Help Shape the Future of Charity Leadership
Are you passionate about strengthening the charity sector and supporting the leaders who drive social change?
Charity Leadership Scotland is seeking up to 4 new Trustees from outside the charity sector to join its Board and help guide the next stage of the organisation’s development.
We’re especially keen to hear from people with experience in:
- Media, storytelling, and public relations
- Sales, income generation, commercial development, and membership growth
- Public policy, influencing, and Scottish Government engagement
About Charity Leadership Scotland
Formerly ACOSVO, Charity Leadership Scotland is the home of Scotland’s voluntary sector leaders. It is a vibrant, values-driven community, shaping the nation’s future. With approximately 650 members from local charities to national organisations, Charity Leadership Scotland connects the people driving meaningful change and purposeful leadership.
Charity Leadership Scotland exists to connect, support, and develop people in leadership roles, helping them to lead with confidence, resilience, and impact in a rapidly changing environment.
The organisation’s vision is that charity leadership in Scotland is influential, resilient, and trusted. Its mission is to bring leaders together and develop deep relationships, providing support and challenge to help create change. Its values are courageous, collaborative, inclusive, authentic, and open to challenge.
About the Role
As a Charity Leadership Scotland Trustee, you will help set the strategic direction, support the management of financial resources, monitor performance, and help to establish ways to better meet the organisation’s aims and promote its charitable objects.
Trustees ensure that Charity Leadership Scotland complies with its governing document, charity and relevant company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations, and safeguard the good name and values of Charity Leadership Scotland.
Trustees are collectively responsible for setting the strategic direction of the organisation, safeguarding its values, and ensuring it complies with legal and regulatory obligations while delivering impact for members.
Key Responsibilities
Trustees will:
- Ensure that the organisation pursues its objects as set out in the Articles of Association
- Act always in the interests of the charity and beneficiaries, which are its members
- Ensure the organisation meets legal and compliance requirements
- Ensure that all money and assets are prudently managed, ensuring financial stability and solvency of the organisation
- Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation
- Ensure that the Board takes proper professional advice on matters it considers appropriate
- Regularly assess the operating environment to ensure it remains relevant to contemporary society, captures key opportunities, and mitigates significant risks
- Influence and evolve the organisation’s vision and strategy, in conjunction with the staff team
Person Specification
Charity Leadership Scotland is looking for people who bring:
- A commitment to Charity Leadership Scotland’s aims and objectives
- A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort
- Strategic vision
- Good, independent judgement
- An ability to think creatively
- A willingness to speak your mind
- An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of trusteeship
- An ability to work effectively as a member of a team
- Embodying and championing the Nolan principles: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership
- A willingness to be available for advice and enquiries on an ad hoc basis
What You Gain
Charity Leadership Scotland is at the forefront of driving change within the sector and wider society. You’ll be joining an active and experienced Board of Trustees who are passionate about what they do.
You will have a real opportunity to help shape the strategic direction of the organisation and contribute to the change Charity Leadership Scotland is striving to make.
Full training and support will be provided to help you build your understanding of the sector.
Being a Trustee is also a great opportunity to:
- Develop leadership and governance skills
- Gain experience in finance and strategic planning
- Learn from new perspectives and be inspired by the work of the charity sector
Time Commitment
The time commitment is expected to be approximately 40 hours per year, including preparation for meetings.
All Trustees are expected to attend 4 x 3-hour Board meetings a year, with 2 in-person in Edinburgh and 2 remote.
Being a Trustee at Charity Leadership Scotland is more than just turning up to a few Board meetings, as it is your skills, passion, and experience that brings value to the organisation. Trustees are also asked to engage with staff and attend events or meetings as required.
How to Apply
Please apply through the platform or send a CV and short covering letter to:
lucinda@charityleadership.scot
Please use the cover letter, maximum 2 pages, as an opportunity to add to the information shared in your CV and ensure that you cover the following:
Why are you interested in the role of Trustee at Charity Leadership Scotland?
How can you contribute to Charity Leadership Scotland as a Trustee? Please highlight relevant experience and demonstrate how your skills match the specific requirements of the role as set out in the Trustee Candidate Information Pack.
Tell us if you meet any of the specific requirements identified: media, storytelling, and public relations; sales, income generation, commercial development, and membership growth; public policy, influencing, and Scottish Government engagement.
The closing date for applications is Tuesday 16 June at 5pm.
Interviews for shortlisted candidates will be held on Monday 29 June in Edinburgh. If this isn’t suitable for candidates, limited flexibility on the date can be offered.
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Gail Burden, Chair, Charity Leadership Scotland, at gail.burden@capella-charity.org
Inclusive Recruitment
Charity Leadership Scotland wants to lead by example, and as such, is particularly interested in seeing applications from underrepresented groups and those with lived experience of inequality. All applications are treated with fairness and equity.
Charity Leadership Scotland is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and applies the principles of the scheme across wider recruitment practices, including trustee and volunteer recruitment.
If you require any adjustments at any stage of the application or selection process, please let Charity Leadership Scotland know and they will work with you to ensure you can participate on an equal basis. This may include changes to format, timing, communication methods, or interview arrangements.