Chair

The Climate Coalition is a group of over 140 organisations in England, and along with our sister organisations Stop Climate Chaos Cymru and Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, we reach across the UK to raise our voices for climate, nature and people.

The coalition is led by a small, dynamic central secretariat team working in close partnership with coalition members. The Climate Coalition Board is currently made up of 6 Trustees, which include campaign leaders from partner organisations. The coalition is seeking their next Chairperson, to succeed Neil Thorns, Director of Advocacy and Communications at CAFOD.

About the Role

Objective: The Chair, working with the Board, will hold the Secretariat to account for TCC’s mission and vision, providing inclusive leadership to the Board, ensuring that Board members fulfil their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of TCC. The Chair will line manage and support the Director and ensure that the Board functions as a unit and works closely with the Secretariat to achieve agreed objectives. They will act as an ambassador and a public face of TCC in partnership with the Director and the Board.

Time commitment: 6 board meetings per year. Additionally the Chair is expected to have monthly meetings with the Director and the opportunity to represent TCC at various events and meetings with key stakeholders.

Person Specification

Strategic leadership

• Provide leadership to TCC and its Board, ensuring that it has maximum impact
• Ensure that the Board fulfils their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of TCC
• Ensure that the Board is able to regularly review major risks and associated opportunities, and satisfy itself that systems are in place to take advantage of opportunities and manage and mitigate the risks
• Ensure that the Board fulfils its duties to ensure sound financial health of TCC, with systems in place to ensure financial accountability

Governance

• Ensure that the governance arrangements are working effectively
• Ensure the development of the knowledge and capability of the Board
• Encourage positive change where appropriate and address and resolve any conflicts within the Board
• Appraise the performance of the Board on a regular basis
• Ensure that the Board is regularly refreshed and incorporates the right balance of skills, knowledge, diversity and experience needed

External Relations

• Act as an ambassador for the cause and TCC along with other Board members
• Maintain close relationships with key TCC members and wider stakeholders in the climate movement, including fostering positive relationships with other sectoral coalitions
• Act as a spokesperson for TCC when appropriate
• Represent TCC at external functions, meetings and events
• Facilitate change and address any potential conflict with external stakeholders

Efficiency and Effectiveness

• Chair meetings of the Board effectively and efficiently, bringing impartiality and objectivity to the decision making process
• Ensure that the Board are fully engaged and that decisions are taken in the best, long-term interests of TCC and that the Board takes collective ownership
• Foster, maintain and ensure that constructive relationships exist with and between the Board
• Work closely with the Director to give direction to Board policy-making and to ensure that meetings are well planned, meaningful and reflect the responsibilities of the Board
• Monitor that decisions taken at meetings are implemented.

Relationship with the Director and Secretariat

• To have formal line management of the Director including holding them to account for achieving agreed strategic objectives, conducting an annual appraisal, and ensuring the opportunity for professional development
• Ensure regular contact with the Director and develop and maintain an open and supportive relationship within which each can speak openly about concerns, worries and challenges
• Liaise with the Director to maintain an overview of the TCC’s activities, providing support as necessary
• To have a visible leadership role with the wider Secretariat, providing support, encouragement and challenge as needed.

In addition to the qualities required as a Trustee, the Chair must meet the following requirements

Personal Qualities

• Demonstrate a strong and visible passion and commitment to TCC, its strategic objectives and cause
• Exhibit strong interpersonal and relationship building abilities and be comfortable in an ambassadorial role
• Demonstrate tact and diplomacy, with the ability to listen and engage effectively
• Strong networking capabilities that can be utilised for the benefit of TCC
• Ability to foster and promote a collaborative team environment
• Ability to commit time to conduct the role well, including travel and attending events out of office hours

Experience

• Experience of operating at a senior strategic leadership level within an organisation
• Experience of charity governance and working with or as part of a Board
• Experience of external representation, delivering presentations and managing stakeholders
• Significant experience of chairing meetings and events

Knowledge and skills

• Broad knowledge and understanding of the climate crisis, the climate movement and civil society and the current issues affecting it
• Strong leadership skills, ability to motivate staff and volunteers and bring people together
• Financial management expertise and a broad understanding of charity finance issues
• Good understanding of charity governance issues