Rise North East (Rise) is a charity working across Northumberland, Tyne & Wear and County Durham with the primary purpose of improving the quality of life of communities that need it the most through the power of movement.

We’re one of a network of active partnerships across England who provide systems leadership and operational support to partners and stakeholders to support them to use physical activity, sport and movement in their work to improve physical and mental wellbeing, educational attainment and community cohesion, amongst other things.

Much of this work is connected to tackling the stubborn, and growing, health, economic and social inequalities that we see in our region. We create the conditions for success, participating in, and encouraging, collaboration and co-production, brokering relationships and sharing insight of people and place.

Achieving these aims involves working with a broad range of local, regional and national partners including seven local authorities, NHS institutions, Sport England, national governing bodies of sport, the Northumbria Police & Crime Commissioner’s Office, businesses, schools and further and higher education providers.

The majority of our core funding is currently provided by Sport England, with a annual turnover of £1.8 million and with a current team if 45 people, the charity has grown rapidly in recent years.

We are now looking for a strategic and influential Chair who has the calm ambition to help grow Rise’s impact and sustainability, including supporting income generation and diversification through their networks, advocacy and leadership.

Being passionate about sport and physical activity is important, but it isn’t enough. The Rise Chair will provide strategic leadership and management accountability for the charity and will, along with board members, act as a champion within their various spheres of influence, opening doors and creating links across Northumberland, Tyne & Wear and County Durham.

Our Board is comprised of a number of experienced Independent Non-Executive Directors, covering core competencies around legal, HR, finance, commercial, education, health, communications and sport.

We’re open minded as to the background and experience the right person would bring; we have built strong and trusted relationships with partners across all sectors of society including sport, health, education, local government and the VCSE sector to name a few, and would welcome applications from within and beyond the sectors we work within.

We know we need someone who:

• Shares our deep passion and energy for the role of physical activity, movement and sport in helping to transform lives, communities and places.
• Understands how charities work, and blends this with proven commercial nous.
• Has an ego-less approach and the desire and ability to build a culture of trust, collaboration, openness and bringing people together.
• Can inspire and play an influential role on the North East regional stage in advocating for and championing the work and impact of Rise.
• Has significant experience in providing strategic direction, governance, financial management and executive leadership.
• Can be innovative, resilient, curious and prepared to challenge others and ourselves about our work and progress.
• Will help us to horizon-scan for opportunities and risk.
• Can develop an excellent working relationship with our CEO to ensure a strong Board-Executive link.
• Is not just a meeting facilitator but a strategic leader of the Board.

Our Person Specification is therefore:

Stakeholder Influence & Systems Leadership

• Well-connected in the North East, with a strong, high level personal professional network across numerous sectors in the region.
• Ability to spot opportunities for systems leadership in complex, place-based system, building strong relationships and influencing key stakeholders in support of Rise’s mission.

Board Leadership & Governance

• Experience in helping boards to navigate ambiguity, uncertainty and system complexity.
• Proven understanding and experience of Board responsibilities, fiduciary duties and governance best practices; proven ability to lead an effective, compliant board.
• Experience of providing leadership to develop Boards and executive leadership teams.
• Knowledge and experience around change leadership and organisational transition.
• Experience of what it takes to build and maintain a high-performing board.

Finance, Risk & Commercial Acumen

• Strong understanding of financial planning and strategy, financial management, budgets, controls and effective oversight and assurance, with particular reference to charities in a shifting funding environment.
• Experience of steering organisations through income diversification strategies, towards long-term financial sustainability.
• Strong understanding of strategic, reputational and systems risk identification and mitigation.

Strategic Oversight

• Experience of shaping, challenging, learning from and adapting long-term, mission-led strategies.
• Proven ability to support strategic adaptation, not just delivery of agreed plans.

Culture & Values

• High emotional intelligence, with the ability to foster a values-driven, inclusive and high performing Board and team.
• Excited by the opportunity to positively disrupt, collaborate and catalyse change.
• Demonstrated skill in supporting CEOs and executive leaders in a high-trust, high-performance relationship.
• High ethical standards with a commitment to acting in the best interests of Rise.

Commitment & Time Expectations

• 4 Board meetings per annum (c.2 hours each in person in North Tyneside 10am-12pm)
• 1 Strategy Away Day per annum, focussed on long-term planning, organisational development and other key priorities (usually Newcastle City Centre in March)
• 1 Strategy Afternoon/Evening per annum, focussed on long-term planning, organisational development and other key priorities (usually in Newcastle City Centre in December)
• 1 AGM per annum (c.15 mins each and usually combined with the November Board Meeting)
• Monthly meetings (face to face/phone/video conference) with the CEO (c.1 hour)
• Stakeholder engagement and representation as required.
• Induction meetings for new trustees as/when appointed (c.1-2 hours per meeting)
• Conduct an annual review with the CEO and lead Board-level performance reviews annually
• Attendance when available at national Active Partnership events (up to 2 days per year)
• Occasional sub-committees, which typically meet 2-3 times annually for c.1 hour meeting.
• Support for the CEO on an ad hoc basis, and ad hoc strategic input.
• Preparation time for all of the above.

We are fully committed to supporting the principle and practice of equality of opportunity, treating everyone according to their needs, and being as diverse and inclusive as we possibly can be.

We believe our Board should reflect the Northumberland, Tyne & Wear and County Durham region and its people, whom we work with and for.

Please apply via CV and cover letter to our retained consultancy Castle Peak Group.

If you would like a confidential discussion or to view the full candidate pack, please email: James.carss@castlepeak-group.com

Please note that closing date for applications is 8th May with interviews to take place 12th June.