Person Specification – Board Member

We are looking to appoint two Board members with different knowledge and experience but a broad range of shared skills.

The Board priorities for each role are as follows:

• Strategic long-term financial planning and delivering treasury plans ideally in the housing sector.
• Customer insight, data-driven service transformation.

Both roles require the following experience:

Essential Experience 

  • Experience of being part of a Board or working with a Board, dealing with / and understanding governance issues, ensuring high performance and good decision-making.
  • A background of general management, with executive-level skills in areas required by the organisation.
  • A strong awareness of Equality, diversity and inclusion issues and commitment to the principles of all Board members, staff, customers, and other stakeholders being treated fairly and appropriately to their needs.

Desirable Experience

  • Demonstrable track record of senior leadership and achievement within an organisation of a similar scale and complexity, whether in the commercial, public, or third sectors.
  • Working effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, preferably to include regional and local politicians, investors and funders, commercial partners, government bodies and agencies, and local communities and customers.
  • An understanding of the affordable housing sector and the issues faced.
  • Lived experience of the affordable housing sector, including currently or having previously been a customer, having worked in local communities, understanding the issues faced by our customer base, or in providing services directly to those who live in affordable homes and communities.

Abilities, Skills, and Knowledge

  • The ability & vision to represent the organisation across, contributing to a clear sense of strategic direction with an appreciation of the respective roles of the Chair, Board, the Chief Executive & other staff.
  • Experience of working with stakeholders and partners – an effective networker with the ability to operate effectively at all levels, and to develop positive relationships that generate confidence and respect.
  • Awareness of the needs and aspirations of current and potential residents and customers and of the communities where they live.
  • Ability to analyse, interpret and absorb information and evidence effectively and quickly, and to draw out pertinent points for discussion.
  • Ability to demonstrate authority, commitment, and consistency whilst acting as an effective team member, motivating and empowering others, and inspiring trust and confidence.
  • Experience of and ability to consider the long-term implications and broader view of issues, identifying key risks and the means of mitigating them.
  • Ability to present arguments with knowledge & understanding of the wider strategic context.
  • Ability to represent and promote FGCH and communicate effectively.
  • Politically sensitive and astute with the ability to grasp relevant issues and understand relationships between interested parties.

Personal Attributes

  • Shares the vision, values, and commitments of the organisation, being able to demonstrate a strong and visible passion and commitment to FGCH’s vision and strategic priorities, and an understanding of the current issues and risks and the wider environment in which it operates.
  • A decisive and effective decision maker who leads by example.
  • An open, engaging, and enthusing style.
  • Personal and professional credibility that will command confidence at all levels.
  • Able to work as a member of a team, acting and thinking corporately with a collaborative style that engages at all levels and promotes positive relationships throughout the organisation and its partners.
  • Committed to the values of open and accountable, respect and integrity, the best we can be.
  • Has the time and energy needed to discharge the responsibilities of the role in an appropriate way.