Trustee – Fundraising and Governance

What will you be doing?

The Rock Pool Trust is entering an exciting new chapter as a newly registered charity, building on the success of The Rock Pool Project and its flagship national programme, the Big Rock Pool Challenge.

Our existing Board brings experience in marine science, education, community engagement and organisational leadership. We're now looking to strengthen our expertise in fundraising and income generation as we work towards a sustainable future for our growing national programme.

What will you do?

As our Fundraising and Governance Trustee, you'll help shape the Trust's strategic approach to securing the resources needed to deliver and expand our activities.

In particular, you'll:

• Contribute to the development and oversight of our fundraising and income generation strategy.
• Help us identify opportunities to diversify our income, including grants, corporate partnerships, sponsorship and individual giving.
• Provide constructive advice on fundraising priorities, opportunities and risks.
• Support the Board in making informed decisions about the charity's financial sustainability and future development.
• Contribute to good governance and effective strategic decision-making as the Trust establishes itself as a charity.

This is a strategic role, not an operational fundraising position.

Our staff team manages fundraising applications, campaigns and relationships with funders. We're looking for someone who can share their experience, challenge our thinking and help us make good long-term decisions.

Trustees meet quarterly, primarily online, with meetings lasting approximately two hours plus preparation time. There may be occasional opportunities to provide advice between meetings, but we aim to keep the commitment manageable.

New trustees are appointed for a three-year term, with an initial review after six months to reflect on how the role is working for both the trustee and the Trust.

You'll be joining at an important stage in our development, helping to ensure that more communities across the UK can discover, enjoy and contribute to understanding their coastal wildlife.

What are we looking for?

We're looking for someone who can bring fundraising experience, strategic thinking and enthusiasm for our mission to the Board of The Rock Pool Trust.

Essential experience and qualities

• Experience of fundraising or income generation within the charity or voluntary sector.
• An understanding of the importance of good charity governance and trustee responsibilities, or a willingness to develop this understanding.
• The ability to think strategically, contribute constructively to discussions and exercise independent judgement.
• A genuine enthusiasm for the aims and activities of The Rock Pool Trust and the Big Rock Pool Challenge.

An existing connection with our work, or a demonstrated commitment to our mission, will be valued alongside the skills and experience candidates bring to the Board.

Desirable experience

Experience in one or more of the following areas would be particularly welcome:

• Developing or overseeing fundraising strategies.
• Securing funding from charitable trusts and foundations.
• Corporate fundraising, sponsorship and partnerships.
• Individual giving, community fundraising or public appeals.
• Diversifying income and developing sustainable funding models.
• Previous experience as a charity trustee or involvement in charity governance.

You don't need experience in all these areas, and previous trustee experience is not essential.

We're particularly interested in people who can bring fresh perspectives and constructive ideas to our fundraising approach. You don't need a background in marine biology or conservation, but you should share our enthusiasm for connecting people with coastal wildlife.

We welcome applications from people with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.

What difference will you make?

This is a key appointment for The Rock Pool Trust, helping us build a stronger, more sustainable financial future at a crucial stage in our development.

As a small charity delivering an ambitious national programme, securing reliable and diverse funding is one of our biggest challenges. Your experience and strategic guidance will help us make better decisions, develop new funding opportunities and reduce our reliance on individual grants.

Ultimately, this means helping us support more volunteers, establish and sustain local coastal hubs, and give more people the opportunity to discover and protect the incredible wildlife found around our shores.

By strengthening our approach to fundraising and income generation, you'll play an important part in securing the long-term future of the Big Rock Pool Challenge and its growing contribution to marine education, community engagement and citizen science across the UK.

Additional information

You can download the following documents:

Rock Pool Trust - Become a trustee info pack_3.pdf

Before you apply

We encourage anyone interested in this opportunity to contact us through Reach for an informal chat before applying. This is an opportunity to learn more about The Rock Pool Trust, discuss the role and ask any questions. An informal chat is entirely optional and does not form part of the selection process.

To apply, please provide a short written expression of interest explaining:

• Why you would like to become a trustee of The Rock Pool Trust.
• How your skills and experience meet the essential criteria outlined in the advert, particularly your fundraising experience.
• What you feel you could contribute to the Board and the future development of the Big Rock Pool Challenge.

There is no need for a lengthy application.

Applications will be assessed against the published criteria. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview, held online, with a small panel including at least one existing trustee.

Following interviews, the panel will make a recommendation to the Board. Any appointment will be subject to the Trust's usual trustee eligibility checks and appointment procedures.

We aim to keep the process straightforward and welcoming, and look forward to hearing from you.

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