Position Description

The Chair plays an important role in the governance of the charity, providing leadership to the Board of Trustees to work together, reach good collective decisions, and manage any conflicts. The responsibilities of our Chair are as follows:

Oversight and governance

• Lead the Board of Trustees to support development of and approve the charity’s strategy and corresponding plan.
• Lead the Board to make key strategic decisions in the organisation’s best interests and in line with its charitable objects.
• Lead the Board in ensuring there is financial strategy oversight, and the organisation’s resources are managed responsibly.
• Ensure the organisation is operating in line with charity law, charity regulation and its own governing document.
• Build an effective, diverse board that can work well together for the good of the organisation.

Working with trustees

• Support trustees with development and annual one-to-one reviews.
• Help the Board work as a team, drawing on specific expertise, lived experience, and diversity of thought across the Board.
• Chair board meetings and work with the CEO and EA to ensure they are well planned and minuted and that actions are circulated and followed up.
• Ensure trustees are given the information they need to make decisions effectively.
• Support the recruitment of trustees, identifying any skills or knowledge gaps.
• Build a diverse board that functions in an accessible and inclusive way. The

Chair-CEO relationship

• Manage the relationship with the CEO, providing appropriate challenge and support to help them effectively lead the charity.
• Conduct the CEO appraisals and reviews and support their leadership development. Lead on CEO recruitment.
• Relate any concerns of the Board to the CEO and Senior Leadership Team.
• Work with the CEO to make sure the Board has all the information required, in a timely manner, to make strategic decisions.

Ambassadorial responsibilities

• The Chair may be required, from time to time, to act as a champion and ambassador for the Charity.

Selection Criteria

Person specification

Candidates will need to demonstrate that they have the necessary experience and will need to demonstrate the following skills, experience, and attributes.

Essential

• Passion for the National Health Service and an understanding of the role of health charities.
• An ongoing and meaningful connection to Sheffield and good standing within the city.
• Experience as a board member, trustee, non-executive director, or chair.
• Strong comprehension of charity law, regulation, and the roles and responsibilities of a charity chair and trustee.
• Skilled in strategic planning, financial management, risk management, and organisational performance.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to engage, influence, and negotiate with a range of senior stakeholders diverse in sector and profession.
• Capable of building and maintaining relationships in a complex stakeholder environment with competing priorities.
• Robust communication skills, both written and verbal, and the ability to communicate complex information to a range of diverse stakeholders.
• The ability to lead effectively and inclusively during times of transformational change within and beyond an organisation.

Desirable

• Previous chairing experience at the non-executive level.
• Experience in working within the health and social care and/or charity sectors – either as an employee or appointee.
• Experience in charity fundraising, income generation, marketing and communications.
• Understanding of health-related research and innovation and impact assessment skills.
• Well versed in people management, wellbeing and learning and development.

How to Apply

How to apply

If you wish to apply, please supply the following by 11:59pm on 10/05/2026:

• A detailed CV setting out your career history including responsibilities and achievements.
• A cover letter (maximum two sides of A4) highlighting your suitability for the role and how you meet the person specification. Please note, your cover letter is an important part of your application and will be assessed.
• Details of two professional referees together with a brief statement of their relationship to you and over what period of time they have known you. Referees will not be contacted without your prior consent.

If you have any questions after reading the pack or would like to discuss the role in more detail, please contact us on [email protected] or call 0207 267 8369.