Careers

About Us

Overall purpose

To provide visionary and strategic leadership to the Board of Rounders England (RE), with a strong external focus on advocacy, profile-building, networking and partnership development. The Chair will help ensure the Board provides strong governance and effective leadership, shaping RE's strategic direction, profile and long-term ambitions, and ensuring these are aligned with its purpose, values and constitutional objectives, and translated into meaningful outcomes and sustainable impact.

To foster a high-performing Board culture, characterised by constructive challenge, collective accountability, sound judgement and effective decision-making, while ensuring the Board acts as visible ambassadors and advocates, provides appropriate oversight and support to the executive leadership. The Chair will use their networks to build trusted relationships with members, partners, stakeholders and the wider sporting community, and leverage these relationships to advance RE's strategic ambitions and profile.

To ensure that the highest standards of probity, governance, accountability and integrity apply to the conduct of the Board and the operations and activities of RE. To ensure that RE operates in accordance with its constitutional documents, strategy, values, policies and all applicable legal and regulatory requirements, while maintaining clear oversight of organisational performance, risk and the effective delivery of its strategic objectives.

About The Role

Role Description

Key Responsibilities

• Represent and champion Rounders England, acting as an ambassador and advocate with members, partners, Sport England and other key stakeholders.
• Facilitate effective relationships and communication between the Board, CEO, staff, members and wider Rounders community, addressing conflict where necessary.
• Provide strategic leadership to the Board and organisation, ensuring delivery of Rounders England's vision, strategy, values and objectives.
• Lead the Board by setting agendas, chairing meetings and promoting constructive debate, effective decision-making and active participation.
• Ensure good governance, including compliance with statutory, regulatory and contractual obligations, effective risk management and appropriate use of funds.
• Ensure effective Board oversight of organisational performance, financial stability and delivery against agreed strategy and objectives.
• Build and develop an effective Board, including director induction, skills development, performance evaluation and succession planning.
• Work closely with the CEO, providing support, challenge and guidance while respecting the CEO's executive responsibilities, and undertaking regular performance reviews.
• Protect the reputation, values and interests of Rounders England, ensuring the organisation is recognised as a credible and respected governing body.
• Support the implementation of Board decisions alongside the CEO and take on specific assignments agreed by the Board where appropriate.
• Attend key events and meetings relevant to the role, including Sport England reviews, stakeholder meetings, awards and consultation events. 
• Act as a signatory for Rounders England where required and ensure any external commitments are compatible with the interests and demands of the Chair role.

Key Expectations

The Chair should demonstrate strong leadership, sound judgement, integrity and collaborative working. They should be able to balance strategic oversight with appropriate challenge and support, maintain constructive relationships across the organisation and wider sport, and commit sufficient time to fulfil the responsibilities of the role effectively.

Person Specification

We are seeking an inspiring, values-led and credible leader to chair Rounders England and champion the development, profile and long-term sustainability of the sport. The successful candidate will be a passionate advocate for rounders, able to provide strategic leadership, lead an effective Board and build strong relationships across the sporting, public, political and community sectors.

Essential Criteria:

1) Advocacy, networking and partnerships (primary emphasis)

• Act as a high-profile ambassador and advocate for Rounders England, representing the organisation across the sporting, education and community landscape.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with members, clubs, partners, stakeholders and the wider sporting community to strengthen RE's influence and reach.
• Use personal and professional networks to create opportunities that support RE's strategic ambitions, profile and long-term sustainability. 
• Support the identification and development of strategic partnerships that align with RE's purpose, values and constitutional objectives, and contribute to meaningful outcomes and sustainable impact.

2) Strategic leadership and direction

• Provide visionary and strategic leadership to the Board, helping to shape and champion REâ??s strategic direction, profile and long-term ambitions.
• Ensure strategic priorities remain aligned to RE's purpose, values and constitutional objectives, and are translated into clear, measurable outcomes and sustainable impact.
• Encourage forward-looking thinking, ensuring RE is well-positioned within the wider sporting environment.

3) Board leadership, culture and inclusion

• Foster a high-performing and inclusive Board culture characterised by constructive challenge, collective accountability, sound judgement and effective decision-making.
• Chair Board meetings effectively, ensuring inclusive participation, clear decisions and appropriate follow-through.
• Enable the Board to operate as a cohesive team, maintaining focus on strategic priorities while ensuring robust oversight.

4) Governance, accountability and integrity

• Ensure the highest standards of probity, governance, accountability and integrity apply to the conduct of the Board and the operations and activities of RE.
• Ensure RE operates in accordance with its governing documents, strategy, values, policies and applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain clear oversight of organisational performance and risk, ensuring appropriate controls and reporting are in place.
• Support and monitor the effective delivery of RE's strategic objectives, ensuring the Board remains accountable for impact and outcomes.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience within the sports sector, particularly grassroots or community sport.
• Knowledge of rounders and/or the wider issues affecting the sport.
• Experience of recruiting, developing and maintaining a diverse and high-performing Board.
• Experience of developing and implementing equality, diversity and inclusion strategies or initiatives. 
• Experience of working with or representing diverse communities and/or organisations committed to increasing participation and inclusion.
• Experience of working with government, public sector bodies, funders or national sporting organisations. 
• Experience of leading an organisation through significant change, growth or transformation. 
• A strong network across sport, business, government, education or community organisations.

Further Information

Time Commitment

A minimum of 2 days per month. Plus, regular contact with the CEO. There are usually four Board meetings in a year. These are conducted remotely via Microsoft Teams and one is held face to face at an agreed venue. There is an additional requirement to remotely attend up to four Sub-Committee meetings per annum too as well as attending our AGM event. Term of Office The Chair will be for a term of 4 years with an option to extend for a further 4 years.

How To Apply

If you are excited by the opportunity of the role at Rounders England and have the experience and skills we have outlined, we look forward to your application. You must supply the following documents:

• A detailed CV setting out your career history, with responsibilities and achievements.
• A covering letter (max 2 sides) highlighting your suitability for the role and how you meet the person specification. The covering letter is an important part of your application and will be assessed as part of your application.

Provide details of two professional referees together with a brief statement of the capacity and over what period of time they have known you. Referees will not be contacted without your prior consent. 

Equality Monitoring Form - Your data will be stored separately from your application and will at no time be connected to you or your application. Send your CV and cover letter to: natalie.justice-dearn@roundersengland.co.uk

If you would like to discuss this opportunity further, you can email the outgoing Chair: katherine.knight@roundersengland.co.uk .

Alternative ways to apply: If you would prefer to provide your application in an alternative accessible format, such as audio or video, or require support to complete your application, please contact us. We are happy to discuss reasonable adjustments to the application process.

First Round Interviews w/c 19th October | Second Round Interviews Weds 4th Nov, Face to Face in London | Start Jan 2027.

Accessible interviews: Reasonable adjustments are available for both interview stages. This may include adjustments to the format, communication methods, venue or timing. Please let us know what you need when arranging your interview, and we will work with you to make appropriate arrangements.

Apply for role

Closing date: 12th October 2026