JOB DESCRIPTION
CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Contact is a leading national contemporary arts organisation based in Manchester,
with young people at the heart of everything we do. We work locally, nationally and
internationally to provide life-changing opportunities for the next generation of
creative leaders, artists and audiences, redefining theatre in the process. We
commission, produce and present a professional programme of outstanding
performances, events and festivals in our building, surprising places and virtual
spaces, for a young and diverse audience.
Our vision is a world where young people are empowered by creativity to become
leaders in both the arts and their communities.
Staff will be expected to work within our core values:

A young people centred approach to decision making

Artistic excellence, integrity and creative risk taking

Respect for diversity of cultures, creativity, and understanding within and between
communities

Development of new artists, audiences and practitioners reaching under served
and excluded young people who may not have connected to theatre or the arts.
RESPONSIBILITIES

Act as an ambassador for Contact, taking a lead role in spearheading Contact’s
Capital Project and related Fundraising Campaign, and raising Contact’s profile
nationally.

Work with the Artistic Director/Chief Executive, staff and young people to
develop and inform the strategic direction of Contact, setting policy, defining
mission, goals and objectives and evaluating performance against agreed
targets.

Liaise with major funders on a regular basis (including core funders ACE,
AGMA, Manchester City Council and the University of Manchester).

Work with the Artistic Director/Chief Executive to develop new partners to
enable Contact to meet its goals and aspirations.

Provide leadership, support and challenge to the Board of Trustees and the
Executive Management Team.

Ensure the Board of Trustees works effectively and is a model of good
governance.
1 of 3
Chair of the Board Job Description & Person Specification

Ensure the Board of Trustees brings skills, knowledge and expertise appropriate
for Contact’s needs.

Ensure the Board of Trustees is regularly refreshed, and is diverse and
reflective of the communities in which it works.

Encourage the development of trustees’ knowledge and capability, and appraise
the performance of the trustees and the Board annually.

Facilitate change and address conflict within the Board and within the
organisation, liaising with the Artistic Director/Chief Executive to achieve this.

Ensure that Contact complies with its governing document, charity law,
company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations.

Ensure that Contact pursues its charitable objects as defined in its governing
document and applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects.

Ensure that the Board fulfils its duty to ensure the sound financial health of
Contact with systems in place to ensure financial accountability.

Ensure that the Board is able to regularly review major risks and manage and
mitigate those risks.
Chair meetings of the Board effectively and efficiently, bringing impartiality and
objectivity to the decision making process.
Ensure that trustees are fully engaged, that the Board takes collective
ownership of decisions and that the decisions made are in the best long term
interests of Contact.



Lead on the appointment of the Chief Executive when required.

Work closely with the Artistic Director/Chief Executive to give direction to Board
policy making and to ensure that meetings are well planned, meaningful and
reflect the responsibilities of trustees.
Monitor the implementation and effectiveness of decisions taken by the Board.
Build a strong, effective and constructive working relationship with the Artistic
Director/Chief Executive, ensuring that s/he is supported and accountable for
achieving agreed strategic objectives
Liaise with the Artistic Director/Chief Executive to keep an overview of Contact's
affairs and to provide support as appropriate.
Conduct regular reviews against performance objectives with the Artistic
Director/Chief Executive and an annual appraisal for the Artistic Director/Chief
Executive in consultation with other trustees, including setting performance
objectives and addressing opportunities for professional development.
Develop an effective working relationship with the members of the Executive
Team.
Sit on appointment and disciplinary panels as appropriate.






2 of 3
Chair of the Board Job Description & Person Specification
Person specification
In addition to the qualities required of a trustee of the Charity, the Chair will be
expected to demonstrate the following characteristics:



















Demonstrate a strong commitment to Contact and its philosophy, belief
and values, especially empowering young people’s decision making.
A passion for working with young people, (ideally with knowledge and/or
experience of this) and a demonstrable interest in performing arts.
Understanding of and commitment to the importance of diversity in society
and in the arts.
Access to a broad, diverse network across both the public and private
sector.
Strategic vision and leadership skills.
Commercial awareness.
Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to the role, including
engaging with Contact’s productions and projects.
Interested in bringing their own expertise, but also willing to broaden their
own learning.
Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and
liabilities of trusteeship.
Knowledge of financial management and a broad understanding of
models of charity/arts finance.
Good understanding of charity governance issues.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to
exercise tact and diplomacy, to listen and engage effectively.
Ability to think and act strategically.
Ability to challenge and criticise constructively.
Experience of operating at a senior strategic level within an organisation.
Experience of acting in a non-executive capacity as a trustee or other
non-executive role.
Track record of achievement in chosen career.
Experience of chairing meetings and events.
Experience of performance management at a high level.
Time commitment
The Board meets quarterly in the evening for approximately three hours.
The Chair is also a member of the Development Board that meets monthly in the
daytime for 1.5 hours.
It is important that the Chair can be available for daytime meetings with the Chief
Executive as well as occasional ad hoc meetings with third parties. Email and
telephone are used to maintain contact between meetings.
3 of 3
Chair of the Board Job Description & Person Specification