Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA) works to save lives and stop economic abuse forever. To achieve this, it seeks to ensure that the policies and practices of financial services firms, domestic abuse support services, and government reflect the needs of all victim-survivors of economic abuse.

Launched in 2017, SEA is the only UK charity dedicated to raising awareness of, and transforming the response to, economic abuse. Over six years SEA has rapidly grown from one employee to 30, with an annual income of almost £1.5 million and the delivery of varied, impactful programs. SEA's 2022-25 strategic plan, Making Waves, reaffirms SEA’s survivor-led approach, and its commitment to developing a strong evidence base on the diversity of survivor experiences and needs.

After a remarkable six years, Surviving Economic Abuse’s founder, Dr. Nicola Sharp Jeffs OBE, will move from her role as CEO to become the charity’s President in June 2024. The incoming Chair will lead the appointment process for the new CEO. The current Chair will take up the vice-chair role and will stay on the Board for another year to ensure a smooth handover.

The Chair will hold the Board and Executive Team to account for the Charity’s mission and vision, providing inclusive leadership to the Board of Trustees, and ensuring that each trustee fulfils their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of the charity.

The Chair will:

• Provide inclusive leadership to the charity and its Board, ensuring that the Charity has maximum impact for its beneficiaries
• Ensure that Trustees are fully engaged and that decisions are taken in the best long-term interests of the Charity and that the Board takes collective ownership
• Ensure that the charity pursues its objects as defined in its governing document, charity law, company law and other relevant legislation/regulations
• Support and challenge, where appropriate, the Chief Executive, respecting the boundaries between the two roles
• Appraise the performance of the CEO, individual Trustees and the Board annually
• Act as an ambassador for the charity
• Chair meetings of the Board of Trustees effectively and efficiently, bringing impartiality and objectivity to decision-making
• Ensure regular contact with the Chief Executive and develop and maintain an open and supportive relationship within which each can speak openly about concerns, worries and challenges

The post is only open to women candidates as being female is deemed to be a genuine occupational requirement of the role under Schedule 9 (Part 1) of the Equality Act 2010.

SEA is seeking an exceptional Chair who can provide leadership to the Board of Trustees, and take forward the charity’s vision and strategy into the next phase of growth.

The successful candidate will bring a demonstrable passion for and understanding of SEA's work, and an appreciation of the importance of its mission.

They will be able to demonstrate:

• Leadership experience at a significant organisation at main-board level, as an Executive or Non-Executive Director, gained in the commercial, public or not-for-profit sectors
• A strong practical understanding of the role and responsibilities of a Non-Executive Chair.
• Significant experience of chairing meetings or events effectively and inclusively
• An ability to nurture a diverse and inclusive environment where team members, volunteers and Board members feel supported and able to reach their full potential
• Financial acumen and a broad understanding of charity finance and governance.
• The ability to build and maintain strong networks in a relevant area
• Communication and influencing skills

Preference will be given to candidates who bring one or more of:

• Experience as a charity Trustee.
• Relevant expertise in women's inequality and the related policymaking environment
• Experience of influencing in the political arena
• A good understanding of, or background in, financial services

There are four Board meetings, one Strategy Day and one ‘All Charity’ day a year. In addition to chairing the main Board meetings, the Chair also chairs the Nominations Committee (two meetings a year) and has the right to attend other sub-committee meetings, which all meet quarterly. The Strategy and ‘All Charity’ days are held in-person. Other meetings may be in-person, remote, or hybrid.

The Chair is also expected to meet regularly with the Chief Executive and may also be required to represent the Charity at events and meetings with key stakeholders. The total time commitment is equal to about 18 days per year. The successful candidate will need to commit to this.

The Chair will be appointed for a three-year term of office with an option for renewal for a further one term to a maximum of six years. This role is unremunerated but pre-agreed, reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.

Successful candidates will need to be located in the UK. Ideally the Chair will be present for Board meetings held in London, though occasional hybrid attendance can be accommodated if necessary.

SEA welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. However, SEA will only consider women candidates as being female is deemed to be a genuine occupational requirement of the role under the terms of Schedule 9 (Part 1) of the Equality Act 2010. As individuals from ethnic minorities, or of international heritage, are currently under-represented on the Board, applications from those candidates are particularly encouraged. The appointment will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process.