Chair of the Board of Trustees

Sail Training International

Sail Training International is recruiting for a new Chair to lead our Board of Trustees. Our new Chair will build on our successes, having the responsibility to deliver Sail Training International’s mission and provide leadership to the wider organisation.

We’re looking for an influential, supportive leader who builds confidence and consensus. Your responsibilities will include chairing and facilitating meetings, giving direction to policy, providing leadership for the organisation and our subsidiary companies, representing and acting as a spokesperson for the charity, all while bringing impartiality and objectivity.

This is an exciting opportunity for an individual looking to continue the development of sail training around the world, at a time of significant development.

About Sail Training International

Sail Training International is a charity (not-for-profit organisation) organisation which promotes sail training to young people through a worldwide membership and activities. Our purpose is the development and education of young people through the sail training experience, regardless of their nationality, culture, religion, gender or social background.

We achieve our purpose through a range of activities and services including, organising international sail training events – the best known being The Tall Ships Races – organising conferences and seminars, providing funding and bursaries for young people to take part in sail training, funding international research and much more.

Responsibilities

• Safeguard and promote the Charity’s mission
• Act as the senior representative and spokesperson for Sail Training International
• Ensure annual and longer-term strategic plans remain relevant with regard to wider environment and are monitored and executed by relevant parts of the Group
• Ensure Boards operate to a high standard of governance and financial probity
• Ensure the Trustees and Directors of Group companies have relevant skills and backgrounds

Skills and Experience

• Previous experience of sail training and/or The Tall Ships Races (essential)
• Governance at Board level with voluntary/non-profit organisations (essential)
• Management and oversight of finance at a practical level (essential)
• Working understanding (or a willingness to learn) of UK charity law and legislation (essential)
• Coordination of large numbers of workers/volunteers (desirable)
• Education to tertiary/degree level (desirable)
• Experience within youth work or the education of young people (desirable)
• Networking (essential)
• Negotiating skills and a diplomatic approach to dealing with people from different cultures and backgrounds (essential)
• Strategic thinking (essential)
• Strong written and oral communication (essential)
• Good command of English (essential)
• Working understanding of economic/geopolitical issues (essential)
• Basic ability in other languages (desirable)

Commitments of the Role

To provide guidance on the typical time commitments of the role, below is the activities of the current Chair.

• Weekly meeting with CEO (typically 1.5hrs)
• 5-6 Board meetings per year (approx 1.5 – 2hrs each)
• 5 days participating in our Annual Conference and associated meetings
• 10-14 days annual travel associated with our events, including time at sea

If you share our commitment to the cause of youth development and the promotion of international friendship and understanding, and feel your experience and skills meet the needs of the role, we’d love to hear from you.

Interested candidates should send a CV and supporting letter to Alan James, the Chief Executive Officer of Sail Training International, at alan.james@sailtraininginternational.org.