Chair Part Time

Sustainability First

Approximately two days per month
Three-year term with the option to renew

Are you passionate about taking action on climate change, biodiversity loss and social equity?

Do you believe that it’s possible to meet today’s needs without compromising those of future generations?

If you combine these beliefs with leadership skills and governance experience, we want to hear from you. Our Board of Trustees needs you to help us put Sustainability First in the UK.

Who we are

We’re a small, highly regarded think-tank and charity that promotes practical, sustainable solutions to improve environmental, economic and social wellbeing.

What we do

Sustainability First ( ) works towards real environmental and social change. Primarily focused on the energy and water sectors, we:

• undertake research
• initiate policy discussions
• make complex issues accessible to the public
• promote under-represented voices
• develop solutions to influence players in the sector

The opportunity

You will be joining Sustainability First at a critical time, when we are stepping up our ambition to drive change in the energy and water sectors in a way that benefits people and responds to the urgent need to transition to a more sustainable future. You will work collaboratively with our Executive Director in meeting our ambitions to scale our work, drive change across the sector and embed the representation of people into decision-making.

Skills

After many years of service to our charity, our current Chair is retiring. At a time of opportunity and challenge for our organisation, we’re looking for someone with a proven track record of leadership at board level, ideally in the UK charity sector. Your experience of running and growing a small but impactful organisation in a professional or voluntary capacity will be crucial to the work of our Board, dedicated staff and expert associates.

Not one to shy away from a challenge, you will draw on your experience of collegiate collaboration, positive decision-making and effective problem-solving to help ensure funding, organisational excellence, and ultimately environmental and social change.

In addition to preparing for and chairing the Board, the Chair will be an ex-officio member of all Board Panels, will line manage the Executive Director and will represent the charity externally as requested.

The commitment is likely to average around two days per month. The appointment is for an initial three-year term with the option to renew.

How to apply

If you would like an informal conversation, please contact our Executive Director, David Murray, to arrange a time for a call: .

For more information and to apply, please visit our website. Please send a cover letter explaining your reasons for applying, the skills and experience you would bring to this role, and a copy of your CV plus a completed EDI Monitoring Form to our Company Secretary and Head of Finance, Claire Williams: .

Closing date: 13th May 2024.

We value and promote the importance of greater equity, diversity and inclusion in society. We believe that everyone has the right to live without fear or prejudice regardless of race, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, social class, religion and belief. And we strive to see this diversity reflected in our staff, trustees, partners, and funders. We are proactively seeking talent from as broad and diverse networks as possible – please help us to share this opportunity amongst your own networks to support us.