We are looking for new trustees to help support our growth and innovation. All of our trustees bring a range of different skills and we encourage an open, friendly environment where everyone can thrive and develop.
As a Trustee you’ll help set our strategic direction, hold us to account, and champion a world where everyone communicates seamlessly. Lived experience of deafness, deafblindness or the BSL community is welcome but not required.
The Board meets four times a year in London. This is a voluntary role, with reasonable expenses reimbursed.
Your skills could shape the future of deaf communication, so get in touch to find out about our trustee vacancies.
Key Responsibilities
- To promote the vision and objectives of Signature.
- As part of the trustee team, lead Signature in achieving its Strategic Objectives through the Executive Director and wider Signature staff team.
- Together with fellow trustees, ensure that Signature applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects.
- Attend and contribute to the Trustee meetings in support of the activities of Signature.
- To join a relevant sub-committee of the Board and attend meetings, contributing in areas of your own expertise and experience.
- Contribute actively to the oversight of the leadership of the charity, giving strategic direction, assistance, and constructive feedback to the Executive Director at the trustees’ meetings including evaluating performance against agreed targets/objectives.
- Ensure the solvency of Signature and that there is probity and propriety in the application of the resources of the charity and that the charity’s funds are properly invested.
- Maintain an overview and be assured that plans and budgets agreed by the Board are monitored, delivered and evaluated by the Executive team.
- Where required, work with Signature at functions, meetings or other events and to lobby and act as spokesperson as necessary.
- Promote and enhance the reputation and values of Signature.
Expected Skills, Approach and Experience
The Trustee should be experienced in a selection of the following areas:
- Deaf culture and development
- British Sign Language
- Deaf studies and deaf awareness training
- Further and Higher Education and provision for deaf students
- Schools and children’s education
- Charities
- Leadership and Governance
- Strategy development
- GCSE development and/or regulation
- Awarding organisation regulation
In addition, the Trustee should be able to:
- contribute to the Board following Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.
- have an understanding of or the willingness to develop an awareness of issues around communicating with deaf, deafened and hearing people.
To apply please send your CV, along with covering letter explaining why you would like to become a Signature Trustee to: Michelle.Sammons@signature.org.uk
Signature Trustee Recruitment – Supporting Document
