Trustee and Chair of Awards Committee

About Us

Founded in 1844, Central YMCA was the very first YMCA, sparking a global movement that now spans 120 independent national YMCAs, all tackling social issues both locally and globally.

Over nearly two centuries, Central YMCA has achieved remarkable milestones: launching some of the world’s first public education programs, constructing London’s largest gym, training over 120,000 health and fitness professionals, pioneering health initiatives for individuals living with HIV, and empowering thousands of young people with the skills needed to build new careers and transform their lives.

Building on this heritage, Central YMCA continues to be an innovative, forward-facing organisation, developing ambitious programmes and delivery methodologies to meet the changing needs of society. This includes working with some fantastic partners and employers across the country to address skills gaps and using technology to support diverse learning styles and greater accessibility.

YMCA Awards is a dynamic vocational and technical awarding and apprenticeship assessment organisation. As experts in education, health and wellbeing YMCA Awards has been developing UK-regulated and globally recognised qualifications for 26 years. We work with industry experts, employers and professional bodies to ensure our qualifications provide learners with the knowledge and skills required to progress in their careers. Whether learners are looking to take their first steps into the industry or are established fitness professionals, we have a qualification to help them get ahead.

Throughout its history, YMCA Awards has continued to adapt its’ offer to meet changing customer needs and has recently been through a period of significant transformation, building on our unrivalled expertise to develop more digital learning journeys and to design relevant, fit-for-purpose qualifications which help more people into new careers.

This is a pivotal time to join the Board of Trustees as we are about to embark on our next five-year strategy development process. Our Board of Trustees will play a key role in agreeing on our strategic priorities linked to the Charity’s vision, mission and impact goals and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Charity.  

About You

We are seeking an individual with extensive experience in the awarding sector, ideally experienced with technical or vocational qualifications. You should have operated at a strategic level and have experience as a non-executive director, governor, or trustee, or be working at a senior level in a non-competing awarding organisation, in a compliance-based role.

We highly value diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and insights in our work. We are particularly interested in hearing from candidates whose professional and personal experiences, including lived experiences, will bring fresh understanding and new capacity to our Board.

About the Role

Trustees are vital to the charity sector, guiding and shaping the direction of our work. At Central YMCA, our Trustees are essential, bringing a wide range of expertise to steer our strategy and ensure our long-term success.

We are currently seeking a new Trustee to join our Board and chair our Awards Committee. This committee is crucial in overseeing Central YMCA’s awarding and end point assessment organisations, overseeing compliance with Ofqual, Qualification Wales, CCEA and IfATE regulations. As Chair the Committee, you will oversee the long-term strategies, annual plans and performance metrics of YMCA Awards, ensuring our qualifications and resources continue to meet the needs of the individuals and communities we serve, and ensuring our product roadmap remains aligned with changes to the funded qualification landscape.

Time Commitment:

This role involves attending quarterly Board meetings and Awards Committee meetings, generally totalling two meetings per quarter. Meetings typically occur from 4-6 pm and are a mix of in-person and online, with adjustments available as needed. Preparatory materials are provided in advance, and typically, half a day of preparation ensures productive participation. Additionally, there is an annual strategy day from 10 am to 4 pm, and you may be required to undertake an ambassadorial role, representing the charity at various events.

You may also be asked to provide occasional ad hoc support to the Executive Team outside of scheduled meetings. Trustees should expect to dedicate a minimum of 12 days annually to this role.

We offer reasonable reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses incurred for in-person meeting attendance. Furthermore, training and development opportunities will be provided as part of the role to support your growth and effectiveness.

How to apply  

To learn more about this role, including how to apply, please contact Farhana Miah, Governance Officer Farhana.Miah@ymca.co.uk. If you require the candidate materials in an alternative format, please request this in your initial contact. 

Closing date: 27 September 2024