“The School Library Association is a charity dedicated to supporting all who work within school libraries – primary, secondary and sixth form.

Our mission is to build a community to share best practice and to work towards all schools in the UK having their own (or shared) staffed library to help all children and young people build their literacy skills and fulfil their potential. 

We are looking to appoint an experienced Chair for our Board of Trustees. We particularly want to hear from candidates with charity, business or membership development experience as we look to strengthen our brand, our membership reach, and financial growth. 

Our Board currently has a mix of Trustees from business and the school library and educational sectors which helps to strengthen the range of skills and perspectives the SLA and its CEO can tap into.

The SLA has, over the last 5 years, made huge changes to its organisational and governance structure, Board strength, and employee skills base. Trustees joining us now will help to take us on the next stage of our exciting journey to reach more members and schools and help children achieve their full potential. 

Skills and personal qualities required:

• A track record in delivering impactful business development initiatives or membership growth plans
• Financial acumen – analytical and commercial financial experience
• Leadership skills – engaging and developing the abilities of all
• Communication skills – an engaging style, an active listening approach, comfortable communicating to large audiences 
• Experience of working at Board level and chairing professional committees 
• A team player – willing to support the Board and SLA staff as required 
• Initiative and generosity – someone willing to both propose ideas and develop the thinking behind them
• Energy and enthusiasm – a passion for literacy and the lasting benefits this brings children from all walks of life
• An understanding of the role and potential of school libraries 

The Chair will be ably supported by a Board of up to 11 Trustees including an experienced Vice Chair, Hon Treasurer and Hon Secretary. 

For a full role description click here. If you are interested in this role and would like an informal chat to develop your understanding of what is required, and the satisfaction it can bring, please contact the Vice Chair, Amanda Whiteford, on vchair@sla.org.uk. To apply please fill out this form, having first read the information on this page“.

Read more here.

The deadline to apply is 17th April 2024.