ROLE: Non-Executive Director (x 2)

REMUNERATION: Unpaid. Expenses can be claimed for domestic travel to and from meetings.

TIME COMMITMENT: Non-Executive Directors are asked to commit a minimum of 40 hours per year.

LOCATION: Board meetings, held every three months in Central London (Hybrid online participation offered). Additional commitments can usually be conducted remotely.

START DATE: We are looking to recruit for two Directors and confirm these appointments prior to Board meeting on 9 March 2022 (10am-12noon).

TERM: Minimum three-year commitment.

YOUR ROLE AS A NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Public Practice is looking to appoint two new Non-Executive Directors over the coming year who can demonstrate a real commitment to our values and mission. The organisation is scaling its services and operations, and the support and role of the Board of Directors in the coming years will be critical to Public Practice's ongoing success.

Public Practice is managed day-to-day by an executive team of five paid employees. The staff have a large amount of delegated responsibilities but report regularly to the Board of Directors who are legally responsible for the organisation's work. All Directors are required to:

• Direct Public Practice's strategy
• Ensure legal and contractual requirements are met
• Ensure the organisation's financial health is maintained
• Support the ongoing governance of the organisation
• Recruit and induct new board members
• Be sufficiently independent to provide objective criticism
• Ensure the team are performing, by checking that objectives are being met and key information is being reported properly and on time
• Direct the setting of staff pay, and oversee the appointment of senior managers and succession planning
• Support the continued development of senior staff members and monitor and stretch the quality and depth of work produced by the team.
• Engage with the CEO, and with the HS&W coordinator, in order to create a visible, active commitment to Health, Safety & Wellbeing.

Requirements

PERSON SPECIFICATIONS

We are looking to recruit two new Non-Executive Directors to join our current Board who bring specific knowledge and skills in the following areas:

• Social Enterprise: We are looking to recruit a Director who has experience of leading a social enterprise or an SME at an executive position. It would be beneficial if the candidate has been involved in the scaling of the business and/or has diversified the services that were being offered. We are looking for this candidate to demonstrate business acumen and an understanding of internal operational challenges as an organisation scales.

• Communications and Public Relations: We are looking to recruit a Director with Communications and Public Relations expertise. It would be beneficial if the candidate has experience of working with a value-led or social impact organisation, and has worked on campaigns appealing to diverse audiences at scale.

Candidates are not expected to be experts in the public sector or have a background working within the built environment industry - though an interest in local government and place-shaping would be helpful. In addition, we are looking for individuals who are:

• Committed to the work of Public Practice and our values.

• Willing to be an advocate for Public Practice to external audiences.
• Able to use individual skills, perspective and experience to be a critical friend, enhancing our work and impact.
• Enthusiastic and have the time available to commit to the role.

Benefits

DIVERSITY

Public Practice is passionate about being an equal opportunities organisation and we value the diversity of perspectives that people from different backgrounds bring to our work. We are actively seeking candidates who can bring a range of different experiences and viewpoints to our Board, and who represent diverse groups. We positively encourage applications from eligible candidates regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender identification, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. If you feel that this is something you can offer but are not sure whether you fulfil other aspects of the job description, we would strongly encourage you to contact us to explore the role further and see whether it could be right for you.

TERMS OF APPOINTMENT

The Non-Executive Director role is a pro-bono position, and domestic travel expenses will be reimbursed (hybrid options are also available). Board members are appointed for a minimum of three years and are required to attend four meetings per year. Our Articles of Association are currently under review, that will confirm the process of re-appointment. Directors are asked to commit to:

• Attending four Board meetings a year.
• Investing appropriate time to read papers (approx. 4 hours per month)
• Attending training sessions or workshops for the Board.
• Making yourself available for regular discussions and exchanges with the Chair and senior officers.
• Attending key industry and Public Practice events, or ad-hoc meetings as required.
• Participate in other Board related activities, for eg. interviewing new Board members

Board meetings last on average two hours, with one meeting a year extended to a longer strategy day. All meetings are held hybridly, with the option to join in-person in London.

• 9 March Board Meeting (10am - 12pm) Hybrid
• 23 March Spring Forum event (2-5pm) Central London TBC
• June TBC Board Meeting Hybrid
• September TBC Board Meeting Hybrid
• 21 September Autumn Forum event Venue TBC
• December TBC Board Meeting Hybrid

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants should submit a CV* and short (maximum one page) covering letter setting out your motivations for joining Public Practice and the relevant experience that you will be able to bring to the organisation. All applications should be submitted at practice-public.workable.com. Please note we do not accept applications outside of this system.

According to GDPR guidelines, we are only able to process Sensitive Personal Data with your express consent. You will be asked to complete a consent form when you apply. Please do not include any Sensitive Personal Data within your CV (although this can be included in your covering letter if you wish to do so), remember also not to include contact details for referees without their prior agreement.r.

TIMELINE FOR RECRUITMENT OF NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

7 February 5pm: Deadline for applications

w/c 21 February: Selected applicants attending an online interview

Social Enterprise: 22 Tuesday 10-11am, 11-12pm and 3-4pm

Comms and PR: TBC

28 February: Confirmation of appointments to be made

9 March: New Directors required to attend our March board meeting