I’m looking for…. a board position

Whether you are an aspiring director looking for your first position, or an experienced director looking to expand your governance portfolio there are steps you can take to better position yourself for a new role.

The IoD provides a number of avenues for member looking for governance opportunities; whether it’s applying for roles advertised via our Director Vacancies or by registering on our Director Search database so that you’re being considered for all opportunities with our clients.

Board Services Advisor, Kelly McGregor, says “registering with the IoD’s Director Search services is a must. Organisations come to us with specific criteria which we use to search for potential candidates. If you’re not registered, you may be missing out.”

Prepare a governance CV

• Include a governance statement with your own value proposition, key skills and experience and sector involvement. Governance experience should be highlighted.
• Keep up to date – regularly update IoD DirectorSearch database
• If applying for a specific role, tailor your CV and include a cover letter

What should go in your governance CV? Check over the page for tips, and visit the IoD website for more information.

LinkedIn profile

Keep information up to date and let your networks know that you are interested in governance roles, particularly if they only know you as an executive

Make yourself available

• Register with board appointment agencies – including IoD’s DirectorSearch service – it’s a member benefit to register and will enable us to consider you for governance roles.
• Regularly check the IoD’s Director Vacancies page for current vacancies. There are roles with commercial and not-for-profit entities and as a member you can view the advertisements.
• Let your networks know that you are interested in governance roles, attend branch events and functions where you think there will be people of influence in the governance space
• Emerging directors are encouraged to apply for the IoD’s Mentoring for Diversity programme and register for Future Directors.

“I am increasingly seeing larger private companies looking to put together or enhance their boards, and have seen the IoD’s Director Search team add real value in these processes – both in informing owners and in reaching within the director network to source appropriate candidates. Two of my current director roles have been sourced through DirectorSearch and I’ve found Kelly and the team to be thorough and professional in their approach – both in terms of understanding the needs of the companies for whom they are acting, but also in regards to understanding my objectives, skills and experience and making appropriate matches to potential opportunities.” – Hamish Bell

Commit to life-long learning

• We are regularly asked specifically for candidates who are on the Chartered Member pathway; it shows you are committed to continuous professional development and undertake regular training and other activities to enhance your governance knowledge
• Find out more about becoming Chartered – check our website or get in touch with the membership team.

“It gives me, and the boards that I’m joining or boards that I’m on, the confidence that I’m investing in myself to be keep up with what’s importance for boards of today.” Michael Ahie CMInstD, talks about the value of becoming a Chartered Member

Think about the following:

• Does your CV clearly detail your experience of working with boards and in what capacity you did this? Are you a director, a chief executive who reports to the board or senior manager who understands the governance process?
• List your governance experience first, then your executive work history
• Keep the CV to 4-5 pages maximum
• It is useful to note your behavioural/emotional intelligence skills. Boards are looking for a person with the capabilities of a team player, who can also hold robust, independent views around a board table where respect is valued.

Information to include:

• Skills/value proposition
• Sector experience
• Size of organisations
• Governance roles (including dates)
• Executive roles (including dates)
• Key memberships/professional development

Have you considered a governance statement? This is similar to an executive summary at the beginning of your CV and indicates your style and strengths.

I’m looking for…. A new board member

Seeking a new board member is an important process; the new director needs to be capable and have the right skills but should also add diversity to the board. When looking for a new director, you should cast the net wide enough to ensure you find the best person for the role while achieving the optimal skills balance for the board as a whole.

Consider looking outside of the board’s current networks, e.g. using IoD’s DirectorSearch or DirectorVacancies services. Using independent and objective advice can provide fresh ideas and perspectives for your board and for the process of finding new directors.

Develop a skills matrix

• Identifying what skills and experience you currently have on the board helps to determine where the gaps are and what the board needs to meet strategic goals
• Think about where the organisation is heading (e.g. growth, expansion into international markets, more focus on Health and Safety) and what skills you might need to get you there

Culture/Board fit

Consider undertaking a board evaluation (e.g. IoD’s BetterBoards service) to track how the board is operating; what type of person would fit well with your culture? Are there areas for improvement which would be good to work on before appointing new members?

See also Getting on board with diversity guide

Get your ducks in a row

• Potential board appointees will want to do their due diligence. Gather relevant information they will need (including a non-disclosure agreement if applicable) to save time when at offer stage
• Create a thorough induction programme; it will help the new board member hit the ground running. Include introductions to other board members and key staff/stakeholders, key documents such as annual report and strategic plan, copies of previous board minutes
• Consider what director fees you will be paying them (if applicable). You might like to undertake an independent review of your fees to determine the current market rates, eg with the IoD’s Director Fees services

• Published in Boardroom Apr May 2017 issue