Trustee with Employment Law and HR Experience

We are looking for a new trustee who can bring a balanced combination of employment law expertise and senior HR leadership experience.

The appointee will provide strategic oversight and constructive challenge on people-related matters, helping the Board to support good governance, legal compliance, organisational culture, workforce sustainability and fair employment practice.

The vacancy at St Wilfrid’s arises from the conduct of a skills audit amongst the current trustees, which identified the need for someone to join the Board who can support the Board, the Chief Executive, and the Senior Management Team by:

• Shaping or advising on people strategy, organisational culture, workforce planning and employment risk
• Advising on the development, review and application of HR policies, procedures and employment practices which deliver employment law compliance, legal risk management and good governance in relation to employees and volunteers
• Promoting organisational development, leadership capability, culture, succession planning and change management
• Championing equality, diversity, inclusion and belonging, including inclusive employment practice
• Ensuring effective focus on employee and volunteer safeguarding
• Supporting the resolution of employee relations matters, including investigations, and the application of grievance, disciplinary, capability, absence management, and dispute resolution processes

The role of trustee is not operational, and the appointee will not act as St Wilfrid’s agent, but will behave as a ‘critical friend’, mentor, and adviser to the trustees, appropriate directors, and employees of St Wilfrid’s.

The appointee must be willing to accept the obligations associated with trusteeship, and be able to confirm that they are not disqualified from holding the position of trustee. 

Deadline for applications 18 October 2026 

What skills do I need?

When do I need to be available?

Details

Trustees are expected to attend quarterly meetings of the full board (around 3 – 3.5 hours), and of one or more committees, plus twice-yearly development days. The appointee would also need to be available between those meetings to give ad hoc advice on policy and practice in their area of expertise, and occasionally to represent St Wilfrid’s at social / fundraising / awareness raising events.