Position Description

UD Music Foundation is seeking a Treasurer to join its Board of Trustees and provide strategic oversight of the organisation’s financial affairs at a pivotal point in its development. This is a governance-focused trustee role, not an operational finance position, and is not remunerated.

The Treasurer will support the Board and the CEO to steward the charity responsibly, strengthening financial resilience and supporting medium-term planning, including the effective use of UD’s Talent House asset. The role includes defined and time-bound support outside of Board meetings, particularly in relation to the preparation and interpretation of management accounts.

Purpose of the role

The Treasurer acts as the Board’s lead on financial governance, helping ensure that UD remains financially viable, appropriately controlled and able to make informed strategic decisions. The role focuses on oversight, challenge and advice rather than operational delivery.

Key responsibilities

1. Financial oversight and governance

Provide strategic oversight of the charity’s financial position, including income mix, expenditure, cashflow and reserves, with clear distinction between restricted and unrestricted funds.
Support the CEO in preparing management accounts and financial forecasts for Board consideration
Present and explain financial information to the Board in a clear and accessible way
Support trustees to understand financial risk, particularly in relation to restricted funding and cash timing
Ensure appropriate financial controls and procedures are in place and are operating effectively

2. Planning and sustainability

Advise on the financial implications of strategic and business planning, including scenario planning beyond the current NPO period
Support development of a realistic reserves policy and approach to financial resilience
Contribute to thinking on the future financial model for Talent House, including earned income potential and risk

3. External relationships and compliance

Act as a point of liaison with external accountants and the independent examiner, alongside the CEO
Support compliance with Charity Commission and Companies Act requirements relating to finance
Provide assurance that statutory accounts and financial returns are prepared and filed appropriately

4. Board contribution

Play a full and active role as a trustee, contributing to collective decision-making and a board culture that is supportive, appropriately challenging and with clear boundaries.
Provide constructive challenge and support to the CEO
Help maintain a culture of transparency, accountability and proportionate risk management

The Treasurer role does not include bookkeeping, payroll, VAT returns or statutory accounts preparation. These functions are carried out by a bookkeeper and external accountants.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

UD Music Foundation is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and particularly welcomes applications from candidates who are underrepresented in charity governance, including people from Black and Global Majority backgrounds.

Support and induction

New trustees receive a structured induction covering governance, strategic priorities, financial position, and key risks. Ongoing support is provided by the Chair, CEO and professional advisers.

Selection Criteria

Person specification

• Essential experience and knowledge
  • Senior-level financial experience (e.g. finance director, senior finance manager, audit/assurance or equivalent)
  • Experience of charity, not-for-profit or public-sector finance
  • Confidence interpreting and explaining financial information to non-finance trustees
  • Good judgement, independence of thought and willingness to ask difficult questions
  • Commitment to UD’s mission and values
• Desirable experience
  • Experience of organisations with mixed public funding, grants, contributed and earned income
  • Experience of asset-based organisations or capital projects
  • Previous trustee or board experience

Our values in practice

These values guide how trustees contribute individually and collectively, and how the board works in partnership with the executive team. UD Music Foundation’s trustees are committed to high standards of governance and collective responsibility. As a board, we aim to work in ways that are:

• Purpose-led
• Transparent and open
• Grounded in integrity
• Respectful of expertise and boundaries
• Resilient and responsible

We are seeking trustees who are aligned with these values and who are comfortable contributing their skills in a way that is constructive, proportionate and sustainable.

How to Apply

If you are interested in this role, please email a short expression of interest and/or a CV to Pamela McCormick (CEO) at pamela@udmusic.org.

Informal conversations with the Chair or Chief Executive Officer are welcomed ahead of application.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the closing date.