Vacancy -- Chair – Sport Wales

The Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism is seeking to appoint a new Chair to Sport Wales – could you be the person we are looking for? This is an exciting opportunity for an individual who is passionate about sport and the benefits it can deliver for the individual and the wider community. The successful candidate will be able to build a strong team and have excellent communication, influencing and negotiating skills.

Responsible to the Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism,  Sport Wales is a Welsh Government Sponsored Body (WGSB), funded largely by grant-in-aid from the Welsh Government.  It is also responsible for distributing funds from the National Lottery to sport in Wales. Sport Wales works in association with other key sport and active recreation providers and delivery agents, particularly local government, national governing bodies of sport and the voluntary sector.  It is responsible for co-ordinating and helping to deliver the Welsh Government’s Programme for Government commitments to encourage sport and active recreation. http://gov.wales/about/programmeforgov/about?lang=en

Sport Wales’ operational priorities and performance targets are informed by:  

- The Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism’s Annual Remit Letter.

- Wider policies and priorities of the Welsh Government, in particular the Well Being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.  This requires Sport Wales to integrate all its work into supporting of all of the seven well being goals as well as the five governance elements of the Sustainable Development Principle.

- The four objectives set down when the Sports Council for Wales (now trading as Sport Wales) was established by Royal Charter in 1972. 

The four broad objectives are to:

• Increase participation in sport and active recreation;

• Raise standards of performance and excellence;

• Improve the provision of sporting facilities;

• Provide technical information and advice about sport, recreation and active lifestyles.

Sport Wales operates two national centres; the Welsh Institute of Sport in Cardiff and the Plas Menai National Watersports Centre in North Wales. 

The Sport Wales Board currently consists of 10 members along with a Chair and Vice-Chair. The Board currently holds 6 meetings a year across Wales.

http://sport.wales/

You will be accountable to the Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism for Sport Wales’ performance and delivery of outputs.  Developing and maintaining a close relationship with the Deputy Minister and key members of the Welsh Government is a crucial part of the Chair’s role. 

Leadership

• Provide effective leadership to Sport Wales and its Board, in particular defining and developing its strategic direction, participating in the corporate planning process and representing the views of the Board to the general public.

• Work with other members to discharge the functions of the Board which will comprise:

o Delivery of the Board’s corporate/business plan in response to the Deputy Minister for Culture Sport and Tourism annual Remit Letter;

o Ensuring that governance arrangements are sound and that there is probity and propriety in the workings of the Sport Wales;

o Putting into action the Welsh Government’s policies and priorities including equal opportunities and diversity issues, by working with key stakeholders to ensure an integrated approach for the delivery of sport in Wales;

o Maximise the benefits from major high profile national and international sporting events (such as the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games), by providing a sustainable sports legacy;

o Addressing the needs of sport both nationally and locally, taking responsibility for deciding how resources are deployed to meet Sport Wales’ strategic objectives.

o Supporting the Welsh Government’s efforts to increase levels of active recreation throughout the population of Wales.

Relationship with the Chief Executive

• Establish and build a strong, effective and a supportive working relationship with the Chief Executive, providing support and advice while respecting executive responsibility;

• Conduct an annual appraisal to ensure the Chief Executive is held to account for achieving agreed strategic objectives.  Provide relevant training and development opportunities. 

Governance

• Ensure that the governance arrangements are working in the most effective way. 

• Build an effective Board, initiating change and succession planning for Board appointments through the OCPA regulated process;

• Annually consult with and appraise Board members on their roles and assess their performance;

• Plan, preside over, and facilitate Board and committee meetings;

• Ensure Sport Wales’ commitment to equality and diversity.

Communication and External Relations

• Act as an ambassador for Sport Wales

• Promote effective relationships between non-executive members, the executive team and staff within Sport Wales;

• Develop, manage and maintain good relationships with interested parties both nationally and locally.  Interest parties include:

o Welsh Government

o Sport Governing Bodies

o Sports Associations

o local authorities

o local communities

o the business sector

o the voluntary sector

o elected community representatives

o the media

You will need to demonstrate the following essential criteria:

• Knowledge of the benefits of elite and grassroots sport and active recreation in Wales and a keen interest in their development throughout Wales.

• Knowledge/experience in a related field such as  health, community development, education or similar which will have given you an understanding of how sport and active recreation can improve the health and well being of people and communities  across Wales;

• A sophisticated understanding of financial  management and the management of risk that will  ensure that Sport Wales effectively  manages  risk in all of its activities.

• An understanding of the Well Being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 and how Sport Wales can contribute to its goals.

• Strong communication skills with the ability to build strategic working relationships with all stakeholders including Ministers and Government, Board Members, and the press and media.

• The ability to respond creatively and strategically to changing political and operational environments. 

Desirable

• Welsh Language Skills.  The ability to communicate through the medium of Welsh is desirable.  All candidates are expected to display an awareness of the linguistic profile of Wales and support compliance with the forthcoming Welsh Language Standards. 

A salary of £35,184 per annum is payable.

You will also receive reimbursement for all directly related travel and subsistence costs in carrying out the duties of the appointment.