Are You Our Next Chair of the Board of Directors?

Please see below for the full job description. To apply, please send over your CV and any other relevant information to richard.clarke@tonycowlingfoundation.org.

Job Title: Chair of the Board of Directors

Tony Cowling Foundation

UK Based 

Voluntary, Part-Time 

Reports To: Board of Directors

Job Purpose

The Chair of the Board of Directors provides leadership to the CIC Board ensuring that the organisation fulfils its mission and objectives efficiently and effectively. The Chair plays a key role in facilitating sound governance and management of the CIC and acts as an ambassador promoting the TCF to external stakeholders.

New Chairperson

 Consider hiring a Chairperson Designate, rather than directly a Chairperson. Ideally, this person would join the board with the understanding that they will eventually take over after a given timeline – 3-6 months. If all goes well, the incumbent will initially work with the current Chair and gradually assume more responsibilities, so that there is a smooth transition.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy

-     Lead the board of Directors in setting and achieving the overall vision, mission, and strategic direction of TCF.

-    Ensure that the board functions effectively, collaboratively, and in accordance with good governance practices.

-     Support, and where appropriate, challenge Directors and staff to align operations with the strategic objectives.

-     Develop and drive the long-term strategic vision for the foundation and establish quantifiable quarterly milestones to get there.

-     Plan the expansion of the foundation’s activities, first across Europe, then across Asia and the Americas.

-     Develop a sustainable revenue model which goes beyond donations and Cowling family donations.

Governance & Compliance

-       Ensure that TCF complies with its governing documents, relevant law, company law (if applicable), and any other relevant legislation or regulations.

-       Safeguard the good name and values of TCF by maintaining ethical standards and integrity.

-     Chair board meetings effectively, encouraging discussion and decision-making in a timely and inclusive manner.

Board Development

-     Lead processes involving recruitment, induction, development, and evaluation of Directors to enhance the board’s performance.

 -    Manage any conflicts within the board, ensuring productive and constructive discussions.

External Relations

-   Act as a spokesperson and represent the TCF at functions, meetings, and in the press and broadcasting media, in consultation with the Board

-    Build and maintain effective relationships with external stakeholders, including donors, partners, and regulatory bodies.

-    Be a driver of events designed to further the TCF mission, encouraging and delegating Directors to engage and share responsibilities. 

Financial Oversight

-    Work with the board and Directors to oversee the financial health of TCF, ensuring sound financial controls and practices are in place.

-    Assist, oversee and approve in the preparation and review of budgets, accounts, and financial statements to ensure transparency and accountability.

Performance & Accountability

-    Evaluate the performance of the board, and employees/volunteers and Directors, setting objectives and providing effective feedback for continuous improvement.

-    Foster a culture of transparency and accountability across TCF operations.

Person Specification

Essential:

-       Previous experience in a leadership role, ideally within the voluntary or nonprofit sector.

-       Strong understanding of governance, legal, and financial responsibilities of charities or voluntary organisations.

-       Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, capable of engaging with a wide range of stakeholders.

-       Ability to lead strategically and objectively, exercising sound judgment.

-       A creative thinker, who has the ability to use unorthodox approaches to help grow TCF into a significant, well-respected, well-known organization in its own right.

-       Must be comfortable with the notion and practice, of getting as much as possible for little or nothing.

-       The ability to develop strategic partnerships with other organizations (besides ESOMAR and Cambridge Judge) based on their connections.

-       A well-regarded industry leader, who is familiar with the Consumer marketing industry and/or market research industry and has good connections with both, therefore has the ability to open doors for TCF within both.

-       Must have a good appreciation of the constraints and challenges impacting our industry, in today’s fluid global geo-politico-socio-economic environment, and the ability to discuss this effectively with industry and government leaders.

 -       Must have a good understanding of the trends and evolving technologies that are impacting the present and future of our industry (not just AI).

Desirable:

   - Experience of acting as a charity trustee, chair, or similar role.

  - Knowledge of the market research/insight sector charity’s service areas or sectors related to its work.

  - Experience in public speaking and representation.

Time Commitment

 - The role requires an estimated time commitment of 10 days per month including board meetings, preparation, and representation at functions and meetings.

Term

- The Chair will serve an initial term of 3-5years, renewable subject to board approval and mutual agreement.

To apply, please send over your CV and any other relevant information to richard.clarke@tonycowlingfoundation.org.