Chair of the Board of Trustees

Surfers Against Sewage

Join the Wave of Change

Are you ready to inspire and guide efforts to restore and protect our ocean? Surfers Against Sewage is seeking a dynamic and daring leader to take the helm as our Chair of the Board. 

As we enter a new strategic plan period for 2025-2028, we are driven by our values of being open, authentic, daring, dynamic, and purposeful. We are a vibrant and diverse community of Ocean Activists, taking action where we surf, swim, and play. 

Our mission is to connect the stories, evidence, and data of our community to those in power to demand systemic change. As a strong advocate and skilled networker, you will amplify our voice, build influential relationships, and mobilize support to advance our cause. 

We are ambitious and seek nothing short of an end to pollution and the restoration of our seas and wild waters. You’ll work closely with the Chief Executive and the Board to push the boundaries of what we might achieve and help keep SAS at the forefront of environmental activism. We sound the alarm and lead the fight to stop polluters, always.

YOU WILL BE:

• Passionate about the Ocean: You have an authentic connection to the water, whether you surf, swim, or simply love the sea.
• A Strong Advocate: You are a powerful voice for the ocean, capable of inspiring and mobilizing others.
• A Skilled Networker: You bring experience and influence, with the ability to build and leverage networks to advance our mission.
• Campaign Savvy: You understand the power of great campaigning and share our thrill in creating positive change.
• Values-Driven: You operate with a strong steer from your values and share ours of being open, authentic, daring, dynamic, purposeful, and driven by a diverse and inclusive community.
• Collaborative Leader: You have an inclusive leadership style and enjoy working with others to achieve common goals.
• Fun-Loving: You have a good sense of fun and share our enjoyment for the way we campaign.

RESPONSIBILITIES WILL INCLUDE:

• Strategic Leadership: Provide leadership of the Board in setting the strategic direction and priorities for SAS, ensuring effective governance while pushing the boundaries of our campaigning and activism.
• Support the Chief Executive: Drive our mission and objectives by ensuring SAS stays at the forefront in the fight to protect and restore the ocean.
• Governance and Management: Ensure the Board fulfils its governance and management duties and responsibilities.
• Team Building: Harness the skills, experience, and energy of the Board to create an effective and cohesive team for the CEO and Leadership team.
• Advocacy and Networking: Build and leverage networks to advance our mission, including political networks and connections with key influencers.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

• Connection to the Water: Whether professionally or through your passion, you have a deep connection to the ocean.
• Knowledge: Expertise in the water sector, plastics, chemicals, water sports, social or environmental change, politics, or policy.
• Media Savvy: Experience with public interviews, TV, and radio.
• Networking: Strong connections and influence with key people, including political networks.
• Community Engagement: Focus on healthy blue communities and economies, improving ecosystems and well-being.
• Transparency and Honesty: Lead on providing accurate and accessible real-time data, revealing the truth to deliver UK-wide transparency about all sewage and plastic pollution.
• Passion: Lead on a nature-based approach to ensure our rivers, lakes, and seas can thrive again, valuing and protecting nature forever.

TERM AND COMMITMENT

The Chair of the Board is typically appointed for a term of three years, with the possibility of reappointment. 

The role requires a modest time commitment, including attending Board meetings, representing SAS at events and in the media, and engaging with stakeholders, joining us on protests and at stunts. 

If this position interests you, and in order to apply please visit our website, job opportunities page Job opportunities - Surfers Against Sewage to download a Recruitment Pack for full details.  

This role is advertised as part of TPP's Free Giving Back Services. This volunteer advertisement copy has been supplied to TPP and applicants apply direct to the organisation. Please contact the organisation directly if you have any questions about this volunteer role.