Role overview

The staff network chair (or co-chair/lead) is a vital role that oversees and co-ordinates the running of the network. They organise and agree the strategic direction of travel including activities and events, chair meetings, set meeting agendas, and record and communicate discussion notes and outcomes.

They are also the primary point of contact for new and existing network members and for feeding back members’ concerns, as well as recommendations for improvement to help make the organisation more inclusive.

As staff networks are run by its members, the key objective of the chair is to embed ownership of the staff network within the membership, help amplify its voice and influence, and take a lead on the development of the network to benefit all staff across the organisation.

Responsibilities

Some responsibilities include:

• Agreeing with members how to run and develop the network, and co-produce a network charter, terms of reference, and action plans to formalise.
• Organise meetings, activities, and events for the network throughout the year.
• Annual business planning and budget management.
• Chair/facilitate meetings and take notes as needed, feeding back any concerns and/or recommendations to the wider equality, diversity, and inclusion team.
• Promote network membership.
• Oversee communications and communicate regular network progress updates.
• Be a point of contact for new and existing members, respond to any requests and provide up-to-date information on network activities.
• Be the point of escalation for all matters of concern.
• Link with other staff networks internally and externally to help amplify voice and impact of the staff network(s).
• Ensure succession planning is considered for future network meetings, activities, events, and other network roles.
• Hold regular meetings with network sponsor.
• Attend board meetings where required.