How to get a Board role in a non-profit organisation – a Guide for Finance Leaders

How to get a Board role in a non-profit organisation – a Guide for Finance Leaders

Many Finance leaders we talk to in the non-profit space are interested in developing their career to board level, but are unsure how to go about doing it and sometimes, lack the confidence to pursue it. 

Pathways to becoming a Trustee are varied, there is no single clear route. Often, it’s about being in the right place at the right time.

If you’re a finance leader with ambitions to take a board position, we have some pointers to help you make the leap. 

How do you become a Trustee?

In most cases, becoming a trustee involves building experience beyond your core role, developing a strong understanding of governance, and using your network to access opportunities, many of which are not formally advertised. This guide focuses on how to become a trustee or secure a non-executive (NED) role within a non-profit organisation.

The benefits of being a Trustee – and why consider a board role

Before we get into the how, what about the why? What are the benefits of joining a board? Here are some of the common themes we hear when discussing this with aspiring board members in the non-profit space.

Professional growth  
You’ll build strategic, board-level experience while developing skills in governance, leadership, finance, and decision-making.

Personal fulfilment 
You’re able to make a meaningful contribution to a cause you care about and see the tangible impact of your time and expertise.

Networking opportunities
It creates a springboard to expand your network further, connecting with diverse, senior professionals and opening doors to new roles and sectors.

Enhanced credibility and perspective
As soon as you join a board, you’ll gain a broader understanding of organisational strategy, governance, and social impact – all beneficial to your future career.

Many of the board members we speak to find a board role extremely rewarding in many ways, particularly in the non-profit environment where it’s possible to make a huge difference.

So, what can you do to leverage your skills and experience to secure a board role?

How to position your experience for a Trustee or board role

It’s a myth that only people with many, many years of experience will land a board position. For finance leaders, it’s not always about tenure, but about breadth of experience and strong leadership skills. Yes, you will be expected to have strong financial oversight, but boards are looking for more; experience that goes beyond finance to:

• influencing wider strategy and decision making
• the ability to demonstrate evidence of operating at the executive or committee level rather than just reporting into it
• exposure to risk, governance and long-term financial planning

You should be able to demonstrate that you understand the difference between management and governance. Highlight any involvement in Audit & Risk Committees for example, or exposure to regulatory environments, such as the Charity Commission, Social Housing Regulator or HE governance frameworks. If you can, work closely with Trustees and Non-Executive Directors (NED) to get insight into their priorities.

Being part of a board is not just about technical ability either. It’s how you influence and interact at a senior level. Do you have sound judgement, are you able to challenge constructively? ~Can you navigate ambiguity and organisational change? And, in the non-profit arena, how you are able to balance mission with financial sustainability?

How to focus your search for Trustee roles

Board roles can vary enormously within the non-profit sector in terms of responsibility, complexity, commitment and exposure. Before you start your search, we advise finance leaders wishing to move onto a board to carefully consider exactly what they want and the implications of the role.

Things to think about include:

• the scale and regulatory intensity of the organisation
• the Committee structures, for example, the likelihood of chairing Audit & Risk
• what sort of role fits with your long-term career ambitions
• the commitment – time, preparation, meetings and accountability
• the impact it will have on other aspects of your life

This is important, as the first role often goes on to shape the trajectory of future opportunities, so make sure you have considered every angle.
And of course, as a senior finance professional, you’ll want to do your due diligence and research the financial health, governance and other board members before adding an organisation to your hit list.

Stay close to your network 

It’s a fact that many board roles are not widely advertised. So, how do they get onto your radar? Building and nurturing a strong network is essential. Visibility matters much more than you’d expect. In the UK, many trustee roles are voluntary, and a large proportion are filled through networks rather than formal advertising processes.

If you haven’t already, let your existing networks know that you’re open to Trustee and NED roles. Get close to organisations that you are genuinely interested in working with. Proactively reach out to other board members to express your interest, in advance of a role opening up. And, build relationships with specialist recruiters and search firms. A high proportion of board appointments we hear of come from conversations like ‘someone suggested we should speak to you’.

A route into a new sector

A number of people we speak to about board roles mention a desire to broaden their experience in a different sector. A board position can be a good way of doing this.
For example, we have worked with a housing finance leader who transitioned onto a university board. And, a charity CFO who stepped into a trustee role with a membership body.

Boards are often more open to a candidate with adjacent experience than senior executive roles, as long as you can translate your expertise to a new context.

Training is another option to consider, whether you are moving into a new sector or staying with the one you know best. Research quality trustee training and governance courses for example.

How can Boston Hale help

Specialist agencies, such as Boston Hale and specifically our non-profit finance recruitment team, can play a big part in opening doors, particularly for first-time board appointments. From our experience supporting finance leaders into board positions, and with our contacts across housing, universities, charities and membership organisations, we have a strong understanding of what boards are looking for.

We can connect you with organisations that fit your ambitions and interests, whether that’s through formal opportunities or informal introductions. We’ll also help you position your experience effectively, build your confidence, and point you towards useful resources including platforms such as Reach Volunteering, which provide guidance on the trustee recruitment process and advertise live roles.

Five takeaways: how to get a board role in a non-profit

In summary, to secure a trustee role you should:

• build experience beyond your core finance role 
• demonstrate governance awareness and strategic thinking 
• be clear on the type of organisation you want to support 
• actively use your network and increase your visibility
• talk to a specialist recruitment agency for advice and proactive introductions

Next Steps

If you’re thinking about taking that next step into a board role, the earlier you start having conversations, the better. Building visibility, refining your story and understanding where you fit takes time, but it makes all the difference when the right opportunity comes up.

If you’d like to explore what a board role could look like for you, or want a sounding board on how to get started, feel free to get in touch with the Boston Hale Non-Profit Finance team.
 

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