Trustee Roles & Trustee Vacancies

Trustee Roles & Charity Trustee Vacancies in the UK

Trustee roles play a central part in the success of charities, not-for-profit organisations and social enterprises across the UK. Trustees provide strategic leadership, oversight and governance, ensuring organisations remain financially sustainable, legally compliant and focused on their mission.

Whether you are considering becoming a trustee for the first time, seeking your next board-level opportunity, or looking to use your professional skills to make a positive social impact, there is a wide range of trustee roles and charity trustee vacancies available across the country.

Our organisation supports individuals at every stage of their trustee journey, connecting talented candidates with trustee positions that match their skills, experience and motivations. From voluntary trustee roles to paid trustee jobs, from small community charities to national organisations, we help you find meaningful trustee opportunities that allow you to contribute, grow and lead.

What Is a Trustee Role?

A trustee is a member of a charity’s governing board, sometimes referred to as the board of trustees or board of directors (in charitable organisations). Trustees are responsible for the overall governance, strategy and financial health of the organisation.

While trustees are not involved in day-to-day operations, they provide high-level oversight and direction. Trustee roles typically involve:

• Setting and approving the organisation’s strategic direction

• Ensuring charitable objectives are met

• Overseeing finances and safeguarding assets

• Monitoring performance and impact

• Ensuring legal and regulatory compliance

• Supporting and, where appropriate, challenging senior leadership

Trustee positions offer the opportunity to influence meaningful change, support important causes and contribute professional expertise at a strategic level.

Why Consider Becoming a Trustee?

People pursue trustee roles for many different reasons. Some are motivated by a desire to give back, while others see trusteeship as an opportunity to develop professionally or broaden their leadership experience.

Common reasons to explore trustee opportunities include:

• Making a positive social impact

• Gaining board-level experience

• Developing strategic and governance skills

• Using professional expertise for good

• Expanding professional networks

• Enhancing career prospects

• Supporting causes you care about

Trustee roles can be both personally rewarding and professionally valuable, offering insight into leadership, governance and decision-making at a senior level.

Visit our Trustee Jobs Board

Types of Trustee Roles Available

Trustee roles vary widely depending on the size, mission and structure of the organisation. Some trustee positions focus on general governance, while others require specific expertise.

General Trustee Roles

General trustees contribute to all areas of board decision-making. These roles suit individuals who bring strong judgement, strategic thinking and a commitment to the organisation’s mission.

Responsibilities may include:

• Attending board meetings

• Contributing to strategy discussions

• Reviewing performance reports

• Participating in subcommittees

Specialist Trustee Roles

Many charities seek trustees with particular professional skills, such as:

• Finance and accounting

• Legal and compliance

• Human resources

• Digital and technology

• Marketing and communications

• Fundraising

• Property and estates

• Safeguarding

• Health and social care

• Education

Specialist trustee roles allow individuals to apply their technical knowledge while still contributing to overall governance.

Chair and Vice Chair Roles

Chairs and Vice Chairs provide leadership to the board, ensuring effective governance and productive meetings. These senior trustee roles often require previous board experience.

Committee and Advisory Roles

Some organisations offer committee-level or advisory trustee opportunities, which can be a good entry point for individuals new to governance.

Charity Trustee Roles Explained

Charity trustee roles differ slightly from trusteeships in commercial organisations, as trustees must act solely in the best interests of the charity and its beneficiaries.

Key principles of charity trusteeship include:

• Acting with integrity and honesty

• Avoiding conflicts of interest

• Making decisions collectively

• Ensuring public benefit

• Safeguarding reputation

Charity trustee vacancies exist across a wide range of causes, including:

• Health and wellbeing

• Education and youth

• Housing and homelessness

• Environmental protection

• Arts and culture

• International development

• Social justice and equality

• Disability support

• Mental health

Whatever your passion, there are likely trustee roles aligned with your interests.

Visit our Trustee Jobs Board

Paid vs Voluntary Trustee Positions

Many people assume all trustee roles are voluntary, but this is not always the case.

Voluntary Trustee Roles

The majority of trustee positions in the UK are unpaid. Trustees volunteer their time and expertise, although reasonable expenses are usually reimbursed.

Voluntary trustee roles are ideal for individuals seeking to give back or gain experience without financial expectation.

Paid Trustee Jobs

Some larger charities and organisations offer paid trustee roles, particularly where the time commitment is substantial or the role requires specialist expertise.

Paid trustee jobs may include:

• Board-level fees

• Daily or meeting-based rates

• Retainer arrangements

Both paid and voluntary trustee roles provide meaningful opportunities to contribute and lead.

Who Can Become a Trustee?

Trustee roles are open to people from a wide range of backgrounds. You do not need to have been a trustee before to apply for most trustee vacancies.

Organisations increasingly seek diversity of:

• Professional experience

• Age and life stage

• Cultural background

• Gender identity

• Socioeconomic background

• Lived experience

If you are committed, curious and willing to learn, you may be well suited to trustee positions.

Most trustees must:

• Be at least 16 or 18 years old (depending on organisation type)

• Not be disqualified under charity law

• Be able to commit time to the role

Skills and Experience Sought in Trustees

While each trustee vacancy is different, many organisations look for similar core attributes.

Essential Skills

• Strategic thinking

• Good judgement

• Integrity and accountability

• Communication skills

• Teamwork and collaboration

• Willingness to challenge constructively

Desirable Experience

• Leadership or management experience

• Financial oversight

• Risk management

• Governance or compliance

• Sector knowledge

You do not need to meet every criterion to be considered for trustee roles. Transferable skills from many careers and life experiences are highly valued.

What Do Trustee Roles Involve Day-to-Day?

Trustee responsibilities typically include:

• Attending board meetings (often quarterly)

• Reading papers and reports in advance

• Participating in strategy discussions

• Joining committees or working groups

• Providing advice and guidance to senior staff

• Supporting organisational development

Time commitments vary, but many trustee roles require between 10 and 20 days per year.

Trustee Roles by Sector

Trustee vacancies exist across almost every sector of the charitable and not-for-profit landscape.

Health and Social Care

Trustees may support organisations delivering health services, mental health support, disability services or community care.

Education and Youth

Trustee roles in schools, colleges, youth charities and education-focused organisations.

Housing and Homelessness

Supporting organisations tackling housing shortages, homelessness and social housing provision.

Arts, Culture and Heritage

Trustees help preserve and promote creative, cultural and historical organisations.

Environmental and Sustainability

Trustee opportunities within conservation, climate action and environmental education charities.

Community and Faith-Based Organisations

Supporting grassroots organisations serving local communities.

Trustee Roles by Location

Trustee vacancies are available throughout the UK, including:

• Trustee roles in London

• Trustee roles in Manchester

• Trustee roles in Birmingham

• Trustee roles in Leeds

• Trustee roles in Bristol

• Trustee roles in Scotland

• Trustee roles in Wales

• Trustee roles in Northern Ireland

Many trustee positions now offer remote or hybrid attendance, widening access regardless of location.

How to Find Trustee Vacancies

Finding trustee roles has become easier as more organisations advertise opportunities online.

Common ways to find trustee vacancies include:

• Trustee recruitment websites

• Charity job boards

• Recruitment agencies specialising in trustees

• Professional networks

• LinkedIn

• Charity websites

• Volunteer centres

Registering with a specialist trustee recruitment organisation can significantly increase your access to suitable trustee opportunities.

How We Support Candidates Seeking Trustee Roles

Our organisation specialises in connecting individuals with trustee vacancies that match their skills, interests and availability.

We provide:

• Access to a wide range of trustee roles

• Guidance on preparing applications

• Support throughout the recruitment process

• Advice on governance and responsibilities

• Long-term career support for trustees

Whether you are seeking your first trustee role or your next board appointment, we help you navigate the process with confidence.

The Trustee Recruitment Process

While each organisation differs, most trustee recruitment follows a similar structure:

1. Advertised trustee vacancy

2. Candidate application or expression of interest

3. Shortlisting

4. Informal discussion or interview

5. Board approval

6. Appointment and induction

Our team supports candidates at each stage.

How to Apply for Trustee Roles

When applying for trustee vacancies, you will usually need:

• A CV

• A short supporting statement

• Details of your motivation

• Evidence of relevant skills

Focus on:

• Why you want to be a trustee

• Why you are interested in that organisation

• What skills you bring

You do not need to replicate a corporate job application – authenticity and motivation matter.

Becoming a Trustee with No Prior Experience

Many trustee roles welcome first-time trustees. Organisations often value:

• Fresh perspectives

• Enthusiasm

• Lived experience

• Willingness to learn

If you are new to trusteeship, consider:

• Entry-level trustee roles

• Committee roles

• Shadow trustee positions

Training and mentoring opportunities are widely available.

Induction, Training and Support

Good organisations provide induction for new trustees, covering:

• The charity’s mission and strategy

• Governance structure

• Financial position

• Legal responsibilities

Ongoing training may include:

• Governance best practice

• Safeguarding

• Financial oversight

• Diversity and inclusion

Trustee roles are learning opportunities as much as leadership roles.

Trustee Responsibilities and Legal Duties

Trustees must comply with charity law and regulation.

Core legal duties include:

• Acting in the charity’s best interests

• Managing resources responsibly

• Acting with reasonable care and skill

• Ensuring compliance with governing documents

Trustees are collectively responsible as a board.

Risks and Liabilities

Trustees are rarely personally liable if they act honestly and in good faith. Many charities carry trustee indemnity insurance.

Understanding risk management is part of trustee governance.

Benefits of Trustee Roles for Your Career

Trustee positions can strengthen your CV by demonstrating:

• Strategic thinking

• Leadership experience

• Governance knowledge

• Financial oversight

• Decision-making at senior level

Many professionals use trustee roles to support career progression into senior leadership or board-level commercial roles.

Trustee Roles for Retired Professionals

Trustee opportunities are popular with retired or semi-retired professionals who want to:

• Remain engaged

• Share expertise

• Give back to society

• Stay intellectually active

Flexible time commitments make trusteeship accessible.

Trustee Roles for Early-Career Professionals

Younger professionals increasingly pursue trustee roles to:

• Build governance experience

• Develop leadership skills

• Expand networks

• Contribute to causes they care about

Age is not a barrier to becoming a trustee.

Diversity and Inclusion in Trustee Roles

Charities actively seek trustees from underrepresented backgrounds to ensure boards reflect the communities they serve.

Your lived experience can be as valuable as professional expertise.

What Makes a Strong Trustee?

Strong trustees are:

• Curious

• Ethical

• Collaborative

• Strategic

• Willing to ask questions

• Committed to learning

You do not need to know everything on day one.

How Many Trustee Roles Can You Hold?

There is no fixed limit, but trustees should consider:

• Time availability

• Potential conflicts of interest

• Ability to contribute effectively

Quality of contribution matters more than quantity.

Trustee Roles and Conflicts of Interest

Trustees must declare and manage conflicts of interest transparently.

This does not usually prevent appointment but must be handled appropriately.

Trustee Roles and Remote Working

Many trustee boards now operate partly or fully online.

Remote trustee roles allow individuals to contribute regardless of geography.

Common Myths About Trustee Roles

Myth: You must be wealthy or senior.
Reality: Trustees come from all backgrounds.

Myth: You need previous trustee experience.
Reality: Many organisations welcome first-time trustees.

Myth: All trustee roles are unpaid.
Reality: Some trustee jobs are paid.

Preparing for Your First Trustee Interview

Typical topics include:

• Motivation

• Understanding of the organisation

• Relevant skills

• Governance awareness

• Availability

Honesty and enthusiasm matter.

Why Register With Our Organisation?

We specialise in trustee recruitment and trustee roles across the UK.

By registering, you gain:

• Access to exclusive trustee vacancies

• Personalised matching

• Expert guidance

• Ongoing support

We work with charities of all sizes and across all sectors.

Start Your Trustee Journey Today

If you are ready to explore trustee roles, browse current trustee vacancies or register your interest with our team.

Whether you are seeking voluntary trustee opportunities or paid trustee jobs, we are here to help you find the right role.

Frequently Asked Questions About Trustee Roles

Are trustee roles paid?
Most are voluntary, but some paid trustee jobs exist.

How much time does a trustee role require?
Typically 10–20 days per year.

Can I become a trustee with no experience?
Yes.

Do trustees have legal responsibility?
Yes, collectively as a board.

Can I be a trustee while working full time?
Yes, many trustees are in full-time employment.

Visit our Trustee Jobs Board