Chair of the Board

The London LGBTQ+ Community Centre is an award-winning charity launched by a team of volunteers in 2017. In December 2021 we opened our first physical space in London’s Bankside.

Our mission is to provide London with a sober, intersectional, intergenerational, community centre and café where all LGBTQ+ people feel welcome and supported, can build connections, and flourish. Our vision is for a more connected, belonging and thriving LGBTQ+ community in London.

Our values are: Respect, community, intersectionality, empowerment, solidarity and responsibility.

With an established operational team and a new cohort of Trustees being onboarded, we are looking to shape the leadership on the Board. Being the Chair of a charity is a huge responsibility that cannot be taken lightly.

In order to make the role more accessible, realistic and enjoyable, we are keen to explore having two Co-Chairs.  This will also contribute to making the charity more resilient and agile.

The Centre is moving onto a new phase of growth. After being open for almost three years, we have built a successful platform and financial strength, but we want to continue expanding our reach and impact.

A key part of our short-term strategy is to expand our income streams to further strengthen our financial sustainability during an uncertain and challenging future for charities.

The Chair(s) will be responsible for steering the Board, leading on increasing the Centre’s profile, supporting our General Manager and safeguarding the mission of the Centre.

Please refer to the summary below to see the breakdown of tasks for the different options and find out more about the Centre’s work in our Trustee pack.

Role descriptions

Option 1: One Chair of the Board of Trustees 

• Strategic leadership
• External relations
• Efficiency and effectiveness
• Relationship with the General Manager

Option 2: Two Co-Chairs of the Board of Trustees

Co-Chair: external affairs

• Strategic leadership
• External relations

Co-Chair: internal affairs

• Strategic leadership
• Efficiency and effectiveness
• Relationship with the General Manager

Remuneration: The role of Chair is not accompanied by any financial remuneration, although expenses for travel may be claimed

Time commitment: 8 hours per month (approx)

• Four Board meetings per year
• Two to four Subcommittee meetings per year
• Co-Chair catch ups (if applicable)
• Monthly meetings with the General Manager

The Chair is also expected to represent the Centre at various events and meetings with key stakeholders.

Reporting to: Board of Trustees

Terms: The charity’s Chair will serve a three-year term to be eligible for re-appointment for one additional term.

The Chair(s) will commit to:

• Leading the organisation with responsibility, vision and passion
• Showing up in all ways – we mean that both in terms of attending meetings, but also your presence, engagement and energy to support the Centre’s ambitions
• Give around eight hours per month of your time
• Co-coordinate all Board secretarial tasks along with General Manager
• Co-Chair our Annual General Meeting
• Attend the Centre’s fundraising events (two per year)

Key responsibilities

Strategic leadership

• Provide leadership to the charity and its Board, ensuring that the Charity has maximum impact for its beneficiaries
• Ensure that Trustees fulfil their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of the Charity
• Ensure that the Board operates within its charitable objectives, and provides a clear strategic direction for the Charity
• Ensure that the Board is able to regularly review major risks and associated opportunities, and satisfy itself that systems are in place to take advantage of opportunities, and manage and mitigate the risks
• Ensure that the Board fulfils its duties to ensure sound financial health of the charity, with systems in place to ensure financial accountability
• Ensure that the governance arrangements are working in the most effective way for the Charity
• Work within any agreed policies adopted by the charity

External relations

• Act as an ambassador for the cause and the charity
• Maintain close relationships with key members of the Government and with key influencers
• 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
• Support the Centre’s fundraising efforts by bringing in partners and collaborators

Efficiency and effectiveness

• Chair meetings of the Board of Trustees effectively and efficiently, bringing impartiality and objectivity to the decision-making process
• Ensure that Trustees are fully engaged and that decisions are taken in the best, long-term interests of the Charity and that the Board takes collective ownership
• Actively invest and develop a high-performing Board of Trustees (including a review of the performance of the Trustees and the Board on an annual basis)
• Lead on the recruitment of new Trustees in partnership with the General Manager
• Ensure that the Board of Trustees is regularly refreshed and incorporates the right balance of skills, knowledge and experience needed to govern and lead the charity effectively, and which also reflects the wider population
• Foster, maintain and ensure that constructive relationships exist with and between the Trustees
• Work closely with the General Manager to give direction to Board policy-making and to ensure that meetings are well planned, meaningful and reflect the responsibilities of trustees
• Monitor that decisions taken at meetings are implemented

Relationship with the General Manager 

• Establish and build a strong, effective and constructive working relationship with the General Manager, ensuring they are held to account for achieving agreed strategic objectives
• Support the General Manager, whilst respecting the boundaries which exist between the two roles
• Ensure regular contact with the General Manager and develop and maintain an open and supportive relationship within which each can speak openly about concerns, worries and challenges
• Liaise with the General Manager to maintain an overview of the Charity’s affairs, providing support as necessary
• Conduct an annual appraisal and remuneration review for the General Manager in consultation with other Trustees
• Ensure that the General Manager has the opportunity for professional development and has appropriate external professional support

Professional experience

Co-chair: external affairs

• Experience of operating in a leadership position(s) in an organisation, with demonstrable achievements of leading them to become healthy, thriving and financially sustainable
• Broad business acumen
• Vast experience in representing an organisation: public speaking, stakeholder engagement, relationship building
• Fundraising experience: collaborating with companies and engaging with high networth individuals with easy and confidence
• Community profile: in-depth knowledge and/or experience of the charity sector of the LGBTQ+ community through paid and volunteering roles, or as a service user, events participant and other social engagements.
• Previous experience as a Chair of another charity of similar size and nature is desirable.

Co-chair: internal affairs

• Experience operating in a leadership position(s) in an organisation, with demonstrable achievements of leading them to become healthy, thriving and financially sustainable
• Excellent business acumen
• A broad understanding of charity law and governance (if you are well versed with this, even better)
• Strong leadership skills, ability to motivate staff and volunteers and bring people together with different experiences and expertise
• Experience managing Board/senior level discussions to rounded decisions and agreement for action.
• Knowledge and/or experience of the charity sector (it would be a big bonus if you had a strong understanding of the LGBTQ+ context in particular)
• Previous experience as a Chair of another charity of similar size and nature is desirable

Personal qualities (applies to all options)

• Our mission and vision: Demonstrate a strong and visible passion for our work, our strategic objectives and the well-being of the LGBTQ+ community
• Passion: A commitment to the London LGBTQ+ Community Centre’s values and equality, civil rights, and LGBTQ+ rights
• Strategic thinking: Considers matters for immediate consideration within the context of medium and long-term plans.
• Balanced judgement: Ability to consider information from a range of sources along with using past experiences to guide decision-making
• Emotional intelligence: Exercising tact and diplomacy as well as enabling contributions from all.
• Leadership: Can bring people together to achieve great results, both internally and externally, in a way that inspires and engages others
• Commitment: Ability to commit time to conduct the role well, including travel and attending events out of office hours
• The applicant must be legally eligible to stand as a registered Company Director and Charity Trustee

Benefits

As a Trustee the Chair will have:

• Induction and training
• Exposure to strategic planning and thinking as well as hands-on experience of being part of a Board
• The opportunity to be part of the organisation’s journey at a very exciting moment
• An opportunity to influence and collectively-lead an organisation
• Develop new skills
• Opportunities to network with senior professionals
• The chance to contribute to helping all LGBTQ+ individuals in London to live happier, healthier lives and have a stronger sense of belonging
• The opportunity to work with a team of very passionate, professional, fun and diverse people

How to apply

Deadline for applications: Thursday 12 December 2024 at 9pm

If you are interested, please visit our website to complete a Google Form where you will also have to upload your CV.

We particularly welcome applications from trans, non-binary and POC candidates. We are a disability positive employer and we welcome the opportunity to provide reasonable adjustments as defined by the Equality Act 2010 during the interview process and upon appointment. Please inform us if you feel you meet this criteria.

Do you want to know a bit more first? Drop an email to: bisil@londonlgbtqcentre.org and elsa@londonlgbtqcentre.org to arrange a call.