THE ORGANISATION 

Comic Relief is a leading, high-profile charity which harnesses the power of entertainment to fundraise and uses such funds in support of our vision of A just world free from poverty.  We do this by working with partners, foundations, and the public to deliver our life-changing work through funding across our three programme areas: 

• Alleviating the consequences of poverty – helping people and communities overcome the many challenges they face. 

• Tackling the injustices that keep people in poverty - supporting organisations and movements that strive for fairness and equity. 

• Standing with those who are most harmed by climate change – working in places and with people who are already vulnerable and now dealing with the effects of climate change. 

We’re proud to say that, over the years, we’ve raised more than £1 billion for communities in need, making a lasting impact on people around the world. For more information, visit our website 

THE ROLE 

We are seeking to appoint an experienced professional to join Comic Relief’s People & Culture Committee, which meets to discuss people matters from both a Board/Committee perspective, as well as across the organisation.  It reports into and makes recommendations to the Board of Trustees, as well as the Director Leadership Team.  

The ideal candidate will have a clear interest in Comic Relief’s vision of ‘A just world free from poverty’, and will bring their skills, insights, lived experience and expertise to support the work of the Committee.   

PERSON SPECIFICATION 

The ideal candidate should have experience/expertise in some, but not necessarily all, of the following: 

• Remuneration and employment 

• HR management including pay and reward, recruitment, development, and reporting. 

• Board/Committee recruitment and succession planning. 

• Trade union relationships. 

• Organisational Design and change management. 

• Third sector understanding. 

• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) and its strategic implementation. 

• Effective communications. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES OF INDEPENDENT COMMITTEE MEMBERS 

Members are expected to: 

• Attend all Committee meetings, which are held at our Whitechapel offices, with Zoom facilities available.   

• Prepare for meetings by reading the supporting papers and by keeping informed about Comic Relief, as well as funding and charity sector developments and trends.  

• Support the Committee by offering constructive challenge and expertise.  

• Be committed to Comic Relief’s vision of ‘A just world free from poverty’.  

• Keep informed of issues facing Comic Relief and how they relate to Committee’s work.  

• Help the Committee to review and monitor its own effectiveness. 

• Work as a ‘critical friend’ with respect to all matters within the remit of the Committee.  

• Provide oversight on a range of People-related issues.  

TIME COMMITMENT 

The People & Culture Committee currently meets twice a year in London, ideally in person.  The expected time commitment is 3 - 4 days per year. 

LENGTH OF APPOINTMENT 

Independent Committee members are appointed for a term of three years. This can be extended for two further three-year periods, up to a maximum of nine years from date of appointment. 

THE APPLICATION PROCESS 

To apply, candidates must submit a CV and a cover letter in line with the role description. The application deadline is 18 April 2025. Following the closing date, all applications will be reviewed internally. Candidates who are shortlisted will be invited to an interview, while those who are not selected will receive an email notification regarding their application status. Please note that we are unable to provide individual feedback on initial applications. 

Interviews will take place on 25 April 2025 which can be attended in our London office or via Zoom, between 13:00 and 17:00. The interview will follow a 30-45 minute competency-based format, focusing on assessing candidates' skills and experience relevant to the role. 

DON’T MEET EVERY SINGLE REQUIREMENT?  

Studies have shown that women, people from the Global majority and young people (aged 18-30) are less likely to apply to opportunities unless they meet every single qualification. At Comic Relief we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways.  

While we welcome all applications, we encourage those with lived experience/an understanding of racialized communities to apply.  We also recognise that not all protected characteristics are visible, and Comic Relief aspires to have a committee that is inclusive of a variety of visible and non-visible characteristics.