Local Youth Charity Treasurer

This integral Trustee role will help maintain financial oversight of our accounts, advise Senior Management on the overall investment strategy and ensure the charity meets its financial objectives. Alongside a committed Trustee Board, you will help to promote the important work of this establised youth arts charity that supports over 1000 vulnerable children and young people per year. The Treasurer will chair the new Finance & Risk Committee, currently projected to meet twice a year. The Treasurer will also support the Finance and Administration Coordinator, to prepare accounts for annual auditing, as well as approve payments, where necessary. Requirements of the role:

• Must not be barred from acting as a trustee for a charity by the Charity Commission
• Must be willing to undertake an enhanced Disclosure and Baring Check, Chair the Finance and Risk Committee
• Provide advice and experience to LYT's Senior Management team regarding fundraising and investment strategies.
• Support the CEO and Finance & Administration Coordinator in their roles as head of finances.
• Provide direction on LYT financial policy and planning.
• Represent the organisation at appropriate events, meetings or functions.
• Act as spokesperson for the organisation where appropriate.
• Acting between full meetings of the board in authorising action to be taken e.g. approving transactions and large multi-year service contracts.
Regarding employed staff:
• Sit on appropriate interview panels as required and attend AGM with LYT's Youth Board.
• Act as final stage adjudicator for disciplinary and grievance procedures if required in line with LYT's policy and C of M trustee duties., In addition to the responsibilities already outlined, the Treasurer as a trustee has the following general responsibilities:
• Ensure the organisation applies its resources exclusively in pursuing its objectives.
• Contribute actively to the Council of Management (Board's) role in giving firm strategic direction to the organisation, setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets and evaluation performance against agreed targets.
• Safeguarding the good name and values of the organisation.
• Declare any conflict of interest while carrying out the duties of a trustee.
• Be collectively responsible for the actions of the organisation and other trustees.
• Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation.
• Ensure the financial stability of the organisation and the proper investment of the organisation's funds.
• Protect and manage the property of the organisation.
• Attend meetings and read papers in advance of meetings.
• Attend sub-committee meetings as appropriate.
• Participate in other tasks as arise from time to time, such as interviewing new staff, helping with fundraising.
• Keep informed about the activities of the organisation and wider issues, which affect its work
In addition to the duties of all trustees, each trustee should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the Council of Management to reach sound decisions. This will involve scrutinising Trustee papers, leading discussion, focusing on key issues, and providing advice and guidance requested by the Trustees on new initiatives, or other issues relevant to the area of the organisation's work in which the trustee has special expertise.


• Have a belief in the power of creativity to make a difference to young people's long-term wellbeing and life chances, and an interest in contributing to this mission
• Have experience of accounting and financial systems
• Be well prepared for meetings
• Be able to provide impartial advice for the good of the organisation
• Show a willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to their duties as Treasurer and trustee
• Be able to work effectively as a member of a team
• Be aware of the external environment for small charities, and show willingness to broker relationships that could benefit the charity
Desirable Experience:
• Knowledge of or connection to the Lewisham community
• Lived experience of the needs of our service users
• Prior experience of committee/trustee work
• High-level financial contacts within the industry
• A wider involvement with the voluntary sector
We are particularly interested in hearing from candidates who have lived experience of the needs of our members, including those from Black and Global Majority Backgrounds.

All young people have a powerful voice and a right to be heard. Lewisham Youth Theatre (LYT) nurtures and inspires young people's voices through free participatory theatre activities, helping them to develop enduring and transferable skills that lead to increased life chances and long term well-being. We bring young people together from across the Lewisham community to create outstanding theatre in an environment of high expectations and collaboration. We work from the core belief that artistic excellence is key to expanding young people's horizons and creating lasting transformation. In 2024, Lewisham Youth Theatre was awarded a bronze Level London Youth Quality Mark, a quality assurance scheme accredited by City and Guilds.