Careers

About Us

Purpose

Lead the Board of Directors to ensure Play England is well-governed, strategic, and impactful in advancing children's right to play. Act as an ambassador and support the Executive Director.

Key Responsibilities

• Chair Board meetings and the AGM; ensure focused, inclusive, and effective governance
• Lead the Board in setting and monitoring strategy, finances, risk, and safeguarding
• Support, appraise, and constructively challenge the Executive Director
• Work with the Senior Independent Director (SID) to review Board effectiveness and succession planning
• Ensure balanced Board composition and strong pipeline of leadership
• Represent Play England across the UK (including with Play Scotland, Play Wales, PlayBoard NI) and internationally; attend key events including Playday and the International Day of Play Person Specification
• Independent under the Code of Governance definition
• Significant experience of board leadership, ideally as Chair
• Strong governance, finance, and risk literacy
• Skilled facilitator and consensus-builder
• Credibility with senior stakeholders, politicians and media
• Commitment to Play England's mission, safeguarding, EDI, and the Nolan Principles

Time Commitment & Term

• Approx. 1-2 days per month
• 4 years, renewable once
• Voluntary; reasonable expenses reimbursed Eligibility
• Eligible to serve as company director and charity trustee
• Appointment subject to DBS check
• Collective responsibility; may serve on committees; induction/training required

About The Role

The Role of the Board

Our Board provides strategic leadership, governance, and oversight. Directors are both company directors and charity trustees, with the associated legal and fiduciary duties. The Board ensures that:

• Play England is well-governed and financially sustainable.
• Our strategy is delivered effectively.
• We meet our charitable objectives and regulatory requirements.
• Children's right to play is championed at the highest levels. We are committed to the Code of Governance and to continuous improvement in how we operate.

Time Commitment

• 4 - 6 Board meetings per year (normally online, with at least one in-person).
• Occasional sub-committees and/or task groups.
• Attendance at Play England key events such as Playday and the International Day of Play.

Support, Term and Remuneration

• A full induction, ongoing training, buddying and mentoring.
• 4 years, renewable once (per our Memorandum & Articles of Association).
• These are voluntary, unpaid roles. Expenses will be reimbursed.

Who We're Looking For

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, and particularly those currently under-represented on charity boards. We are especially keen to hear from candidates with expertise in areas such as:

• Fundraising, investment, or philanthropy
• Policy, public affairs, or campaigning
• Digital, data, or communications
• Organisational leadership and change
• Governance, law, finance, or risk

You don't need to be a play expert - we already have those around the table. What matters is that you share our values, believe in children's right to play, and can bring your skills and experience to help us thrive. Independent Directors A person is independent if they are free from any close connection to Play England and would be viewed as independent by an objective outsider. This means we are looking for people primarily from outside the play sector who can bring fresh perspectives, expertise, and constructive challenge.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

We want our Board to reflect the children, families and communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone and especially encourage younger applicants (under 30), people with disabilities, people from underrepresented communities, and people of all genders. Appointments are on merit. If you need any reasonable adjustments, we will provide them.

Further Information

How to Apply

Please send the following to: info@playengland.org.uk by midnight, 23 October 2025.

• Your CV and a covering letter (max 2 pages) explaining which role you are applying for (Chair, SID, or Independent Director), why you are interested, and how your skills and experience match what we're looking for.
• Please provide details of two referees (name, role, organisation, email, phone). We will only contact referees if you are recommended for appointment, and only with your consent.
• We encourage applicants to complete an Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form. This is anonymous, used only for statistical purposes, and is not part of the recruitment decision.

Recruitment Timeline

• Applications close: Midnight, 23 October 2025
• Board shortlisting discussion: 24 October 2025
• Interviews (by Nominations Committee): early November 2025 we will be flexible around your and our availability
• Recommendations to Board: mid November 2025
• Appointments ratified at AGM: 3 December 2025

If you'd like an informal discussion about the roles and/or the timetable, please do contact our Executive Director, Eugene Minogue.

Apply for role

Closing date: 23rd October 2025