Clerk to The Board - West Dean, United Kingdom - Southeast Publishing for West Dean College

Description

West Dean College is internationally recognised as a centre of excellence for art, design, craft and conservation education. We are a registered charity focused on the provision of world-class education and preservation of the West Dean Estate.


Our work
Our schools of arts, design and conservation offer a uniquely broad range of world-leading courses. At the heart of all we do, is our belief that 'making' makes our lives better.

We celebrate the intrinsic value of work that has been hand-made by artists and artisans and challenge the assumption that mass-produced must be the only way because, across the world, the maker movement is growing.

From online courses to postgraduate degrees, our student cohorts reflect the interests, backgrounds, and aspirations of a global community.

Guided by experts, who are often leaders in their field, our students are encouraged to develop their practice and reach their true potential.

Our London and Sussex campuses connect our students to the city and countryside, providing inspiring study environments and state-of-the-art studios across all our disciplines, helping to forge collaborations and discover their creative voice.

Whether our students are conserving or crafting, discovering or designing, they make their mark at West Dean.

The role

• To advise and guide the Board of Trustees on their duties and responsibilities in relation to governance legislation and procedural matters:
• Articles of Association
• OfS Regulatory Framework
• CUC HE Code of Governance
• All requirements of regulatory bodies including the Charities Commission & Companies House.
• Monitor changes in relevant legislation and the regulatory environment.
• Have access to appropriate legal advice for the Board and/or its individual members with regards to the conduct of the business of the Board or its subcommittees. Where necessary, seek advice and guidance from third parties on behalf of the Board of Trustees.
• To ensure that the Board undertakes an effectiveness review to ensure compliance with the CUC HE Code of Governance on a threeyear basis and updating practices in the interim, where this is necessary.
• Assist the Chair of the Board and the Chief Executive in fostering a collegiate way of working between the Board, its committees and the Chief Executive.
• To work with the Chief Executive to organise the annual calendar of meetings of the Board and its subcommittees, to ensure that the work of the Board is conducted in a timely and appropriate way.
• To work with the Chief Executive to organise the induction of Trustees, ensuring that they have access to appropriate documents and the provision of appropriate and ongoing professional development activities. This includes the induction of Trustees taking on new roles, in particular the Chair or the Chair of a committee.
• To advise the Board if any proposed action would exceed the Board's powers or be contrary to legislation or to the requirements of regulators.
• To advise the Chair of the Board in regard to any matters, where conflict, actual or potential, may occur between the Board and the Chief Executive.
• To attend all Board and Committee meetings as appropriate.
• Advise Trustees and appointing bodies in advance of the expiry of a Trustee's term of office, so elections or appointments can be organised in a timely manner.
• Provide advice to the Board and the Chief Executive on skills criteria for Board membership, identifying any gaps and supporting the recruitment, selection, induction and appraisal of board members. Advise on the retention and refreshment of skills.
• To ensure the maintenance of an uptodate register of Board members' Declarations of Interest.
• To ensure there is an appropriate resource bank of information for new and existing members of the Board.
• To undertake any other appropriate duties and responsibilities determined from time to time by the Chief Executive, the Chair and/or the Board.

What we're looking for

• Expertise in charitable, educational or corporate governance
• ICSA qualified, or equivalent, or substantial experience as a company secretary.
• Conversant with the CUC HE Code of Governance, OfS Regulatory Framework and governance requirements of the Charities Commission & Companies House.
• Experience of working with confidential and sensitive material in a professional manner.
• Significant experience of operating at a senior management level, dispensing accurate and respected governance advice.
• Experience of working in a governance role for a charity and/or higher education environment.

Particular skills and knowledge

• Excellent interpersonal skills, including discretion.
• Used to building credibility with senior figures and managing relationships.
• Has the confidence to make impactful interventions at Board meetings.
• Proven ability to challenge, influence and persuade others whilst maintaining relationships and working in partnership.
• In depth knowledge of GDPR