Recruiting – Boat Race Company Ltd Board Member

Role Description – Board Member/Director to lead on Commercial and Partnership activity

 

The Boat Race between crews from Cambridge University and Oxford University is one of the major British sporting events of the year. It traditionally attracts over 250,000 spectators to the banks of the River Thames in London and through broadcast partnerships reaches over 5 million people across the world.

 

The event is steeped in history but has also moved with the times. With a new strategy and a new Chair in place, The Boat Race Company Limited (BRCL) established by the Oxford and Cambridge Rowing Foundation to deliver the race, now has a renewed focus on further developing this great event. You can find out more about us here: www.theboatrace.org

 

After the disappointment of cancellation in 2020 due to the pandemic, the event was successfully re-located to Ely in Cambridgeshire and was one of the first major sports events of 2021. Plans are already underway for 2022 which will see the 167th Men’s Boat Race and the 76th Women’s Boat Race and, it is hoped, a return to London.

 

At the heart of our work is a need to build financial sustainability by establishing strong relationships with partners and supporters who share our vision and values. As we work towards the race in 2022 and beyond BRCL is looking to recruit a new Director to take forward the commercial aspects of our work and lead on our partnerships and fundraising.

Purpose and requirements of the role

We are looking for someone who can:

• Help develop a strong value proposition for the event;
• Contribute to the development and execution of a new commercial strategy to maximise the income from all aspects of the Boat Race;
• Work with existing partners to improve their engagement and experience;
• Help identify and reach new partners;
• Take a lead on overseeing the delivery of BRCL’s commercial activities;
• Engage with the alumni community to encourage them to support the event;
• Take a hands-on approach with time to devote to the event.

Person specification:

• Demonstrate strategic vision with experience of supporting an organisation to adapt and stay relevant to a changing environment;
• A track record of delivering commercial success;
• A creative mindset to identify new opportunities and the drive to bring them to fruition;
• A strong understanding of the current commercial sports sector;
• Open and transparent with strong communication skills;
• Credibility to build relationships and influence at a senior level;
• Non-executive Board experience is desirable.

Whilst many of the individuals who may be attracted to this role will have a connection with Oxford or Cambridge it is not a requirement. However we are looking for an individual who does understand the unique status of The Boat Race and the opportunities that it presents.

 

Any applicants who do have an association or affinity with one or more of the boat clubs involved in the race will be expected not to hold, or to step down from, any formal role on related committees.

Time and commitment

All our Board Members are expected to attend each of the six to eight formal Board meetings which take place throughout the year. In recent months all Board engagement has taken place via video conference but it is hoped that at least some of this will revert to face to face when conditions allow with meetings taking place in central London in the early evening.

The successful applicant will also need to be able to devote time to the work of BRCL in between meetings, specifically in this case by being part of the Board sub-committee focused on our commercial activities and partnerships and engaging in meetings with partners and other key stakeholders. Attendance at key events for the company throughout the year including the Boat Race itself is also required.

The time commitment, including preparing for meetings, is estimated to equate to approximately 25 days per annum in total, although we are looking for someone who can be flexible in terms of time and can make a real commitment to BRCL and the role.

Term

The appointment is for a four-year term, and up to two consecutive terms may be served. The role is voluntary but reasonable travel expenses will be paid.

Your application and the recruitment process

In order to apply you should submit:

• A current CV which shows your full career history – we recommend that this is no longer than two pages;
• A brief supporting statement explaining why you are interested in this role detailing how you meet the skills we are seeking (see skills and experience section above) – we recommend that this is no longer than two pages;

Please send your application, by email to admin@theboatrace.org

Closing Date – Applications should be received by midday on Monday 12 July 2020.

Selected candidates will then be invited to a first round interview with members of the Board in the second half of July ahead of second round interviews with Tim Senior, Chair of BRCL.

Please do contact us if you wish to have an informal discussion about the role or if you have any other questions to help you decide whether to apply.

Please direct all contact through  admin@theboatrace.org

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