CAREERS AT GEM-A
The Chair will hold the Council and Senior Leadership Team to account for the Charity’s mission and vision, providing inclusive leadership to the Board of Trustees, ensuring that each trustee fulfils their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of the charity. The Chair will be independent and support the Chief Executive and ensure that the Council functions as a unit to achieve agreed objectives. The Chair will be an ambassador and the public face of the charity in partnership with the Chief Executive.
Strategic Leadership
• Ensure that the Council fulfils its duties to ensure the sound financial health of the charity, with systems in place to ensure financial accountability.
• Ensure that Trustees fulfil their duties and responsibilities for the effective legal and regulatory governance of the Charity.
• Lead, manage and develop the Trustees.
• Ensure that the Council operates within its charitable objectives and provides a clear strategic direction for the Charity.
• Ensure that the Council regularly review major risks and associated opportunities and satisfy itself that systems are in place to take advantage of opportunities and manage and mitigate the risks.
• Provide independent and inclusive leadership to the Charity and its Council, ensuring that the Charity has maximum impact for its beneficiaries.
Governance
• Ensure that the governance arrangements are working in the most effective way for the Charity.
• Develop the knowledge and capability of the Trustees.
• Encourage positive change where appropriate and address and resolve any conflicts within the Council.
• Review the performance of the Trustees and the Council on an annual basis.
• Ensure that the Council is regularly refreshed and incorporates the right balance of skills, knowledge and experience needed to govern and lead the charity effectively and which also reflects the wider population.
• Work within any agreed policies adopted by the charity.
External Relations
• Function as an ambassador for the educational purpose and the charity.
• Function as a spokesperson for the organisation when appropriate.
• Represent the charity at external functions, meetings, and events.
• Develop and maintain close relationships with key members of the Gemmological Professional Associations Globally and Business Stakeholders.
• Facilitate change and address any potential conflict with external stakeholders.
Efficiency and Effectiveness
• Chair meetings of the Council effectively and efficiently, bringing impartiality and objectivity to the decision-making process
• Ensure that Trustees are fully engaged and that decisions are taken in the best, long-term interests of the Charity and that the Council takes collective ownership.
• Foster, maintain and ensure that constructive relationships exist with and between the Trustees.
• Collaborate with the Chief Executive to give direction to Council policymaking and to ensure that meetings are well planned, meaningful and reflect the responsibilities of trustees.
• Monitor that decisions taken at meetings are implemented.
Relationship with the Chief Executive and the Senior Leadership Team
• Establish and build a strong, effective and a constructive working relationship with the Chief Executive, ensuring they are held to account for achieving agreed strategic objectives.
• Support the Chief Executive, whilst respecting the boundaries which exist between the two roles.
• Ensure regular contact with the Chief Executive and develop and maintain an open and supportive relationship within which each can speak openly about concerns, worries and challenges.
• Consult with the Chief Executive to maintain an overview of the Charity’s affairs, providing support, as necessary.
• Conduct an annual review for the Chief Executive in consultation with other Trustees.
Personal Qualities
• Demonstrate a strong and visible passion and commitment to the charity, its strategic objectives and cause.
• Personal gravitas to lead a significant global organisation.
• Exhibit strong inter-personal and relationship building abilities and be comfortable in an ambassadorial role.
• Demonstrate tact and diplomacy, with the ability to listen and engage effectively.
• Strong networking capabilities that can be used for the benefit of the charity.
• Ability to foster and promote a collaborative team environment.
• Ability to commit time to conduct the role well, including travel and attending events out of office hours.
Experience of operating at a senior strategic leadership level within an organisation.
Successful record of achievement through their career.
Experience of charity governance and working with or as part of a Board of Trustees.
Experience of external representation, delivering presentations and managing stakeholders.
Experience of chairing meetings and events
Other
Time commitment: 4 Council meetings per year and the AGM and Finance Committee 4 meetings per year as deemed appropriate by the Chair. The Chair is also expected to have regular meetings with the Chief Executive and represent the Charity at various events and meetings with key stakeholders.
The Chair will serve a three-year term and be eligible to re-appointment for two additional terms.
Recruitment process
To apply for this role, and receive the full description, applicants are asked in the first instance to send the following items to Tom Kelman our Interim Chief Operating Officer at tomkelman@gem-a.com by noon on Friday 7 February 2025.
• Your CV, which should include the names and contact details of at least two referees who will
only be contacted with your prior written consent.
• A short covering letter, no more than one side of A4 in length, setting out why you believe you
would be suitable to hold the role.
It is envisaged that interviews will be held with successful applicants in person at Ely Place in late
February with a view to an appointment to the role being made by the end of March.
Copyright © 2023 The Gemmological Association of Great Britain. Registered in the UK with the company number 01945780
Made by Darwin
