Independent Legal Trustee

Organisation: Rise North East
Salary: 0
Location: Flexible / North Tyneside / County Durham
Contract type: Volunteer
Closing date: 22 May 2026
Job Description: For this specific Trustee vacancy, we are looking for someone with expert knowledge or understanding of general legal principles, with a professional qualification or professional experience in this area, in order to:

Advise and support Rise in any areas requiring a legal perspective (e.g. corporate governance).
Provide advice and challenge on strategy, vision, performance, resources and standards of conduct, from a legal and regulatory perspective.
Identify key issues and trends that may impact on Rise.

Job summary

We are looking for someone who demonstrates the following qualities and skills, or the potential to develop them with training and support.

A willingness and ability to understand and accept their legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities as a trustee and to act in the best interests of the organisation.
An ability to think creatively and strategically, exercising good, independent judgment, and the ability to work effectively as a Board member.
Experience of leadership/Board level engagement in the charity, private, public or voluntary sectors.
A personal passion for the role of movement, physical activity and sport in society.
An authentic desire to make a difference by contributing to improving the overall health, wellbeing and quality of life of communities across the Rise region.
Experience, or understanding, of business and/or strategic planning.
Experience, or understanding, of organisational management.
Ability to analyse and interpret complex issues, with a willingness and ability to challenge and probe. The ability to discuss and debate and to constructively challenge ideas and decisions where necessary.
Strong inter-personal communication skills. The ability to form good working relationships both within and outside the Board.
A collegial approach to decision-taking.
Alignment with the mission, vision and values of Rise.
Knowledge, or experience, of the responsibilities of a charity Trustee.
Knowledge, or understanding, of the communities in Northumberland, Tyne & Wear and/or County Durham.

Find out more about the purpose and key function of trustees, and the commitment required, in our job pack on the Rise website - https://www.risenortheast.co.uk/careers/job-vacancies/independent-legal-trustee/
How to apply: How to apply To apply, please submit: An up-to-date CV and short covering letter (no more than 2 sides of A4), or a short video/audio clip application (no more than 3 minutes), explaining your interest and suitability in becoming a trustee of Rise. Please highlight your specific expertise in relation to the essential and desirable skills and experience we are looking for, including any other information that you think is relevant in support of your application, for example, what you can offer to the organisation. Two recent professional references. A completed Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form. Please email your application to Recruitment@RiseNorthEast.co.uk with “Trustee of Rise” in the subject line of your email. If you would like to receive a hard copy or alternative format of this content, please contact the same email address. If you would like an informal chat about the role, please contact Clare Morley (CEO) via Clare.Morley@RiseNorthEast.co.uk. Information: Closing date for applications has been extended to 9am on 22 May 2026