Finance Trustee

The Infection Prevention Society are recruiting a volunteer to join our Board of Trustees as our new Finance Trustee. 

Our charity is about to begin a period of transformational change.  We are in the process of recruiting our first staff-team, and are now looking for an excellent Finance Trustee to work with the Board of Trustees and chair our Audit & Finance Committee, supporting our new six-strong team (which will include a CEO and a Financial Controller who is an experienced and qualified charity accountant).

We are an organisation our new Trustees will be proud to be a part of. Our current Board of Trustees are excited for our future and our members are supportive of the changes to the Society’s management structure.  For the past year we have worked closely with our Interim Managing Director and our members, Branches, Special Interest Groups and Business Groups to develop our new strategy - Working together to prevent infection.  

The aim of the Infection Prevention Society (IPS) is to inform, promote and sustain evidence-based infection prevention policy and practice to create a health and care system where no person's health and wellbeing is harmed by preventable infection. 

Our broad membership includes infection control practitioners, scientists, clinicians and industry experts and we support our members via branches across the UK and Ireland.  We deliver educational opportunities to support best practice in infection prevention and control through an annual conference, study days, our academic journal, and research activity.  We support our members with a competency framework and credentialing system, international engagement opportunities and product evaluation services for industry.

The IPS has an independent Board of Trustees who are responsible for governance and risk management functions of the society.  These include developing long-term strategy, assuring financial stability and compliance with governing documents, and evaluating performance.  The Board works with the Management Executive Group (MEG) who are responsible for leading and managing the business activity of the Society.

Who are we looking for?

Our new trustee must have skills in both of the following areas:

·       Finance

·       Strategic leadership

The trustee will chair our Audit and Finance Committee and as such will need to be a qualified accountant with a CCAB recognised qualification. 

As a Trustee you will be able to contribute to the work of the society by:

·       Shaping the strategic direction

·       Making decisions that enhance its influence

·       Assuring good governance of the Society

We are looking for applicants who really want to make a positive impact on our organisation. They should have strategic vision and good judgement, an ability to think creatively, and willingness to contribute opinions and ideas.  A willingness to challenge is also desirable. An understanding of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship is desirable although Trustees induction and training would be available. Previous experience as a Trustee is also desirable but not essential.  Although the trustee positions are unpaid, reasonable expenses will be reimbursed. Trustees induction and training would be available.  

The Board of Trustees hold a minimum of four meetings per year and trustees are also expected to attend the Annual General meeting which is held in the autumn.  The Audit and Finance Committee hold a minimum of four meetings per year.  These meetings will primarily be held virtually. The time commitment is around 4 hours once a quarter.

The IPS values all people as individuals. We aim to be an anti-discriminatory organisation and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We are inclusive and we believe diversity of thought will help us to achieve our strategy to Work together to prevent infection.  We welcome applicants from all groups, in particular those who are internationally educated, and represent the global majority. 

Closing date for applications: 9am Friday 20th September 2024

Interviews: date TBC

Role profiles and terms of reference can be found in the application pack.