Could you be an Academy Ambassador in Middlesbrough? James Cook Learning Trust seeks one non-executive director/trustee to join its board.

The Academy Ambassadors Programme brings the expertise of the business world onto boards at academy trusts throughout the country to raise standards of education and improve the life chances of young people, which is critical to our social and economic success.

The opportunity

A four-school academy trust based in Marton, Middlesbrough, James Cook Learning Trust (JCLT) seeks to add to its Board of Trustees with the recruitment of a senior business leader possessing skills in HR and/or legal. The trust aims to deliver a five-year strategy, including key efficiencies in its operations, while also growing and developing its systems and maintain the highest levels of teaching and learning for students. When safe to do so board meetings are held at schools within the trust - all within the Marton/Nunthorpe area.

The board seeks two business leaders with expertise in

• legal/compliance and/or
• HR

As a key member of the board you will support the trust in achieving the following over the next 12 - 24 months:

• Long-term sustainability - the trust's five-year budget forecasting indicates it will need to identify and deliver efficiencies in its operations. The trustees aim to make these efficiencies without impacting on the quality of teaching and learning and/or pupil outcomes;
• Growth - in order to grow as a trust, JCLT must develop systems and functions which will allow it to expand responsibly. The recent appointment of a Chief Finance and Operations Manager, whose role will be in direct support of the CEO and trustees, will ensure compliance and also financial security through this growth period. The trust hopes to enhance its school improvement offer in the local area by virtue of this planned growth;
• Succession planning - the trust has a focus on developing its people in the best possible way to support succession planning. The trustees recognise that JCLT's people are its greatest strength, and takes a long-term view of retaining personnel, while also helping each individual to be effective in the present.

As part of its growth plan, the trust is outward-looking in terms of working collaboratively with others in the area which may share the goal of enhancing the school improvement offer.

What's involved?

Board governance in education is a strategic, 'eyes on, hands off' commitment which typically involves attending c. six board meetings per year/6-8 hours' time per month.

You will be responsible for:

• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
• Holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils, and the effective and efficient performance management of staff; and
• Overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent

As an Academy Ambassador, you will join our Ambassadors alumni network which provides resources, guidance, networking events and webinars to support you in your role. All roles are pro bono.

What next?

We strongly recommend applying as early as you can to have the best possible chance of being considered as we may change the closing date if we have received sufficient applications.