Lay Advisor - Chair

Summary

We are seeking an experienced and collaborative Chair to provide leadership to the Lay Advisory Group and ensure independent, non-clinical perspectives contribute effectively to the College's work and decision-making.

About the opportunity

The Chair will provide effective, inclusive and impartial leadership to the Lay Advisory Group, supporting members to contribute their collective skills, experience and perspectives.

The Chair will lead meetings, encourage constructive and balanced discussion and help ensure the Group focuses on matters where lay insight can add meaningful value. The Chair will also be appointed as an advisory co-optee on College Council, providing an important link between the Group and the wider governance of the College.

What will you bring?

We are looking for an experienced and credible leader with the judgement, independence and interpersonal skills required to lead the Group effectively.

We are particularly interested in hearing from people who can demonstrate:

• effective leadership and experience of chairing or facilitating Boards, committees, advisory groups or comparable bodies;
• sound independent judgement and confidence in providing constructive challenge;
• the ability to encourage participation and manage differing perspectives impartially;
• an understanding of effective charity governance and the ability to operate at a strategic level;
• excellent communication, facilitation and relationship-building skills;
• the ability to represent and communicate the collective perspectives of a group;
• experience of engaging effectively with Trustees, Boards, senior leaders or other senior stakeholders; and
• high levels of integrity, discretion and confidentiality.

Experience within a charity, professional body, public sector or membership organisation, or in a governance, trustee, non-executive or advisory capacity, would be particularly valuable.

As this is a lay appointment, applicants should bring a perspective independent of the clinical professions represented by the College.

Commitment

The Lay Advisory Group meets approximately three to four times each year. The Chair will also be expected to attend College Council meetings, six times each year, as an advisory co-optee, undertaking appropriate preparation and liaising with relevant College officers and staff between meetings where required. Total time commitment is expected to be approximately 30 hours per year.

Meetings are hybrid, with the option of attending in person at our Glasgow offices or remotely via Microsoft Teams.