Advisory Board Members x2

Job Information

Role and person description

Role type: Voluntary

Location: Can be based anywhere but may need to travel to London for board meetings. Expenses will be covered for travel to board meetings. We can also arrange to have members video call in to meetings rather than attending in person should that be more convenient.  

Time commitment: Meetings will last two hours and will take place twice per year.

About Common Wealth  

Common Wealth was founded in 2019 as a progressive think tank dedicated to building a democratic and sustainable future by reimagining ownership and economic institutions. We focus on ownership as a key structuring force in the economy, recognising that the creation of a thriving society requires reimagining how our economy is owned and governed, and in whose interest. We work on many areas, from decarbonising the energy system to restructuring housing, from democratising enterprise to prototyping new democratic institutional forms, like public-commons partnerships. We engage in research and analysis to interrogate problems; evidence-led development of policies and new models; and advocacy with media partners, policymakers and wider coalitions to make bold change happen.

Key responsibilities of the Advisory Board  

• Attend two 2hr meetings per year.
• Advise on and help to develop Common Wealth’s strategy.
• Support the achievements of the objectives, visions and values of Common Wealth.
• Broaden Common Wealth’s stakeholder networks, including funding opportunities.
• Review and comment on documents submitted to the Executive Board, including budgets.
• Pro-actively contributing ideas and expertise and raising opportunities and concerns related to Common Wealth.
• Contribute where appropriate to the development of internal policies and processes.
• Commit to Board membership of Common Wealth for a minimum period of 3 years (unless exceptional circumstances arise).

What skills and experience are we looking for?  

It is essential that Advisory Board members must:  

• Have a strong commitment to and understanding of the aims of Common Wealth.
• Be an excellent communicator with leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Be able to both empower Common Wealth employees and networks.
• Be able to challenge supportively.
• Be and able to work in a diverse team of people from different personal, professions and political backgrounds.

Previous experience on boards is not a necessity, but we are particularly keen to hear from people with knowledge of and experience in one or more of the following areas:  

• Strategic communications
• Org governance
• Philanthropy and fundraising

We especially encourage applications from anyone who: identifies as a woman or as non-binary; identifies as LGBTQIA+; lives with a disability or disabilities; is or has lived experience of being working class; and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates.  

We currently have five Advisory Board members, including one elected employee representative.