The British Mountaineering Council is both the national representative body for climbers, hill walkers and mountaineers in England and Wales and the National Governing Body for competition climbing (including the Olympic disciplines) in Great Britain.

Having been established in 1944, with membership open to all, the BMC has been representing and speaking on behalf of all climbers in Britain ever since. It passionately advocates all climbing, hill walking and mountaineering activities – including competition climbing and paraclimbing.

Over the past 75 years, the number of affiliated clubs across the country has grown from 25 to 250, and the BMC now has a membership of over 80,000, with an ambition to grow this significantly over the next five years. It also has a staff of 37 and a nationwide network of over 700 passionate and dedicated volunteers, all working together towards its vision of creating a better future for climbers, hill walkers and mountaineers.

This is an exciting opportunity which offers the right candidate the ability to lead the BMC forward through using their experience and expertise in business and the insurance industry.

This position will appeal to those who recognise the well-being benefits of active participation in outdoor activities and who share our care and concern for the natural environment. It provides an opportunity to gain satisfaction from contributing to decision-making and scrutiny at a time when the BMC is seeking to grow its membership and enhance its services whilst championing the environment in the context of increased outdoor participation.

Following a period of constitutional change to ensure compliance with the Code for Sports Governance, the BMC is structured as follows:

• The Board: responsible for the overall direction and organisational policy of the BMC and ensuring its financial viability and meeting legislative requirements
• Members’ Council: acts as the representative body of the members and consults with the Board holding them to account on behalf of the members
• CEO and staff: responsible for the day-to-day operation of the BMC
• Members: required to approve major decisions of a constitutional nature at an AGM

The successful candidate will be part of a team expected to analyse plans and strategic options in a constructive way and help lead the future development of the BMC. Key responsibilities will include providing a strategic and commercial steer for the Board and the organisation ideally with a focus on all aspects and products associated with insurance.

The BMC is seeking an energetic and forward-thinking Director with experience of the insurance industry and good business judgement.

The BMC has a substantial insurance offer for its members which includes third party liability, travel and life which are intended to be tailored to the requirements of the membership. Travel insurance is a core income stream for the BMC and third party liability insurance is both a member benefit as well as being one of the most significant strategic risks for the organisation. Applicants will therefore be able to provide effective oversight and scrutiny of the insuring partner with which the BMC works, ensuring that the best value-for-money is obtained, that risks are effectively managed, that the benefits of insurance are clearly communicate to BMC members.

The successful candidate will be committed to the BMC's five core values of community, adventure, sustainability, aspiration and respect. The BMC celebrates the rich variety of British climbing, hill walking and mountaineering, builds inclusive relationships and respects everyone.

The Board aspires to be both diverse and inclusive; encompassing a wide range of perspectives, approaches and experiences which the BMC believes are essential to driving further innovation, challenge and creativity within its sporting environment – mountain, crag and indoor. In line with this, it is keen to achieve a more diverse Board and encourages applications from under-represented groups, in particular people from ethnic minorities, people with disabilities and women.

The Board is scheduled to meet eight times per year, four of which will be evening virtual meetings and four of which will be full day face-to-face meetings which most often will take place at the Manchester office. In addition, there will be additional business between meetings (email, correspondence / conference calls / relevant reading) and in total the role is expected to require a time commitment of 20 days per year.

The successful candidate will find it useful to attend occasional meetings of the Members’ Council which occur four times per year, two of which are virtual and two of which are face to face in a mountain area.

This role is unremunerated and reasonable, pre-agreed travel expenses will be reimbursed.

There is also an opportunity to contribute to the work of various committees and task groups which report to the Board and which fulfil governance or specialist roles.

This organisation is based in Manchester and meetings will take place in person or virtually. Candidates will therefore be UK-based.