Job description

About RFS

RFS Foundation is the UK's leading charity supporting military spouses, partners, and families into sustainable employment and wellbeing. We're structured around two complementary organisations: RFS Foundation CIO, our main charitable arm, secures funding through donations, sponsorship, and grants, which then feeds into RFS CIC, the operational entity that delivers all our services and programmes. The CIC runs everything from free coaching, mentoring, and training to mental health support, recruitment services, and our Op SPOUSE programme, which links family wellbeing directly to defence retention outcomes. We work with partners like BAE Systems, QinetiQ, and Rolls Royce to place military spouses into meaningful careers, support Foreign and Commonwealth families with skills translation, and work alongside the Cabinet Office on policy.

Everything we do is about making sure military families have the support they need to thrive, regardless of where postings take them. We're governed by two separate Board of Trustees who oversee the CIO and CIC, ensuring our charitable mission stays at the heart of everything.

The Role

This is a chance to bring your governance expertise, strategic thinking, and local insight to an organisation that's genuinely making a difference to military families' lives.

As a Trustee, you'll work alongside the Board to set strategic direction, oversee our funding strategy, ensure we're meeting our charitable objectives, and hold the leadership team to account. You'll bring a Scottish perspective to our work, helping us understand regional challenges and opportunities, build partnerships with Scottish organisations, and make sure our services work for families based in Scotland.

This isn't a paper pushing role. We're a small, ambitious charity that moves fast, and we need Trustees who are willing to roll up their sleeves, challenge constructively, and help us make smart decisions about where we're heading next.

Location: Scotland (remote with occasional travel) Time Commitment: Approximately 1 day per month (including quarterly Board meetings) Remuneration: Voluntary role, expenses covered Term: 3 years, eligible for re-appointment

Key Responsibilities Governance and Strategy

• Attend and contribute to quarterly Board meetings (currently held remotely with occasional in-person meetings)

• Help set the strategic direction of RFS Foundation CIO and oversee progress against our charitable objectives

• Ensure the CIO operates within its charitable purposes and complies with charity law and regulatory requirements

• Review and approve annual budgets, accounts, and reports

• Support the development and monitoring of policies and risk management frameworks

Funding and Sustainability

• Support fundraising strategy and help identify potential donors, sponsors, and grant opportunities

• Use your networks to open doors and build partnerships that strengthen our funding base

• Oversee the financial health of the CIO and ensure funds are used effectively to maximise impact

Scottish Insight and Representation

• Bring knowledge of the Scottish military community, regional challenges, and local opportunities

• Help us build relationships with Scottish based organisations, funders, and stakeholders

• Ensure our services are accessible and relevant to families based in Scotland

• Act as an ambassador for RFS Foundation within Scotland when appropriate

Oversight and Accountability

• Hold the executive team to account for delivering on our mission and meeting agreed targets

• Ensure robust financial controls and effective use of charitable funds

• Support the CEO,MD and senior leadership team through advice, challenge, and constructive feedback

What We're Looking For

Essential

• Commitment to RFS Foundation's mission of supporting military families into employment and wellbeing

• Based in Scotland with knowledge of the regional landscape (military community, funding environment, or relevant sectors)

• Experience of governance, either as a trustee, board member, or senior leader with strategic oversight responsibilities

• Knowledge or experience working with the Armed forces Covenant

• Experience in social value and impact.

• Ability to read and interpret financial reports and understand charity accounts

• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills

• Willingness to challenge constructively and ask difficult questions when needed

• Good communication skills and ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders

• Time and commitment to fulfil the role effectively

• Passionate about social impact and committed to making a real difference

Desirable

• Connection to the military community (as a spouse, partner, veteran, or through professional work)

• Experience in one or more of the following areas: charity fundraising, grant applications, sponsorship, corporate partnerships, HR/employment services, or social enterprise

• Understanding of charity law and regulatory requirements

• Networks within Scotland that could benefit RFS Foundation's work

• Experience working with dual charity/CIC structures

• Pragmatic and solutions focused

Time Commitment

• Quarterly Board meetings (approximately 2-3 hours each, held remotely with occasional in-person meetings)

• Preparation and reading time ahead of Board meetings (approximately 2-3 hours per quarter)

• Occasional ad-hoc emails, calls, or meetings between Board meetings

• Optional: attendance at RFS events or engagement with stakeholders in Scotland

Total time commitment: Approximately 1 day per month on average

Terms of Appointment

• This is a voluntary, unremunerated position

• Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed (travel, accommodation, etc.)

• Initial term of 3 years, eligible for re-appointment for one further term

• Trustees are expected to declare any conflicts of interest and act in the best interests of the charity at all times

• All Trustees will undergo a basic DBS check as part of our safeguarding procedures

How to Apply

Please send the following to Cerise Upham at c.upham@recruitforspouses.co.uk:

Your CV (maximum 2 pages)

 A covering letter (maximum 1 page) explaining:

Why you're interested in becoming a Trustee for RFS Foundation CIO

What you would bring to the Board and RFS Scotland

Any relevant experience or connections that would support our work

Closing date: 16th March 2026 Interviews: Week commencing 16th March remote via Zoom

We're committed to building a diverse Board that reflects the communities we serve.

We particularly welcome applications from military spouses, veterans, and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds.