Aspire Steps CIC is seeking a Director with strong marketing and communications experience to join our board. You will contribute to strategic governance while strengthening visibility, outreach and growth as we transition into active delivery for young people nationwide.

What difference will you make?

Aspire Steps has built careful foundations in safeguarding, programme design and financial planning. The next stage of growth depends on making confident, well-governed decisions about visibility, positioning and sustainable expansion.

A trustee with professional marketing and communications experience will strengthen the board’s ability to oversee this transition responsibly. Their strategic insight will guide decisions about brand clarity, audience development and public engagement, ensuring growth aligns with mission and safeguarding standards.

In practical terms, this trustee will help the board

Shape a clear and credible public identity
Make informed decisions about outreach and partnership positioning
Balance ambition with reputational and operational risk
Develop a sustainable visibility strategy rather than reactive growth

For a founder-led organisation at an early stage, complementary expertise at board level is critical. This trustee’s independent judgement and constructive challenge will support stronger governance, clearer strategic focus and more confident decision-making.

The impact extends beyond communications. Strong positioning influences volunteer recruitment, partnership opportunities and long-term sustainability. By strengthening governance around visibility and growth, this role contributes directly to widening participation and reducing isolation for young people who may otherwise lack structured progression support.

This is an opportunity to influence how Aspire Steps is seen and how it develops responsibly in its formative years.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for a trustee who can bring strategic marketing and communications expertise to the board while contributing to the wider governance and development of the organisation.

The ideal candidate will have at least three years of professional experience in marketing, communications, brand strategy, digital engagement or a related field. They should have experience thinking beyond day-to-day delivery and be comfortable advising on how communications and visibility support organisational growth and long-term sustainability.

Experience developing or contributing to marketing strategy, brand positioning, audience development or public engagement initiatives would be particularly valuable. The trustee should be able to provide strategic guidance on how organisations build credibility, expand their reach and communicate their mission effectively.

This role requires someone who is comfortable contributing at board level. The trustee should be able to engage in strategic discussions, offer independent judgement and provide constructive challenge where appropriate. Previous governance experience is welcome but not essential if the candidate has strong professional expertise and an understanding of strategic decision-making.

We are particularly interested in individuals who are thoughtful, collaborative and able to balance ambition with responsible governance. Experience supporting early-stage organisations, charities, social enterprises or mission-driven initiatives would be beneficial, as this role involves helping guide an organisation through a period of development and growth.

The trustee should demonstrate the ability to

Think strategically about organisational positioning and growth
Translate marketing and communications insight into long-term strategy
Offer independent judgement and constructive challenge in board discussions
Contribute consistently and reliably to governance meetings

We welcome candidates who are motivated by social impact and committed to widening participation and improving access to opportunities for young people.

Applicants with lived experience of navigating education pathways without established support networks are encouraged to apply, as this perspective can bring valuable insight to board discussions. However, the most important qualities are strong strategic thinking, professional expertise and a genuine commitment to the organisation’s mission.

Remote

What will you be doing?

Aspire Steps CIC is currently led by its Founder and sole Director. As we transition from infrastructure development into active mentoring and structured delivery, we are intentionally building a small, complementary board to strengthen governance and long-term sustainability.

The coming year represents a pivotal stage. Key board-level priorities include

Transitioning safely into mentoring delivery
Ensuring safeguarding oversight as volunteer recruitment begins
Strengthening strategic visibility and audience growth
Developing sustainable positioning and partnership credibility
Establishing strong governance rhythms from the outset

We are seeking a trustee who will play a central role in shaping Aspire Steps’ strategic growth and public positioning during this formative phase.

As part of a small board, you will contribute directly to high-level decisions about direction, risk management, sustainability and visibility. Given the organisation’s early stage, trustees will have meaningful influence in shaping structures, priorities and governance culture from the beginning.

In particular, this trustee will help the board think clearly about long-term growth strategy, communications governance and responsible visibility. While operational delivery remains within leadership, your strategic input will guide how Aspire Steps positions itself publicly and builds trust with young people, schools and partners.

Board meetings will take place monthly or fortnightly online. This is an unpaid governance role requiring less than 15 hours per month, including preparation and occasional strategic input between meetings.

This is an opportunity to join at a genuinely formative moment. Not to maintain an established system, but to help shape one. The decisions made in the next 12 months will influence Aspire Steps’ trajectory for years to come.

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