Trustee vacancy – Chair – Museum of Richmond

The Board of Trustees of the Museum are looking to recruit a new Chair to lead the Board and the Museum in its next phase of development.

Role summary

The Chair plays a key role in leading the Board of Trustees, ensuring that the museum is well governed and shaping its future direction and development in line with its current five year strategy.

The role is voluntary and in addition to the duties as a Trustee, the role will entail approximately 8-10 hours a month on average.

Main responsibilities of the Chair

The Chair’s responsibilities are to:

• Ensure that the museum is well governed and that it operates in line with its Memorandum and Articles of Association, company and charity law, and with any other relevant legislation and best practice.
• Lead the Board in directing and monitoring the delivery of the museum’s current five year strategy, and in setting and evaluating clear, relevant and ambitious objectives.
• Chair and facilitate Board meetings effectively and ensure that all decisions are taken in the best interest of the museum.
• Lead the Board in evaluating and improving its effectiveness and operation.
• Ensure that all trustees are fully engaged, contribute to meetings and support the work of the museum.
• Support the recruitment, selection and appointment of trustees to the Board and ensure that the development and training of trustees is appropriate and effective.
• Develop a positive and productive working relationship with the Curator, provide support and guidance as appropriate, and conduct annual performance reviews.
• Ensure that strategy and operations protect the museum’s financial sustainability and assets, and, liaising with the Treasurer and Curator, maintain careful oversight of its financial performance and viability.
• Liaise with the Councillors and officers of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames as a key supporter and grant funder of the museum.
• Act as an ambassador for the museum, leading advocacy work with stakeholders, acting as spokesperson where appropriate, representing the museum at events, and supporting the Curator and staff to raise the museum’s profile.

Chair:  person specification

We are seeking applications from suitably qualified and experienced people who can demonstrate:

• An enthusiasm for the museum and strong commitment to its purpose
• Ability to think strategically, focussing on key issues, whilst also understanding and supporting the practicalities of operating an independent charitable museum
• In-depth understanding, and, ideally, first-hand experience, of what constitutes best practice in charity governance
• Ability to inspire and lead a high performing Board and to build a close and productive relationship between Board members and the Curator and staff team
• Ability to harness the diverse views and contributions of every Board member in an inclusive and supportive manner
• Financial acumen, both in terms of understanding financial performance and trends and of strengthening and diversifying income streams
• Ability to demonstrate experience of identifying and engaging stakeholders, e.g. local councillors, funding groups etc.
• Ability to build on existing networks and to act as an ambassador for the museum
• An understanding of the wider policy context in which the museum operates, including the heritage sector
• An understanding of the challenges facing the Museum sector and charities
• Knowledge of Richmond upon Thames and its communities would be advantageous but is not essential.  

Number of meetings per annum/time commitment:  The role is voluntary and in addition to the duties as a Trustee, the role will entail approximately 8-10 hours a month on average.

Daytime or evening meetings: Board Meetings are held quarterly in the Museum from 5.30 – 7pm. Other meetings and events are a mixture of daytime and evening.

Closing date for applications: Thursday 6 April 2023, with interviews to be held on Monday 17 April.

If you wish to apply for the post, please send an email to trusteemusofrich@gmail.com for an application form. Application forms and a CV must be returned to Hilda Clarke, Chair of the Board of Trustees at trusteemusofrich@gmail.com by Thursday 6 April 2023.

Contact details or web link for applicants to find out more: https://www.museumofrichmond.com/get-involved/jobs/

If you wish to discuss the role further then please contact Hilda Clarke at the Museum of Richmond via email: trusteemusofrich@gmail.com or telephone: 0208 332 1141

Organisation website: https://www.museumofrichmond.com/