Job Description

Trustee

We’re looking for trustees​

I’m Nick, Chair of the Board of Trustees for We The Curious. We are looking for individuals to join us on the board who are passionate about creating a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future through science and creative experiences.​

Since the temporary closure of our venue due to fire and water damage, we have been working hard to continue our mission with our 'out and about' activity as well as focussing on reimagining our strategic plan (Plan 2030) and governance.

We are now on the cusp of reopening our iconic Bristol venue, and as we do, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to our strategy and help us create a place where everyone is included, curious and inspired by science.

We have newfound opportunities and challenges ahead and we need people with fresh perspectives and skills . As a trustee, you’ll share our values, be motivated, and have a positively questioning mind to help us realise our vision.  You can find more about our history and who we are here.

If you feel energised by our charity and this opportunity, then we’d love to hear from you!

Nick Jones, Chair of Board of Trustees, We The Curious​

What is a trustee?​

Trustees have overall control of a charity and are responsible for making sure it’s doing what it was set up to do. They may be known by other titles, such as:

Directors, board members, governors, committee members

Whatever they are called, trustees are the people who work with our experienced leadership team to provide support, encouragement, challenge when needed and help to decide how the charity is run. Being a trustee means making decisions that will impact on people’s lives. Depending on what the charity does, you will be making a difference to your local community or to society as a whole.

Trustees use their skills and experience to support their charities, helping them achieve their aims. Trustees also often learn new skills during their time on the board.

About We The Curious​

We The Curious is an educational charity and one of the UK’s leading science centres. 

We produce experiences that bring people together to play, get creative with science and explore different ideas around science, technology, natural history and the environment.

We work with partners, locally and nationally, supporting people to be inquisitive, develop new skills and improve their wellbeing.

We are progressive, inquisitive, collaborative, playful and creative.

Vision

​What if everyone is included, curious, inspired by science to build a better world together?

Mission​

Our aim is to connect and empower people through sharing creative experiences which celebrate unknowns in science.

Our work as a charity is driven by five key pledges:

_Cultivate Curiosity

_Include Everyone

_Open Up Science

_Sustainable Futures

_Build Resilience

You can find out more about these in our Manifesto.

What will you do in this role?​

As a trustee you will provide advice, knowledge and support to the leadership team at We The Curious.

With the steer of the Chair, the board of trustees ensures we pursue our purpose responsibly, are compliant with our governing documents, charity law and other relevant legislation. The board will review and advise on best practice and appropriate policies and procedures and uphold excellent governance.

As a trustee you will:​

_Contribute individual skills and knowledge in support of the vision and strategic delivery

_Uphold the values of We The Curious

_Safeguard and advocate for the work and vision of We The Curious

_Act as ambassadors locally, nationally and internationally

_Assist with the evaluation and review of the policies, goals and targets of the organisation

_Encourage investment and growth

_Drive innovation and change

_Oversee the effective and efficient administration of the organisation and long-term financial stability

_Contribute to working groups for specific focus on projects

All Trustees should use their specific skills, knowledge or experience to help the Board of Trustees reach informed decisions in the best interest of We The Curious.

This will involve scrutinising Board papers, leading discussion and providing guidance as requested by the Board on new initiatives or other issues relevant to the area of our work in which the trustee has expertise.

Time commitment

​_We hold quarterly board meetings, typically from 4pm to 7pm and one strategy away day per year. Trustees are expected to attend and contribute to all meetings either in person or by joining virtually.

_ Board Meetings are located at the We The Curious offices within the science centre in central Bristol, and once a year at another location around the City.

_ You will also be asked to take part in one of our subcommittee meetings which take place online, at least once per quarter. There are currently sub-committees for Finance & Risk Assurance and Purpose Strategy.

_ You may also be called upon for advice or assistance by the leadership team or to attend occasional events.

Remuneration

​This is a voluntary role. Reasonable travel expenses will be covered. Food is provided at the quarterly Board meetings and strategy away days.

You will have:​​​​​​​

_Free entry to our venue during opening hours

_12 tickets per calendar year to give away

_20% off in the We The Curious shop at our venue and online

_Free parking at Millennium Square car park for meetings

_Secure cycle storage

Terms of appointment​

_Trustees are appointed to an initial three-year term of service (including a 12-month probationary period).

_Trustees can serve a maximum of six years with a reappointment after the first term of three years unless the trustee holds an office, such as Chair or Deputy Chair, in which case they would be eligible for a further three-year term. The maximum term of office is nine years. 

Probationary period

​This post is subject to a 12-month probationary period.

What we're looking for from you​

We have created a bold new Plan 2030 strategy, and we are looking for people that embody our values and have some of these skills/knowledge to help achieve it.

You will:​

_Embody our values. Collaborative, Creative, Inquisitive, Playful and Progressive

_Be committed to our vision and key manifesto pledges of Cultivating Curiosity, Including Everyone, Open Up Science, Strive for Sustainable Futures and Build Resilience

_Have a positively questioning mind to help We The Curious fulfil its  vision

_Act with integrity and in the best interests of We The Curious at all times

_Work effectively as a member of a team and take decisions for the good of We The Curious

Skills/Knowledge

​We want to ensure that our board bring a variety of skills and knowledge to We The Curious. We are particularly looking for people to join us who have skills/knowledge in any of the following areas:

_Disability awareness

_Finance and accountancy

_IT (Information Technology)

_Legal Media/PR (Public Relations) 

_People management

_Property management

_Science communication Science industry research 

_Sustainability and climate action

_Surveying / Architecture 

_Venue operations

_Education and learning

Including everyone

​We want our people to reflect our city and build a place where everyone feels like they can belong. But we know that our organisation doesn’t yet represent the rich experiences and cultures of Bristol. We think when our board reflects our city it will lead to innovative , well informed and better decision making. We’ll be more resilient, inclusive, and better equipped to fulfil our vision and mission.

We especially want to hear from you if​

_You identify as and/or have lived experiences with either:  African and African Caribbean heritage, Carers, d/Deaf, Disabled, East Asian heritage, Global majority, LGBTQIA+ and/or non-binary, Neurodivergent, South Asian heritage, under 40, Visually impaired, Woman, Working Class

We are also working with Rising Arts to recruit two young people (18-25) to our board this year. 

I’ve never been a trustee before, should I apply? 

​Yes! If you feel you connect with these values or have some the skills/knowledge we are looking for, then we’d love to hear from you.

You just need to be at least 18 years old. You don’t need formal qualifications, or previous trustee experience or a science background or have reached any stage in your career. We’ll give you training on good governance and opportunities for mentorship. This opportunity would suit someone who is new to governance or hasn’t been a trustee before. 

If you are an aspiring trustee or want to know more about trustees, you may find these resources from Getting on Board useful.

Supporting you​

Training​

If you join the board, you will have an induction and onboarding experience to support you with your role and get you connected with the rest of the organisation.

If you are a first-time trustee or want a refresher, we will provide you with training on good governance and other topics related to your role. We will also provide you with mentorship from other members of the board.

Application process​

Deadline for applications: Wednesday 18 March

Interview date(s) and location:  Week commencing 15 April

Start date:  6 May 2024. Induction will take place over 2 weeks with first board meeting to attend on Thursday 23 May 2024.

To Apply:​

If you would like to apply, please click on 'Apply via Webiste' and follow instructions on the job description. It contains questions designed to assess your experience and suitability for the role. You have the option to answer these questions in a written format or by submitting your responses by video or audio. 

Please do not send in CVs or covering letters as we don’t review them.

If you are invited for an informal interview with members of the board of trustees and staff of We The Curious, we’ll send you the questions that you’ll be asked beforehand so that you have time to prepare.

We appreciate interviews can be stressful so we try to make them more of a conversation and a chance for you to tell us about how your qualifications, skills and experience make you the right person for the role.​

If you have any particular needs or requirements, please do let us know so we are able to make the required adjustments.

If you would like to talk about the role or application process, please email people(at)wethecurious(dot)org.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​