The Royal Historical Society (RHS) seeks to appoint a new Treasurer to its Council, the Society’s governing body, which currently comprises Officers and Councillors who are Trustees of the RHS.
The Treasurer will become a Trustee of the Royal Historical Society, sit as an Officer on Council, attend Council meetings, and act as Chair of the Finance Committee. The new postholder will take up the position from February 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.
The role requires a time-commitment of up to 2 days per month, and is fully supported by the Society’s professional central office based at University College London.
The appointment is for a two-year term, with possibility of renewal up to four years.
Applicants will be current Fellows of the Royal Historical Society and based in the UK.
Those interested in the role are welcome to arrange and informal meeting by e-mailing governance@royalhistsoc.org.
The closing date for applications is: 23:59 on Sunday 1st December 2024.
About the role
Oversight of financial matters is the responsibility of all Trustees, however the RHS Council delegates in-depth oversight to the Finance Committee, chaired by the Treasurer, and day- to-day management to the CEO. The Treasurer is therefore expected to work closely within the CEO to ensure matters of financial management and strategy, as approved by the Council, are carried out in line with best practice at all times.
The role holder will chair the Society’s Finance Committee and ‘Investment Sub-Group’.
The RHS is governed by its Council which determines all strategic policy, creates and oversees its committees, appoints the President and Officers, oversees the Society’s finances and resources and its award of grants and prizes, determines the editors of its various publications, and directs relations with the Society’s members. As a Trustee of the Society, and member of Council, the new Treasurer is expected to play his/her part in these spheres of activity.
He/she will also help us realise our ambitions to make the Society an open and welcoming organisation that reflects the wide variety of professional historians contributing to the health and vitality of the discipline.
Specifications of the role
Suitable candidates for this role will likely have had prior involvement in a related post in a historical organisation; or will have held a leadership post within an academic or other department, with specific focus on finance and resource management. Applicants must be Fellows of the Royal Historical Society.
Applicants must have a demonstrable understanding of financial management, financial reporting (and related standards), and strong business and financial acumen. The new Treasurer will offer creative ideas and connections and provide support to both the CEO and outsourced accounting resources.
The role requires a time-commitment of up to two days per month. Owing to the Society’s charitable status, the role is unremunerated. The Society employs a small, highly skilled staff who will provide full support to assist the role-holder in the execution of his/her duties. The RHS will reimburse all reasonable expenses incurred as part of undertaking this role.
Along with their duties as a Trustee, the Society is looking for someone who is willing and able to work with the Finance Committee in general, and the CEO in specific to ensure:
- the Society complies with its constitutional (governing) document, charity law, applicable company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations;
- the Society uses its financial resources in line with its charitable objects;
- the investment of the Society’s funds are adequately managed;
- the financial resources of the Society meet its current and future needs.
Additional responsibilities include:
- engagement with and oversight of budgets and financial management documentation at reasonable intervals;
- leading on the duty of the Council to ensure that proper accounting and statutory reporting records are kept;
- in collaboration with the CEO, ensuring proper financial control, reserves and other related financial policies are in place and fit for purpose;
- in collaboration with the Finance Committee and CEO, ensuring a financial strategy, aligned to the Society’s general operational strategy, is in place to ensure the prudent application of Society financial resources in support of its charitable objects;
- in collaboration with the President and CEO, liaise with the Society’s external auditors to ensure all statutory audit requirements are met within a reasonable timeframe;
- to act as a Trustee of the Royal Historical Society, adhering to governance best practice, as set out by the Charity Commission, at all times;
- to attend Council and relevant committees and actively participate in the associated workload.
Application Process
Submission must be made via the Society’s applications platform. Those interested in making an application will be asked to provide:
- a CV (no more than 3 pages);
- a letter / statement outlining their ability to perform the role and relevant experience;
- the names of two referees at least one of which will be a Fellow of the RHS. We will not contact referees without prior permission.
Informal enquiries about the role and questions about the application process may be sent to: governance@royalhistsoc.org.
The closing date for applications is: Sunday 1st December 2024 at 23:59