Trustee Treasurer

The Role

The Board of Trustees is the governing body that takes overall responsibility for the Charity’s work - focusing on strategy, agreeing plans and budgets and supporting the Charity CEO and team to ensure processes and practices are in place to run the Charity effectively.

Trustees provide St Martin-in-the-Fields Charity with vital expertise, experience, insights and commitment essential to the governance of the Charity. It is not an expectation that any one Trustee have all the skills; we seek a Board that as a whole has the right combination of skills, experience and knowledge. 

We are looking for a qualified financial professional to become our new Trustee Treasurer and Chair for the Charity’s Budget, Audit and Risk Committee (BARC). You will play a key role in ensuring the financial soundness of the Charity by maintaining effective governance of the organisation’s affairs, ensuring its financial viability and ensuring that proper processes and procedures exist for assuring all financial records, decisions and delegations are maintained.

In addition, you will be part of an excellent Board playing a full role in helping to shape the Charity’s overall strategy in delivering its mission to ensure everyone has a safe place to call home.

Key Responsibilities of the Trustee Treasurer

Strategic

• To assist and advise in the formation of the Charity’s strategy with particular regard to ensuring that the Charity has the resources to deliver the strategy.

Financial

• To ensure that the Board is aware of its financial duties and responsibilities and the need to comply with all legislation.
• To work with the Executive to ensure Board receives appropriate budgetary and financial information on the activities of the Charity including Annual Accounts.
• To support the Executive to ensure that all accounts are prepared and disclosed in the form required by funders and the relevant statutory bodies.
• To advise the Executive on all financial policies, procedures and the appointment of external financial advisors/auditors to ensure these are reviewed on a regular basis.
• To work with the Executive to analyse and interrogate robustly financial information presented to Board and clearly communicate financial information, recommending appropriate accounting procedures, controls and policies consistent with the scheme of delegation, to non-financial Board members and Charity stakeholders.
• To ensure the Charity’s risk register and scheme of delegation are reviewed on a regular basis.
• To ensure the Charity monitors the performance of its investments and to set an appropriate reserves policy.
• To support and advise the Charity’s Senior Leadership Team in the execution of their duties.

Governance

• To act as Chair for the Charity’s Budget, Audit and Risk Committee (BARC) meetings and to report back to full Board on BARC discussions and decisions.
• To ensure that the Board is aware of its financial duties and responsibilities and the need to comply with all legislation.
• To oversee the appointment of and lead Trustee liaison with external auditors during the annual accounts preparation.
• To support the Executive to ensure that the Board’s scheme of delegation is reviewed on a regular basis.

Person Specification

• Fully qualified financial professional with experience of charity sector financial reporting and regulations.
• Leadership or senior management experience.
• Non-executive director experience, particularly in the not-for-profit sector.
• Experience of developing new propositions and services, and/or forging useful alliance with complementary organisations.
• Proven ability to act strategically, able to prioritise effectively and focus on matters of maximum impact to beneficiaries.
• Demonstrable experience of strategic financial planning.
• Demonstrable ability to assess and manage financial risks effectively.
• Able to demonstrate a good understanding of tax regulations and the UK’s Charity Commission requirements.
• Ability to support strategic financial decisions by analysing trends, assessing risks and identifying opportunities.
• Ability to interrogate complex information and examine their financial implications.
• Able to demonstrate critical thinking and offer constructive challenge and support to Charity CEO and Board colleagues.
• Willingness to be available to Trustees, Leadership Team and staff for advice and enquiries on an ad hoc basis.
• Background or experience in fundraising or grant-giving would be beneficial but not essential.

General Responsibilities of the Trustee Treasurer

In addition to the responsibilities outlined above, the Treasurer as a Trustee has the following general responsibilities and will need to be able to:

• Contribute actively to the Board of Trustees' role in giving strategic direction to the Charity, setting overall strategy and policy, setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets.
• Ensure the financial stability of the organisation and the proper investment of the Charity's funds.
• Ensure the Charity applies its resources exclusively in pursuing its objectives by sharing specific knowledge, experience and insights to help the Board reach sound decisions.
• Understand charity governance and the role of a Trustee (although training will be given).
• Ensure that the Charity and its representatives operate within all legal and regulatory requirements and in line with the Charity’s governing document.
• Ensure the mission and purpose of the Charity is maintained.
• Demonstrate a commitment to enhancing diversity and inclusion.
• Act as an enthusiastic ambassador for the Charity developing the Charity’s network of support in private, public and third sectors through representation and linkages with key influencers and decision makers.
• Work effectively as a member of the team and collectively responsible for the actions of the Charity and other Trustees.
• Participate in other tasks as arise from time to time such as interviewing new staff and attending fundraising events. 
• Keep informed about the activities of the Charity and wider issues which may affect its work. 
• Attend meetings and subcommittee meetings, scrutinise Board papers, lead discussions, focus on key issues and provide advice and guidance on new initiatives or other issues.

In Meeting their Responsibilities, the Trustee Treasurer shall:

• Use any specific skills, knowledge or experience to enhance the Board of Trustees’ effectiveness and efficiency.
• Maintain confidentiality about all sensitive/confidential information received in the course of a Trustee’s responsibilities to the charity.
• Represent the Board of Trustees in the Charity’s organisation and externally.
• Review and seek to improve the overall performance and effectiveness of the Board of Trustees.
• Recognise the impact of St Martin’s Charity’s work across the nations in which we operate.
• Ensure that respect for equality, diversity & inclusion is embedded into decision-making at St Martin’s Charity.
• Discharge the duties of a Trustee, as identified by the Charity Commission for England & Wales: The Essential Trustee and other guidance relevant to St Martin’s Charity’s wider reach. 

Terms and Conditions of Appointment

The role of Trustee Treasurer is voluntary and unpaid but all reasonable, out of pocket expenses related to the position will be reimbursed in line with the Charity’s expenses policy.

There are normally five BARC meetings, currently online, which feed into five Board meetings conducted in person across the year, plus a strategic planning Awayday which is usually an all-day event. As much notice as possible is given about meeting dates.

In person meetings are held in London, usually on site at St Martin-in-the-Fields. 

Trustee terms are for three years each and Trustees can serve a maximum of three terms. In exceptional circumstances an extension beyond this tenure may be considered subject to business needs. Our Trustees will normally be expected to serve at least one term. 

Key Benefits:

• High-level volunteering experience
• Involvement in strategic-level decision-making and monitoring
• Working with different sets of people
• Work with a charity with a UK-wide profile
• Opportunity to support the Charity in its mission to tackle homelessness and ensure everyone has a safe place to call home

How to Apply 

We recognise the enormous benefits and social justice imperatives of a diverse organisation at every level. We actively and warmly encourage applications from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences.

If you are interested in applying for this role, please ensure you provide:

• A comprehensive CV, including your recent achievements, and the details of two referees.
• A supporting statement addressing your motivations for applying and how you think your skills and experience is relevant to the role. This should be no longer than two sides of A4.

All applications should be sent to St Martin-in-the-Fields Chief of Staff, Angela D’Souza at angela.dsouza@stmartinscharity.org.uk with your full name and the

St Martin-in-the-Fields Trustee Treasurer in the subject heading.

Applications will be reviewed to determine that candidates meet the person criteria and essential qualities and experience for the role before any invite to interview. 

References will be requested and taken up. 

Recruitment Timeline

13^th April: Closing date for applications

24^th April: Interviews (First stage)

2^nd May: Interviews: (Second stage) 

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.