Board Member (Trustee)

Organisation: Abbeyfield Belfast

Location: South & East Belfast (meetings usually held remotely, with occasional in-person attendance)

The Opportunity

Charity Jobs NI is pleased to be supporting Abbeyfield Belfast to recruit a Board Member / Trustee. Abbeyfield Belfast is a values-driven charity providing quality supported retirement living across South and East Belfast, helping older people to live independently within a welcoming community.

The role is voluntary and unpaid, but reasonable expenses (including travel and out-of-pocket costs) will be reimbursed. As a Trustee, you’ll help shape strategy, steward resources, champion residents’ voices, and support the organisation to maintain high standards of safety, quality and value.

Abbeyfield Belfast is particularly keen to hear from candidates with change management experience (for example, leading service transformation, organisational development, strategic growth, or improvement programmes) who can support continuous improvement and future-focused delivery.

About Abbeyfield Belfast

Abbeyfield Belfast is a registered charity and part of the wider Abbeyfield Society (founded in 1956). The Abbeyfield model provides high-quality accommodation with a supportive environment that nurtures independent living and encourages social engagement.

Key Responsibilities

As a Board Member, you will contribute to effective governance and oversight, including:

· Supporting and challenging to ensure strong governance aligned to the charity’s mission and values

· Overseeing risk management, compliance, health & safety and safeguarding

· Contributing to strategy, business planning and performance monitoring

· Promoting service quality, innovation and value for money

· Working collaboratively with the Chair, fellow Board Members and senior leaders

· Serving on at least one Committee

Person Specification

Essential

· Commitment to the purpose and values of Abbeyfield Belfast

· Senior leadership experience (senior management / executive director level) in a commercial, public sector or charitable environment, with contribution to strategy and effective customer service

· Understanding of the importance of corporate governance frameworks

· Experience operating in an environment where risks are identified, understood and effectively managed

· Evidence of meaningful contribution to strategic planning and/or corporate business planning

Desirable

· Understanding of the economic context and opportunities for supported retirement living in Northern Ireland

· Experience of working within a regulated environment

· Previous non-executive / Board experience and/or a formal governance qualification

Particularly welcome

· Change management / transformation experience (service improvement, organisational development, redevelopment projects, strategic change)

· General management and strategic leadership

· Legal / governance expertise

· Lobbying and advocacy / policy influencing

· Volunteer management

· Funding applications, grant compliance and reporting

Why become a Trustee?

Serving as a Trustee is a meaningful way to put your professional experience to work beyond your day job — helping guide strategy, ask the right questions, and ensure the charity is well-run and sustainable. It can also be personally and professionally valuable, giving you exposure to Board-level governance, broadening your strategic perspective, and connecting you with a network of people committed to making a difference.

How to Apply

If you can bring sound judgement, strategic thinking and a commitment to the charity’s purpose, we’d welcome your application.

Simply apply now with your CV and if desired, a short cover letter outlining your interest and the experience you would bring to the Board. A member of the Charity Jobs NI team will be in touch to discuss your application and guide you through the next steps.

If you have any questions about the role or the application process, please contact the Charity Jobs NI team.

Charity Jobs NI is proud to be supporting Abbeyfield Belfast with this Board Member (Trustee) recruitment campaign.

Non-Executive jobs

Board Member (Trustee)