An effective Non-Executive Director (NED) CV highlights your corporate expertise, strategic acumen, and board value – all across two clear, concise pages; and whilst that may sound simple, crafting a document that portrays the value you bring and your personal brand, away from the traditional CV format, can often be challenging.
At Actuate, our dedicated Writing Team is committed to assisting both aspiring and experienced NEDs in distinguishing themselves through their CVs, so we asked them for their advice. Here’s what they shared:
Our Top 5 Tips for your Non-Executive Director CV
1. Use a Professional Layout
Recent studies have shown that recruiters only spend an average of 7.4 seconds looking at a CV, so a clean, professional layout makes that crucial positive first impression. Avoid elaborate graphics or designs – a simple structure with consistent formatting is key.
Aim for a CV that is one to two pages long. Use clear headings, bullet points, and a readable, sans serif font like Calibri.
Avoid lengthy paragraphs and ensure there’s sufficient white space to promote engagement.
2. Demonstrate Your Board Value & Strategic Vision
Whether you’re a seasoned board member or an aspiring NED, open with a concise professional summary sharing your unique board value. Include examples and evidence from your career to showcase your areas of expertise and impact.
Boards need individuals who will contribute to long-term strategy. Describe occasions when you’ve influenced strategic planning, led transformative projects or driven organisational success.
3. Highlight Your Board & Governance Experience
Include a clear chronology of any prior board and committee roles, and summarise your responsibilities, contributions, and impact for each.
Non-Executive Directors promote exemplary governance, so highlight your Corporate Governance, regulatory compliance and risk management acumen – mentioning any specific training you’ve completed.
4. Showcase Board Aligned Competencies and Soft Skills
Non-Executive Directors require a broad skillset. Emphasise prior advisory, senior management roles and NED-aligned competencies, such as your ability to:
- provide financial oversight
- enhance governance frameworks
- contribute to strategic and operational reviews
It’s equally vital to include ‘soft skills’ like creativity, negotiation, and your ability to provide constructive challenge to the executive team.
Personal attributes like integrity, inclusivity and sound judgment are also critical.
Responsibilities are job-specific. Results transcend roles
5. Tailor Your Non-Executive Director CV to the Role
Boards often seek Non-Executive Directors with acute industry expertise.
Once you have a strong template, customise your CV for each board position you apply for, and emphasise your sector-specific knowledge. A useful tip is to insert keywords from the job description into your CV, as this can help you advance through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
Ensure you highlight your achievements, not just your duties. Focus on what you’ve achieved in past positions rather than just listing responsibilities. Responsibilities are job-specific. Results transcend roles.
Use quantifiable metrics, such as ‘increased sales by 20%‘ or ‘reduced costs by 15%‘.
Conclusion
A Non-Executive Director CV is more than a list of your past roles — it’s a strategic document showcasing your ability to provide exceptional organisational guidance. A compelling NED CV positions you as an invaluable asset to any board, demonstrating your readiness to drive organisational success.
Looking for further advice with your Non-Executive Director CV or support in developing your skills as a board advisor? Book a no-obligation chat with our team.
