Chairperson – Scottish Sports Association (SSA) – Edinburgh

Job Description

Role:
The Scottish Sports Association is seeking a dynamic and innovative leader, with outstanding leadership and partnership development experience, as the next Chairperson of the organisation. This role is a unique leadership and influencing position within Scottish sport.

We are looking to appoint a dynamic and enthusiastic individual with significant experience of leading an organisation to lead the Board of Management and the organisation. Experience/knowledge of sport through clubs or Scottish Governing Bodies (SGBs) would be beneficial but is not essential. This role is fundamental to the progression of the SSA and sport in Scotland. The post is non-remunerated however legitimate expenses will be covered.

The Scottish Sports Association (SSA):
The SSA is the independent and collective voice for Scottish Governing Bodies (SGBs) of sport; we exist to represent and support SGBs.

We bring SGBs together with a wide range of partners aiming to ensure that sports policies, and those that impact on sport, work in harmony so as to be most effective in practice. We work together with national and local government, Scottish Parliament, sportscotland, business, the voluntary sector and other key organisations, to shape, strengthen and promote sport in Scotland.

We represent the interests of our members and have 52 full members and 15 associate members. SGBs are responsible for the governance, development and delivery of their individual sports and provide a formal structure for the 900,000 sports men and women who are members of Scotland’s 13,000 sports clubs. Many of these organisations are run on a not-for-profit basis and are managed by volunteers. They provide coaching, competition and participation development opportunities within their local communities and most of the 195,000 people who volunteer in sport do so within the club structure.

The Opportunity:
The successful individual will gain expertise of leading and advising a small but dynamic Board as a key influencer within Scottish sport. They will help to shape the future of Scottish sport, particularly in relation to strategic opportunities and partnerships between the SSA, our member SGBs, key partners – eg sportscotland – and other potential organisations. This is a great opportunity for someone with a passion for sport and presents great potential for meeting new people and new networks and making a genuine difference to sport in Scotland.

The SSA Board has developed a strong, skill-based Board and is keen to appoint a candidate with vision and leadership to drive the SSA over the duration of our new Strategic Framework 2014-2020. With the right skills and experience the Chairperson will play a key role in further increasing the profile of the SSA so that it can further support and represent the interests of our member governing bodies of sport and positively influence policy and strategy for the benefit of sport in Scotland.

Time Commitment:
Approximately 20-25 hours per month. This includes 7 Board meetings a year, plus an AGM and a Board ‘away day’. There is a significant degree of flexibility (day and/or evening) around this contribution, including meeting dates, to suit the diary of the successful candidate.

The post is non-remunerated although travel and meeting expenses will be reimbursed according to the SSA’s policies and procedures.

The SSA office is based in Edinburgh and Board meetings are normally held in Edinburgh.

Accountability:
The Chairperson is accountable to the Board, via Management Board meetings, and the membership, via the AGM.

Main Duties:
The Chairperson’s primary role is to provide leadership to the SSA Board and staff to ensure the optimal use of resources to deliver the ambitions of members.

The main features of the role of Chairperson are as follows:
• Chairing Board meetings and the Annual General Meeting
• Line management and support of the CEO
• Championing the organisation, its purpose and our members
• Representing the organisation with key partners and stakeholders
• Ensuring good governance and financial probity
• Demonstrating and leading an ethos of continuous improvement in the performance of the Board and the organisation.

Current and Future Chairperson/Terms and Conditions:
The selection of the next Chairperson of the SSA is fundamental to the organisation and is a key feature of the SSA’s succession planning. As such, the proposal is that the successful individual is voted to a new position on the SSA Board, for 2015-16 only, of Chairperson-elect (and Director) at the SSA’s Annual General Meeting in September 2015. This will provide one year for this person to complete a comprehensive handover with the existing Chairperson, before he steps down at the 2016 AGM (September), at which point the Chairperson-elect would take over as Chairperson for an initial two year term.

Please note:
This vacancy is not open to anyone who has been disqualified from holding a Directorship in a Limited Company.

How to apply
To register your interest in this vacancy, please email the SSA’s Chairperson, Lee Cousins, with a covering letter detailing your interest in/reasons for applying for the role, experience as it pertains to this specific vacancy and the assets you could bring to the SSA along with a current CV to chair@thessa.org.uk All expressions of interest are requested by 4pm on Monday 4 May 2015. Representatives of the SSA Board will consider all applications and invite selected candidates for interview on the week commencing Monday 11 May 2015. Any queries, or for an informal discussion regarding the vacancy, should be directed to Lee Cousins via: 07787 151 057.

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