Lead On The Hill

On The Hill is community-owned, and our Directors play an important role in helping shape its future.

We're looking to strengthen our Board and are particularly interested in hearing from people with skills, experience or perspectives that could help On The Hill thrive.

You don't need to have been involved with On The Hill for years, and you don't need previous experience of being a Director. What matters is that you care about the organisation and its role in the local community, and that you're willing to contribute your experience, ideas and time.

What does being a Director involve?

The Board is made up of volunteers who together are responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of On The Hill.

Directors work together to:

• Help set the organisation's direction and priorities;

• Make sure On The Hill is well governed and financially sustainable;

• Support the staff team;

• Oversee the organisation's legal, financial and other responsibilities;

• Consider how the building and its activities can best serve the community;

• Make decisions collectively in the interests of On The Hill and its shareholders & members.

Directors aren't expected to run the day-to-day operation of On The Hill. That's the role of our staff and volunteers. The Board's role is to provide good governance, strategic oversight, support and appropriate challenge.

What skills are we looking for?

We'd particularly welcome people with experience in:

Human Resources

Someone who can bring knowledge and experience of employment, recruitment, staff wellbeing, policies or HR practice.

Finance

Someone who can help the Board understand and scrutinise our finances, budgets, accounts and financial planning.

Hospitality

Someone with experience of cafés, hospitality, catering, customer service or running hospitality operations.

Buildings and Premises Management

Someone with experience of property, buildings, maintenance, facilities management, construction or related areas.

These are areas where additional experience would be particularly helpful, but we're not only looking for people with these skills.

Other experience, knowledge and perspectives may also be valuable to the Board. We're interested in hearing from people who can contribute to the future of On The Hill in different ways.

Who can become a Director?

On The Hill is a Community Benefit Society, and Directors are appointed in accordance with our Rules and the relevant legal requirements. All Directors must be members of On The Hill or willing to become a member.

You don't need to be a governance expert or have served on a Board before.

We welcome people who care about Bedminster Down, BS13 and the wider South Bristol community, and who share our commitment to collaboration, inclusion and community benefit.

We're particularly keen to build a Board with a good range of skills, experience and perspectives.

How much time does it involve?

Being a Director involves attending monthly Board meetings and contributing to the work of the Board between meetings.

Depending on the needs or situation the time commitment can vary.

There may also be opportunities to contribute to particular projects or areas of work where your skills and experience are useful.

We're conscious that Directors are volunteers, and we want the role to be manageable alongside people's other commitments.

Interested in finding out more?

You don't have to make a decision straight away.

If you're curious about becoming a Director, we'd be very happy to have an informal conversation and answer any questions you have about the role, the Board or On The Hill.

Email: info@onthehillbristol.co.uk

Becoming a Director - The Process

We want the process of becoming a Director to give you plenty of opportunity to find out about the role and decide whether it's right for you. There are several stages:

1. Get in touch

If you're interested, have questions, or would like to see the Director Role Description email: info@onthehillbristol.co.uk.

We're happy to have an initial conversation before you decide whether you'd like to take things further.

2. Have an informal conversation

The Chair and/or another existing Director will arrange an informal meeting or conversation with you.

This is an opportunity to talk through what being a Director involves, answer your questions, and explore the skills, experience and perspectives you could bring to the Board.

3. Complete an application

If you're still interested after the conversation, we'll invite you to complete a short application form.

This helps the existing Directors understand more about your experience, interests and reasons for wanting to join the Board.

4. Meet the Board

Before any appointment is made, you'll have the opportunity to attend a Directors' meeting, or part of a meeting, to get a better feel for what the role involves and meet the other Directors.

This is also an opportunity to see how the Board works together and ask any further questions you may have.

5. Board Appointment

Following the application process and meeting, the current Directors will consider your application and, subject to the requirements of our Rules, vote on whether to appoint you to the Board.

If appointed by the Board, you will begin serving as a Director pending confirmation by the membership at the next AGM.

6. Confirmation at the AGM

The appointment will then be put to shareholders/members at the next Annual General Meeting for formal confirmation.

This gives the membership the opportunity to vote on the appointment in accordance with On The Hill's Rules.

How long is a Director's term?

A typical Director's term is three years, and a Director may normally serve two consecutive terms.

The Chair and any other Board roles are decided by the Directors themselves.