Overview
REEL CIC (Real Education Empowering Lives) is a Community Interest Company dedicated to empowering individuals to recognise their potential, build confidence, and overcome barriers to education, training, and employment. We deliver mentoring, wellbeing, and community engagement programmes that promote inclusion, resilience, and social change. As a CIC, all our work exists for community benefit – not private profit – and we reinvest any surplus into supporting the people and communities we serve.
Directors of REEL CIC provide strategic leadership, good governance, and oversight of the organisation’s operations to ensure it meets its community interest objectives. They act as ambassadors for REEL CIC, bringing their skills, experience, and insight to strengthen our impact, accountability, and sustainability.
We’re looking for new Directors who, through their work with us, will directly impact the lives of those in the Oldham and surrounding areas.
What you'll be responsible for
* Strategic Leadership
o Contribute to the development and delivery of REEL CIC’s strategic plan and social purpose.
o Provide guidance and constructive challenge to ensure decisions are in the best interests of the community.
o Support the creation of innovative, inclusive projects that respond to local need.
* Governance and Compliance
o Ensure REEL CIC operates in line with the Companies Act 2006 and the Community Interest Company Regulations 2005.
o Uphold the organisation’s Articles of Association, asset lock, and community interest test.
o Approve annual reports, accounts, and social impact statements.
o Monitor risks and ensure effective policies are in place for safeguarding, equality, and data protection.
* Finance and Sustainability
o Oversee the responsible management of resources, budgets, and funding.
o Support fundraising, partnerships, and social enterprise activity to sustain and grow the CIC.
o Ensure all financial decisions are transparent, ethical, and aligned with community benefit.
* Ambassadorship and Community Engagement
o Promote REEL CIC’s work and values within professional and community networks.
o Build relationships with partners, funders, and stakeholders.
o Champion inclusion, wellbeing, and empowerment in all communications and decisions.
* Team Support and Development
o Offer advice and mentorship to the operational team as appropriate.
o Participate in director meetings (minimum of four per year) and contribute to working groups or events when required.
o Encourage reflective learning, collaboration, and shared leadership within the organisation.
What you'll bring to the role
* Strong commitment to the mission, values, and social purpose of REEL CIC, with a deep understanding of community benefit and social impact.
* Strategic and solutions-focused thinker, able to analyse complex issues, consider long-term outcomes, and support evidence-based decisions.
* Professional integrity and sound judgement, maintaining confidentiality and acting in the organisation’s best interests at all times.
* High levels of accountability and reliability, consistently preparing for meetings, contributing actively, and modelling positive leadership.
* Proven experience of programme management, overseeing end-to-end delivery — from design and planning through to implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
* Collaborative communicator who listens actively, challenges constructively, and contributes to a respectful, psychologically safe, and inclusive Board culture.
* Experience of working with and for diverse communities, with a strong understanding of inclusion, equity, and lived experience.
* Proactive partnership builder, skilled in identifying, activating, and sustaining collaborations that add value to communities and strengthen organisational capacity.
* Fundraising and income generation experience, with the ability to identify opportunities, support bids and proposals, and build relationships with funders, donors, and commissioners to ensure sustainability and growth.
* Understanding of community issues such as wellbeing, education, employability, social inclusion, and health inequalities.
* Knowledge of Oldham and surrounding boroughs, with awareness of local health, wellbeing, and economic inequities.
* Awareness of local, regional, and national policy contexts that influence community outcomes, including those related to social mobility, public health, and economic activity.
* Commitment to driving transformative change, bringing innovation, ambition, and a growth mindset to strengthen REEL CIC’s reach and future impact.
* Lived experience or professional insight that reflects the diversity of the communities REEL CIC serves, particularly from underrepresented backgrounds.
* Values-led leadership, demonstrating authenticity, empathy, and a commitment to equality, inclusion, and social justice in all decision-making.
* Established professional or community networks that can be leveraged to extend REEL CIC’s reach, influence, and partnerships.
* Experience in governance or leadership within a CIC, charity, or social enterprise setting.
* Knowledge or skills in key areas such as finance, HR, marketing, communications, safeguarding, or digital innovation.
* Ability to act as an ambassador for REEL CIC, representing the organisation confidently in public forums, partnerships, and stakeholder discussions.
* Creative and forward-thinking mindset, with the capacity to contribute to continuous improvement and organisational learning.
What You Will Gain
* The opportunity to shape the growth and direction of a values-driven CIC.
* Experience in social impact governance and leadership.
* Connection to a passionate team making real change in the community.
* Personal and professional development through shared learning and collaboration.
* Connection and collaboration with a team of incredible values led, social purpose driven colleagues who inspire, innovate and mobilise resources that truly transform lives.
* An opportunity to leverage your skills, experience and expertise for the greater good.
* An opportunity to innovate to advance social change and better outcomes for all.
How to Apply
If you share our commitment to empowering communities and believe your skills and experience can help shape REEL CIC’s next chapter, we would love to hear from you.
Please apply by submitting:
1. A cover letter (no more than two pages) explaining why you are interested in becoming a Director of REEL CIC and how you meet the essential and desirable criteria outlined in this pack.
2. A CV (maximum three pages) detailing your relevant professional experience, achievements, and any community or voluntary roles.
Please email both documents to: info@reelcic.co.uk
If you would like an informal discussion about the role before applying, or if you need additional support or an alternative format to submit your application please contact Kelly Higson, Director of Transformation, kelly@reelcic.co.uk
Interviews: 8th November 2025 by Zoom
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to meet with members of the Board for a conversation about their experience, motivation, and alignment with REEL CIC’s mission and values.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
At REEL CIC we believe that true community transformation happens when diversity is embraced, equity is pursued, and inclusion is embedded in everything we do. We recognise that the richness of people’s backgrounds, experiences and perspectives strengthens our work, deepens our impact, and enables us to reach and serve more effectively.
Our Commitments
* We commit to creating a safe, welcoming and accessible environment where everyone—regardless of race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, socioeconomic status, or any intersection of these—feels respected and has full opportunity to contribute and flourish.
* We commit to working with lived experience and under-represented voices, and to amplifying those voices in our services, governance and decisions.
* We commit to challenging barriers and power imbalances that prevent people from participating or progressing. Where needed, we will adapt our practices, processes and support so that people who have been excluded or overlooked have equal access.
* We commit to measuring our progress—we will track diversity in our board, staff, volunteers and service participants; we will review our impact, learn from what we do, and publish our learning openly.
* We commit to continuous improvement—recognising that embedding DEI is an ongoing journey not a one-off task. We will provide training, hold ourselves accountable, and update our practices as we evolve.
Welcoming Under-represented Groups
REEL CIC actively invites and welcomes individuals from under-represented groups to apply. Whether you are from a marginalised community, have lived experience of exclusion, or belong to a group whose voice is seldom heard, we want you to feel seen, valued and empowered here. We encourage you to bring your whole self, share your vision, and help shape the future of our community work.
Seniority level
* Director
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