Chair of Trustees | Arts Jobs

Job Summary

Role Chair of the Board of Trustees Status Voluntary and unpaid trustee role Location East Birmingham / hybrid Accountable to Board of Trustees Key relationship Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Expenses Reasonable agreed out-of-pocket expenses reimbursed Term 3 years

Job Description

Purpose of the Chair role

The Chair helps the Board work well together and provides leadership and direction as Arts In The Yard continues to develop.

Arts In The Yard | Chair of Trustees Role Description

Working closely with the CEO and trustees, the Chair helps keep the charity focused on our purpose, good governance and long-term sustainability. They provide support and constructive challenge to the CEO, while recognising that the CEO leads the day-to-day running of the charity.

Key responsibilities

Leading the Board
Lead and chair Board meetings in an inclusive and positive way.
Help trustees work well together and make good, informed decisions.
Work with the CEO to plan meetings and ensure the Board has the
information it needs.
Support the recruitment, induction and development of trustees.
Help ensure AITY meets its governance and legal responsibilities.

Looking ahead
Work with the Board and CEO to shape AITY's strategy and future
direction.
Help us keep sight of the bigger picture and our charitable purpose.
Support the Board to consider AITY's performance, finances, risks and
long-term sustainability.

Working with the CEO
Build a positive, open and constructive relationship with the CEO.
Be a regular sounding board, offering both support and constructive
challenge.
Act as a link between the CEO and the wider Board.
Lead the CEO's annual appraisal on behalf of the Board.
Maintain a clear distinction between the Board's governance role and the
CEO's responsibility for running the charity.

Championing AITY
Be an enthusiastic ambassador for AITY and the communities we work alongside.
Champion our values and community-led approach.
Help build positive relationships with partners, funders and other
organisations.
Represent AITY at occasional events and meetings where appropriate.

Job Requirements

Person specification
Essential
A commitment to AITY's charitable purposes, values and communities.
The ability to provide inclusive and collaborative leadership.
The ability to think strategically and maintain focus on the longer-term interests
of the charity.
An understanding of the distinction between governance and operational
management.
The ability to build a constructive, supportive and appropriately challenging
relationship with a CEO.
Sound judgement, integrity and the confidence to make difficult decisions
when required.
The ability to facilitate discussion, listen to different perspectives and help a
group reach effective decisions.
A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
A willingness to understand and engage with the communities in which AITY
works.
Sufficient time and capacity to fulfil the responsibilities of Chair.
A commitment to induction, training and continuing development.

Job Responsibilities

Desirable
Previous trustee, non-executive or Board experience.
Previous experience of chairing a Board, committee or comparable group.
Senior or strategic leadership experience.
Knowledge of charity governance.
Experience of organisational development or managing organisational growth or change.
Knowledge of Birmingham and/or the West Midlands.
Experience within the voluntary, community, cultural, public or social impact
sectors.
Experience of partnership development, advocacy, fundraising or stakeholder engagement.
Knowledge of the arts or creative sector is welcomed but is not essential.

Useful Links

Job Overview

Job Title: Chair of Trustees
Salary: Unpaid
Hours: Part time
Artform: Combined arts
Role: Admin, Secretarial & PA
Contract: Contract
Closing date: Mon, 26 Oct 2026
Location:

West Midlands

How to Apply

Interested?
We’d love to hear from you.

For an informal conversation about the role, contact our CEO, Nicola Toms, at [email protected].

Closing date: 12 noon, Monday 26 October 2026

Arts In The Yard welcomes applications from people with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives, and particularly those who understand or have connections with the diverse communities we work alongside.

Contact name: Nicola Toms
Contact email: [email protected]

About Arts In The Yard

Arts In The Yard is a community-based charity working across East Birmingham and Solihull. We use arts, creativity and heritage to improve wellbeing, reduce isolation and bring communities together. Working alongside residents, artists, volunteers and partners, we deliver Arts Cafes, creative workshops, exhibitions, heritage activities and community wellbeing programmes, with a focus on people who face barriers to participation.

Find out more