Being a Board Member
Working as part of a team with fellow Board Members and managers, you will help shape the organisation’s direction, ensuring we deliver on our purpose.
Board Members play a crucial role in guiding and scrutinising Prima Group’s operations, ensuring we are effective, efficient, and financially sound, while meeting the needs of our customers and communities.
Prima have an exciting opportunity to become a Board Member. Over the last few years there have been significant changes in the social housing sector, with new regulations and standards to meet, economic challenges, as well as rising customer expectations. The Boards role is to support the executive team to steer through these challenges, to set the strategic objectives, ensure the organisation delivers on its plans and remains a strong and well run business.
What Makes a Great Board Member?
We usually rely on a detailed person specification for recruitment, but we’re taking a less formal approach this time to encourage applicants with diverse skills, knowledge, and experiences. We want our Board to reflect the variety of perspectives and backgrounds found in the communities we serve. You don’t need to have worked in housing before — we welcome people with different professional and lived experiences.
Our recruitment focus is on these key qualities and competencies:
A passion for Prima Group’s work, with a commitment to our customers and communities.
Self-awareness, a willingness to take responsibility for learning, and engage positively in meetings and activities.
Sound judgement and a practical, balanced approach.
A recognition of the value of diversity within the Board and organisation, and a commitment to Prima Group’s vision and values.
Specialist knowledge, expertise, or experience that can add value to the Board’s work. This could include professional expertise or lived experience that offers insight into our customers and communities.
Role Details
Tenure:
Board members are appointed for three years, up to a maximum of six years. Each year we will meet with you to check how you’re doing and carry out an appraisal, designed to help you grow in the role. This helps us ensure that we have the right balance of skills and experience across all Board members to deliver on our objectives.
Commitment:
Board members serve on the main Board and on one Committee (and may serve as Committee Chair)
Quarterly Board meetings*
Quarterly Committee meetings*
Quarterly Chairs meetings (if member serves as a Chair)*
Board away days for strategic planning and training session - 2 days a year
Monthly on line briefing sessions on topics relevant to the housing sector and the business - 1 hour a month
*Meetings are approximately 2 hours in duration, Board meetings are in person and Committee meetings are hybrid of online and in person. We schedule meetings well in advance and can offer reasonable adjustments, hybrid participation, and flexibility to support different needs and circumstances.
Responsible to:
Chair of Group Board.
Hours:
Vary each month, but as a guide, approximately 12-15 days each year.
Remuneration:
£4,342 annually, plus any reasonable expenses are reimbursed, including accessibility related costs.
Location:
We have a hybrid approach to Board and Committee meetings. Most Committee meetings are held virtually using Microsoft Teams, with Board meetings usually held in person at our Liverpool office, so members get a chance to connect.
We welcome and encourage applications from women, disabled people, LGBTQ+ people, and people from Black, Asian and other minoritised ethnic backgrounds, who are currently under‑represented on our Board. We can provide reasonable adjustments at every stage of the recruitment process and in the role. Please let us know what you need to participate fully. We particularly welcome applicants with lived experience of social housing or community issues.
What You’ll Bring
We want you to bring your unique perspective to Prima Group, helping us make a real difference in the lives of our customers. Prior housing or Board experience isn’t essential. Instead, we’re keen to hear in your application how you:
Think Strategically: Plan and set direction, see the bigger picture, understand external factors that could impact the organisation, and weigh up risks effectively.
Communicate Effectively: Engage with a diverse range of people, actively listen, respect differing views, and confidently work collaboratively and build constructive relationships.
Are Analytical: Assess, analyse, and review information to reach sound, logical conclusions.
Make Decisions: Use good judgement and common sense, hold yourself and others accountable, and always consider the customer's perspective.
Are Willing to Challenge: Question constructively and fairly, while being unafraid to ask thoughtful questions that add to discussions. Come prepared to meetings and contribute positively.
Demonstrate Independence of Thought: Share your insights but work collaboratively to reach collective decisions with fellow Board Members.
Show Leadership: Inspire, motivate, and support others. Promote a respectful and inclusive culture, address concerns appropriately and uphold standards.
Solve Problems: Explore options and solutions as part of a team.
These core competencies guide our Board Members in their responsibilities, whether reviewing reports, contributing to meetings, or helping to shape the future of Prima Group.
How we’ll support you
We’re committed to ensuring our Board Members gain valuable experiences during their time with us and have opportunities to develop their skills.
At Prima Group, we provide an engaging framework of Board development activities to help you navigate challenges and contribute to our success. To support your transition, we offer a comprehensive introduction to Prima Group and the housing sector if needed.
Our regular Board sessions are designed to be accessible and engaging, with virtual workshops and presentations that are easy to join remotely.
Here are some of the opportunities and activities available to you:
- Q&A sessions with our senior leaders
- Online training workshops
-Interactive discussions on topical issues
-Guest speakers
-Presentations on issues important to our customers and business
-Regular performance reviews
-Property tours
We aim to support you every step of the way as you play a key role in shaping our organisation’s future.