Board Chair / Board Director / Trustee

This is a remote position.

Board Chair / Board Director / Trustee

Effective boards depend on prepared, independent judgement, constructive challenge and collective accountability. Rutherford International welcomes expressions of interest from experienced board professionals and accomplished executives preparing for their first board appointment.

This registration is for consideration for future mandates and Rutherford Talent Guild membership. It is not an advertisement for a current vacancy.

Who should register

• Independent and non-executive directors of public, private, family-owned and private equity-backed organisations.
  
• Board chairs, lead independent directors and committee chairs.
  
• Executive directors who can distinguish their governance contribution from their management responsibilities.
  
• Trustees and directors of not-for-profit, charitable, pension and other institutional bodies.
  
• Experienced executives preparing for a first board appointment who can demonstrate governance-relevant judgement.
  

Professionals based in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom may register. Eligibility for a particular appointment depends on the organisation, jurisdiction and requirements of the seat.

The contribution boards rely on

We welcome professionals who can demonstrate the ability to:

• Prepare thoroughly, evaluate material information and test management’s assumptions.
  
• Exercise independent judgement and challenge clearly and constructively.
  
• Contribute to oversight of strategy, risk appetite, capital allocation and CEO succession.
  
• Understand technology and cybersecurity exposure sufficiently to ask informed questions and recognise when specialist advice is needed.
  
• Recognise, disclose and manage conflicts of interest.
  
• Support effective collective decisions and follow through on agreed actions.
  
• Maintain the distinction between governing an organisation and managing its operations.
  

Chair and committee leadership experience may also include setting effective agendas, encouraging balanced participation, managing disagreement and maintaining a productive relationship with executive leadership.

Relevant experience and qualities

Relevant experience may come from enterprise leadership, finance, law, risk, technology, operations, professional services, the public sector or previous board and trustee appointments.

What matters is evidence of sound judgement in consequential decisions, an understanding of governance responsibilities, and the availability and independence the role demands. Particular appointments may require specialist expertise, credentials or committee experience.

We value preparation, diligence, practical and strategic judgement, candour delivered with tact, openness to contrary evidence and an honest understanding of the limits of one’s expertise. There is no single ideal board personality.

Registration and consideration

Submit your résumé and a brief professional profile through “I’m interested.” Following initial review, a Rutherford curator may invite you to provide further information and undertake the RutherfordINTEL Assessment.

Assessment findings are interpreted alongside your experience, achievements, professional objectives and the requirements of potential mandates. Progression and membership remain subject to curator review.

If your interest is exclusively in advisory-board service, please indicate this when registering; those mandates are considered separately.

Registration does not guarantee membership, representation, an introduction or a board appointment.