An Opportunity To Guide And Direct The Future Of A Unique Museum

CHAIR THE SOLDIERS OF OXFORDSHIRE MUSEUM, WOODSTOCK, OXFORDSHIRE

The Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum holds at its core the rich histories of the two former County Regiments; The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and the Queens Own Oxfordshire Hussars in which Churchill served and was associated with for 64 years. Apart from the two county regiments, Oxfordshire has been and still is heavily populated by Military and has been for centuries. It currently hosts a Reserve Company of The Rifles (the successors to the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry) in Abingdon, a Reserve vehicle squadron of the Royal Logistics Corps (the successors to the Queens Own Oxfordshire Hussars) in Banbury, two major RAF bases in Brize Norton and Benson together with the major logistic base and the Defence Explosives Munitions School at Bicester as well as other logistic regiments within the County.

Since we opened in 2014 we have been telling the stories of these soldiers, their families, the county towns in which they lived or came from and the consequences of conflict on them and the County. We pride ourselves on being a new take on the classic military museum where everyone can be inspired to learn and share stories of courage and combat in conflict and peace and we want to inspire everyone with our collections and story-telling.

Funding is critical to our ability to continue to deliver a museum that can fuel curiosity, engage communities and deepen relationships to enable us to flourish.

The Soldiers of Oxfordshire Board is a strategic board. The day to day running of the museum is the responsibility of the Museum Director.
The museum is located in the grounds of the county’s museum and the site is owned and managed by this external body.
Remuneration:

The role of Chair is not accompanied by any financial remuneration, although expenses for travel may be claimed.

Location: Woodstock, Oxfordshire.

Time commitment: The Board of Trustees currently meet bi-monthly. There is an annual Away Day which may be run by an external body in conjunction with the Chair. The Chair is also expected to have regular meetings with the Museum Director who is also the CEO of SOFO Trading Company. The Chair is expected to occasionally attend Board sub committees. The Chair represents the charity at various events and meetings with partners and key stakeholders. The Chair stays in contact with the Trustees individually to ensure the good health of the team and also keeps up to date on developments in the museums sector.

Reporting to: Board of Trustees

ROLE DESCRIPTION

OBJECTIVES

The Chair will hold the Board 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 also support and, where appropriate, challenge the Museum Director and ensure that the Board functions as a unit and works closely with the Museum Director to achieve agreed objectives.

He or she will act as an ambassador and the public face of the charity in partnership with the Museum Director.

The museum, like all heritage organisations is currently reviewing its business model in light of the pandemic. The Chair will work with fellow Trustees and the Museum Director to keep building a strong financial and supporter base for the museum.

Principal responsibilities:

Strategic leadership
• Provide leadership to the charity and its Board, ensuring that the charity has maximum impact for its beneficiaries.
• Ensure that Trustees fulfil their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of the charity.
• Ensure that the Board operates within its charitable objectives, and provides a clear strategic direction for the charity.
• Ensure that the Board is able to regularly review major risks and potential, and satisfy itself that systems are in place to take advantage of opportunities, and manage and mitigate the risks.
• Ensure that the Board fulfils its duties to ensure sound financial health of the charity, with systems in place to ensure financial accountability.

Governance
• Ensure that the governance arrangements are working in the most effective way for the charity.
• Maintain standards which reflect the guidelines of the Charity Commission.
• Develop the knowledge and capability of the Board of Trustees.
• Encourage positive change where appropriate.
• Address and resolve any conflicts within the Board.
• Appraise the performance of the Trustees and the Board on an annual basis.
• Ensure that the Board of Trustees is regularly refreshed and incorporates the right balance of skills, interests, 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.
• When setting the agenda for the Board meetings priority must be given to achieving strategic discussions around future planning to ensure the Museum remains a going concern.
• Ensure the annual Away Day is an opportunity for reviewing the impact of the museum and identifying how the Board can continue to work effectively.

External Relations
• Act as an ambassador for the cause and the charity.
• Maintain close relationships with key members of the local Government and with key influences. This will include Woodstock Town Council, Oxfordshire County Council and West Oxfordshire District Council.
• Act as a spokesperson for the organisation when appropriate.
• Represent the charity at external functions, meetings and events.
• Develop relationships and partnerships with the various military establishments in Oxfordshire.
• Actively work with the Museum Director in expanding the relationships with other museums, both national and local as well as foster good relationships with relevant sector organisations.
• Facilitate change and address any potential conflict with external stakeholders.

Efficiency and effectiveness
• Chair meetings of the Board of Trustees effectively and efficiently, bringing impartiality and objectivity to the decision-making process.
• Have clear agendas and work with the Secretary of the Trust on calling Board meetings with papers distributed in a timely fashion.
• Ensure that Trustees are fully engaged and that decisions are taken in the best, long-term interests of the charity and that the Board takes collective ownership.
• Foster, maintain and ensure that constructive relationships exist with and between the Trustees.
• Ensure succession planning is in place and in accordance with best practice guidance from the Charity Commission.
• Work closely with the Museum Director to give direction to Board policy-making 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 Museum Director
• Establish and build a strong, effective and a constructive working relationship with the Museum Director, ensuring he/she is held to account for achieving agreed strategic objectives.
• Support the Museum Director, whilst respecting the boundaries which exist between the two roles.
• Ensure regular contact with the Museum Director and develop and maintain an open and supportive relationship within which each can speak openly about concerns, worries and challenges.
• Liaise with the Museum Director to maintain an overview of the charity’s affairs, providing support as necessary.
• Conduct an annual appraisal and remuneration review for the Museum Director in consultation with other Trustees.
• Ensure that the Museum Director has the opportunity for professional development and has appropriate external professional support.

Additional information
The above list is indicative only and not exhaustive. The Chair will be expected to perform all such additional duties as are reasonably commensurate with the role.

Induction
The current Chair will be available for a short period of handover.

Essential Reading for All Trustees
The Charity Governance Codes
https://www.charitygovernancecode.org/en/front-page
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-essential-trustee-what-you-need-to-know-cc3

Making Contact
If you are interested please contact Ursula Corcoran, Museum Director
EMAIL: MuseumDirector@sofo.org.uk
Tel: 01993 810 212
The Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum
Harrisons Lane
Woodstock
Oxfordshire
OX20 1SS

To apply send a CV and Covering Letter stating your suitability for the role to museumdirector@sofo.org.uk.

Closing date 13th September 2021.

www.sofo.org.uk