TRACS (Traditional Arts & Culture Scotland) is looking for a committed, dynamic and experienced Chair to lead its Board of Trustees from Autumn 2025.
TRACS is a co-operative network which champions our shared traditions of music, song, storytelling, dance, crafts, customs and local languages. We have recently been awarded Multi-Year Funding from Creative Scotland to deliver a 3-year programme celebrating and advocating for Scotland’s traditional arts in communities across the country. During this period, we seek to advance our role as a recently-appointed expert NGO advisor to UNESCO on Intangible Cultural Heritage. Find out more from our website www.tracscotland.org.
The Chair has a leadership role and is responsible for convening and chairing board meetings, focusing the board on strategic matters, setting high standards of governance and ensuring TRACS is meeting its charitable objectives. To the Chair is also delegated the line-management of TRACS’ CEO.
The role of Chair is an unpaid position but is a crucial part of governance and leadership within TRACS.
In Brief
- Role Title: Board Chair
- Member of/elected by: Board of Trustees
- Reports to: Board of Trustees
- Main staff contacts: TRACS Chief Executive Officer
- Term of Office: Three years; with up to 2 re-elections (max. 9 years)
- Position: Voluntary (unpaid); reasonable expenses
Could this be me?
The TRACS Board is looking for an enthusiastic, energetic and effective advocate for the traditional arts and the part they play within the life of Scotland and of all its people.
Among other attributes they will have:
- A personal understanding of and involvement in the range of traditional arts communities in Scotland
- Experience of performance, promotion, administration or governance within the arts sector
- Direct experience of working across sectors in forming and nurturing partnerships and the ability to facilitate or lead multi-stakeholder development processes
- Engagement with national political processes in Scotland and/or internationally
- Demonstrable experience of networking and communications at a strategic level
- Knowledge of fundraising and advocacy work
How much of my time would it take up?
- Board Meetings: The Chair convenes and chairs up to 6 full TRACS board meetings per year. These are held in person or online and generally last around 2 hours.
- Other meetings: The Chair also plays a crucial role on 2 of the 3 Board Committees – Finance & Risk, Governance & Constitution – which meet additionally throughout the year, as well as convening meetings of the Board Chairs of TRACS’ three member organisations (Scottish Storytelling Forum, Traditional Dance Forum of Scotland and Traditional Music Forum of Scotland).
- Line Management: Regular check-ins with the TRACS CEO.
- Other commitments: Additional time is required for preparing agendas, in consultation with staff and other trustees, and reviewing papers in advance of board meetings; liaising with fellow office bearers and other board members/staff; and attending occasional board training sessions.
How to apply
If you’re interested in leading the board of TRACS through a crucial and exciting time in the charity’s development, please:
- Download the TRACS Board Chair application pack here
- Send an email to recruitment@tracscotland.org outlining your interest and providing details of the relevant skills, experience and/or qualifications you would bring to the role.
TRACS has a strong commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and to Fair Work. We welcome applications from individuals of all ages, genders, ethnicities, disabilities, sexual orientations, gender identities, socio-economic backgrounds, religions and/or beliefs.
If you would like any further information or to have an informal conversation with current Board Chair Andrew Bachell before applying, please email him to arrange a suitable time.
Deadline for expressions of interest: 17:00, Friday 30th May 2025
