Strategic Membership Chair — Trustee Board Leader

We are seeking expression of interest from members for the role of Membership Chair. This is an important leadership role, providing strategic oversight to BERA’s member activities, helping ensure our activities remain relevant to our community. The membership chair sits on BERA’s trustee board and chairs BERA’s Membership Committee to shape membership strategy, support member engagement, and work towards BERA’s strategic plan.

Gerry Czerniawski is the current Membership Chair, and handover will take place during 2027, prior to the successful candidate assuming the role. The term runs from 1 January 2028 – 31 December 2031.

The main duties of the role include:

• Provide strategic leadership through contributing to the oversight of the BERA strategic plan and through effective decision making
• Ensure good governance by fulfilling the legal duties of the trustee, acting in the best interests of BERA, including overseeing financial sustainability, risk management, compliance, and fulfilling duties as an employer.
• Oversee BERA’s Special Interest Groups (SIGs), Networks and Forums monitoring their activities and the level of support provided to them
• Oversee BERA’s programme of awards and fellowships, ensuring the highest academic standards in both process, criteria and outcome are upheld, and judging duties where required
• Maintain ongoing oversight of the composition of BERA’s membership how the range of members’ interests can be best served by different networking opportunities or awards, and the health of the organisation sustained, as well as ensuring a strong member offering
• Consider the strategic interests of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland in BERA’s work and activities
• Work well with the BERA professional office, in particular the Membership and Engagement Manager.

Please complete the application through clicking the ‘Apply Now’ button at the top of this page. The application consists of three questions, and a short CV and references must be provided.

Due to the importance of the position, BERA reserve the right to hold a shortlisting and interview process, this will be led by the BERA Chief Executive, relevant office staff, and senior members of BERA Council. For these purposes, the application detailed. including the CV and the role description will be the basis for deliberations. It is intended interviews are held in the week of 1 September.

Candidates who are attending the BERA conference will be invited to a lunchtime meet & greet session with conference delegates.

Candidates taken to election will be asked to film a short c.2-minute video outlining skills and experience to assist members with their vote.

For any queries, or should you require the application or information in a different format, please contact

21 July

Close of expressions, followed by shortlisting

24 – 28 August

Interviews, where required

7 – 22 September

Voting period

W/C 28 September

Election results announced

The BERA Membership Chair must have current or very recent experience (c.12 months) of BERA’s Membership Committee or BERA Council. Trustee role descriptions can befound here . Further information on BERA’s Governance can be found onthis page.

To be eligible to stand, candidates must be members of BERA at the time of application and remain so for the duration of their term. Candidates must not be ineligible to stand as according to the laws and regulations as set out by the Charity Commission and Companies House.

There are six trustee meetings per year:
January (BERA office, London), May (conference programming), June (overnight strategic away day), July (virtual), September (held at BERA conference), November (BERA office, combined with AGM event). The Membership Chair also chairs BERA’s Membership Committee, which meets three times per year (ordinarily virtually). The time commitment is c.15 days per year. Full expenses are paid in line with BERA policies. BERA does not normally run hybrid meetings so a commitment to attend these in person unless otherwise stated is essential.

As part of our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, we welcome applications from members from groups currently underrepresented in our governance. We are committed to addressing structural inequalities and ensuring our leadership reflects the diversity of the BERA community. We recognise diverse perspectives, skills, and experiences strengthen the effectiveness of our governance.