Trustee

POST: TRUSTEE

TYPE: VOLUNTARY

“The EFL is about two things – great football competitions and supporting communities 365 days a year”.

EFL in the Community is looking for a Trustee to join its Board. The role will sit alongside the existing Trustees, ensuring that the charity is acting with integrity and in the best interests of those it was set up to support. 

We are particularly looking for applicants who have leadership experience at board/executive board level in any of the following areas:

•  Charity governance 
• Contractual, commercial and property law 
• Cyber security 
• Environment 
• Health & safety 

More information is available in the downloadable Candidate Brief that is attached to this advert. 

JOB PURPOSE

Trustees have overall control of the charity and are responsible for making sure it is doing what it was set up to do. 

Trustees are the people who lead the charity and decide how it is run. Being a Trustee means making decisions that will impact people’s lives. 

Trustees use their skills and experience to support the charity, helping it to achieve its aims. Trustees also often learn new skills during their time on the Board. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

To ensure that EFL in the Community is carrying out its purposes for the public benefit: 

• You must make sure that EFL in the Community is carrying out the purposes for which it is set up, and no other purpose. This means you should understand EFL in the Community’s purposes as set out in its governing document, plan what EFL in the Community will do, and what you want it to achieve, be able to explain how the EFL in the Community’s activities are intended to further support its purposes and understand how EFL in the Community benefits the public by carrying out its purposes

To comply with EFL in the Community’s governing document and the law: 

• You must make sure that EFL in the Community complies with its governing document 
• You must comply with charity law requirements and other laws that apply to EFL in the Community 
• You should take reasonable steps to find out about legal requirements, for example by reading relevant guidance or taking appropriate advice when you need to

To act in EFL in the Community’s best interests: 

• You must do what you and your co-Trustees (and no one else) decide will best enable EFL in the Community to carry out its purposes
• You must, with your co-Trustees, make balanced and adequately informed decisions, thinking about the long term as well as the short term
• You must avoid putting yourself in a position where your duty to your charity conflicts with your personal interests or loyalty to any other person or body
• You must not receive any benefit from the charity unless it is properly authorised and is clearly in the charity’s interests; this also includes anyone who is financially connected to you, such as a partner, dependent child, or business partner

 To manage your charity’s resources responsibly: 

• You must act responsibly, reasonably, and honestly
• You must make sure EFL in the Community’s assets are only used to support or carry out its purposes
• You must avoid exposing EFL in the Community’s assets, beneficiaries, or reputation to undue risk
• You must not over-commit EFL in the Community
• You must take special care when investing or borrowing
• You must comply with any restrictions on spending funds or selling land
• You and your co-Trustees should put appropriate procedures and safeguards in place and take reasonable steps to ensure that these are followed

 To act with reasonable care and skill: 

• You must use reasonable care and skill, making use of your skills and experience and taking appropriate advice when necessary
• You should give enough time, thought, and energy to your role, for example by preparing for, attending, and actively participating in all trustees’ meetings

To make sure your charity is accountable: 

• You and your co-Trustees must comply with statutory accounting and reporting requirements
• You should also be able to demonstrate that EFL in the Community is complying with the law, is well run and effective
• You should make sure there is accountability within EFL in the Community, particularly where you delegate responsibility for particular tasks or decisions to employees or volunteers

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

KNOWLEDGE & UNDERSTANDING 

• Charity Governance & Legal Responsibilities - Awareness of the fiduciary duties including acting in the charity’s best interests, ensuring financial integrity, and complying with statutory obligations alongside familiarity with the role of trustees as company directors under UK company law 
• Strategic Oversight - Ability to contribute to the strategic direction of the charity, including setting and reviewing objectives and understanding of risk management, especially in relation to funding and programme delivery 
• Financial Acumen - Ability to interpret and scrutinise financial statements, budgets, and funding reports. Understanding of income sources and distribution
• Community Engagement & Impact - Knowledge of how Football Clubs and their Football Club charities deliver programmes that address health, wellbeing, education, and social inclusion alongside appreciation of the local and national impact of initiatives 
• Partnerships & Stakeholder Relations - Understanding of the importance of relationships with stakeholders 
• Safeguarding & Inclusion - Awareness of safeguarding policies and procedures and a commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion (using an equity approach) across all programmes and governance structures

TECHNICAL SKILLS 

• Senior leadership experience in the public, private or voluntary sector at board or executive level 
• A passion for community and understanding the difference sport and Football can make to a community 
• Ability to represent EFL in the Community externally, advocate its strategic plan and to make strategic connections that help us with our deliverables 
• Collaborative mindset and the ability to work effectively as part of a complex board with multiple stakeholders 
• Commitment to continuous learning and adapting to the needs of the communities that EFL in the Community supports 
• A critical friend – can give constructive comment and feedback with the sensitivity that engages the team 
• We are specifically looking for applicants who have leadership experience in any of the following areas: 

1. Charity governance 
2. Contractual, commercial and property law 
3. Cyber security 
4. Environment 
5. Health & safety 

CORE VALUES

• You must be able to demonstrate, embody, and promote the EFL in the Community Core Values: 
• We are passionate about people 
• We listen to learn 
• We continually improve 
• We lead by example 

TIME COMMITMENT

• The Board meets 4 to 5 times a year, – with the majority of meetings in person in London. These meetings are 3-4 hours in duration  
• Committee meetings are held up to 3 to 4 times a year and are mostly virtual 
• You will be expected to join one of the committees 
• You will be required to attend events that help amplify EFL in the Community’s messaging – this could be up to an additional 6 events a year – ranging from the Community Awards at Westminster to the EFL Week of Action throughout the UK in November

INTRODUCTION TO THE EFL and EFL in the Community 

The English Football League (EFL) is the highest attended football league, and largest single body of professional clubs in Europe. 

It is responsible for administering and regulating the Sky Bet EFL, Sky Bet Play-Offs, Carabao Cup and Vertu Trophy competitions, plus youth and reserve team football. 

A vital part of sporting life, both in the UK and across the globe, the EFL operates in some of the world’s most competitive, popular and successful football competitions, acting as part of the fabric of life for millions of fans and families. 

EFL Clubs are truly embedded in the hearts of their 72 local communities, spanning the breadth and depth of England and Wales. Away from match-day, Clubs and Club charities interact seven days a week, 365 days a year, making a positive contribution to the communities in which they serve. 

EFL in the Community is the charitable arm of the EFL (English Football League). 

EFL in the Community (formerly the EFL Trust) was established in 2008 to support the ground-breaking work of EFL Football Club charities. 

This network of charities across England and Wales uses the power of the Club badge to reach people who need help. They deliver a wide range of initiatives focused on improving health and wellbeing raising aspirations and realising potential – building stronger, more cohesive EFL communities. 

Football Club charities engaged over 1.1 million participants last season and generated a total of £1.24 billion worth of social value across the full range of community initiatives and programmes. 

OUR TEAM AT THE EFL 

The EFL offers a unique opportunity to work with some of the biggest sporting competitions, clubs, commercial partnerships, and media in the market. We look for the best people who approach their work with energy, excellence, and commitment. 

Our employees are crucial to our success, and Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion are fundamental elements of building our team. Each of us has an array of qualifications, skills and life experiences. 

If you have any particular requirements in respect of the recruitment or interview process, please mention this in your application. 

The EFL reserves the right to close this vacancy early should we receive enough applications.