TREASURER: BOARD OF TRUSTEES Recruitment Pack
Charity Number: 1116500
Behind Closed Doors works to build lives free from dbuild lives free from abuse . Domestic abuse is always unacceptable ;domestic abuse always unacceptable we support everyone affected by it and we act to prevent it.
Dear candidate,
Thank you for your interest in joining the Board of Trustees for Behind Closed Doors (BCD) and for taking the time to read this information.
This is an exciting yet challenging time for BCD, where we continue to see the pressure of a tough financial climate combined with growing demand for our services. Against this backdrop, the role of our trustees has never been more important.
With your support and expertise, you can help us to drive our new strategy forward, finding opportunities to expand our income generating activity and building our capacity to deliver a range of quality services to everyone who needs our help.
We also work hard to make sure that your time as a Trustee is rewarding for you as part of a team that sees the difference they make to the lives of people in our community.
Alison Puente
Chair of the Board of Trustees
ABOUT US
Behind Closed Doors (BCD) has been tackling domestic abuse for over 25 years. We are there at the point of crisis, working with individuals and families in communities and we stay on to support through recovery. We also deliver preventative activities in the form of training with frontline practitioners, in the workplace and in educational settings.
We have supported thousands of people whose lives have been affected by domestic abuse; last year alone we worked with over 900 people experiencing domestic abuse. Our work with male victim-survivors is recognised as the specialist service in Leeds and has received Lime Culture accreditation.
We have been a key partner in the local authority commissioned Leeds Domestic Violence Service for over fifteen years. We deliver practical support to reduce risks and navigate complex housing, legal, statutory and healthcare systems to enable our service users to make the right choices for them and their children.
BCD is lead partner in the Domestic Abuse Recovery Service (DARS), focusing both on practical assistance and longer-term emotional recovery; supporting service users to better understand the abuse they ’ve experienced and protect themselves from future harm. DARS also has a specialist provision to offer more focused support to those with complex needs or additional vulnerabilities that may prevent them moving forwards.
In the past year, we have expanded our role within the LDVS Sanctuary Support project and our commitment to supporting everyone affected by domestic abuse, by taking on an LGBTQ+ Specialist Support Worker. We are a key partner in the new West Yorkshire Pathfinder Partnership, providing specialist IDVA (Independent Domestic Abuse Advocate) support in Family Court proceedings.
Read more about our aims in our 2023-26 strategy
“Behind Closed Doors is life-changing. I
didn’t want to get out of bed, I didn’t want to
leave the house. BCD completely and utterly changed where I was”
“My relationship with my children was hanging by a thread; they were torn between me and their Dad and I did not have my life on track. I tried to run away from my problems and BCD taught me how to tackle them head on.”
OUR IMPACT
In 2024-25,
90% Of those who completed a programme of support with us said they were more independent and better able to make decisions were more independent and better able to make decisions
84% Reported improved mental health
79% Felt better able to keep themselves safe
lives o veryone we s and in the lives of those the
we dare to act because sometimes it takes our courage to help others find theirs
we understand there are challenges and risks and we"l1 work them out together
we work as one with our seryi ce-users everyone who can help us deliver the best outcomes
service- ever present in the fight against domestic abuse
we believe our service-users, wetal a holistic a focusing on every pers whole and taking consideration external factors
ROLE DESCRIPTION
Treasurer: Board of Trustees
Our board of trustees is made up of committed and knowledgeable representatives from business, the community and the charity sector. The Treasurer is an important member of the trustee team, providing financial oversight and guidance to the Board and CEO.
Our current Treasurer has reached the end of their tenure and we are looking for someone from an accounting background to join our board and take on this rewarding and invaluable position.
Alongside financial expertise, we are looking for candidates who want to help drive our vision of building lives free from domestic abuse, by providing strategic challenge and helping us raise BCD’s profile and network.
Serving as Treasurer is an excellent way to broaden your leadership experience. Becoming a Trustee helps strengthen skills that you can apply in both your current role and to support future career progression, including executive and non-executive roles. As a Trustee, you will develop skills in:
Strategic planning
Governance
Budgeting and financial analysis
Risk management
Chairing meetings
As you learn about a new organisation and potentially a new sector, you will also gain confidence in:
Acting as a 'Critical Friend'; asking questions and providing support
Experiencing the difference between a strategic role, and a hands-on operational role
Absorbing and processing new information, and learning where you contribute value
Collaborating with a brand new team of people
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Financial Planning and Budgeting
1.Provide financial oversight to the CEO and Admin and Finance Manager in preparation of annual budgets, needs and forecasts for presentation to the board
2.Ensure funds are invested and used sensibly, in a strategic way to support and develop the organisation
3.Present suggestions to the board on the organisation’s reserves and investment policy (in line with Charity Commission guidelines)
4.Advise the Admin & Finance Manager of relevant changes to financial legislation and any updates required to organisational policies
5.Contingency planning for the organisation
Financial Reporting
1.Provide oversight to the presentation of finances at board meetings, supporting the CEO and Admin & Finance Manager
2.Provide oversight (alongside the Admin & Finance Manager) in the preparation of the year end file ready to be supplied to the Independent Examiner to allow the annual accounts to be prepared
3.Present accounts at the AGM and provide an overview of the year’s income and expenditure
General Financial Oversight
1.Conduct quarterly meetings with the Admin and Finance Manager
2.Chair Finance sub-committee meetings
3.Review income and expenditure on a quarterly basis - commenting on and querying spend as required
4.Approve any extraordinary or large expenditure deemed ‘urgent’ and requiring a decision before a Trustees’ meeting
5.Update the Board on spend outside the budget at Trustees’ meetings
6.Work with the team to ensure required insurances are in place
7.Oversee and make submissions for Companies House and Charity Commission
General Trustee Duties
1.Collective responsibility to the overall governance and strategic direction of the organisation
2.Be a strong advocate of the work BCD delivers
3.Be committed to the vision, purpose & the values of BCD
4.Play an active part in board meetings, and to arrive at balanced and objective decisions, in the performance of agreed role and functions
5.Ensure that the objectives of BCD, as agreed by all board members, are fully and properly carried out
6.Along with other Trustees, ensure that the organisation complies with its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations
Obligations
1.Act in the charity ’s best interests, taking everything relevant into account
2.Respect the charity ’s constitution and decisions taken under it
- Be diligent, careful and well informed about the charity ’s affairs
4.Analyse information and, where appropriate, challenge constructively
5.Be able to respect boundaries between executive and governance function
6.Be able to maintain confidentiality regarding sensitive information
7.Be able to make collective decisions and stand by them
Commitment
Board meetings: Held on a weekday evening bi-monthly (six times per year), usually in-person and lasting two hours
Annual board away day: A strategic planning and team-bonding event, either held over one full weekday or two half days
Sub-committees: The Treasurer is required to chair the Finance subcommittee, meeting quarterly at a convenient time for all members, usually online. Attend the remuneration subcommittee annual meeting
Check-in meetings: The Treasurer will have short quarterly meetings (virtual or in-person) with the Admin and Finance Manager for support and financial oversight
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Treasurer: Board of Trustees
Please address and evidence in your application how you meet the criteria laid out below:
Experience
Experience in financial management, accounting, or related discipline
Experience of applying and promoting the highest standards of governance in a corporate, public or charity sector setting
Track record of achievement in an appropriate environment and ability to represent an organisation with key stakeholders
Experience of working with strategy development and implementation or in a service delivery or volunteer-based organisation
Knowledge/Skills
Understanding of, or willingness to learn about, charity finance requirements, including Charity Commission and Companies House reporting, and funding types, eg. restricted/unrestricted, as well as charity reserves
Ability to present complex financial information clearly to non-finance trustees and stakeholders
Strong attention to detail and ability to ensure financial integrity and compliance
Strong interpersonal skills
Willingness to continually develop and refresh knowledge and skills
Qualifications
Accountancy qualification (ACCA, ACA, CIMA etc.)
Behaviours
Uphold the highest ethical standards of integrity and probity
Actively support the Chair and CEO in their role of executing the strategy
Ability to listen sensitively to the view of others, inside and outside the Board
Collaboration and positive, constructive challenge
Competencies
Ability to take a considered view in making judgements
Ability to nurture partnerships and mutual respect on the board
Ability to question intelligently
Ability to debate constructively
Ability to challenge rigorously, probe key issues and question accepted ways of working
Ability to make decisions objectively
As a board, we strive to be as diverse and representative as the communities we serve and would welcome applications from individuals of underrepresented or marginalised groups. We also very much recognise the value that lived experience brings to our board, so would welcome further representation in this area, if it is safe for candidates to engage with us in this way.
COULD YOU BE OUR NEW TREASURER?
If so, we’d love to hear from you!
To apply for this position, please supply an up to date CV setting out your career history, and covering letter, or supporting statement, which demonstrates how you meet the criteria in the role description and person specification. Please email your application to info@behind-closeddoors.org.uk.
BCD is committed to improving inclusive recruitment practices. If you would prefer to apply for this position or express your interest
in an alternative format (such as audio or video upload) or require any adaptions at this initial stage, please get in touch.
For an informal discussion about the role and organisation, please contact Alison Puente, Chair of the Board of Trustees on info@behind-closeddoors.org.uk.
BCD is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. A standard DBS disclosure will be required before taking up this position.