Board Member Opportunities

Chair

Overview

Athletics NI (ANI) is responsible for developing and promoting the sport of athletics in Northern Ireland, in partnership with UK Athletics, Athletics Ireland and the other home country associations. Athletics NI oversees the delivery of events, coaching and education programmes, performance pathways, anti-doping and integrity policies, and membership and affiliation services.

ANI is seeking to appoint a Chair to lead its board of directors, which consists of eight elected members and four independent members. The Chair will be appointed for an initial term off our years, renewable for a further term of four years, subject to performance and board approval.

The Chair ensures the board has a clear vision, strategy and culture, and holds the chief executive and senior management team accountable for delivering the organisation's objectives. The Chair also represents Athletics NI at various functions, meetings and media events, and liaises with key stakeholders and partners, including Sport NI, UK Athletics, Athletics Ireland and Mary Peters Track Ltd.

An effective chair will provide leadership to the board, enabling them to fulfil their responsibilities for the overall governance and strategic direction of the organisation. The chair will play an integral role in ensuring that appropriate decisions are correctly made, including developing the organisation’s aims, objectives and goals in accordance with the governing document and legal and regulatory guidelines.

The chair will work in partnership with the chief executive to ensure that board decisions a reacted upon and the organisation is managed effectively. They will understand the difference between the role the board plays in governance, developing and agreeing the strategic direction of the organisation and that of the chief executive and senior management team in applying that strategy to the day- to-day operations.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead the board in developing and reviewing the strategic direction, priorities and performance of the organisation.
• Support and appraise the chief executive and act as a critical friend.
• Facilitate effective board meetings, ensuring adequate scrutiny, challenge and decision-making.
• Manage conflicts of interest and loyalty, and uphold the values and principles of the organisation.
• Promote board diversity, renewal and succession planning, and evaluate board performance.
• Authorise action between board meetings within the scope of the governing document and legal requirements.
• Engage with the Sports Governance Academy to keep up with current trends in sports governance.

How to Apply

To apply for the role, please send a CV and a covering letter outlining your motivation and suitability for the role, and how you meet the person specification, to Athletics NI CEO, ceo@athleticsni.org by Friday 20 September 2024 at 12 noon. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview with a panel of board members and external advisers. The appointment will be subject to satisfactory references and eligibility checks.

Chair - Role Description

Independent Board Member

Overview

Athletics NI (ANI) is responsible for developing and promoting the sport of athletics in Northern Ireland, in partnership with UK Athletics and the other home country associations. Athletics NI oversees the delivery of events, coaching and education programmes, performance pathways, anti-doping and integrity policies, and membership and affiliation services.

ANI is seeking to appoint an independent board member with legal experience / qualification to join its board of directors, which consists of eight elected members and four independent members. The board is accountable to ANI’s members and stakeholders, and provides strategic direction, governance oversight, and financial and risk management for the organisation.

The independent board member will bring expertise, experience and diversity to the board, and will contribute to the achievement of the ANI's vision, mission and values. The independent board member will also act as an ambassador for the sport and the organisation as required.

ANI adheres to the Code for Sports Governance and expects its board members to uphold the highest standards of governance and conduct.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide robust challenge and fresh perspective to the board on all matters of strategy, policy, performance, accountability, resources, risk and governance.
• Support the chair on governance issues, including the annual review of board effectiveness.
• Participate in any board induction, training and evaluation identified as an individual board member and as part of the board or committee.
• Promote the board's commitment to board diversity, renewal and succession planning, inline with the governing document and organisational diversity goals.
• Act between full meetings of the board in authorising action to be taken intra vires, e.g. directly engaging with stakeholders as required.

How to Apply

To apply for the role, please send a CV and a covering letter outlining your motivation and suitability for the role, and how you meet the person specification, to the ANI CEO at ceo@athleticsni.org by Friday 20 September 2024 at 12 noon. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview with a panel of board members and external advisers. The appointment will be subject to satisfactory references and eligibility checks.

Independent Board Member - Role Description