Chair of the Board of Trustees

What we’re looking for in a Chair​

We’re all about asking questions, getting creative and testing things out. We believe that science is a collaborative, living and vital part of our culture. We are looking for a Chair to join the Board of Trustees, someone with a curious mind who can empower everyone to keep asking questions and have a voice in shaping our collective futures. ​

We have just reopened our iconic Bristol venue after a period of closure following a fire in 2022 and are looking forward to a period of stability as we progress our Manifesto pledges with our ambitious strategic plan "Plan 2030’. ​

As Chair of the Board of Trustees you’ll understand how good governance can provide a solid basis for our Trustees and Executive Team to work together to continue our mission. You’ll contribute to strategy and help us create a place where everyone is included, curious and inspired by science. We want you to be passionate about our organisation, and a great communicator with a collegiate ethos who can ensure the voices of our people (trustees, team and visitors) are represented in the board room. ​

Our Chair will share and amplify our values, be motivated, an excellent facilitator and have a positively questioning mind to help us realise our vision.  You can find more about our history and who we are here. ​

If you feel energise by our charity and this opportunity, then we’d love to hear from you.​

What is a chair?​

The role of the Chair of the Board of Trustees is to lead and facilitate meetings of the trustee board, promote good governance among your fellow trustees and support the Chief Executive and Executive Team to carry out the charity’s mission and strategic plan. ​
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​_Charity Commission, find out more about the role of Chair here​

What our people need from you​

Our audience:​

You’ll be excited to prioritise our mission and the delivery of transformative experiences that resonate with a broad and diverse audience. You’ll advocate for accessible, engaging, and innovative programs that make science and creativity approachable to all and you’ll make sure our team remember our “why”, keeping our audience, partners and communities at the heart of what we do so well.  We’d love our chair to spearhead efforts to deepen community engagement, ensuring that We The Curious reflects and serves the rich diversity of Bristol and beyond. ​

Our people:​

It’s important that the people-centric culture we’ve built across our teams is reflected in our Board. You’ll play a key role in ensuring we maintain a supportive, inclusive, and dynamic environment. You’ll lead by example, boosting our culture where staff, volunteers, and fellow trustees feel valued, empowered, and motivated to contribute their best. ​

We’d like you to prioritise professional development, wellbeing, and open communication, ensuring that both the board and the Executive Team have the resources, opportunities they need to meet our goals.​

You need to have an open, honest, and transparent communication style. Being approachable and responsive, facilitating without domination, ensures that concerns and ideas from all people are heard and considered in decision making processes.​

We’re looking for a proactive and empathetic leader who prioritises the well-being and success of the team, joining our workplace where everyone is inspired to contribute to the mission of making science accessible to all.​

Our executive team:​

The Chair plays a crucial role in supporting and guiding the CEO and leadership team. We need you to act as a strategic partner, providing the oversight, insight, and encouragement needed to achieve the ambitious goals in Plan 2030 and beyond. This  involves the commitment to build a collaborative relationship with the CEO and leadership team, asking critical questions that make sure they have the resources and support necessary to execute Plan 2030. 


About We The Curious​

We The Curious is an educational charity and one of the UK’s leading science centres. ​

We produce experiences that bring people together to play, get creative with science and explore different ideas around science, technology, natural history and the environment. ​

We work with partners, locally and nationally, supporting people to be inquisitive, develop new skills and improve their wellbeing.

Our Why, What & How​

Our vision​

What if everyone is included, curious and inspired by science to build a better world together

Our mission​

To connect and empower people through sharing creative experiences which celebrate unknowns in science 

Our pledges​

_Cultivate Curiosity​
_Include Everyone​
_Open Up Science​
_Sustainable Futures​
_Build Resilience

Our values​

_Inquisitive​
_Playful​
_Collaborative​
_Progressive​
_Creative

You can find out more about our pledges, values and how they inform our strategic priorities in our Manifesto.

What will you do in this role?​

As a trustee you will provide advice, knowledge and support to the leadership team at We The Curious.  As Chair of the board of trustees you will ensure we pursue our purpose responsibly, are compliant with our governing documents, charity law and other relevant legislation. The board will review and advise on best practice and appropriate policies and procedures and uphold excellent governance.​

As a Chair of our board of trustees you will :​

_Lead the Board of Trustee meetings to ensure different voices and opinions are heard​

_Ensure the Board of Trustees meet governance requirements of the charities commission​

_Support the Trustees and Executive Team to achieve our strategic plans and charitable aims​

_Work to ensure that the Board of Trustees have the right balance of skills and experience to support our articles and goals​

_Contribute individual skills and knowledge in support of the vision and strategic delivery​

_Uphold the values of We The Curious​

_Safeguard and advocate for the work and vision of We The Curious​

_Act as ambassadors locally, nationally and internationally​

_Assist with the evaluation and review of the policies, goals and targets of the organisation​

_Encourage investment and growth​

_Drive innovation and change​

_Oversee the effective and efficient administration of the organisation and long-term financial stability​

_Contribute to working groups for specific focus on projects​

All Trustees should use their specific skills, knowledge or experience to help the Board of Trustees reach informed decisions in the best interest of We The Curious. ​

This will involve scrutinising Board papers, leading discussion and providing guidance as requested by the Board on new initiatives or other issues relevant to the area of our work in which the trustee has expertise. 

Time commitment ​

_We hold quarterly board meetings, typically from 4pm to 7pm and one strategy away day per year. Trustees are expected to attend and contribute to all meetings either in person or by joining virtually.​

_ Board Meetings are located at the We The Curious offices within the science centre in central Bristol, and once a year at another location around the City.  ​

 _ You will also be asked to take part in one of our subcommittee meetings which take place online, at least once per quarter. There are currently sub-committees for Finance & Risk Assurance and Purpose Strategy.  ​

_You will have monthly calls with the CEO, and ad hoc calls/meetings with other members of the Board of Trustees and leadership team as appropriate. ​

_You will be invited to key We The Curious team events such as annual get togethers and training days. ​

_ You may also be called upon for advice or assistance by the leadership team or to attend additional events. ​

Remuneration ​

This is a voluntary role. Reasonable travel expenses will be covered. Food is provided at the quarterly Board meetings and strategy away days. ​

 You will have:​

_Free entry to our venue during opening hours​

_12 tickets per calendar year to give away​

_20% off in the We The Curious shop at our venue and online​

_Free parking at Millennium Square car park for meetings​

_Secure cycle storage for meetings​

Terms of appointment​

_Trustees including the Chair are appointed to an initial three-year term of service (including a probationary period).​

_Trustees can serve a maximum of six years with a reappointment after the first term of three years unless the trustee holds an office, such as Chair or Deputy Chair, in which case they would be eligible for a further three-year term. The maximum term of office is nine years. 

What we're looking for from you​

We have a clear commission from our audiences with our manifesto and have created a bold new Plan 2030 strategy to progress the pledges. We are looking for people that embody our values and have some of these skills/knowledge to help achieve it. You will: ​

Values​

_Embody our values. Collaborative, Creative, Inquisitive, Playful and Progressive ​

_Be committed to our vision and key manifesto pledges of Cultivating Curiosity, Including Everyone, Open Up Science,  Strive for Sustainable Futures and Build Resilience ​

_Have a positively questioning mind to help We The Curious fulfil its vision​

_Act with integrity and in the best interests of We The Curious at all times​

_Work effectively as a member of a team and take decisions for the good of We The Curious​

Skills/Knowledge ​

We want to ensure that our board bring a variety of skills and knowledge to We The Curious. As Chair of our Board of Trustees we are looking for people who can demonstrate skills and experience in the following areas: ​

_Effective meeting facilitation – to ensure diverse voices and opinions are heard, and decisions are made with clarity and consensus​

_Being a critical friend – providing positive challenge to our Executive Team, encouraging accountability and supporting strategic thinking​

_Charity governance – ensuring compliance with legal and regulations while contributing to the long-term sustainability of the organisation.​

Across the board we want to ensure that we have trustees with a broad variety of expertise and lived experiences, including particular skills in the following areas:​

_Disability awareness

_Finance and accountancy​

_IT (Information Technology) 

_Digital and deep tech​

_Legal 

- Marketing, Media and PR​

_People management 

_Property management​

_ Science communication 

_Science industry research ​

_Sustainability and climate action  

_Surveying / Architecture ​

_Venue operations

_Education and learning

Including everyone​

We want our people to reflect our city and build a place where everyone feels like they can belong. But we know that our organisation doesn’t yet represent the rich experiences and cultures of Bristol. We think when our board reflects our city it will lead to innovative , well informed and better decision making. We’ll be more resilient, inclusive, and better equipped to fulfil our vision and mission. ​

We especially want to hear from you if:​

_You identify as and/or have lived experiences with either:  African and African Caribbean heritage, Carers, d/Deaf, Disabled, East Asian heritage, Global majority, LGBTQIA+ and/or non-binary, Neurodivergent, South Asian heritage, under 40, Visually impaired, Woman, Working Class​

We are also working with Rising Arts to recruit two young people (18-25) to our board this year. ​

I’ve never been a Chair before, should I apply?  ​

Yes! If you feel you connect with our values and have the skills and experience you should definitely consider applying. ​

While prior experience as a Chair is not essential, having some experience on a Board, ideally in the charity sector, will help you feel more confident and prepared in the role. This experience provides valuable insights into governance and strategy, both of which are key for an effective Chair. If you’ve served on a Board before, this could be an exciting next step. ​

Supporting you​

If you join the board, you will have an induction and onboarding experience to support you with your role and get you connected with the rest of the organisation.

Support during the process​

We The Curious is a Disability Confident Employer and we welcome applications from candidates who self-assess themselves as having a disability. We will guarantee an interview to applicants who advise that they have a disability and who meet the minimum criteria for a job vacancy. To help you, under the Equality Act 2010 a person is defined as having a disability if a) they have a physical or mental impairment, and b) the impairment has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.​

We want to work with you to ensure the recruitment process is accessible for you.​

If you are disabled,  neurodivergent, or if you have a long-term health condition, we’ll be happy to make reasonable adjustments to our processes for you.​

You’ll have the opportunity to let us know about any adjustments you may need throughout the application and selection process. We’ll continue this conversation if you join us as a staff member, and we’ll work with you to make sure you have the adjustments you need to succeed in your role.​

Examples of adjustments could include:​

_providing alternative formats at every stage​
_options to apply ​
_extra time for tasks​
_providing some extra information about what to expect​
_office orientation before an in-person interview.​

Application process
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Deadline for applications:  Thursday 17th October 2024​ at midnight

Interview date(s) and location:  First round of process will include online presentations on Nov 4 or 7. If you are successful the final in person interviews will take place at We The Curious on Nov 26 or 28.​
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Start date: Offers will be made in December 2024, with the role beginning in January 2025. During January there will be induction days/meetings before Q1 sub committee and board meetings which will take place in February and March. ​

This role is open to both external and internal applicants. ​

This will be a multi-stage process, the first part of which will include:​

_Application​
_Visit to We The Curious ​
_Short online presentation to existing trustees/recruitment panel​
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If successful in the first part of the process, you will then be invited to:​

_Chemistry meetings with key members of the We The Curious team ​

_In person interview with existing trustees ​

If you would like to apply, please complete the application form. It contains questions designed to assess your experience and suitability for the role. ​ You have the option to answer these questions in a written format or by submitting your responses by video or audio. Please see the application form for more details. Please do not send in CVs or covering letters as we don’t review them.​​
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If you are shortlisted for the role we will invite you to visit our venue to explore for yourself and send you an outline of what you will be asked to present to our trustees/recruitment panel so that you have time to prepare.​ Following the presentations, further shortlisted candidates will be asked to attend face-to-face interviews and chemistry meetings at We The Curious. ​
We appreciate interviews can be stressful, so we try to make them more of a conversation and a chance for you to tell us about how your qualifications, skills and experience make you the right person for the role.​ If you have any particular needs or requirements, please do let us know so we are able to make the required adjustments.​​