Position Description

To ensure that we remain able to provide both strategic oversight of the charity’s operations and expansion as a whole, and that we fulfil the role of the governing body of our college, we want to bolster our Board of Trustees with further appointments. QAC trustees do not need a specialist education background.

Trusteeship at QAC brings with it responsibilities. While we offer you the chance to put your skills to use for the benefit of students, clients, staff, volunteers and governing colleagues in a leading charity, from you we would need time (about 67 hours annually) and a willingness to conduct the full breadth of the role that, at QAC, includes three visits to our site each year to fulfil in the lead trustee visits programme. However, we believe that we’ve achieved the right balance for us on attendance: you will join us on-site for three board meetings annually, but all committees (you will be a member of at least one) meet virtually.

You’ll be joining a friendly and supportive group of colleagues, but one that is rigorous over its duties and rooted in always doing better. And it’s a a great launchpad if specialist education and services is new to you although, of course, experience in this is welcome, too.
We don’t want to second-guess appropriate backgrounds, or exclude anyone from applying. If you think that your volunteering contribution would be well-placed with us, do get in touch. That said, our recent skills audit has reinforced that we would benefit from new trustees with an education, care, finance and/or risk background.

Main duties

Your main duties will be to

• act in the charity’s best interests
• promote the safeguarding and welfare of the charity’s learners and clients
• ensure that the charity defines, and carries out, its company objects, vision, values and strategic direction
• foster an environment that enables the charity to fulfil its mission for the benefit of learners, clients and the wider community
• ensure that the charity complies with the requirements of its governing documents and with an appropriate range of internal policies and procedures
• ensure that the charity’s resources are managed responsibly, effectively and efficiently, including by
• approving annual estimates of income and expenditure and approving a financial plan of at least three years’ duration
• being responsible for appointing, grading, suspending, dismissing, appraising and determining the compensation of senior post holders and, if not a senior post holder, the charity secretary
• setting a framework for the pay and conditions of all other staff
• promote equality, diversity and inclusion
• act with reasonable care and skill, developing or improving existing ones
• ensure that the charity makes itself accountable for the stewardship of its resources, that includes significant taxpayer funds, and to
• serve on at least one of the committees of the Board of Trustees.

Selection Criteria

The ability, and the willingness, to promote improvement in the quality of the charity’s provision, including by recognising what works well and offering challenge.

The ability to read, scrutinise and challenge substantial amounts of written material, within the period allowed for this before a meeting.

The ability to contribute to the approval of appropriate strategies, improvement plans, targets and key performance indicators.

The ability to make reasoned arguments and to help colleagues reach reasoned and reasonable decisions with honesty, diligence and in good faith.

The ability to work constructively with other trustees, committee co-optees and the charity’s staff, students and clients.

The ability to identify and to maintain or to acquire, the skills needed to fulfil the role.

How to Apply

Visit our governance pages for more information and an application form to download, complete and send to [email protected].