Location:  County Durham

Salaries

• Group Board Member including Chair (elect) of Housing and Communities Committee starting at £5,200 per annum (plus expenses and funded training) and increasing to £7,210 per annum on appointment in September 2025.

• Group Board Member including Chair (elect) of Human Resources and Remuneration Committee starting at £5,200 per annum (plus expenses and funded training) and increasing to £7,210 per annum on appointment in September 2025.

• Group Board Member £5,200 (plus expenses and funded training)

The Company

Livin is an award-winning not for profit housing association that owns nearly 8,800 homes across County Durham. We offer more than just a home. We help improve the lives of the people living in our homes and in our places. We work hard to make sure those homes are high quality, sustainable and adaptable, while meeting tenants’ current and future aspirations. We offer support that help people into work and training and increase their financial confidence and stability.

There is no Plan B. There is no Planet B either. Now in the third and final phase of our nine-year Plan A, our strategy for 2022-25 and beyond requires ourselves, our suppliers, partners and customers to raise our game with a primary focus on supporting sustainable places. To achieve this our new build and acquisition programme, regeneration work and home improvement programme will all be focused on improving lives through sustainable homes and places.

Our senior leadership team comprises the Board and the Chief Executive, five Directors and seven Heads of Service. Together, they oversee the strategic governance and the day-to-day running of Livin to make sure we are achieving our vision to build a sustainable organisation that provides great homes and supports tenants to improve their lives.

The Roles

Housing and Communities Committee Chair (Elect)

The Chair of the Housing and Communities Committee will support the Chair and Vice Chair of the Board to maintain good governance and to deliver Plan A, our business strategy.

Leading the Housing and Communities Committee in all aspects of its work, the Chair will work closely with the Director of Housing and Communities to effectively manage the committee’s affairs and monitor/oversee:

• compliance with the Regulator of Social Housing’s Consumer Standards;
• customer experience and compliance with the Customer Voice, Vulnerability and Accessibility Policies and the Complaints, Compliments and Feedback Policy;
• the delivery of key housing policies (including lettings, safeguarding, domestic abuse and anti-social behaviour); and
• community regeneration programmes, such as employability and social cohesion.

The Chair will also act as the Member Responsible for Complaints, required by the Housing Ombudsman’s statutory Complaints Handling Code.

For this role we are seeking an individual with skills and experience in strategic social housing and knowledge of consumer standards and policy. Prior experience of the social housing sector at a senior level will be necessary.

HR and Remuneration Committee Chair (Elect)

The Chair of the Human Resources (HR) and Remuneration Committee will support the Chair and Vice Chair of the Board to maintain good governance and to deliver Plan A, our business strategy.

Leading the HR and Remuneration Committee in all aspects of its work, the Chair will work closely with the Executive Director of Corporate Services to effectively manage the committee’s affairs and monitor/oversee:

• the remuneration policy and package for individual non-executive and co-opted Board members;
• the Board member recruitment process, making recommendations for appointment to the Board;
• the process for Board member appraisals;
• all aspects of the terms and conditions of the Chief Executive and Executive Directors;
• the recruitment, retention and severance of, and any non-contractual payments to be made to, the Chief Executive and Executive Directors;
• the process of the appraisal of the Chief Executive; and
• Executive and employee HR policies and procedures as required by Standing Orders.

For this role we are seeking an individual with skills and experience in strategic human resources and knowledge at a senior level of the employment environment. Prior experience of the housing sector is not essential as we will consider applicants from any industry sector.

Group Board Member

The group Board member will bring expertise to a talented and diverse Board team and will contribute their specific experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Tenant voice
• Customer experience
• Community engagement
• Digital skills including the use of data and analytics

Board member responsibilities

• Support the Chair and Vice Chair of the Board to maintain good governance and to deliver Plan A, our business strategy.
• Maintain open and effective working relationships with other Board members, applying individual skills and collective influence in delivering Plan A.
• Ensure that business decisions further the delivery of Plan A and supporting delivery strategies.
• Ensure the customer voice is at the heart of decision making and service development.
• Ensure our financial viability and growth, while ensuring risks and internal controls are managed.

For this role we are seeking an individual with skills and experience in customer experience and data and analytics. Prior experience of the housing sector is not essential as we will consider applicants from any industry sector.

There will be the opportunity for shortlisted candidates to meet the Chief Executive and relevant Directors as part of the recruitment process.

Formal interviews will take place week commencing 25th November.

Livin fully committed to the promotion of equal opportunities and we particularly welcome female applicants, younger people, the LGBTQ community and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities.

How to apply

We are committed to the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion; ensuring applicants’ employees and board members receive no less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, gender, marital status, race, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation or disability. 

To make an application, fill out the form below, with the following prepared: Your CV and A supporting statement that sets out why you think this role is the right move for you and how you meet the knowledge and experience criteria.

Closing date: Wednesday 13th November