I am looking for an Independent Chair to establish and lead the new Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board for Devonport, Mount Wise and Morice Town.
This is a unique opportunity to provide strategic leadership to a long-term, place-based initiative focused on strengthening communities and creating a thriving neighbourhood. The role will play a central part in shaping and delivering a 10-year Pride in Place Programme, ensuring that local voices are heard and reflected in future investment and priorities.
I am also asking for formal expressions of interest for people who might be interested in applying for the Neighbourhood board, and so if you think that this might be the role for you, please get in touch.
Job Description: Independent Chair – Pride in Place (Devonport, Mount Wise, and Morice Town)
Location: Devonport, Mount Wise, and Morice Town, Plymouth
Role Type: Strategic Leadership (Voluntary/Remunerated – see below)
Duration: 10-Year Programme (Starting April 2027)
Reporting to: The Neighbourhood Board and the Community
Purpose of the Role
To lead the delivery of the Pride in Place Programme, we are establishing a Neighbourhood Board for Devonport, Mount Wise, and Morice Town. We are seeking an Independent Chair to lead this board.
As Chair, your primary job is to be a champion for the area and to embody the community-led spirit of the programme. You will be responsible for bringing people together to decide how a £20 million investment will be spent over the next decade to improve the lives of local residents.
Key Responsibilities
- Champion the Community: Act as the public face of the Pride in Place programme, representing the Board externally and bringing together figures of different political stripes.
- Facilitate Collaboration: Bring together diverse voices from across the community to shape a collective vision for the future of our neighbourhoods.
- Lead the Board: Ensure that all Board discussions are collaborative and that every member’s voice is heard.
- Drive Engagement: Prioritise community engagement as the central pillar of the programme, ensuring the public is involved in every major step.
- Strategic Oversight: Act as a strategic leader rather than a day-to-day delivery lead, focusing on long-term goals and consensus-building.
What We Are Looking For
You do not need to be a professional “leader” or have a background in local government. You can be brand new to this kind of work. What matters most is a deep connection to Devonport, Mount Wise, or Morice Town and a fierce commitment to making them better places to live.
The ideal candidate is:
- A Trustworthy Convenor: Someone with local credibility who is respected by their neighbours.
- An Impartial Facilitator: Adept at finding consensus, navigating conflict calmly, and never letting ego get in the way of progress.
- A Creative Thinker: Someone who thinks laterally about solving problems and finding new ways to draw in community voices.
- Self-Aware: Clear about your own knowledge gaps and willing to build a Board that complements your skills.
Skills and Attributes
- Fair and Balanced: Ensuring all voices are heard, especially those that differ from your own.
- Calm Under Pressure: Able to manage differences of opinion with a welcoming and open attitude.
- Open to Growth: Interested in learning, feedback, and mentoring others.
- Committed: Has the time to prioritise the role and see the vision through.
What the Chair is NOT
- A Gatekeeper: You are there to open doors, not build cliques or push personal agendas.
- The Sole Decision-Maker: You are a facilitator, not the only “expert” in the room.
Remuneration
In most circumstances, this is a voluntary role, similar to a school governor or charity trustee. However, we are committed to ensuring this opportunity is accessible to everyone. To support candidates who might otherwise be unable to put themselves forward, a small basic payment may be provided from the programme’s capacity funding to remunerate your time.
How to Apply
If you are ready to lead this once-in-a-generation investment for our community, please send your application to Luke Pollard MP at [email protected] by 5pm on Wednesday 4th March
Please include:
- CV
- Covering Letter (Outlining your local connection and why you want to lead this project).