CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Job Description

Responsible to:The Chair and Board of Trustees

Job Purpose: To provide direction and leadership in the formulation and achievement of the Foundation’s values, aims, policies, development, strategies and objectives. To provide effective and robust management and administration of the organisation.

Location:CentralLondon, with occasional UK/European travel

Salary:IRO £60,000-70,000 - depending on experience

Contract:Permanent

Hours:Five days per week

Key Responsibilities

External Relationships, Marketing and Fundraising

  • Build and manage relationships with sponsors, Trusts and Foundations. Broaden the range of fundraising activities to develop new income streams, including earned income and major donor fundraising. Lead on funder plus targets.
  • Create and maintain effective, long term partnerships with donors and campaigning organisations to further the impact of SMK.
  • Develop a deep understanding of the needs of individual campaigners in particular, and how these may be met.
  • Stay abreast of legal or policy changes that affect SMK’s plans and strategies,recommending action to the Trustee Board as appropriate.
  • Promote and represent SMK to the media and at events.

Governance, Strategy and Planning

  • Ensure that the aims and objectives of SMK are achieved through development and implementation of an effective strategic plan (including agreed outcomes) with the Chair and Board of Trustees, with particular emphasis on developing a sustainable financial operating model.
  • Work closely and to maximum effect with Patrons, donors and partners.
  • Ensure compliance with the constitutional obligations (as defined in the governing documents), charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
  • Ensure that the Chair and Board of Trustees receive appropriate and timely information, and advice on all matters relevant to the discharge of their responsibilities.

Financial Management

  • Ensure that SMK meets its financial objectives and complies with current financial regulations. Keep the Board informed of potentially adverse financial issues.
  • Work with the Treasurer and Resources Committee to ensure that SMK remains financially sustainable.

Management and Leadership

  • Provide leadership and motivation to all involved with SMK.
  • Line manage specific posts as required.
  • Work with the Board, staff team and stakeholders on the development and implementation of the SMK Business Plan.
  • Report to Board on achievement of agreed strategy, Business Plan and KPIs.
  • Ensure that the organisation has the necessary resources (human, material and financial) to operate effectively and sustainably.

SMK’s overall mission

  • Monitoring and evaluating progress against work areas and making adjustments where required.
  • Developing and maintaining systems in line with agreed SMK standards.
  • Contributing to the overall delivery of SMK’s aims.

Person Specification

Essential

  • Experience of developingand implementing strategic, business and operational plans
  • Proven ability to think and act strategically
  • Experience of change management and/or organisational development
  • Experience of sound financial and resource planning and management
  • Experience of building and maintaining effective partnerships and relationships to achieve objectives
  • Ability to work with an active board of trustees and support the effective governance of the charity
  • Sound, effective communications and influencing skills
  • Staff and volunteer leadership, management and development
  • Proven experience of generating income through grants, contracts and/or fees and commissioned work
  • A clear belief in the power of individuals and groups to bring about change
  • Ability to operate in a politically neutral manner to support individuals and groups on the range of issues that matter to them

Desirable

  • Experience of working in and knowledge of various sectors – e.g. charitable, private, public
  • Experience of media work to raise the profile of the charity, those it supports, and the issues that affect them
  • Experience of policy analysis and influencing
  • Experience of using social as well as mainstream media channels to promote services and organisations

July 20151