Clerk to the Trustees

What you will be doing

• Clerking the Board and its committees: agendas, notices, papers, minutes and follow-up of actions.
• Preparing and presenting written and verbal reports to trustees.
• Supporting the three-year budget, producing regular budget reports, and preparing the statement of accounts for audit or independent examination and filing with the Charity Commission.
• Providing financial planning information — cash flow forecasts, longer-term plans, feasibility work — and keeping insurance and investment reviews on the annual cycle.
• Keeping statutory and operational records in order: data protection, safeguarding, health and safety, risk.
• Coordinating the review of policies and procedures, and flagging governance issues with solutions attached.
• Working closely with the House Manager so trustees stay sighted on day-to-day operations.
• Administering the financial side of residents joining and leaving the almshouse.
• Helping induct new trustees.

What you will need

Essential

• Demonstrable experience of clerking, company secretarial or equivalent governance support to a charity board, trust or similar body.
• Sound working knowledge of charity governance, trustee duties and Charity Commission requirements.
• Financial acumen — budgets, management accounts, cash flow, and annual accounts for audit or independent examination.
• Excellent minute taking and clear, accurate written English.
• The judgement to know the limits of your own expertise, and to tell trustees when specialist advice is needed.
• The ability to work independently, discreetly and to deadline with minimal supervision.
• Confidence with standard office software and cloud accounting systems.
• Availability to attend Lloyd Court in Ladywell (SE13) as the role requires, including evening board meetings.

Desirable

• Experience in the almshouse sector, social housing or sheltered accommodation.
• Familiarity with the Almshouse Association and its Standards of Almshouse Management.
• Some knowledge of property management — planned maintenance, quinquennial surveys, fire safety and compliance.
• Experience supporting a board through governance change.
• Working knowledge of Xero.
• A connection to, or knowledge of, the London Borough of Lewisham.

Terms of the engagement

This is a contract for services rather than a job. You would be engaged as a self-employed individual or through your own limited company, responsible for your own tax, National Insurance and professional indemnity insurance. The engagement carries no holiday pay, sick pay or pension, and you are free to work for others. You decide how and when the work is done, provided the role’s requirements and the Board’s meeting cycle are met. The initial engagement is for twelve months, reviewed annually.

How to apply

Send a CV and a covering letter of no more than two sides, setting out how you meet the person specification and your proposed day rate, to:

applications@lpcharities.co.uk

Subject line: Clerk to the Board

Interviews will be held by a panel of trustees. Shortlisted candidates will be given the format and any preparation in advance, and reasonable travel expenses to interview will be met.

If you would like an informal conversation about the role before applying, or need any adjustment to the application or interview process, please write to the same address and we will arrange it.