About the organisation
As a Group we deliver a wide range of programmes – a snapshot of which can be captured as follows:
- Supported Living – support for people in their own homes. Helping to build independence. (Oaklea)
- Care Homes – care for people in the homes we run and manage. (Oaklea)
- An alternative to residential college for young adults. (Oaklea)
- Employment support programmes. (Right2Work)
- A whole foods café and furniture warehouse (Right2Work)
- Supported Internships and Access to Work / Employers Support (Right2Work)
- Holiday programmes and year-round Day Opportunities programmes for children, young people and young adults. (Right2Work) and much more besides.
The Group is made up of one charity (Oaklea Trust) and one community interest company, Right2Work. Both are not for profit. R2W is a wholly owned subsidary of the Trust.
About the role
We are seeking to recruit a specialist finance professional who is able to contribute to:
Quarterly Board Meetings - roughly 3-3.5hrs in length, including lunch. (In person, online and/or hybrid.)
Quarterly Finance Committee Meetings - roughly 2 hours in length, a fortnight or so before the board meetings. (Typically online, though in person possible, if preferred.)
the provision of critical friendship to the Finance Director and Group CEO.
Review of the annual audit, prior to sign off at the AGM.
Review of the annual budget, prior to sign off at the relevant board meeting.
More broadly, your role as a NED would be to:
ensure the Group / organisation is carrying out its purposes as defined.
comply with the Group's/organisation's governing document and relevant laws and regulations – ensuring its Duty of Care is fulfilled at all times.
act in the Group's best interests by making informed, collective decisions.
work effectively as a Board, avoiding conflict and acting collaboratively.
manage the organisation's resources responsibly, including overseeing finances and safeguarding assets.
You do not need to have previous NED or Trustee experience and we are happy to support you to evidence your volunteering, as needed.
Whilst we are keen to recruit people from the North of England, if you’ve the right skills, experience and energy, don’t let geography put you off. applying or getting in contact.
We are seeking to recruit specialist finance professionals to join both our Board of Trustees of Oaklea Trust, a registered charity, and our Board of Non-Executive Directors for Right2Work, a CiC wholly owned by Oaklea Trust. It could be one individual who is able to do the role on both boards, or (possibly preferred) two individuals, one for each board.
You can find the Trustee role with Oaklea Trust on the Charterpath Volunteer Roles pages, too.
Our ideal candidate
Our ideal candidate(s) will be able to:
- Understand financial controls, legislation and best practice relevant to the not for profit sector.
- Evidence holding a professional finance qualification e.g. ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent.
- Scrutinise and effectively challenge the Profit or Loss, Balance Sheet and Cashflow within a medium/large sized organisation to determine financial performance, strength, risks and opportunities.
- Communicate financial information in a way which can be easily understood by trustees and stakeholders without a financial background.
- Support and challenge financial policies and procedures to ensure they are effective and well understood by all.
and have experience of:
- Working at a senior level within a Finance function, with exposure to governance and strategic decision making.
- Coaching, mentoring and supporting others to succeed.
- Overseeing procurement processes, contract management and tendering.
- Overseeing or playing a key role in financial transformation and/or digitisation
What’s in it for you
In a recent survey, current Trustees told us more about their experience. Three said:
“Whilst carrying out the role you also receive the support to develop your skill set, learning more about the organisation and what makes it tick, and also looking at more ways in which you can contribute.” Our Board Safeguarding Lead
“I’m motivated by a desire to give back to the community in a meaningful way. After many years in business advisory roles, I’m keen to apply that experience to support an organisation whose mission I genuinely admire.” A more recent member.
“A cocktail of caring, payback and keeping the brain working. What do I hope to share? “My experience of senior leadership." Our current Interim Chair.
More broadly other trustees told us their experience gave them:
an opportunity to give-back,
a chance to contribute to strategic planning,
make a meaningful contribution to something important,
a chance to add-value,
a sense of purpose, and
an opportunity to help those less fortunate.
We trust all volunteers will gain:
a real sense of pride and purpose in helping us to achieve our vision and mission.
new skills, experience and understanding of how to best support our Customers and Learners and team members to learn, develop and thrive.
new friends, colleagues and a sense of community.
invitations to celebratory and developmental events during the year.
We provide all Trustees / NEDs with:
lunch and/or other refreshments at all in-person Board Meetings.
expenses to cover mileage / public transport and other reasonable costs.
references, evidence of volunteering hours, training certificates etc. as needed.
To find out more: Right2Work - CIC supporting young adults through work and learning / Ho
Apply for the role
Please provide a short cover note setting out your motivations for volunteering for the organisation, any relevant skills/experience and why you think you might be a suitable candidate.
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