Chair Recruitment
We are currently seeking an independent Chair to lead the Ensemble ‘84 Board. Working closely with the Executive team, the Chair plays a vital leadership role in guiding the Board and supporting the organisation’s strategic direction.
The Basics
Location: Horden, Co Durham, with meetings across the County and online
Key Relationships: Executive Producer, Artistic Director Trustees
Salary: Voluntary. Expenses provided for travel and accommodation
Term: 3 years, with the option to renew for 2 terms
Hours: Quarterly Board Meetings plus some ad hoc meetings/conversations
Start Date: TBC
About us - Ensemble ‘84
We are Ensemble ‘84 - a Theatre Company based in Horden, County Durham. Formed with the pioneering and transformation model of co-creation from Cape Town’s Isango Ensemble, Ensemble ‘84 will work exclusively with County Durham communities to form bold new theatre works for national audiences. From its home in Horden, Ensemble ‘84 will offer a core programme of skills development, training and mentoring, and above all a platform for hope, expression and positive change, amplifying unheard voices and harnessing untapped potential within our communities. Ensemble ‘84 is part of the Into the Light programme– with the support of Arts Council England. It is developed in partnership with Redhills CIO and Durham County Council.
The Role of the Chair
The Chair plays a vital leadership role in guiding the Board and supporting the organisation’s strategic direction.
Working closely with the Executive team, the Chair will:
Lead the Board in setting and reviewing the organisation’s vision, priorities and long-term sustainability
Ensure strong governance, compliance and accountability as a registered charity
Foster a constructive, inclusive and well-functioning Board culture
Support and challenge the Executive appropriately
Oversee financial stewardship, risk management and regulatory responsibilities
Act as an ambassador and advocate for Ensemble ’84 locally, regionally and nationally
The Chair ensures that Trustees collectively fulfil their duties and that the organisation operates with integrity, clarity and ambition.
Our Governance
Ensemble 84 is a registered charity. Our Board of Trusees ensure that we deliver on our mission, aims and objectives. Board members are independent external voices with specialist expertise. Our Board is led by an independent Chair,. We currently have 2 other Trustees.
Our Board has responsibility for reviewing and approving our funding applications and monitoring documents including submissions to the Charity Commission. The Board approves our annual budgets, our audited financial statements, and risk register. Our Board sets the priorities for the organisation, the direction we move in, and they represent Without Walls at sector and other events.
Personal Specification
What We Are Looking For
We are seeking a Chair who can:
Provide confident, values-led leadership
Demonstrate sound understanding of governance and charity responsibilities
Offer strategic oversight and constructive challenge
Support financial sustainability and income diversification
Champion the organisation within wider networks
Build strong relationships locally and across the cultural sector
Uphold and model a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion
An understanding of the theatre sector, fundraising, finance, legal frameworks, marketing, or community leadership would be welcome but above all we are looking for someone who can lead the Board with integrity, clarity and purpose.
We welcome applications from all backgrounds.
Essential Criteria
In addition to the specific skills and experiences outlined above, we expect all of our Directors to have the following:
strong belief in the power of arts and culture to transform lives and communities
Experience of governance, leadership or board-level responsibility
A commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism
Willingness to engage with Arts Council England funding frameworks and reporting requirements
Ability to work collaboratively and support collective decision-making
How to Apply
Our Trustees are appointed by the Board for a three year term with the possibility of extension for a further three years. All of our Board members are registered as Directors at Companies House, and are governed by our Terms of Reference and Code of Conduct.
To apply, please send us:
● A CV - which should detail your key skills, employment or voluntary experience relevant to this role, including responsibilities held and relevant education or vocational training.
● A cover letter (2 pages of A4 max) - telling us why you feel that you meet the outlined criteria and would be a valuable addition to the Board.
We will also accept applications as audio or video files that contain the information described above*. These should be no more than 10 minutes in length.
Please send your completed application to info@ensemble84.com.
*For emailing large files such as a film, please use We Transfer or Hightail.
Timeline
We are holding an open appointment for trustees - with no fixed timeline for appointments. If you have any queries please email info@ensemble84.com.
Privacy
The information you supply as part of your application will be kept securely and will remain confidential. We will not retain this or any other personal information beyond the duration of the application process.
