Trustee with HR Experience (volunteer position)

About the Role

KEEN London is a small but growing charity with a vision for every child to have the opportunity to enjoy sports and activities, with no one left behind due to disability.

We are seeking a Trustee with HR expertise to support the charity in the next stage of its development, offering a rewarding opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children with additional needs.

At a Glance

  • Role: Trustee  with HR experience
  • Location: Remote with ability to travel to London up to twice a year
  • Salary: Voluntary (expenses covered)
  • Commitment: average of 1-3 hours per week, including 6 annual boarding meetings on Tuesday evenings
  • Closing date: Friday 24th April

What difference will you make?

We are exceptionally proud of the efforts of everyone involved in continuing to deliver services that our athletes and their families rely on. We have worked hard to put the right people, systems and funding in place to support a sustainable future.

We are now looking ahead to the next stage of our development to increase our reach across London. Our services have never been in greater demand, and we are determined to deliver them in an inclusive and equitable way.

Our Board of Trustees is highly engaged and committed to the charity’s growth. However, we recognise that fresh thinking and specialist expertise will further strengthen and inspire the organisation as a whole.

The Role

Demand for our services is high. We currently support over 100 families across London providing over 4,000 hours of 1:1 support each year.

As part of a relatively small organisation focused on supporting local communities, you will have the opportunity to make a real difference. People are at the heart of KEEN: we have a committed board, supportive staff, dedicated volunteers and engaged families.

The Trustee will oversee all aspects of the charity’s HR strategy and management and contribute to wider organisational leadership, including overall strategy and policies. They will provide advice and guidance to the Chair, Trustees and, where required, the Director on HR and people management.

Key Responsibilities 

  • Review staff contracts and job descriptions and advise the Chair and Trustees on their implications and necessary actions
  • Represent and advise the Chair and Trustees on HR matters
  • Ensure HR activities and interventions align with the charity’s strategic plan and KEEN London culture
  • Ensure Trustees monitor and review the performance of the Director and identify appropriate development opportunities
  • Sit on recruitment panels as required, including taking a leading role in Trustee recruitment
  • Support the Director to proactively manage HR and staffing issues, including the application of employee relations (ER) policies (e.g. disciplinary and grievance)
  • Take a leading role in advising the Board on upcoming legislative changes that may require changes to policy and practice

Trustee Responsibilities 

All Trustees are responsible for:

  • Supporting and guiding KEEN’s purpose, vision, strategic goals and activities
  • Approving operational strategies and policies, and overseeing their implementation
  • Overseeing financial planning, including budgets, and monitoring progress against targets
  • Ensuring the organisation is administered efficiently and effectively
  • Identifying, monitoring and managing key risks
  • Reviewing and approving KEEN’s financial statements
  • Supporting the Director in carrying out their responsibilities and delegated authority
  • Staying informed about changes and developments in KEEN’s operating environment
  • Participating in regular governance reviews to ensure best practice
  • Attending Board meetings well prepared and contributing meaningfully to discussions
  • Exercising independent judgement, acting lawfully and in good faith
  • Championing KEEN’s mission and values by sharing relevant skills, experience, knowledge and networks

Who we’re looking for

Essential:

  • A current HR practitioner with experience in resourcing, employment law (particularly in the charity sector), performance and reward management, and training and development
  • Good and up-to-date knowledge of employment law, policy and practice, and the ability to keep up to date with developments
  • Ability to build strong, supportive working relationships with Trustees and the Director

Desirable:

  • Knowledge of the charity sector and/or experience of volunteering
  • Knowledge and/or experience in a field relevant to the charity’s activities
  • Understanding of the opportunities available to the voluntary sector

Personal qualities:

  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills
  • Impartiality, fairness and the ability to maintain confidentiality
  • Good organisational skills
  • Demonstrable commitment to the aims, objectives and work of the charity
  • Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort
  • Analytical and evaluation skills applied constructively
  • Sound independent judgement and a pragmatic approach to problem solving
  • Ability to work effectively as part of a team, with a willingness to learn and develop

We would love to hear from candidates who bring energy, ideas and experience from either a company or charity background. KEEN London is entering an exciting phase of development, and this role offers a challenging but highly rewarding opportunity.

Diversity & Inclusion

KEEN London is committed to being more representative of the communities we serve at Board level. We particularly welcome applications from candidates from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences.

How to Apply

If you’re interested in the role, we’d love to hear from you. Please send a short email to becca@keenlondon.org with your CV, a few words about why you’d like to be considered, and a little about your role in the KEEN family (for example, whether you’re a volunteer or a parent).

What does KEEN London mean to our families?

“Thanks to all of you at KEEN for the respite we get every Saturday. It has transformed our Saturday’s.  My daughter who has autism and muscle dystrophy enjoys going and looks forward to the jam packed activities which are always fun and talks about them endlessly. The coaches are all very experienced, they help the kids and encourage them to get involved,  they talk to them and listen”

Stella, KEEN parent

“My beautiful non speaking son has settled in beautifully. After Covid we lost a lot of our resources but he’s now really looked after and supported.  Now, on a Saturday morning when he gets up he says ‘KEEN Club’ so we know he really loves it”

Preya, KEEN London parent

“I don’t know what I would do without KEEN, it has brought the boys on leaps and bounds. It has encouraged them to mix with other children and be more understanding even though they need to be understood themselves”

Ophelia, KEEN London parent

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