Job Description

Job TitleHead of Services

Responsible toChief Executive

Responsible forLine management of all service colleagues

Salary£32,000 to £35,000dependent on experience

Overall Purpose of Job

The successful candidate must have experience in managing a number of services and have the ability to manage, support and develop colleagues by sharing their expertise and knowledge. A strong value base and commitment to ensuring that all the people Galloway’s support receive aservice to meet their needs.

As Head of Services, you will line-manage services delivered from our four sites across the Region; Preston, Chorley, Southport and Morecambe.Manage and develop services which will deliver new and innovative opportunities forblind and partially sighted people living in Lancashire. By developing a co-production approach to service development and delivery, you will ensure that our services genuinely reflect the needs of blind and partially sighted people.
Specific responsibilities/duties

The candidate must have experience in financial management, building relationships with commissioners and key stakeholders and the ability to continually improve the quality of services.

A sector wide recognised qualification is preferable for this position e.g. NVQ Level 4 in leadership and management or equivalent, or be willing to work towards an appropriate qualification.

A full clean driving licence is also required.

The candidate will be expected to lead on the development of a business plan within the context of Galloway’s strategic plan focused on the following themes:

  • Delivery of high quality and consistent core services to blind andpartially sighted people.
  • Influencing the commissioning agenda and partnership development.
  • Develop new and innovative ways to ensure we design and deliver services alongside blind and partially sighted people
  • In conjunction with Chief Executive identify and agree broaddevelopment initiatives that recognise the support requirements across all four sites.
  • Lead in the development of key performance indicators to measure the success of service delivery across all Galloway’s activities.
  • Provide leadership and support to the teams across our four sites.
  • Participation at Board meetings as required by the Chief Executive

Management of Resources

Set and implement annual budgets, monitoring performance during the year and taking appropriate action to address any variances.

Meet the requirements of Health and Safety regulations, other legislation or changing professional standards or practice.

Strategic Management

Manage the strategic development of Galloway’s services e.g. establishing new services, enhancing existing services based on identified needs and opportunities.

Establish and maintain good working relationships with key stakeholders and strategic partners and more widely within the visual impairment sector.

Work in conjunction with the Head of Fundraising and Communications to produce a marketing plan promoting Galloway’s across the Region.

Work alongside the Head of Fundraising & Communication to ensure sustainability of services by identifying new income streams and supporting fundraising initiatives.

Participate in local/regional forums to promote Galloway’s and develop effective partnerships.

Human Resource Management

Provide line management and support to service colleagues across all four sites.

To undertake performance management reviews and appraisals, ensuring individual and team development needs are identified and achieved.

Manage work performance and conduct of staff including matters of dispute, discipline and grievance, taking an active role in these as required.

To participate in the recruitment and selection of staff.

To ensure that team members have access to peer support and information in relation to their work area.

Quality Management

Responsibility for service quality, ensuring that teams have systems and procedures in place.

Set annual key performance indicators (KPIs) and targets for each area, monitoring performance during the year and taking appropriate action to address variances and/or changes in response to emerging needs.

Ensure that services meet all external service standards and quality frameworks where there is a contractual obligation to do so.

Other Duties

Through regular formal meetings and appraisal meetings with the Chief Executive, take responsibility for own performance and personal development.

Provide reports on the achievement of outcomes as required by the CEO and the Board of Trustees.

To work in accordance with the values of the organisation at all times.

Willingness to travel within the area and to our other offices in Chorley, Southport or Morecambe as required

Ability to work evening and weekends as required

Performance Management

To actively participate in the organisation’s performance management processes including appraisal and induction.

Training and development

To undertake training and development activities as agreed with the Chief Executive.

Quality and User Participation

To work to service level agreements, organisational standards and external quality standards. To implement, monitor and review quality standards to ensure continuous improvement.

Health and Safety

Ensure that all work is undertaken in accordance with health and safety legislation rules and regulations. To follow procedures and be aware of matters that relate to the duties of the post.

Use of Resource

Ensure value for money and best use of resources in all activities related to the post.

Galloway’s values and Equal Opportunity

To support Galloway’s core values and carry out all responsibilities with due regard to Galloway’s Equal Opportunities Policy and procedures.

Other duties

This job description is not an exhaustive list. The post holder may be required to undertake other duties as directed by the Chief Executive.

Person Specification

Experience and Qualifications

Essential / Assessment method
A minimum of 3 years’ experience of leading a diverse
project or multi-disciplinary team. / Application
Experience of understanding and managing change and using it as a force for improvement. / Application & interview
Experience of financial management e.g. managing budgets circa £250k / Application
Proven track record of innovative service development / Application & interview
Proven experience in developing operational excellence / Application & interview
Proven project management experience / Application & interview
Experience of networking and developing partnerships / Application & interview
Experience of record keeping and report writing / Application & interview
Experience of developing relationships with key stakeholders resulting in service improvements and/or increased income / Application & interview
Experience of leading innovation and change programmes / Application & interview
Experience of working with quality systems, standards and procedures / Application & interview
A strong leader of high performing services / Application & interview
Desirable
NVQ Level 4 in leadership and management or equivalent / Application
Experience of strategic planning and setting strategic
targets / Application
Strong business planning skills / Application
Experience of contributing to applications for statutory funding / Application

Knowledge and Understanding

Essential / Assessment method
Knowledge and understanding of the health, social care
andthird sector / Interview
Understanding of the needs of people with a disability
within the Social Model of Disability. / Interview
Knowledge of the funding streams available to support
service development and delivery. / Application
Desirable
Knowledge and understanding of how people are
affected by sight loss. / Application

Skills and Abilities

Essential / Assessment method
Good IT skills including Microsoft Office programmes / Application & interview
Excellent communication skills – written, verbal and
presentation / Application & interview
Excellent relationship management and networking skills / Interview
Ability to work well as part of a team and support
colleagues / Application & interview
  • Ability to work at a strategic level and develop business
  • plans including quality measures.
/ Application & interview
Ability to respond to changing demands / Interview
Commitment and ability to involve service users in the
planning and evaluation of services / Application & interview
Ability to lead, support and motivate staff in dispersed locations. / Interview
Excellent project management skills with the ability to
manage a varied workload, prioritising accordingly while focusing on key objectives and deadlines. / Application & interview
Desirable
Budget planning and monitoring / Application & interview
Ability to constructively challenge and bring
improvements / Application & interview

Qualities and competencies

Essential / Assessment method
Ability to manage self remotely and initiate tasks / Application
Self-motivated and positive attitude with the ability to work
underpressure and prioritise in a busy environment. A
creative and lateral thinker with a flexible attitude to
changing priorities and environment. / Interview
Focused, ambitious and passionate about improving services, with a readiness to seize new opportunities and source new ideas / Interview
Ability to effectively work with fundraising colleagues to maintain a positive partnership which will enable the charity to reach more blind and partially sighted people. / Application & interview

Working for Galloway’s

Job Title Head of Services

Location

This post will be based at our Preston office with travel to any of our other offices (Morecambe, Southport & Chorley).

Salary

The salary for this post is £32,000 - £35,000per annum.

Hours of Work

Normal office hours are 37 per week, Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm. However as Head of Services you will be required to work such hours to meet the demands of the role.

Benefits

Pension

After a qualifying period of six months, the Society will offer to contribute up to 6% of salary into a Stakeholder Scheme on behalf of all employees.

The Trustees will consider making up to a 6% contribution to other pension schemes in respect of eligible members of staff holding personal pension schemes at the commencement of their employment with the Society.

Holidays

The holiday year runs from 1st April to 31 March. Holiday entitlement for this post is 25 days per annum. This increases to a maximum of 30 days depending upon length of service.

Compassionate Leave

Galloway’s will consider each request for leave on compassionate grounds on an individual basis.

Probationary Period

All new appointments are subject to a probationary period of 6 months.

Learning and Development

Galloway’s is committed to supporting the learning and development of all staff and volunteers to ensure we are able to achieve our operational and strategic objectives.As part of our development and support initiatives, we promote coaching, mentoring and job shadowing.

Equal Opportunities

Galloway’s is committed to supporting diversity and working towards equal opportunities for all, in all aspects of its work.

Smoking Policy

Galloway’s has a non-smoking policy throughout the organisation.

Information for Candidates

Information required from your application

Galloway’sprovides an application form, therefore we will only accept CV’s if they accompany a completed application form. The following specific points are aimed at providing guidance for the information required on your application.

  • If there are any gaps in your employment, please include details of these in your application or supporting letter.
  • If we do not receive your application form by the closing date, we will be unable to process your application further.

Job Description and Person Specification

A Job Description and Person Specification are enclosed which detail the main responsibilities and duties required. As part of your application please provide a ‘Supporting Statement’. This should describe how your skills, knowledge, experience and qualities match those described within the person specification. The Person Specification highlights which requirements will be used to shortlist candidates through your application and those which will be assessed by other methods such as by interview or tests.

Within your ‘Supporting Statement’ you need to give examples of how you meet the requirements which you will be shortlisted against. If you have gained the necessary skills and experience in a voluntary capacity you should include details of this in your supporting statement.

People with a Disability

We aim to provide information to candidates in the right format for them. If you have not received information in the right format for your needs, please let us know. Candidates selected for interview should inform us of any special needs they may have in relation to the interview as soon as possible.

Interview and Selection

Interviews are normally carried out by a panel and verbal feedback will be provided to candidates selected for interview.

If you are selected for interview you will be notified within two weeks of the closing date. If you have not heard within 3 weeks, you should assume you have not been successful in your application. As a non-profit making organisation, and in order to keep our administrative costs low, we are unable to confirm receipt of your application.

References

You should provide details of references from your current or most recent employer and the referee should be either your line manager or the personnel department. References will be taken for the previous three year’s employment and details should be provided for this period.

Declaration

For this post Galloway’s will seek clearance from the Criminal Records Bureau.

Data Protection

Information provided by candidates as part of their application will be held for the purposes of this recruitment only and will then be destroyed. Information provided by the appointed candidate will be retained in relation to their employment contract.

Equal Opportunities Policy

We seek to promote a culture in our organisation that is inclusive, where difference is celebrated and where people will feel respected and valued. We are committed to the welfare of all people and to maintaining their dignity and worth to society. We aim to provide responsive and accessible services to all people. We will work towards becoming an organisation where our employees, volunteers and service users are representative of all sections of society and reflect the richness and diversity of local communities.

1. The Society will aim to ensure equality in all aspects of its operation and intends not to discriminate on the grounds of colour, race, religion, ethnic origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, and disability. Or on any other grounds not listed above.

2. In meeting the above aims, the Society will constantly review and evaluate all its procedures to ensure that discriminatory practise does not take place.

3. The Society will use its Disciplinary Procedure to ensure that any inappropriate language/behaviour by staff or volunteers leading to, or suggesting a discriminatory practise, is swiftly dealt with.

4. The Society’s recruitment and selection procedures will be such that within application forms and at interview, only questions relating to the carrying out of that position will be relevant.

5. The Society complies with the Data Protection Act and no information will be kept on individuals, which could single them out for discrimination, when decisions are being made.

6. All service users will have equal access to the Society’s services; however, we accept that due to location and the diversity of the services, not everyone will be able to access every service provided. When making these decisions they will be based on practical, financial and physical constraints and not on any grounds listed at (1) above.

7. Any person witnessing or receiving any behaviour, which could be described as discriminatory, should contact the Society Chief Executive. Alternatively, contact can be made by writing to the Chairman of the Society - Mr John Ward Galloway’s Society for the Blind, Howick House, Penwortham, Preston PR1 0LS . Marking the correspondence Private and Confidential.

Reviewed June 2012

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