Chair, Board of Directors

Please note this is an unpaid position but there is remuneration for up to 12 days per year.

Ocean Energy Pathway (OEP) is an independent not-for-profit that fast-tracks the development of a sustainable, high-ambition, global offshore wind energy sector, as part of a thriving blue economy. OEP delivers expert, independent technical assistance to governments and civil society organisations to help accelerate the growth of offshore wind while supporting climate and energy ambitions globally. OEP works with policymakers, industry, conservation leaders, and other stakeholders from the blue economy to build strategies to ensure the sector is scaling sustainably.

This role requires an outstanding and strategic senior leader with exceptional leadership skills, and a proven track record in governance and strategic oversight. Previous board experience, ideally as a Chair, Trustee or CEO is a significant asset. The ideal candidate should also have a deep commitment to the global clean energy transition and ideally, to ocean conservation. The Chair will embrace and advance OEP’s ambitious agenda with credibility and confidence, recognising that the majority of the Company’s work is in the Global South.

The Board Chair will be responsible for providing leadership to the Board of Directors, ensuring its effective functioning and decision-making in support of the Company’s strategic and performance goals

The Chair will facilitate robust communication between the Board and the Executive Director and will play a critical role in chairing Board meetings and managing the Board process, in collaboration with the Executive Director. The Chair will advise and mentor the Executive Director, and ensure they are effective and supported in their role.

OEP is a global organisation. We want the Board Chair to reflect the diversity of the markets we work in. We welcome applications from people with the right skills and expertise from diverse backgrounds. We require proficiency in English and a commitment to UK working hours.

Responsibilities

Leadership:

• Provide leadership to the Board of Directors, ensuring that it functions efficiently and effectively.
• Act as a mentor to the Executive Director and serve as an advisor to other board members.
• Uphold ethical standards and oversee compliance with statutory and regulatory requirement.
• Act in accordance with the statutory and regulatory accountabilities required of a company limited by guarantee registered in the United Kingdom.

Oversight:

• Serve as the primary conduit between the Non-Executive Directors and the Executive Director, facilitating effective communication between the Executive Director and Secretariat leadership team, as well as between the board and members of the OEP Advisory Council.
• Hold a critical oversight function, providing strategic supervision of the Executive Director’s performance, ensuring accountability to the Board, and fostering an environment that supports the Executive Director in achieving the organisation’s mission and objectives.

Effective Governance:

• Chair board meetings and work with the Executive Director to manage the quarterly board process including agreeing the agenda with the Executive team.
• Ensure that the Board is effective at decision making in support of delivering the OEP strategy and managing risk and performance.
• Ensure all board members are properly inducted, evaluated, and provided with ongoing training and development while also setting clear expectations with directors of the style and tone required of Board meetings.
• Challenge and advise the Executive Director and team to ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Promote ethical standards and integrity in all actions taken by the board.
• Ensure effective management of succession for the position of Chair, board directors and any board committee chairs.
• Perform such other duties and exercise such other powers as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Board.

Personal qualities:

• A deep and passionate interest in the energy transition and the key role of offshore wind and the blue economy.
• Working understanding of climate science and the political and economic challenges of the clean energy transition.
• Experience of working within the sustainable development agenda, ideally including experience of strategic leadership of partnership-based organisations.
• Experience in a senior leadership role within the conservation sector is preferred, not but essential.
• Proven track record in board development and business oversight, with good decision-making abilities and strong facilitation skills.
• Strong understanding of corporate governance, meeting management and board operations.
• High ethical standards and professionalism.
• A mentor and coach, able to offer support, wisdom and advice.
• Fluency in English.

Terms of appointment:

• Duration: Board Directors and the Chair have an initial 2-year term, with a maximum of 2 renewals, to be approved by a majority vote of the Board.
• Meeting frequency: Board Directors will be requested to attend roughly quarterly Board meetings at least 75% virtual).
• Attendance: Preside at all meetings of the Board and of the Members (including any general meetings).
• Honorarium: The Chair may claim £1200 per diem for up to 12 days per year for time committed to the role. This is on top of any expenses they might otherwise claim as a member of the board. Additionally, reasonable out-of-pocket expenses can be reimbursed, where required.