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About Commonwealth Sport Foundation

The Commonwealth Sport Foundation (CSF) is a new and exciting undertaking of the Commonwealth Games Foundation (CGF), and will be the charitable arm of the Commonwealth Sport Movement, supporting the collective vision to create peaceful, sustainable and prosperous communities across the Commonwealth through sport.

The CSF will use the power of sport to drive social impact for Commonwealth athletes, host cities and its 2.4 billion citizens across 71 territories. The Foundation's programmes will operate across four pillars: safeguarding and empowering youth; reducing inequalities and advancing justice; protecting and strengthening small and vulnerable states; and enabling urban sustainability.

In adherence to the purpose, vision and mission of the Commonwealth Sport Movement, the charity will act as a viable contributor to development initiatives across the Commonwealth. Following an investment of £3.5 million by the UK Government ahead of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, the Foundation now looks to build financial support for its mission and start on the road to delivering transformational  impact in the areas of peace, sustainability and prosperity.

Culture

All appointments are made in accordance with the Commonwealth Sport Movement’s values of Humanity, Equality, and Destiny.

• Driven by Humanity - its athletes and citizens inspire with their purpose and potential
• Respecting Equality - its sports and its Games are a level playing field, bringing all together as equals
• Inspired by Destiny - together a more peaceful, sustainable and prosperous future can be created

Role specification

The CGF seeks to appoint the inaugural Chair to lead the CSF's future Board of Trustees. They will be working at the forefront of the sport and social impact agenda, driving change in the world of sport and how it positively impacts communities across the Commonwealth. They will be responsible for overseeing the strategic direction of the Foundation, supporting and guiding the initial campaign to establish the Foundation while growing the team and supporting the Foundation’s alignment to the broader Commonwealth Sport Movement.

Alongside a yet-to-be-appointed Board of Trustees, the new Chair will provide leadership and oversee the management of the Foundation, in line with its charitable objectives and as required by law. A main priority following its launch is to raise additional funds and oversee the allocations of funds for the delivery of programs that directly impact across the Commonwealth family.

The Chair will act as an ambassador for the nascent Foundation, engaging with a range of external stakeholders, from wealthy individuals and their foundations to other NGOs, corporations and government; in doing so, they will identify and cultivate relationships which lead to financial commitments. 

Adding to the £3.5 million of restricted funds already pledged, these donations will support the development of programmes, all of which will align with the Foundation's four pillars. The Chair, along with the rest of the Board, will monitor and evaluate the difference which the Foundation is making, and continuously seek to increase its positive impact across the Commonwealth. They will be able to demonstrate the effectiveness and transformational results of the Foundation's work.

The Chair is responsible for:

• Leading the overall development and growth of the Foundation’s strategy and act as one of the primary spokespeople for the Foundation
• Setting goals and objectives for, and jointly managing the appointment of the Board of Trustees and ensuring their effective conduct
• Keeping the ‘conscience’ of the Foundation, ensuring that the Board of Trustees continue to take decisions and act in line with the governing document, and comply with the relevant legislative and regulatory requirements to which the Foundation is subject
• Ensuring that all communication and reporting to the CGF and other stakeholders and partners is done in a timely manner
• Monitoring and overseeing the Foundation’s budget, ensuring that the proper financial controls are in place
• Disclosing any potential conflicts of interest, to avoid all real or perceived conflicts of interest, both financial and programmatic
• Considering, reviewing and approving policies which are consistent with the mission of the Foundation
• Chairing three Board meetings annually

In return for their contribution, the Chair will receive invitations to exclusive special events, including Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth Youth Games, and be able to travel and participate in Foundation business development opportunities.

Person specification

The Chair of the Commonwealth Sport Foundation will believe that the power of sport can change lives and that the power of community can change the world.

While a background in sustainable development or sport would be welcome, it is essential that the Chair appreciates how transformative global philanthropy can be. The successful candidate will be passionate about championing the Foundation's vision both internally and externally, ensuring that the Foundation is telling the stories of how the power of sport can be used to drive social impact for Commonwealth communities, athletes and citizens.

As well as crafting the CSF's strategy, they will have experience of operating in the philanthropic space, and be able to motivate their own professional and personal networks to help fulfil the Foundation's ambitions. The successful candidate will be an excellent communicator, and be comfortable engaging with and presenting to a wide range of external partners and stakeholders.

This is a unique opportunity for an inspirational leader who is passionate about the Foundation's mission and excited at the prospect of playing a key role in the formation and direction of a global charitable endeavour.

Required for this role

• Board Chair ready Chairing a board involves responsibilities beyond the advisory aspects of being a non-executive director. If you have not previously chaired a board, please demonstrate your chair-readiness by listing the different boards, panels or committees that you have sat on, including details of whether you have either directly chaired or else deputised for the existing chair. If you already have significant chair experience, please detail this.

Desired for this role

• Organisational figurehead Demonstrate a track record of promoting the mission of an organisation, including enhancing the brand and developing and strengthening stakeholder relationships.
• Institutional and private fundraising Experience supporting a not-for-profit organisation in seeking institutional funding (e.g. from government, trusts, foundations, corporations etc) and from private individuals.
• Professional sports sector experience Demonstrate previous experience within the professional sports sector.
• International development sector experience Demonstrate previous experience within the international development sector.

Board composition

Dame Louise Martin, President of the GCF
David Grevemberg, CEO
Darren Hall, COO

Please note that the composition of the new Board will be determined once a Chair is in place.

Terms of appointment.

The Chair will be appointed for four years, with a limit of two terms. Travel and other expenses incurred on Foundation business are reimbursed.

Process

This process is being run by Nurole on behalf of the organisation, who will view the applications without edits. We therefore advise applicants to avoid using ‘see CV’ or ‘please call me to discuss further’ in your application as it may restrict your chances of progressing to the next round.

Connected Parties

This organisation has requested that candidates do not contact them directly. Instead, if you know someone at the organisation, please mention it in your Reason for Application. Members who do not respect this may risk having their membership terminated.

Questions & feedback

In the event you have any questions or feedback about the way the role or your application has been handled, please contact [email protected]

Role timetable

Deadline for applications: 23rd June

Candidates can expect to be contacted by: 7th July

Candidates can expect the process to be completed by: 4th August

Shortlisting will occur towards the end of June, with final stage interviews to be carried out before the end of the month. It is hoped that the successful candidate will be appointed by mid-July.