< Back to board positions

Board Member

United Kingdom

Royal Air Force

Organisation Type

Public sector

Industry / Sector

Government / Public Administration

About The Organisation

The Air Force Main Board (AFMB) is the senior strategic leadership and advisory body for the Royal Air Force (RAF), assisting the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) with command, operational, and management responsibilities. It provides collective, strategic leadership, focusing on the long-term success and health of the service, distinct from the ministerial-led Air Force Board.

Position Description

The Royal Air Force wishes to appoint a Non-Executive Board Member to bring an independent perspective and valuable skills in the digital, and technology and innovation field, risk management assurance processes and decision-making to the Air Force Main Board and its supporting committees. We are looking for a high calibre individual with experience in digital/technology and innovation and the ability to question intelligently, debate constructively, challenge rigorously, and decide dispassionately.

Broadly, Non-Executive Board Members are expected to contribute to the work of the RAF in the following areas:

  • Independence – provide independent support, guidance and challenge on the progress and implementation of the RAF Command Plan.
  • Strategy – constructively challenge and contribute to the development of strategy and business planning, including the setting and development of strategic objectives.
  • Performance – scrutinise the performance of the organisation in meeting agreed goals and objectives, and monitor the reporting of performance, including financial targets.
  • People – develop and encourage appropriate behaviours and organisational culture to develop people strategy.
  • Governance – satisfy that governance, internal control, and risk management systems are effective and capable of delivering relevant, accurate and timely management and financial information to the Board.
  • Support the Board in developing skills and tools to help it engage with strategic issues.
  • Connect the Board to people and organisations who can provide different perspectives, opinions and expertise which will assist in furthering the organisation.
  • Specialist responsibility – specialise in one or more areas of work, supplementing skills and experience already in place across areas such as HR, technology, organisational transformation and change, finance, and audit and risk management.

The Air Force Main Board, meets on a quarterly basis and is responsible for providing oversight and stewardship of the RAF.  To assure unconflicted oversight, the agenda is set by the Chief of the Air Staff as Chair, in consultation with the RAF Non-Executive Board Members.  The strategic leadership function of the Air Force Main Board will ensure the RAF’s long-term health and success.

Selection Criteria

Essential criteria

  • Demonstrable and practical recent or current experience in a large and complex organisation, with a strong ethical, compassionate, and inclusive leadership style in line with the RAF’s values and standards, by modelling the highest standards of personal behaviour and conduct.
  • An ability to operate at senior Board level, with proven Board experience, to successfully link boardroom decisions to frontline execution.
  • An ability to develop a highly functional working relationship with the Chief of the Air Staff and the RAF Senior Leadership Team built on openness, honesty, and trust to form a continuous and supportive dialogue and objective informal feedback, to inform each other’s personal impact and effectiveness.
  • Proven ability to constructively challenge existing practices and identify new and better ways of working to deliver improved performance, services, and outcomes.
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to mentor senior executives as appropriate, and confidently challenge inappropriate behaviours.
  • Demonstratable experience of shaping and delivering largescale digital transformation strategies to modernise services and enhance operational resilience.
  • Ability to provide strategic level advice on enterprise digital strategy, investment priorities, AI, digital architecture, innovation, and cyber resilience.

Desirable criteria

  • An understanding and appreciation of the Ministry of Defence and the RAF.
  • Experience of working in both the public and the private sector.

How to Apply

In order to apply you will need to create an account or sign in.

1. https://apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk/create-account 2. https://apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk/auth/sign-in

Once you are logged into your account, click on ‘apply for this role’ and follow the on-screen instructions. To apply, all candidates are required to provide:

  • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Supporting Statement

This should include details of 2 references; full names and email addresses. By providing your referees details, you are giving us consent to approach them should you be successful at the shortlisting stage.

We will ask you to check and confirm your personal details to ensure your application is accurate.

You will also have the opportunity to make a reasonable adjustment request or apply under the disability confident scheme before you submit your application.

The Advisory Assessment Panel reserves the right to only consider applications that contain all of the elements listed above, and that arrive before the published deadline for applications.