Independent Chair

Organisation: Tennis Wales
Salary: Volunteer
Location: Wales
Contract type: Volunteer
Closing date: 5 January 2024
Interview date: 8 February 2024
Job Description: ABOUT THE ROLE

Tennis Wales is the Governing Body of tennis and padel in Wales. Our vision is tennis opened up across Wales. We’re aiming to grow the game by making it relevant, accessible, welcoming & enjoyable across the country.

Tennis Wales is looking to recruit an Independent Chairperson to lead the Tennis Wales Board from May 2024 to ensure the effective management of the organisation and work in partnership with the CEO to successfully deliver our vision.

This is a non-salaried position. Travel and other reasonable out-of-pocket expenses will be reimbursed for attendance at official meetings and events on behalf of Tennis Wales. The Tennis Wales Board meets five times a year across Wales. The term of office is three years initially (following formal election at the next Annual General Meeting) with a maximum of two, three-year terms.

MAIN PURPOSE

The Chair will lead the Board to reach strategic decisions and make sure that the company's obligations are fulfilled. Directors take an active role in the policymaking & strategic development for Tennis Wales at Board level, liaising with key stakeholders and supporting the CEO on a regular basis.

RESPONSIBILITIES

· Provide leadership to the Board, ensuring that the Board sets the strategy (in conjunction with stakeholders), assesses the financial risks to the organisation and satisfies itself that adequately skilled staff are in place.

· Work in partnership with the CEO, taking on the role of line manager, setting objectives for the CEO,
carrying out an annual performance appraisal and providing support, encouragement, and an initial point of contact to discuss issues and new ideas prior to full Board discussion.

· Represent Welsh tennis, by ensuring that they are visible to funding partners and to the tennis community in Wales, representing the views of the Board to stakeholders, attending appropriate forums and meetings, attending, or supporting major tennis events, leading the Annual General Meeting, and acting as an open channel for Board members, staff and the wider tennis community to air ideas, concerns or grievances.

· The Chair will support other Board members, ensuring that they understand their role, uphold the highest standards of integrity and probity, and ensure that good governance in line with the Governance & Leadership Framework for Wales is embedded in the organisation at all levels.

· The Chair will be required to provide varying amounts of time to the role depending on their circumstances and the needs of Tennis Wales at certain times, but is expected to attend all Board meetings (at present 5 per year), chair the Annual General Meeting, attend Governance and Staffing Committee meetings, as well as having regular meetings with the CEO. The Chair should attend meetings with stakeholders as required and attend LTA, Sport Wales and other meetings to understand new initiatives and issues affecting tennis and the wider sporting community.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

A high level of integrity and probity
Proven leadership skills, including the ability to chair meetings effectively and manage discussions to reach clear decisions
Excellent management skills, including experience of managing the Chair/CEO relationship or of similar senior partnerships
Good communications skills, with the confidence to speak in front of groups of all sizes and the ability to express ideas clearly
Experience of dealing with sensitive and confidential issues
The ability to attend Tennis Wales events, including Board and committee meetings, functions and tennis events
Knowledge of the statutory requirements relating to limited companies
Experience or skills in corporate governance, including previous Board-level experience
Experience of managing a staff team and/or working closely with a CEO in a supervisory role
Desirable: Knowledge of, or the ability to rapidly assimilate the key issues faced by Tennis Wales, tennis in Britain and the wider sporting landscape in Wales
How to apply: Tennis Wales is an equal opportunities organisation and welcomes applications from all interested individuals. Please attach a copy of your CV and a covering letter explaining how you meet the criteria for selection and why you wish to join Tennis Wales as detailed in the below link. https://ambition.lta.org.uk/vacancies/332/independent-chair--tennis-wales.html The deadline for applications is 5pm on Friday 5th January 2024. We also ask that you complete our online Diversity Monitoring Form. If you have any questions please email our current Chair, Neil O'Doherty : Neil.Odoherty@tenniswales.org.uk. Please note that the successful applicant will be required to complete a Criminal Record Disclosure Form.