Trustee Candidate

Trustee Candidate Brief
April 2026

Registered in England No. 825036 The Careers Research and Advisory Centre (CRAC) Limited
CRAC is a registered charity (No. 313164) dedicated to lifelong career development and active career-related learning

CRAC and its Board are looking for at least two new Trustees to be appointed through an open
recruitment process to join the Board from June 2026, with a period of transition and handover
starting in May.

Diverse viewpoints are vital to a healthy and inclusive culture and we welcome applicants from all
roles and backgrounds who have the commitment and enthusiasm and/or experience to guide,
govern and support the organisation. As a result of a recent skills and experience Board audit, we are
particularly seeking applications from those with organisational leadership experience and/or financial
and commercial acumen and experience.

Training in some aspects of governance of a charity will be available.

Background
CRAC (the Careers Research & Advisory Centre) was established in 1964 as a registered charity
(No. 313164) with the remit to support the career-related learning of people of all ages. We are an
independent and trusted provider of expertise on all aspects of careers in research. CRAC manages
Vitae, a not-for-profit programme and sector leader in the professional and career development of
researchers.

Against a backdrop of a challenging operating environment for higher education and ongoing global
geopolitical uncertainty, Vitae combines direct support for researchers and research culture with the
evidence, insight and sector partnerships that inform strategic decisions and support the case for
investment in researchers. We have expertise in career tracking, research culture and researcher
development and regularly lead large research projects, commissions and consultations in these
areas. We also foster and support an established professional community to share and advance
policy and practice through our international membership programme.

Our ambitions – by 2030 we will have:
1. Created a robust and accessible evidence base on careers in research.
2. Made professional and career development more relevant, meaningful and sustainable for
everyone involved in research.
3. Influenced system-wide initiatives that will make careers in research more inclusive and
supportive.

About our Trustees and Chief Executive
The Board currently consists of a Chair and five other Trustees. To see biographies of the existing
Trustees and CRAC’s senior staff members please go to http://www.crac.org.uk/home#team

Registered in England No. 825036 The Careers Research and Advisory Centre (CRAC) Limited
CRAC is a registered charity (No. 313164) dedicated to lifelong career development and active career-related learning

Trustee Role Description
Main Responsibilities of the role

•  Ensure that CRAC complies with its governing document, charity law, company law and any

other relevant legislation or regulations

•  Provide leadership to ensure that CRAC pursues its objectives as defined in its governing

document

•  Ensure CRAC applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objectives
•  Ensure CRAC understands and delivers for its stakeholders
•  Determine the overall direction and development of the charity through clear strategic planning
•  Promote and safeguard the reputation, mission and best interests of CRAC
•  Ensure the financial stability and sustainability, and management and mitigation of risk
•  Avoid any personal conflict of interest
•  Act at all times with objectivity and impartiality

Main Duties

•  Actively participate in the workings of the Board and by attending quarterly meetings of the

Board of Trustees

•  Agree the organisation’s business plan and budget, and oversee the delivery of agreed

strategy

•  Support actively CRAC’s Senior Management Team by developing a clear strategic direction

for the organisation, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed
targets

•  Contribute expertise and guidance to promote and develop the organisation in order for it to

grow and maintain its relevance and impact, diversifying and embedding inclusion in
everything we do

•  Monitor the financial management of the organisation’s resources, ensuring expenditure is in
line with the organisation’s charitable objectives, and that investment activities meet accepted
standards and policies

•  Support Trustees and Senior Management Team to ensure the effective and efficient

administration of the charity and its resources

•  Act as a ‘critical friend’ to the organisation and its Senior Management Team members
•  Act as a counter-signatory on any applications for funds, if appropriate.
•  Maintain absolute confidentiality about all sensitive/confidential information received in the

course of a Trustee’s responsibilities to the charity

We do not expect candidates to meet all of the following, and encourage applications
from those earlier in their governance journey.

Knowledge and Experience sought of new Trustees

•  Experience and/or expertise in an organisational leadership role
•  Financial, risk and commercial acumen experience and comfort

Registered in England No. 825036 The Careers Research and Advisory Centre (CRAC) Limited
CRAC is a registered charity (No. 313164) dedicated to lifelong career development and active career-related learning

•  Successful experience of operating within a board in a charitable, public sector or

commercial organisation

•  Experience or understanding of training and career and/or professional

development activity

•  Demonstrable experience of building and sustaining relationships with key

stakeholders and colleagues to achieve organisational objectives

•  Some understanding of governance bodies (such as a committee or board)

including the roles of chair, Trustees and senior executives)

•  Some understanding and/or interest in the legal responsibilities of being a Trustee

of a charity

Skills and personal attributes sought

•  Commitment to the organisation including devotion of the necessary personal time and effort
•  Preparedness to make recommendations to the Board of Trustees, and a willingness to speak

openly and frankly

•  Willingness to be available to staff to give advice and answer their enquiries reasonably

quickly if they arise
Independent judgement and strategic vision

•
•  The ability to work effectively as a member of a team of Trustees
•  Sound, reasoned judgement and effective decision-making
•
•  Modelling and promoting equality, diversity and inclusion

Impartiality, fairness and sensitivity

Time commitment, terms and remuneration
The Board meets at least three times a year (usually London or Cambridge or online) and Trustees
are expected also to attend occasional external events where appropriate (full briefing will be
provided). Where physical attendance may be difficult, the organisation is committed to making
alternative arrangements to participate in meetings remotely where appropriate and reasonable
adjustments can be made. Meetings usually take place during weekday afternoons.

Members will serve a three-year term and will be eligible for re-appointment for one additional term.
The roles are unremunerated although reasonable expenses are paid.

Registered in England No. 825036 The Careers Research and Advisory Centre (CRAC) Limited
CRAC is a registered charity (No. 313164) dedicated to lifelong career development and active career-related learning

Application Process
To apply for this post, you will need to submit the following by email to ceo@crac.org.uk by Noon on
Tuesday 5th May 2026:

•  A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements
•  A covering letter (no more than two pages of A4) or video (up to 3 mins), explaining why you

would wish to become a Trustee of CRAC and how you consider your personal skills, qualities
and experience would help CRAC in such a role, making particular reference to the
information given in the Trustee Role Description

Any postal applications should be sent to Hayley Evans, CRAC, 22 Signet Court, Swanns Road,
Cambridge, CB5 8LA. Please quote reference Trustee26 in your correspondence.

Indicative Timeline
If you are unable to meet these timeframes, please let us know in your application
letter. The anticipated timetable is as follows:

Closing Date: Tuesday 5th May 2026 Noon

Interviews: Thursday 15th May 2026

Interview Location: London, venue TBC

Registered in England No. 825036 The Careers Research and Advisory Centre (CRAC) Limited
CRAC is a registered charity (No. 313164) dedicated to lifelong career development and active career-related learning