Chair of Trustees (Voluntary)
| Posting date: | 18 June 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | Not specified |
| Additional salary information: | Voluntary |
| Hours: | Part time |
| Closing date: | 18 July 2026 |
| Location: | Brighton, East Sussex |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 5 days per week |
| Company: | Fiveways Playcentre |
| Job type: | Contract |
| Job reference: |
Summary
Role Overview
The Chair will hold the Board and Management Team to account for the charity’s mission and vision, providing inclusive leadership to the Board of Trustees and ensuring that each trustee fulfils their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of the charity.
The Chair will support, and where appropriate challenge, the Playcentre Manager, ensuring the Board functions as a unit and works closely with the executive of the charity to achieve agreed objectives. The Chair acts as an ambassador and the public face of the charity in partnership with the Playcentre Manager, and represents the Playcentre at events and external meetings as required.
About Fiveways Playcentre
Fiveways Playcentre is a well-established, community-rooted setting serving children and families across Brighton. We are proud of our beautiful environment, which includes substantial outdoor space that forms a central part of our provision. Rated Good by Ofsted, we are committed to maintaining and building on our strong foundations as we look to the future.
Principal Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
• Provide leadership to the charity and its Board, ensuring the charity has maximum impact for its beneficiaries.
• Monitor the performance and impact of the trustees in fulfilling their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of the charity.
• Ensure the Board operates within its charitable objectives and provides clear strategic direction for the charity.
• Put arrangements in place so the Board can regularly review major risks and associated opportunities, satisfying itself that it can take advantage of opportunities and manage and mitigate risks.
• Ensure the Board fulfils its duties to maintain the sound financial health of the charity, with systems in place for financial accountability.
Governance
• Ensure governance arrangements work in the most effective way for the charity.
• Develop the knowledge and capability of the Board of Trustees.
• Encourage positive change and, where appropriate, address and resolve any conflicts within the Board.
• Appraise the performance of the trustees and the Board on an annual basis.
• Regularly refresh the Board of Trustees, incorporating the right balance of skills, knowledge and experience needed to govern and lead the charity effectively, reflecting the wider community.
• Work within any agreed policies adopted by the charity.
External Relations
• Act as an ambassador for the cause and the charity.
• Act as a spokesperson for the organisation when appropriate.
• Represent the charity at external functions, meetings and events.
• Facilitate change and address any potential conflict with external stakeholders.
Efficiency and Effectiveness
• Chair meetings of the Board of Trustees effectively and efficiently, bringing impartiality and objectivity to the decision-making process.
• Ensure trustees are fully engaged and that decisions are taken in the best long-term interests of the charity, with the Board taking collective ownership.
• Foster and maintain constructive relationships with and between the trustees.
• Work closely with the Playcentre Manager to give direction to Board policy-making and to ensure meetings are well planned, meaningful and reflect the responsibilities of trustees.
• Monitor that decisions taken at meetings are implemented.
Relationship with the Playcentre Manager and Wider Management Team
• Establish and build a strong, effective and constructive working relationship with the Playcentre Manager, who is held to account for achieving agreed strategic objectives.
• Support the Playcentre Manager, whilst respecting the boundaries that exist between the two roles.
• Maintain regular contact with the Playcentre Manager and develop an open and supportive relationship within which each can speak openly about concerns, worries and challenges.
• Liaise with the Playcentre Manager to maintain an overview of the charity’s affairs, providing support as necessary.
• Conduct an annual appraisal and remuneration review for the Playcentre Manager in consultation with other trustees.
• Ensure the Playcentre Manager has the opportunity for professional development and appropriate external professional support.
The above list is indicative only and not exhaustive. The Chair will be expected to perform all such additional duties as are reasonably commensurate with the role.
Terms
• The Chair (and board members) will normally serve a three-year term.
• In addition to chairing the main Board meetings, the Chair has the right to attend sub-committees.
Person Specification
In addition to the qualities required of a trustee of the charity, the Chair must also meet the following requirements:
Personal Qualities
• A strong and visible commitment to the charity, its strategic objectives and cause.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building abilities, with confidence in an ambassadorial role.
• Networking capabilities that can be utilised for the benefit of the charity.
• Ability to foster and promote a collaborative team environment.
• Ability to commit the time to conduct the role well.
Knowledge and Skills
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to motivate staff and volunteers and bring people together.
• Financial management expertise and a broad understanding of charity finance issues.
• Good understanding of charity governance issues.
The Chair will hold the Board and Management Team to account for the charity’s mission and vision, providing inclusive leadership to the Board of Trustees and ensuring that each trustee fulfils their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of the charity.
The Chair will support, and where appropriate challenge, the Playcentre Manager, ensuring the Board functions as a unit and works closely with the executive of the charity to achieve agreed objectives. The Chair acts as an ambassador and the public face of the charity in partnership with the Playcentre Manager, and represents the Playcentre at events and external meetings as required.
About Fiveways Playcentre
Fiveways Playcentre is a well-established, community-rooted setting serving children and families across Brighton. We are proud of our beautiful environment, which includes substantial outdoor space that forms a central part of our provision. Rated Good by Ofsted, we are committed to maintaining and building on our strong foundations as we look to the future.
Principal Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
• Provide leadership to the charity and its Board, ensuring the charity has maximum impact for its beneficiaries.
• Monitor the performance and impact of the trustees in fulfilling their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of the charity.
• Ensure the Board operates within its charitable objectives and provides clear strategic direction for the charity.
• Put arrangements in place so the Board can regularly review major risks and associated opportunities, satisfying itself that it can take advantage of opportunities and manage and mitigate risks.
• Ensure the Board fulfils its duties to maintain the sound financial health of the charity, with systems in place for financial accountability.
Governance
• Ensure governance arrangements work in the most effective way for the charity.
• Develop the knowledge and capability of the Board of Trustees.
• Encourage positive change and, where appropriate, address and resolve any conflicts within the Board.
• Appraise the performance of the trustees and the Board on an annual basis.
• Regularly refresh the Board of Trustees, incorporating the right balance of skills, knowledge and experience needed to govern and lead the charity effectively, reflecting the wider community.
• Work within any agreed policies adopted by the charity.
External Relations
• Act as an ambassador for the cause and the charity.
• Act as a spokesperson for the organisation when appropriate.
• Represent the charity at external functions, meetings and events.
• Facilitate change and address any potential conflict with external stakeholders.
Efficiency and Effectiveness
• Chair meetings of the Board of Trustees effectively and efficiently, bringing impartiality and objectivity to the decision-making process.
• Ensure trustees are fully engaged and that decisions are taken in the best long-term interests of the charity, with the Board taking collective ownership.
• Foster and maintain constructive relationships with and between the trustees.
• Work closely with the Playcentre Manager to give direction to Board policy-making and to ensure meetings are well planned, meaningful and reflect the responsibilities of trustees.
• Monitor that decisions taken at meetings are implemented.
Relationship with the Playcentre Manager and Wider Management Team
• Establish and build a strong, effective and constructive working relationship with the Playcentre Manager, who is held to account for achieving agreed strategic objectives.
• Support the Playcentre Manager, whilst respecting the boundaries that exist between the two roles.
• Maintain regular contact with the Playcentre Manager and develop an open and supportive relationship within which each can speak openly about concerns, worries and challenges.
• Liaise with the Playcentre Manager to maintain an overview of the charity’s affairs, providing support as necessary.
• Conduct an annual appraisal and remuneration review for the Playcentre Manager in consultation with other trustees.
• Ensure the Playcentre Manager has the opportunity for professional development and appropriate external professional support.
The above list is indicative only and not exhaustive. The Chair will be expected to perform all such additional duties as are reasonably commensurate with the role.
Terms
• The Chair (and board members) will normally serve a three-year term.
• In addition to chairing the main Board meetings, the Chair has the right to attend sub-committees.
Person Specification
In addition to the qualities required of a trustee of the charity, the Chair must also meet the following requirements:
Personal Qualities
• A strong and visible commitment to the charity, its strategic objectives and cause.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building abilities, with confidence in an ambassadorial role.
• Networking capabilities that can be utilised for the benefit of the charity.
• Ability to foster and promote a collaborative team environment.
• Ability to commit the time to conduct the role well.
Knowledge and Skills
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to motivate staff and volunteers and bring people together.
• Financial management expertise and a broad understanding of charity finance issues.
• Good understanding of charity governance issues.