The Queen's Nursing Institute Scotland
Chair of Council
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Chair of Council
The Queen’s Nursing Institute Scotland
Edinburgh / Hybrid
Four-year appointment (with the opportunity for a second term by mutual agreement)
Lead the governance of one of Scotland's most respected nursing charities.
We are seeking an exceptional Chair to lead the Board of a long-established and much-loved Scottish nursing and midwifery charity. Rooted in a proud history of improving health with a focus on prevention and social justice, QNIS plays a valuable role in strengthening health and social care provision for people, families, and communities. This is a significant voluntary leadership role for someone who can honour the charity’s heritage while helping the Board think boldly about the future. The successful candidate will bring wisdom, independence, warmth, and courage. They will understand that good governance is not only about compliance, but also about culture, stewardship, inclusion, learning, and long-term public trust.
The Role
As Chair of Council, you will lead the Board and ensure the trustees fulfil their collective duties. The role calls for a Chair who can create the conditions for a confident and high-performing board: one that is strategic rather than reactive, curious rather than complacent, and with a strong, supportive partnership between governance and executive leadership.
You will:
- Lead the Board in guiding the charity’s mission, values, strategy, and long-term direction.
- Ensure that governance arrangements are effective, proportionate, transparent, and aligned with legal and regulatory duties.
- Chair Board meetings in a way that encourages open debate, constructive challenge, shared ownership, and timely decision-making.
- Build a positive and inclusive Board culture in which trustees are well supported, well informed and able to contribute fully.
- Work with trustees to ensure the Board has the right mix of skills, lived experience, diversity, independence, and strategic capability.
- Be a trusted advisor to the Chief Executive, providing guidance, support, and constructive challenge.
- Act as an ambassador for the charity, helping to strengthen relationships, visibility, and trust with partners, supporters, and funders.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
About You
We are looking for an accomplished leader with significant Board-level experience and a strong understanding of good governance in the third sector. You will bring:
- Outstanding strategic thinking and the ability to see the bigger picture.
- The confidence to facilitate complex conversations with fairness, clarity, and respect.
- A commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion, and anti-discriminatory practice, with the ability to translate those commitments into Board culture and decision-making.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills.
- Sound judgement, emotional intelligence, and the ability to balance support and challenge.
- An appreciation of the responsibilities that come with Chairing an organisation with a long history and a trusted place in Scotland’s nursing and midwifery landscape.
- Previous experience chairing a Board or committee would be advantageous, as would knowledge of community nursing, midwifery or the wider charitable sector, although these are not essential.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Why Join QNIS?
This is an opportunity to lead the governance of an organisation with a proud history and an ambitious future. QNIS is recognised for championing innovation in community nursing and midwifery, supporting practitioners who make a real difference across Scotland every day. As Chair, you will help guide the organisation, ensuring it remains influential, impactful, and true to its mission.
Further Information
The appointment is for an initial four-year term, with the possibility of a second four-year term by mutual agreement. The role is voluntary, with reasonable expenses reimbursed. Board meetings are held on a hybrid basis, with meetings primarily taking place in Edinburgh.
For further information, including details on how to apply, please visit https://jobs.aspenpeople.co.uk/job/chair-of-council-915.aspx
Closing Date: Monday 17th August
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location