The Chair is responsible for leading the Young Liberals, supporting the Executive to deliver its priorities and representing young members across the wider Liberal Democrats.

The role combines organisational leadership, political representation and responsibility for making sure the different parts of YL work effectively together. The Chair should provide direction without trying to personally run every area of the organisation, supporting officers and committees to take ownership of their own portfolios.

Leadership & Strategy

• Provide overall leadership and direction to the Young Liberals throughout the year
• Work with the Executive to agree the organisation’s priorities and make sure they are being delivered
• Keep track of progress against commitments made by the Executive and identify areas where additional support or intervention is needed
• Make sure YL balances its work across campaigning, policy, events, membership, communications, diversity and organisational development
• Lead longer-term planning for the organisation, including preparing YL for elections, conferences and other major political opportunities
• Make decisions between Executive meetings where necessary, while ensuring significant decisions remain accountable to the wider Executive
• Encourage officers to take responsibility for their own portfolios rather than concentrating delivery within the Chair’s role

Executive Leadership

• Chair meetings of the Federal Executive and make sure discussions result in clear decisions and direction for the organisation
• Maintain regular contact with Executive members and understand progress, challenges and support needs across their portfolios
• Work with officers to address areas where agreed priorities are not being delivered
• Support officers where significant problems arise within their portfolio without unnecessarily taking over their responsibilities
• Help resolve disagreements between officers and maintain effective working relationships across the Executive
• Make sure Executive members understand how their work contributes to the organisation’s wider priorities
• Provide leadership during periods of significant pressure, disagreement or organisational change

Committees & Wider YL

• Maintain an overview of the work being delivered through YL’s committees without taking over responsibility from Committee Chairs or portfolio officers
• Work with Committee Chairs and relevant officers where a committee is struggling to deliver its responsibilities
• Encourage effective coordination between committees and the Federal Executive where their work overlaps
• Work with State and Regional Chairs to maintain a strong relationship between the federal organisation and YL activity across the country
• Support cooperation between YL’s federal, state, regional, branch and society structures
• Make sure concerns from different parts of YL can be raised with the Federal Executive and addressed where appropriate

Representing Young Liberals

• Act as the principal representative of the Young Liberals within the wider Liberal Democrats
• Represent YL on the Federal Board and other party bodies where the Chair is entitled or invited to attend
• Raise issues affecting young members directly with senior figures across the party
• Build effective working relationships with MPs, Peers, party officers, Federal Party staff, State Parties, Associated Organisations and other relevant groups
• Make sure the views of YL are communicated clearly when the wider party is making decisions that affect young people or young members
• Consult relevant YL officers before representing the organisation on issues falling within their portfolios
• Advocate for meaningful youth representation throughout the party and challenge decisions which unfairly disadvantage young members
• Keep the Executive informed about significant developments within the wider party which affect YL or young members

Political & Public Representation

• Act as a public spokesperson for the Young Liberals alongside relevant portfolio officers
• Speak publicly on issues affecting young people and on positions agreed through YL’s democratic structures
• Represent YL at party conferences, events, meetings and external engagements
• Work with the Communications Officer and Communications Committee on major announcements, political interventions and public responses
• Respond to significant political developments where a YL position is required, consulting the appropriate officers where possible
• Make sure public statements accurately reflect agreed YL policy rather than the personal views of the Chair
• Help create opportunities for other YL officers and members to represent the organisation publicly

Governance & Accountability

• Provide leadership in making sure the Executive operates in accordance with the YL Constitution, regulations and decisions made by Conference
• Make sure significant decisions are taken by the appropriate democratic body rather than being made unilaterally
• Respect the independence of the Returning Officer, disciplinary processes and other independent functions within the organisation
• Make sure the Executive remains accountable to YL members throughout its term
• Identify where governance arrangements are preventing the organisation from operating effectively and work with the Executive to bring forward improvements
• Uphold decisions made democratically by YL Conference and the Federal Executive

Supporting Officers & Volunteers

• Create an environment where officers and volunteers feel able to raise problems early and ask for support
• Hold regular conversations with officers about workload, priorities and any barriers preventing them from delivering their role
• Help officers navigate relationships with the wider party where their work requires federal, state or staff involvement
• Support officers dealing with difficult or sensitive situations within their portfolios
• Encourage appropriate delegation and make sure responsibilities are distributed across the organisation rather than falling repeatedly on a small number of people
• Recognise the contribution of volunteers and promote a culture where people are valued for the time they give to YL
• Step in where an officer or part of the organisation is seriously struggling, while keeping responsibility with the appropriate portfolio wherever possible

Safeguarding, Accessibility & Organisational Culture

• Promote a welcoming, respectful and inclusive culture throughout the Young Liberals
• Make sure accessibility and inclusion are considered when the Executive makes decisions or sets organisational priorities
• Take concerns about behaviour, safeguarding or member welfare seriously and make sure they are directed through the appropriate processes
• Work with relevant officers and party structures where safeguarding or disciplinary concerns affect YL
• Respect the independence of disciplinary and safeguarding processes and avoid attempting to investigate matters which sit outside the Chair’s responsibilities
• Support efforts to improve diversity and remove barriers to participation within YL
• Set appropriate standards of behaviour for the Executive and challenge conduct which falls below them

Planning & Coordination

• Maintain an overview of the major priorities, elections, conferences, campaigns and events affecting YL throughout the year
• Make sure different officers understand where their work depends on one another and encourage coordination between portfolios
• Identify political or organisational developments which require YL to change its priorities or approach
• Coordinate the Executive’s response to major developments within the Liberal Democrats where several portfolios are affected
• Make sure major projects have clear ownership rather than automatically becoming the responsibility of the Chair
• Keep the Executive focused on agreed priorities when unexpected work or political developments arise