Job Description

About this role

The Chair of Woolwich Works will provide strong and empowering leadership to the Board and the organisation, ensuring capable and effective decision-making that underpins stability, growth and development. You will ensure the effectiveness of the Board by maintaining clarity of vision, a focus on key strategic issues, and robust governance practices. As a critical friend and mentor to the Chief Executive, the Chair will offer challenge, counsel, and support, fostering a productive and collaborative relationship while respecting executive responsibility.

You will also oversee the renewal of the Board, shaping its composition, and maximising the contributions of individual Trustees to create a supportive and effective environment.

The Chair will act as an energetic advocate for Woolwich Works, engaging with the local community, stakeholders, and the wider public while navigating political relationships with tact and diplomacy, particularly with council representatives.

You will represent the organisation externally, leveraging networks to secure partnerships, sponsorships, and funding opportunities.

By promoting diversity and inclusivity, you will enhance the profile of the organisation and address underrepresentation at the board level. Your leadership will ensure the Board maintains a strategic focus, achieving its charitable objectives while building Woolwich Works’ reputation as a beacon of arts, culture, and community engagement.

Who we are looking for

We seek a senior leader with a proven track record of serving on a Board as a Chair, Director or Committee Chair. You will have strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills, enabling you to serve as an effective ambassador for Woolwich Works and engage stakeholders at all levels. Your strategic, commercial, and financial acumen will support the Trust’s development as a self-funding and commercially sustainable organisation.

You will lead and inspire the Board, chairing meetings effectively while ensuring a focus on governance and strategy. Your ability to balance governance responsibilities with the operational demands on the CEO will be crucial, acting as a “critical friend” through mentorship and constructive challenge. You will navigate political relationships with tact and diplomacy, raising Woolwich Works’ profile and championing its mission.

Your enthusiasm for the arts and creative industries will drive your commitment to regeneration and place-making. Experience in the arts or creative industries is desirable, but your leadership and vision will be central to Woolwich Works’ success.

Time Commitment

The Board meets at least quarterly, all in person, at our premises on the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, Southeast London, which will likely be held in the evening. The sub-committees meet online. We expect the overall time commitment for our Chair to be 2 days a month, which includes preparation for meetings, engagement with our CEO, team, and Board Members, ad hoc discussions, and attending events.

The Chair and Trustees do not receive remuneration for their services, but reasonable expenses incurred in carrying out duties on behalf of Woolwich Creative District Trust will be reimbursed. We have a Trustee ticket policy to support full engagement with our programme of work.

Note: clicking on the link above will take you to an external website, Peridot Partners, who are dealing with the recruitment.