Dorset Museum

Chair of the Board and Trustees

Voluntary Roles

Dorset Museum is owned and managed by the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society. This Charity was one of Dorset’s first conservation organisations, established to collect, preserve, research and exhibit objects relating to the archaeology, natural history, art, literature, and culture of Dorset.

Led by the Executive Director, Commercial Director and Director of Collections and Public Engagement, a full complement of paid staff and a team of over 150 volunteers support the Charitable Objects of the Society.

The Society has recently completed a multi-million-pound redevelopment of Dorset Museum. The Tomorrow’s Museum for Dorset project has transformed the Museum into a cultural destination at the heart of Dorset’s community. As a result, Dorset Museum has become a leading, contemporary cultural and heritage centre which includes new galleries, a learning centre, collections storage, a library and visitor facilities.

The Society is looking to recruit an individual to join its Board of Trustees as its new Chair, succeeding the existing Chair, who is standing down after serving a full permissible term of six years.

The Society is seeking someone with Board level experience ideally with Chair or Deputy Chair experience. The Board is also looking to appoint someone who can demonstrate the very highest levels of good governance. The Chair will need to lead on the development of a new strategic plan. The Chair will exhibit high standards of organisational and financial management. The Chair will lead the Board in making informed, ambitious and strategic decisions and will need to establish a constructive and supportive but challenging working relationship with the Executive Director.

The role of Chair is not remunerated. The likely overall time commitment for the role is 26 days a year.

The Charity also seeks to appoint two new Trustees to join the Board. The Board of Trustees has ultimate responsibility for the running of the DNHAS and the Dorset Museum. The Board deals with all major policy decisions, strategic and constitutional matters and is responsible for the approval of the annual budget and accounts and business plan, ensuring the solvency of the DNHAS and the safety of its assets.   The overall governance of the organisation lies with the Board. As a Trustee you will provide knowledge, support and guidance to the leadership team to ensure excellent governance.

As a Trustee you will:

• Provide strategic visions and leadership to DNHAS
• Act as an ambassador of DNHAS locally and regionally
• Work to ensure good governance and management to achieve financial stability, resilience and statutory compliance
• Make ultimate decisions on all developments within the Museum
• Appoint the Executive Director
• Review all policies
• Behave with integrity and in the best interest of DNHAS
• Be a member of DNHAS

Whilst a wide range of attributes are useful to the Board the Charity is particularly looking for potential Trustees who have a background in one or more of financial/ accountancy, fundraising, Museum skills and/or sustainability.

Trustees should expect to commit at least eight days a year to the Museum. Involvement on special projects and committees increase the commitment.

Interested applicants should Click here for an Application Pack or contact Anna Butler on 01305 262735 or by e-mailing: [email protected]

Any applicant should make clear whether they wish to be considered for the role of Chair or ordinary Trustee.

Closing date for applications: 12noon on Thursday 30^th September 2021

Interview date: Early October 2021

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law.