Co-Chair of the Board

Contact is looking for two people to become Chairs and lead our Board of Trustees. We are interested in appointing two co-Chairs, to support our intergenerational governance approach and distribute the demands of a volunteer trustee position more equitably. We will be looking to appoint one co-chair 30 and over and one co-chair under 30.

The ideal candidates will have a passion for arts and culture, and care deeply about investing in the next generation. They will have strong communication skills, confident leadership, an understanding of charity governance and bring the ability to chair Board meetings and delegate Board responsibilities.

Crucially, they will share Contact's values, and resonate with our Manifest of Care (found on our website) and demonstrate a commitment to supporting Contact to grow and continue to serve its community.

Experience of serving on Board(s) is not required. Experience of working with / supporting young people, and/or within a cultural context would be an advantage. We actively seek to bring diversity of perspectives and experience to our Board, and welcome applications from those of all ages and from all backgrounds.

Interested?

We will be holding an in-person open evening at Contact and an Instagram Live in November for those keen to hear more, ask questions and get a feel for the organisation. Details to follow.

For any questions or to request a short phone-call about the position, please email vacancies@contactmcr.com to arrange.

OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE

SALARY: Voluntary position

WORKS WITH: Board of Trustees, CEO, Finance Director, Senior Management Team, Other nominated staff members

HOURS: Attendance at Board Meetings & events. Regular contact with CEO and other Trustees

STATUS: 3 year term (1 term) - possibility of 2 terms

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: Sun 29th November 2026

MAIN TASKS

The Board of Trustees has overall control of Contact and, as Co-Chair of that Board, you will be responsible for making sure that we achieve our aims and ambitions in an effective and accountable way. You will do this via:

Board Governance

• Play a key role in the recruitment of board members, ensuring that the Board of Trustees is diverse and reflective of the communities in which it works.

• Ensure that the Board fulfils its duty to ensure the sound financial health of Contact with systems in place to ensure financial accountability

• Organise how the Board support SMT

• Co-chair quarterly board meetings

• Work with Executive and Management Assistant to plan and collate board meeting paperwork and give final approval on Agenda

• Support Chairs of sub-committees where needed

• Organise / facilitate voting when necessary (both in and outside of meetings)

• Ensure Board is working effectively, facilitating change and addressing any conflict as necessary both within the Board and the organisation, liaising with the AD/CEO as required.

• Facilitate Board skills audit, thus ensuring that the Board of Trustees brings skills, knowledge and expertise appropriate for Contact’s needs

• Provide leadership, support and challenge to the Board, ensuring that the Board is able to regularly review major risks and manage and mitigate those risks

• Provide signatures for legal documents

• Ensure that Contact complies with its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations, both as a limited company and as a charity

• Be on hand in some instances to organise extraordinary board meetings with short turnover

Staff Governance

• Work with the CEO, Board of Trustees, staff and young people to develop and inform the strategic direction of Contact, setting policy, defining mission, goals and objectives and evaluating performance against agreed targets

• Line manage CEO, including setting performance objectives and opportunities for professional development

• Build a strong, effective and constructive working relationship with the CEO, ensuring that they are supported and accountable for achieving agreed strategic objectives

• Develop an effective working relationship with the members of the Senior Management Team

Fundraising

• Represent Contact in conversation with major stakeholders + funders (including core funders) on a regular basis, acting as an ambassador for Contact.

At least 50% of Trustees are young people under the age of 30 in line with our core objective to ensure that young people are at the heart of our decision making. All our Trustees are passionate about the work that we do and provide a strong supportive network for each other and staff.

Trustees are expected to have:

• Enthusiasm for the work of Contact and to be an advocate for Contact in the wider community.

• Commitment to carry out the general responsibilities as outlined above.

• The time to prepare thoroughly for meetings, regularly attend and participate at Board meetings and other Board events (minimum attendance standard at meetings/events – 50%) and to contribute to the work of Contact

• A good working knowledge of the range of Contact’s activities and regular attendance at performances, events and fundraising activities.

• A willingness to deal openly with staff and colleague Board members.

• A preparedness to offer personal and business skills and experience to support the work of the staff when required.

• The ability to treat sensitive information confidentially.