as decades of experience working in many different sectors.

Who is Open Road? 

We are a UK healthcare charity, now in our 34th year. We provide a myriad of services in Essex and Medway; drug and alcohol support, homelessness services, domestic abuse support, criminal justice services, employment support, welfare and community initiatives to promote community safety and combat anti-social behaviour. We help vulnerable people, young and old, throughout Essex and Medway, and work in the heart of local communities. We are not a large national faceless charity; we are very much a grassroots organisation. We fully embrace and utilise our local knowledge and expertise, working with likeminded partners to support as many people as possible to have healthier, happier lives in the heart of their families and communities.

What Is Our Mission? 

Our mission is to empower a diverse range of individuals, families and communities to lead healthy and more meaningful lives, free from addiction, offending behaviour and disadvantage, to ensure healthier, happier lifestyles.

How Do Open Road’s Trustees Support The Charity? 

The role of the Trustee is to assist in advancing the purpose of the organisation; developing its aims and goals, keeping within its charitable objectives and acting in its best interests. The board members ensure that the charity is run in accordance with its governing document, charity law, and any other laws and regulations which affect its activities.

Our Trustee Board are responsible for developing strategy, providing governance, and directing the charity towards achieving its mission. We are looking to appoint two new trustees – the first being from the building and maintenance sector – with the experience and knowledge to support the health and safety responsibilities of a growing charity, and the second being a HR professional who will chair our Personnel Sub Committee with special responsibility for oversight of the organisation’s HR function and strategy, ideally you will be a Chartered Member or Fellow of the CIPD with substantial experience at a Senior/Director HR professional level with a thorough understanding of operational HR policy and practice.

An understanding of the role of charity boards and their responsibilities and operation, gained through previous experience would be helpful, and above all else you will be intrinsically values-driven and committed to enabling more individuals we support to live their lives to the full.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES – Charity Trustee 

• Effective communication and interpersonal style; a collaborative team player.
• Willing to speak out on issues and to accept personal accountability.
• Demonstrates strategic acumen and sees the bigger picture.
• Undisputed personal integrity.
• Personally flexible and agile working approach.
• Deep commitment to the mission and values of Open Road.

TERMS OF APPOINTMENT – Charity Trustee 

REMUNERATION: 

• This role is unremunerated and offered on a voluntary basis.
• Trustees are encouraged to visit services that are local to them.
• Travel and accommodation expenses are reimbursed for meetings & visits.

TIME COMMITMENT: 

• The time commitment is at least one day a month.
• There are six board meetings a year and this includes an annual strategy setting day.
• Board meetings are held in person in Central London.
• All trustees are expected to participate on at least one committee and there are four committee meetings a year.
• Committee meetings are held in person/virtually.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• To take part in formulating and regularly reviewing the strategic aims of the organisation.
• Working with other trustees to ensure that the policy and practices of the organisation are in keeping with its aims.
• Working with other trustees to ensure that the organisation functions within the legal and financial requirements of a charitable organisation and strives to achieve best practice.

What Does Open Road Offer To Our Trustees? 

• We offer a robust induction and diverse range of training
• We offer trustees the chance to be a vital part in developing and growing our charity, via our board, as members of sub committees and by attending business/strategic planning events
• We offer the chance to visit our centres and meet our teams and clients to help you in your role
• We regularly hold events and fundraising activities which the board are invited to attend
• Travel and Training Expenses are covered

This role is advertised as part of TPP's Free Giving Back Services. This volunteer advertisement copy has been supplied to TPP and applicants apply direct to the organisation. Please contact the organisation directly if you have any questions about this volunteer role.