CHAIR – GB Snowsport

GB Snowsport Chair

Candidate Brief and Job Description

GB Snowsport is looking to recruit a new Chair following the completion of the term of the existing Chair, Rory Tapner. The newly appointed Chair will formally commence their four-year term in September 2023.

Download the Candidate Brief and Job Description here or read more below.

Candidate Brief

Background

GB Snowsport (GBS) is the National Governing Body for Snowsport within the United Kingdom; it is responsible for the representation and management of any British Snowsport athletes who wishes to compete in International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) sanctioned or Olympic events. This includes all Olympic and Paralympic snowsport disciplines together with Speed Skiing and Telemark.

GBS has evolved its Governance and Structure with a primary focus within the organisation of improving athlete performance across all the twelve different disciplines within skiing and snowboarding. We are now looking for a new Chair to take GBS onto the next level of sustainability by taking strategic responsibility for running a Governing Body which is respected by all our stakeholders and world leading in its outlook.

This is an exciting time to join GBS as this season has been the most successful ever for the athletes and we now look to build on those successes. GBS is responsible for 52% of all the medals awarded at a Winter Olympic Games and 95% of medals at the Winter Paralympics, and the opportunity to significantly improve the profile of winter sports in the UK comes with this role.

Role

This is an Independent Non-Executive role and is accountable to the GBS Board
The Chair has a highly influential role to play in the sport, representing and advocating the views of the organisation and has overall responsibility for the strategic direction of GBS
The CEO reports directly to the Chair
To lead the Board in promoting and directing GBS in its role to meet its strategic objectives
To chair meetings ensuring that discussions are held in an open and inclusive manner and that decisions are reached following the effective contribution of all directors
To set an example in the values and behaviour they adopt, acting at all times in line with any codes of conduct or governance that has been agreed by the organisation in line with our stakeholder guidelines
Work with our key stakeholders which include UK Sport, FIS, British Olympic and Paralympic Associations, as well as the Home Nation Snowsport National Governing Bodies to ensure we provide the best environment for our athletes’ success

Person Specification and Key Attributes

A proven track record of successful leadership
Experience of chairing board meetings
Financial and commercial acumen
Ability to act as spokesperson and figurehead of the organisation
Possession of relevant knowledge of snowsport in the UK
An understanding of the sporting landscape and how it operates in the UK

Job Description

Purpose

To take a lead in developing the organisation’s aims, strategic objectives and goals in accordance with the governing document and regulatory guidelines and ensuring the effectiveness of the Board in securing the long-term success of the organisation

Strategy

To lead consideration of policy proposals put before the Board; taking account of the Board’s committees and staff, as to practical and financial implications

Communications

To liaise with the CEO to draft agendas for Board meetings and ensure that the business is covered effectively and efficiently at those meetings
To take a key role in meetings with representatives of member organisations, key partners and stakeholders
To preside over the AGM and represent GBS in key national and international forums and other high-level meetings and events, including leading the British delegation at FIS congress
To promote participation and diversity in all GBS disciplines and act as an ambassador for all forms of snowsport

Management

Liaising closely with the CEO, holding them fully to account for ensuring that Board decisions are executed while maintaining a high level of staff morale, commitment, and motivation
The CEO reports to the Chairman, with understanding of the accountabilities and boundaries for their respective roles
Ensuring Board effectiveness and carrying out regular evaluations of the Board and its members
Supporting the executive team and fundraising committees in their fundraising efforts for the organisation

Finance and Accountability

Leading the Board in its oversight of financial planning and financial reports
Ensuring that the organisation maintains high standards of propriety and complies with all relevant laws, regulations, and statutory duties, and to manage all conflicts of interest
The role is a part-time voluntary role with reasonable expenses included
The likely time commitment is a minimum of two days per month
The Board has five scheduled meetings each year, all held in London, and the INEDs currently have a monthly video call. There is also an Annual General Meeting to Chair once a year

Process

To apply for this role please send a covering letter explaining your suitability and a CV of no more than three pages for the attention of John Wade at cosec@gbsnowsport.com. Successful candidates must be available for interview on the dates set out below.

Closing date for applications: Friday 21 April 2023
Candidates informed of response: Week commencing 1 May 2023
First round interviews: 10 and 11 May 2023
Second round interviews: 6 June 2023
Recommendation for Board approval: Week commencing 19 June 2023

GBS will provide equality of opportunity and will not tolerate discrimination on grounds of gender, gender identity, marital status, sexual orientation, race, colour, nationality, religion, age, disability, or political beliefs – or any other grounds likely to cause offence.