Deputy Chair - METRO Charity

Join an innovative & impactful London based charity driving equity, diversity, and inclusion initially as Deputy Chair but moving into the Chair position early summer 2025. 

What will you be doing?

METRO is an equality, diversity and inclusion services charity, working in London, Kent, Medway and Hertfordshire. They work across five domains:  Sexual and Reproductive Health, Community, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Youth & finally HIV.

This is a fantastic opportunity to bring your expertise and your passion to a role that will have a very real impact. Although initially the successful applicant will join as Deputy Chair, the intention is that they will assume the Chair position early summer in 2025.

Overarching responsibilities:

Governance - to encourage high standards and promote the efficient and effective use of staff and other resources throughout the organisation. 

Strategic Leadership - to take a leading role with the development and implementation of the organisation’s strategy. 

Board development - to lead the development of Board of Trustees, ensuring that the Board is operating effectively, efficiently, and in accordance with charity law, working to best practice as set out in the Charity Governance Code.

Time Commitment 

The expected time commitment for the role is no more than 1.5-2 days per month, which would largely be for preparing for, and attending, the following schedule of meetings: 

• 6 x Board of Trustee meetings. 
• 8 x Sub-Committee meetings. 
• 2 x Board / Executive Team Away Days.

What are we looking for?

Experience and Knowledge 

• A minimum of 2 years’ experience of being a trustee of a charity OR as the most senior member of staff of a voluntary organisation with more than 20 staff. 
• Understanding of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship. 
• Experience of external representation, ideally serving as a Chair (or similar) on a charity board, or similar. 
• While not an essential, it is desirable that the Deputy Chair have financial management expertise and a broad understanding of finance issues affecting the charity sector. 

Skills and Abilities 

• Organisational strategic vision and direction (developing and articulating vision). 
• Strong leadership, and ability to motivate Board members. 
• Significant skills and ability for chairing meetings effectively. 
• Good independent judgement, political impartiality and ability to think creatively in the context of METRO and the external environment. 
• Ability to foster and promote a collaborative team environment. 
• Able to attend meetings outside of work hours.

Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

METRO Charity are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered. They believe that a range of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences makes their organisation stronger, more effective, and better able to serve the communities they support.

METRO recognise that in particular people from Black and Asian communities and other minoritised ethnic groups as well as Trans and non-binary people are under-represented in the leadership of the charity sector, as are disabled people. METRO Charity welcome and encourage people from these historically excluded groups to apply to fully balance their Board of Trustees and reflect the diversity of their service users and wider community.

Webinars -  offering you the opportunity to meet with METRO Charity pre-application

Metro are hosting two informal webinars to meet with interested individuals pre-application and answer any questions you may have. These are being held on Monday the 9th of December at 12.30-1.30pm and on Wednesday the 8th of January at 12-1pm. You will find the links to join these within the candidate pack attached on this page. 

What difference will you make?

"As a prospective Deputy Chair, you would play a key role in board development and strategic oversight, helping to steer the organisation towards achieving its mission with integrity and innovative leadership. As we face challenges such as economic pressures, changes to both the domestic and international political landscape, and changes within the health and care sectors within which we operate, this role offers a unique opportunity to drive impactful transformative change. Joining METRO Charity means becoming part of a team that values transparency, collaboration, and compassion, with equity, diversity, and inclusion at our core. Here, your contributions will directly influence our ability to create a world where diversity is celebrated, and optimum health and wellbeing are achievable for all." 

- Dawn Brown (Chair) and Tony Wong (CEO)

Before you apply

The TrusteeWorks team at Reach Volunteering are supporting METRO Charity with their Trustee recruitment.

To apply please submit your CV along with a Cover Letter stating the following: 

• Why you are interested in becoming our next Deputy Chair of the Trustee Board 
• Your relevant skills and experience (see both the Role and Person specification) 
• Any information you wish to share with us regarding your background or identity that pertains to our aim of increasing the diversity of our Board.

The closing date for applications is Tuesday 14th January 2025. Interviews will take place on 31st January 2025, 9.30am - 12.30pm