Job Title: Chairperson & Advisory Board Member

Company:Confidential

Location:Remote (with occasional travel)

Company Overview:

Our client is an innovative tech company committed to empowering the deaf community by providing cutting-edge solutions to bridge communication gaps. Developed by AI & Data science engineers from UK, this application helps and enables sign language users to interact better; socially, professionally and transactionally.

There are 70 Million Sign Language users worldwide and 2.5m+ in the UK who lack reliable communication App’s. These sign language users constantly face a day to day challenge communicating for social inclusion, accessing healthcare, being a part of mainstream education & professional opportunities, catering for their basic needs, accessing public transport systems and lots more. These factors give us a reason to come up with ways to help the hearing impaired to live comfortably, wherever they find themselves.

The company uses Deep Tech such as machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) to analyse and convert sign language into text, and vice versa, which is overlaid for other participants online or offline, analysing voice input and providing text overlays for the deaf or hard of hearing or people with auditory processing disorder. Our core offering is a platform that translates text into sign language, enabling seamless communication for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. We are passionate about inclusivity and accessibility and are working to break down barriers, making sign language universally accessible and understandable.

The company received an initial grant through innovate UK and is now looking to raise seed funding in order to progress to the next level of scaling. Whilst the UK market is the initial target, scaling plans will include USA and India as soon as it makes sense. As part of Innovate UK’s approach, the CEO has been supported by an Innovate UK mentor and is in the process of assembling an Advisory Board to support the company through its next phase of growth. We now seek a Chair and additional Board Member, both of whom will likely have some experience of technology scaling and investment, as well as an underlying interest in supporting this large, underserved segment of the community.

Job Description(s)

Position Overview:

The company is seeking an experienced and visionary Chairperson and an investment-oriented Board Member to lead the company through its next phase of growth. Both will play critical roles in shaping the company's strategy, governance, and long-term success, ensuring the alignment of our mission with impactful outcomes for the deaf community. This is a unique opportunity to lead an organisation at the intersection of technology, social impact, and accessibility.

The Chairperson will work closely with the CEO, board members, and senior leadership team to drive the strategic direction of the company, enhance partnerships, and ensure strong governance practices. This position requires a forward-thinking leader who is passionate about accessibility and social justice, with a deep understanding of both the technological landscape and the needs of the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership:

• Collaborate with the CEO and executive team to define and refine the company's long-term vision, strategic goals, and operational priorities.
• Lead the board in providing direction and oversight on key business initiatives, particularly those that support scaling the platform and expanding accessibility for the deaf community.
• Drive innovation and help the company maintain a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving tech and accessibility spaces.

Governance and Oversight:

• Lead and chair board meetings, ensuring that the board is functioning effectively and that decisions are made in a timely and well-informed manner.
• Ensure adherence to best practices in corporate governance, compliance, and ethical standards.
• Foster a culture of transparency, accountability, and inclusivity within the board and throughout the organisation.

Advocacy and Community Engagement:

• Represent the company in key external forums, including partnerships with government bodies, advocacy groups, and organisations focused on disability rights and inclusion.
• Champion the needs of the deaf community by staying informed about trends, challenges, and opportunities in the accessibility and sign language space.
• Support the development of initiatives and partnerships that align with Silencespeaks.io’s mission and expand its impact within the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities.

Financial Stewardship:

• Oversee the financial health of the company by ensuring effective financial controls and supporting fundraising efforts for scaling operations.
• Provide strategic oversight for fundraising, investor relations, and the allocation of resources to achieve key objectives.
• Work with the CEO and CFO to monitor financial performance, risk management, and sustainability.

Team Development and Mentorship:

• Work closely with the CEO to ensure the effective development and succession planning of the leadership team.
• Mentor senior leadership, offering advice and insight based on experience, to help develop the next generation of leaders within t
• he company.Ensure that the company maintains a positive and inclusive corporate culture that reflects its values and mission.

Qualifications:

• Proven experience in a leadership role, ideally as a Chairperson or in a senior governance position within a fast-growing technology company, non-profit, or organisation focused on accessibility, social impact, or diversity.
• Strong knowledge and passion for the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities, with experience advocating for accessibility and inclusivity.
• Extensive experience in strategic planning, governance, and board management.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders, including executives, board members, investors, and community leaders.
• Demonstrated ability to drive organisational growth, including fundraising, scaling operations, and developing new markets.
• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and make high-level decisions that balance short-term needs and long-term goals.
• A background or interest in technology, AI, or language processing is a plus, particularly in relation to accessibility.

Personal Attributes:

• Visionary and strategic thinker with a deep commitment to the mission of the company.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build consensus across diverse groups of stakeholders.
• Compassionate and empathetic leader who understands the importance of inclusivity and diversity.High level of integrity, transparency, and accountability.

Why Join Us?

• Impact: Lead a company at the forefront of accessibility and social innovation, making a significant difference in the lives of millions of people within the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
• GrowthOpportunity: Help guide a scaling company in the tech and social impact sectors, with ample opportunities to influence the future direction of both the company and the industry.
• Culture: Work in a mission-driven environment with passionate individuals who care deeply about creating a more inclusive world.

Appointment, Time Commitment & Compensation

• To be agreed, but we would prefer an initial commitment of at least 24 months, giving 3 months notice or by mutual agreement.
• During this next, 24 month phase we would like to offer £1,300 ($/€ equivalent) per diem for each role with an anticipated time commitment of c.1 day/month, which may be allocated in whole or part days.
• During the seed round there is also likely to be the opportunity for equity participation and renegotiation of T&Cs.
• The contract will be administered through The Ulin Group Ltd.,acting as agent.

TheUlin Group Ltd. 52 Wendover Court, Chiltern Str., Marylebone, London W1U 7NU

4095 Redwood Ave, Los Angeles CA 90066