Commercial & Corporate Services Director

Job Description

Commercial & Corporate Services Director

Location RTPI London Office

Reporting to Chief Executive

Direct Reports Head of Communications

Head of Finance

Head of HR & Office Services

Head of ICT & Knowledge Management

Head of Marketing and Sponsorship

Governance Officer

Job Purpose To lead the efficient delivery of corporate service functions such as Finance, IT and HR

To play a leading role in professionally managing the relationships RTPI has with its key suppliers and partners.

To identify, develop and oversee delivery of commercial services

To ensure that RTPI meets its charitable and legal obligations

To effectively support RTPI’s members and deliver its charitable mission

Key Responsibilities

Commercial Activities

·  To own the strategic plan for the delivery of the business development function which supports the RTPI’s overall business and financial plans.

·  To set stretch budgets for all elements of RTPI, including devolved nations and regions, which are agreed annually as part of the RTPI’s business planning process and to monitor activity to ensure that they are delivered.

·  To be the main creative and operational driver of the format, nature and style of commercial and publishing partnerships and business development products and services.

·  To manage external commercial partners, setting and monitoring performance targets and taking appropriate corrective action where necessary.

·  To work collaboratively across the whole organisation to ensure that business development is successfully delivered in the context of the broader needs of the organisation and our members. In addition, through internal thought leadership to ensure that the organisation understands the unique contribution of business development, actively engages and participates in its success.

·  Professionally manage supplier and partner relationships for RTPI to obtain best value for the organisation.

·  To be a director of, and principal advisor to, RTPI Services Ltd (RTPI’s trading body)

·  To ensure that RTPI has coherent processes and strategy for sponsorship, investment, procurement ,grant funding, marketing and communication activities.

Corporate Services

§  Leadership responsibility for the RTPI's Finance and Corporate Service departments, overseeing the strategic development of these areas to ensure they effectively support the RTPI’s activities

To include the following areas:

–  Information Technology;

–  Finance;

–  Human Resources;

–  Governance Support.

–  Office Services (for both London and Edinburgh offices)

–  Marketing, communications and sponsorship

In addition the Director will have leadership responsibility for the promotion of sound financial management, through encouraging responsible stewardship and value for money utilisation of the RTPI's resources.

§  To review and monitor systems, staff and practices on an ongoing basis to ensure they are kept up to date and are delivering high quality services.

§  To ensure timely and accurate management information is available to the RTPI's CEO, Trustees and other senior staff.

§  To work closely with the RTPI's CEO and Trustees to provide financial leadership to the RTPI, with specific responsibility for:

–  Ensuring that an appropriate financial policy framework is in place to guide the RTPI’s financial decision making;

–  Monitor the RTPI's financial health, taking responsibility for the effective management of expenditure and for the investment of the charity’s funds

–  Contributing to the preparation of the RTPI's strategic plan. Overseeing preparation of the annual budget, forecasts, business and income generation plans for RTPI including devolved nations and regions;

–  Servicing the trustees' audit committee, pension trustees and property trustees

–  Keeping abreast of financial, legal and best practice developments across the charity sector.

§  To work with trustees and management to ensure a system is in place which ensures that all major risks of the RTPI are identified, analysed and managed on an annual basis.

§  To lead and influence initiatives to develop cost efficiencies.

§  To report on the value for money that the RTPI obtains in all its activities with special regard to economy, efficiency and effectiveness.

§  To provide authoritative advice on all aspects of governance to ensure compliance with the RTPI's governing documentation and with legislation.

Person Specification

Applicants must be able to demonstrate the following attributes, skills and experience:

Essential

·  Educated to degree level or equivalent

·  Experience in successfully developing commercial services

·  Familiarity with contracts and tendering procedures

·  The ability to manage a diverse range of functions

·  High level understanding of finance, HR, IT, marketing and communications functions

·  Ability to effectively manage a diverse range of stakeholders

·  Understanding of corporate and/or charitable governance

·  The ability to demonstrate an understanding of the particular demands of working in a member led organisation with a commercial presence

·  The ability to represent the institute externally

·  The ability to understand the political context that planning operates in

Desirable

·  Experience of working or volunteering in a membership organisation or charity

·  Experience of budget and project management

This job description is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities, and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of the Royal Town Planning Institute.

December2014