Non-executive Director/Trustee at The Tilian Partnership

Recruiter
Academy Ambassadors
Location
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
Salary
Voluntary
Posted
14 Jan 2022
Closes
28 Jan 2022
Ref
JN -112021-4554
Contact
David Ardill
Job role
NED/Trustee
Sector
Education and training
Contract type
Contract
Hours
Part time
Experience level
Director

The Tilian Partnership in Suffolk seeks one non-executive director/Trustee with finance skills to join its board. Board meetings are held at IP31, and at the trust's schools, when safe to do so.

The Academy Ambassadors programme brings the expertise of the business world onto boards at single-academy and multi-academy trusts (SATs and MATs). Academy trusts exist to improve the outcomes of young people. At the highest levels of governance, they need highly skilled individuals with a variety of experiences to hold executive leadership teams to account. Insights from a wide-range of backgrounds, ensure that boards are able to make informed choices on decisions that impact the lives of children and staff.

The Academy Ambassadors Programme is service funded by the Department for Education, to match senior business leaders with academy trusts looking to strengthen their boards. By working together, inspirational educationalists and talented business leaders can provide a better future for the next generation.

The opportunity

An academy trust comprising eight schools, The Tilian Partnership is a Church of England MAT (multi academy trust) that was founded from a federation of four small C of E primary schools. It has since grown and has aspirations to become a 13-school trust in the next three years. To assist with its plans, the Board seeks to recruit a skilled senior leader with expertise and experience in finance and accountancy to give additional capacity. Board meetings are held virtually at present and will resume in Bardwell, IP31 1AD (or one of the other schools) when safe to do so. Applicants of any faith, or those without faith, are encouraged to apply.

The board seeks one business leader with board level experience in

  • accounting and
  • financial management

Throughout your term of office (typically 4 years, but this may vary between trusts), you will be an active contributor to key board decisions. Specifically, in the next 12 - 24 months the trust's key focus areas will be:


  • Financial viability: due to the current small numbers on roll across the trust's schools, and the fact that these children are of primary age, the trust's funding is relatively low. There is a need to maintain close oversight of the trust's finances to ensure the prudent approach continues and money is well spent. In order to continue to provide the level of support and challenge needed by the schools, there is a recognition of the need to grow the trust, whilst maintaining the drive on standards;
  • Growth: in the ongoing and post-Covid climate, many schools have elected not to consider joining a multi academy trust, which represents a challenge for the trust in terms of attracting new schools. It believes that being part of the trust during the pandemic has provided better quality support for leaders and pupils, and hence their communities. The trust could be more efficient if it was able to grow further;
  • Communication: at the current time schools are encouraged to join strong MATs but many do not recognise the benefits of this. The trust seeks to ensure prospective new schools are able to recognise the benefits of joining TTP, and ensure the trust is able to communicate these fully.

    • What's involved?

    Board governance in education is a strategic, 'eyes on, hands off' commitment which typically involves attending c. six board meetings per year/3-4 hours' time per month.

    You will be responsible for:

    • Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
    • Holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils, and the effective and efficient performance management of staff; and
    • Overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent

    As an Academy Ambassador, you will join our ambassador network which provides resources, guidance, networking events and webinars to support you in your role.

    All roles are pro bono.

    People from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

    What next?

    Please register your interest now to be considered for the role.

    When you select the option to Apply you will be redirected to the Academy Ambassadors webpage where you will find a full role specification with more details of the opportunity and the trust, including details of how to apply for the position.

    Please be aware the closing date may change if we have received sufficient applications.