Leeds Building Society Foundation Chair

Leeds Building Society; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

A UK charity organization is seeking a Chair for its board to lead strategic direction and grant making. The role involves chairing board meetings, empowering trustees, ensuring governance, and supporting community impact initiatives. Ideal candidates should have trustee experience, a strong grasp of housing issues, and the ability to lead effectively. The position requires 3–4 hours monthly commitment with a focus on community representation and strategic giving.

Qualifications

• Enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and committed to charitable work.
• Ability to chair board meetings and act as an ambassador.
• Professional or lived experience in housing or homelessness.

Responsibilities

• Lead quarterly board meetings at the Head Office.
• Empower trustees for impactful funding decisions.
• Ensure governance compliance and support trustee development.
• Act as a figurehead for the Foundation and bring external insight.

Skills

Previous trustee experience

Leadership skills

Understanding of charity governance

Ability to interpret financial data

Community insight

Strong communication skills

Job description

How you'll help us live our purpose

We've been helping our members save for their future and buy their own home since 1875. Join us and you'll play a big role in helping us to put home ownership within reach of more people, generation after generation.

How you'll make a difference

Leeds Building Society Foundation is an independent grant‑making charity funded by the Society and its members. We support UK registered charities that help people in need of a safe and secure home.

The Foundation distributes approximately £350,000 annually through its large and small grant schemes. Funding decisions are made quarterly by a board of independent trustees, who also set strategy and ensure compliance with charity governance and best practice.

Following the retirement of our current Chair after nine years as a trustee, we are seeking a new Chair to lead the Foundation's strategic direction and approach to grant giving. The role includes:

• Leading quarterly board meetings at our Head Office.
• Empowering trustees to make impactful funding decisions aligned with our purpose and response to housing and homelessness challenges.
• Ensuring governance compliance, supported by the Secretary.
• Supporting trustee development and acting as a figurehead for the Foundation.
• Bringing external insight to inform our work.

What will you bring to the role?

• Previous trustee experience – enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and committed.
• Ability to chair quarterly board meetings and be an ambassador for the Foundation.
• Professional and/or lived experience in housing or homelessness.
• Understanding of the social issues charities and communities face.
• A good understanding of charity governance and passion for strategic community giving.
• Ability to review project impact, measure risk, and interpret financial data.
• Strong leadership skills and can unite and guide trustees.
• Open to new ideas and willing to challenge the status quo.
• Able to dedicate 3 – 4 hours a month to the role and support the Grants Manager and the Board.

Why choose us?

Our business is centred around our people. Our colleagues are at the heart of everything we do, as shown by our Inclusive Employers Gold accreditation in 2023 and 2025. We’re committed to equal opportunities regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability or gender identity.

You’ll be joining a truly purpose‑focused culture that helped us win the Leading with Purpose award at the 2023 Business Culture Awards. This recognises how we embed our purpose with our colleagues, and the actions we’ve taken to put home ownership within reach of more people, generation after generation.

Why wait?

Apply now.

We’d love to hear from you. But don’t wait around – we may close the advert early and we’d hate for you to miss out.

We’re devoted to creating a culture and workplace that is representative of the communities we serve. If you’re unsure if you meet the full criteria for the role, please contact our Grants Manager on [e-mail].

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