Overview:

We are seeking a Christ-centred, servant-hearted and passionate Christian, unequivocally committed to evangelical Christianity as expressed in our Statement of Faith. You should have a passion for the vision and charitable objectives of the college and a commitment to fostering and promoting its evangelical convictions and spirituality. You will have a desire to use your skills and expertise for the good of the college, its students, and the advancement of God’s kingdom.

This role requires relationship building with Christian faith communities and working with Christian leaders and trustees. This post is therefore only available to a committed evangelical Christian as an Occupational Requirement permitted under the Equality Act 2010.  

About Moorlands College

Moorlands College exists to inspire and equip people, passionate about Jesus Christ, to impact the church and the world. We are a higher education college located in beautiful rural grounds near Christchurch, Dorset, offering Undergraduate and Postgraduate studies primarily in Applied Theology to students of all ages.  We seek to cultivate an environment for learning that is not just about information, but transformation. To find out more about our Core Values and Mission Statement, visit www.moorlands.ac.uk/about. The College has recently applied for degree awarding powers (currently degrees are awarded under the auspices of the University of Gloucestershire) and we expect the assessment process of the Office of Students to begin in autumn 2024.

About the Board of Trustees

We have a friendly and committed group of trustees who bring a wide range of skills and experience to their roles. The Board delegates some functions to committees notably the Audit and Risk Committee, Finance and Resource Committee and Nominations Committee. The current Chair is willing to continue in post until early 2025, but the Board is keen to appoint his successor as soon as possible.

The Role: Chair of the Board of Trustees

This is an exciting opportunity to lead the Board as the college moves to a new season of development.

In Person Attendance at Board meetings (quarterly) is essential but other aspects of the role can be fulfilled remotely. Board meetings take place at Moorlands College. Reasonable travel and overnight accommodation expenses will be reimbursed.

Flexible hours. Estimated time commitment of 7-8 hours per week annualised.

You will be able to:

  • Lead the Board effectively to ensure that trustees exercise appropriate oversight of the college including the academic quality of the student offering.
  • Set agendas and chair meetings efficiently.
  • Provide support encouragement and appropriate challenge to the executive team and act as an effective channel of communication between the Principal and the Board
  • Represent and act as an ambassador for the college to, and with, external partners and third parties. 

 

What can the role offer you?

 You will benefit from:

  • Being part of the governance of a vibrant Christian organisation equipping people passionate about Jesus Christ, to impact the Church and the world.
  • Playing an important part in the training and discipleship of the next generation of church leaders, youth workers, Bible translators, and so much more.
  • Working alongside an experienced Clerk and trustees (many trustees in their second or third term)
  • Access to the Academic Library on Moorlands Campus
  • Open invitation to campus life including free lunch with students and staff

What skills and experience are we looking for? 

You will have the essential skills/experience outlined below and some of those that are desirable. Training will be provided to help you develop your role as Chair in any areas that you, and the Board, decide are necessary.

Essential:

  • You are an emotionally intelligent individual with excellent leadership, management, and interpersonal skills.
  • You have previous significant experience as a charity trustee.
  • You have a good understanding of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trustees and the financial aspects of running a charity.
  • You have a good understanding of the wider charity, and higher education sectors.

Desirable:

  • You have prior experience as a Chair of Trustees of a charity or as chair of a trustee sub-committee or working group in a large charity.
  • You are a strategic thinker with an understanding of the Christian Higher Education sector
  • You have experience of networking in the Christian sector
  • You have experience in, or understanding of, operating a business

Application Process

To register your interest and to arrange an informal discussion please email the Clerk to the Board, Julia Thomas Julia.thomas@moorlands.ac.uk.  

Application Deadline

11.59 pm, 30th  September 2024

Selection Process

  • A full job description and person specification will be provided to you when you register your interest.
  • You will have the opportunity to speak to the current Chair, the Clerk and/or the College Principal, to discuss any questions you may have about the role.
  • Before the closing date/time you should provide the Clerk with a CV of no more than two sides of A4 and a personal statement of no more than 500 words explaining why you believe you are called to, and equipped for, this role.
  • All applications will be considered by the Nominations Committee of the Board. Interviews may take place at the college or virtually by Microsoft Teams.
  • Applications will be reviewed on receipt and some interviews (formal or informal) may commence before the application deadline. No appointment will be made until all applications received by the application deadline have been considered.

Start Date

We hope the successful candidate will be able to join the Board before November 2024 and will assume the role of Chair at the beginning of 2025.