Trustee and Chair of Programmes & Partnerships Committee, Co-opted Finance & Risk Committee Member

Peridot Partners; Kemp Town Estate; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job description

Overview

We are seeking two exceptional individuals to strengthen our governance structure at a time of significant opportunity and change.

Roles

• Trustee and Chair of Programmes & Partnerships Committee
• Co-opted Finance & Risk Committee Member

Responsibilities and context

The Trustee and Chair of the Programmes & Partnerships Committee role combines membership of our Federation Board with chairing one of our key committees. The Programmes & Partnerships Committee oversees Groundwork UK\'s work to increase our visibility and credibility, build national relationships with government, business and charitable funders, and manage programmes that add value to local delivery while directly supporting communities through grants. This position requires someone who can navigate the complex dynamics of our federated structure while providing strategic oversight of our national income generation, communications and programme management activities.

The Co-opted Finance & Risk Committee Member role focuses on the systems and processes that underpin everything we do at Groundwork UK. We need someone who understands the strategic risks and opportunities associated with data utilisation, digital technology, AI and management information systems, particularly in the context of public sector transformation. This isn\'t about developing systems, but about governing them effectively and helping us maximise benefits and minimise risks. The role may develop into full board membership should the individual also wish to join the Federation Board as a Trustee.

For both roles, we are looking for individuals who are invested in Groundwork\'s mission of creating a fair and green future where people, places and nature thrive. You should be able to see the connections between social and environmental challenges and believe in community-led solutions.

Who we are looking for

For the Trustee and Chair of Programmes & Partnerships Committee, we need someone with senior experience in voluntary sector fundraising, income generation, communications or campaigning. You will have worked at a strategic level in a charity or similar organisation, understanding the complexities of building relationships with diverse funders, from government departments to major foundations to corporate partners. Your experience might include developing or overseeing funding strategies, managing stakeholder relationships, overseeing communications campaigns, or leading programme development initiatives.

For the Co-opted Finance & Risk Committee Member position, we are looking for someone with experience of systems management in complex organisational environments, potentially in the public sector or with experience in organisations serving public purposes. You might have worked in transformation, IT management, service digitisation, AI or similar contexts where systems must serve both internal efficiency needs and external public access requirements. You don\'t need to be a technology specialist, but you should understand the governance challenges that arise, including cybersecurity risks, data protection obligations, business continuity planning, and the challenge of making informed decisions about technology investments.

Both roles require individuals who are invested in Groundwork\'s mission and able to connect social and environmental challenges with community-led solutions.

Time Commitment

Both roles operate on a quarterly meeting cycle, with board meetings and committee meetings alternating throughout the year.

For the Trustee and Chair of Programmes & Partnerships Committee, this typically involves attending four Federation Board meetings and four committee meetings annually, plus preparation time and occasional ad hoc consultations. We estimate this at the equivalent of up to a day a month.

For the Co-opted Finance & Risk Committee Member, the commitment would initially be lighter, focused on quarterly committee meetings with associated preparation. This could grow if you join the Federation Board meetings, which are held quarterly. Meetings are on weekday daytimes and alternate between in-person sessions in Birmingham and online meetings.

Organisation context

Groundwork stands at the intersection of people, places and planet, creating practical solutions that tackle hardship, advance environmental justice, and build community resilience. Groundwork UK is the national body of a federation of 14 independent Groundwork Trusts across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We manage national programmes, secure resources for local delivery, and build relationships with funders and policymakers that benefit the entire network. Our work includes helping people reduce energy bills and find green jobs, creating community hubs, and distributing grants to support local groups and improve neighbourhoods. Last year, we helped the federation access over \£100 million in funding and distribute \£50 million in grants, supporting 12,000 community organisations and helping 60,000 people reduce energy and water bills.

Peridot Partners is our executive recruitment partner for this process. We are a values-led third-sector recruitment organisation with a flexible, empowering culture. Since 2009, we have worked with organisations that want to grow and value good leadership across public, third and private sectors. We recruit to boards, executive positions and specialist roles across a range of sectors.