Volunteer Trustee- Charity Secretary

What will you be doing?

Why This Role Matters Behind every bold, feminist organisation is a backbone of strong governance. As we look ahead to the next five years — including establishing a long term women-only centre in Coventry — we need an exceptional woman to help ensure our Board stays accountable, informed, and compliant. The Charity Secretary plays a vital leadership role, working closely with the Chair and CEO to make sure our meetings are effective, our decisions are sound, and our governance is transparent and legally robust. This role isn’t only about taking minutes — it’s about protecting the integrity of our organisation, making sure we honour our responsibilities, and supporting the Board to lead with clarity, purpose, and care. You’ll be central to:

Ensuring we comply with charity law, company law, and our own governing document Facilitating high-quality Board meetings and member communications Providing trusted advice and information to help Trustees make sound decisions Holding space for governance that reflects our feminist values and vision

Your Responsibilities Will Include:

Supporting the Chair in ensuring the Board conducts itself professionally and efficiently Developing and managing board meeting agendas and minutes in partnership with the Chair and CEO Ensuring meetings are properly convened, quorate, and documented, with clear decisions and follow-up Being the custodian of the governing document — interpreting it and ensuring compliance with it Keeping trustees informed of their legal powers and duties Ensuring accurate records are kept and statutory reporting obligations are met Advising on matters of charity and company law, and identifying risks or compliance issues Serving as the conscience of the charity — helping the Board maintain integrity and accountability in all decisions

This is Your Invitation If you’re ready to use your skills in service of something deeply meaningful — and help lead a powerful feminist organisation from the heart of its governance — we’d love to hear from you. Together, we can build a stronger future for Kairos, and a more just world for the women we serve.

What are we looking for?

Who We’re Looking For We’re looking for a values-driven woman with a strong grounding in governance, legal compliance, or charity operations. You don’t need to be a lawyer — but you do need to be confident navigating regulatory frameworks and committed to keeping our work rooted in ethical, lawful practice. You may have served as a charity secretary, company secretary, board administrator, or legal advisor — or you may bring transferable experience from a governance, compliance, or risk background. We are especially interested in hearing from women who:

Have a working knowledge of charity and company law, governance best practice, or compliance processes Are experienced in supporting or leading boards, committees, or statutory meetings Have a clear, methodical approach to information, decision-making, and risk management Are calm, trustworthy, and unafraid to raise important (and sometimes difficult) questions Share our feminist values and commitment to justice and accountability

Lived Experience and Inclusion The voices of women with lived experience are at the heart of Kairos. We actively encourage women from marginalised communities to apply — including Black, minoritised and migrant women; women with disabilities; lesbian and bisexual women; and working-class women. We will ensure you feel welcomed, supported and respected in a culture that values authenticity, honesty and sisterhood. Please note: This role is open to women only, as permitted under the Equality Act 2010 (Schedule 9, Part 1, GOR). What You’ll Bring:

Commitment to feminist values and our mission to support and empower women Confidence working with legal documents, governance procedures, and compliance issues Excellent communication and organisational skills A collaborative, thoughtful approach to working with others Time, energy, and attention to detail to help the Board function at its best Willingness to be a steadying voice — helping the organisation stay true to its values, responsibilities and ambitions

As with all trustees, the Secretary must uphold the seven Nolan principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.  

What difference will you make?

As Charity Secretary, you’ll play a vital behind-the-scenes role in driving feminist change. Your work will ensure that every decision we make as a Board is informed, lawful, and aligned with our values — creating the strong foundations needed for bold, lasting impact. By helping the Board function with integrity and clarity, you’ll directly support Kairos to navigate complex legal and social landscapes, respond to emerging risks, and stay accountable to the women we serve. You’ll be the person who helps us pause, reflect, and ensure we’re doing things the right way — not just the easy way. At a time when women's rights and safety are under constant threat, your voice will help safeguard the future of a charity that refuses to look away. You’ll help us stand strong — legally, ethically and structurally — as we campaign for justice, amplify lived experience, and build a trauma-informed women’s centre in Coventry. This is about more than compliance — it’s about conscience. Your steady presence and principled leadership will help ensure that our feminism isn’t just spoken, but practised — in our governance, our culture, and the way we show up for the women who rely on us.