Join the team

Board Members

As part of our succession planning the Social Enterprise Academy are looking to recruit up to 3 new volunteer Board members who are interested in supporting our vision and being part of making amazing change happen and are able to commit to a minimum of 45 hours per year.

We are particularly interested in applications from those with expertise or experience in any of the following areas:

• Connecting us – someone who is commercially minded and who can support us in connecting with future funders and corporate partners
• Promoting us – a digital marketeer who can help us build our reach
• Being a True Entrepreneur – understands what we do and can bring entrepreneurial thinking

As well as having the wider professional skills and experiences that we need on the board we also want a board that reflects and understands the people that we serve.

We will choose candidates who, overall, offer the best contribution and fit with our values.  Relevant skills and experience are important but previous board experience is not essential, nor is a long career at a senior level.  Applications from first-time board members are welcomed.  All board members will be given a full induction and will be supported to maximise the value of their contribution.

Through this recruitment process, we will also be considering whether some applicants who are not chosen for a board role might be open to a committee or advisory role with the Academy.

What does being a board member mean?

As a board member you will work with our Chair, fellow board members and our Chief Executive to contribute towards the future of the organisation.  Your work will help ensure that we continue to deliver a high-quality service and encourage innovation in learning and enterprise.  You will be legally responsible for the organisation and will be supported in fully understanding how to carry out your role.  You will provide ideas, insight, feedback, and positive challenge in order to help increase our reach and impact.

The responsibilities of the board include:

• Overall good governance of the organisation
• Overall strategy of the organisation
• Overall sustainability of the organisation and ensuring finances are well-managed and reported
• Ensuring the organisation acts in accordance with its charitable aims
• Ensuring the organisation fulfils its legal obligations in relation to its charitable and company status

As well as fulfilling these responsibilities the Academy board is a creative and strategic group, engaging with the sector and the wider staff team to support the success of the organisation and its people.  It is a supportive and collaborative board with individuals committed to the values of social enterprise and learning and who all bring a wealth of knowledge, expertise and perspectives.

All new board members will undertake an induction process to get to know the Academy, the team and your fellow board members.

Why join the Social Enterprise Academy Board?

This is a unique opportunity to join a motivated and committed board who are working together to shape the future of a leading learning and development organisation supporting social change.  Given the Academy’s role in national policy discussions and its international replication, you will have influence considerably beyond the immediate reach of the Academy.

Through your board role you will expand your contacts, knowledge and skills and you will connect with a vibrant and committed group of staff, facilitators and learners in the fast-growing space around social impact.

Interested? 

For more information about the role and how to apply, please download the recruitment pack at the end of this post.

We are offering opportunities for you to engage with us before applying.  You can arrange an informal phone/Skype/WhatsApp/Zoom conversation with our Chief Executive or Chair. Please find details about how to contact us in the recruitment pack.

Organisation profile:

At the Social Enterprise Academy, we believe social entrepreneurs play an essential role in changing the world.

We strengthen their role in local communities through transformational learning programmes that will increase their community impact.

Our programmes are accredited, responsive to learner needs, and are delivered by experienced facilitators who are social change leaders themselves.

Since 2004, we have delivered over 1,900 learning programmes to 28,000+ learners in over 30 countries. We have also engaged over 55,000 young people around the world, using social enterprise as a tool to help them reach their full potential and create positive change in their communities.

Application notes:

Applicants make an initial application to the Academy via our application form – which can be downloaded from our website

We appreciate that one size does not fit all and that some people come across better in different ways so please choose ONE additional way to support your application form using the options below:

• Send a CV and covering letter – maximum of 2 sides of A4 each
• Send a video or audio application – less than 3 minutes
• Send a visual or poster application – in PDF format

Whatever approach you use, you must make it clear why you would be great as a board member and what you would hope to gain from the role.  Your application will be handled in confidence (see our privacy policy).

Please send your application to our EA and Business Support Manager, Astrid Gebhardt: governance@socialenterprise.academy by 5pm, Monday, 17 November 2025.

We are keen to make our recruitment process as accessible as possible for you.  Please contact us if there is any additional support we can give or adjustments we can make (for example: information in alternative formats or any access requirements for attending the assessment day).

View the recruitment pack

Download the application form

Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form