JOB DESCRIPTION
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Salary c£50,000 per annum + pension
- MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB
To work in close partnership with the Trustees to provide strong leadership to the Union and staff team.
To work in close partnership with the Trustees to effectively develop and implement clear strategies for the Union.
To develop and maintain positive relationships with the University and other partners in Kingston and nationally.
- WORK LOCATION
Penrhyn Road Campus in Kingston-upon-Thames, with regular attendance at all campuses around Kingston. Some travel within the UK will also be required on occasions.
- REPORTS TO
The CEO reports to the Board of Trustees through the Chair of Trustees or other full-time officer as identified in the By Laws.
- RESPONSBILE FOR
All Union staff through the line management structure. The post currently has 3 direct reports: Director of Finance; Director of Student Development; Director of Business Development.
The security of all assets.
5.MAIN DUTIES & KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
To develop and implement strategies for the Union
a)To lead the strategic planning process via the trustee board, ensuring students aspirations are at the forefront and key stakeholders involved.
b)To ensure that detailed plans are prepared and implemented which assist the Union in achieving its mission, across all areas.
To lead the Union
a)To be the active leader of the Union’s senior management and whole staff team; working together to develop strategies, policies and procedures for the Union.
b)To co-ordinate the management of the Union services, in line with the Union’s mission, vision and core values; to also be the conduit for information between staff and Trustees, and vice versa.
c)To ensure that the affairs of Kingston University Students’ Union are conducted in accordance with all legal requirements and the policies determined by the Trustee Board and executive committee.
d)To work closely with the Trustees and full-time officers in all matters, advising the officers on the implications of particular actions especially in relation to decisions with long term implications and statutory & constitutional constraints upon the contractual obligations of the Union’s officers.
To ensure effective financial management and development
To take steps which ensure the future sustainability of the Union:
- Ensuring solid financial planning, reporting and monitoring procedures are operating.
- Ensuring the Union’s aspirations to reduce our environmental impact are delivered.
- Ensuring practices exist which protect the physical assets of the Union.
To ensure a positive and productive working environment for staff
a)To advise both officers and directors in respect of all HR related policies, procedures and issues.
b)To ensure that all staff are line managed and developed effectively through the provision of regular support and personal development.
c)To ensure that the Union is adequately resourced in line with budget.
d)To ensure that decisions made by the Union committees are communicated to staff and implemented.
e)To create a high performing and supportive environment where staff are highly engaged and can meet their performance potential.
Personal Behaviours
a)To be flexible in his/her hours of work, as the position will from time to time entail attendance during evenings and weekends.
b)To promote and champion Union key policies especially in the areas of Equality & Diversity and Health & Safety.
c)At all times, by work and deed, behave professionally and with integrity, working for the benefit of the entire Union and its members.
d)Undertake any other job within the Union which helps in any way to achieve its objectives, relevant to the status of the post.
Signed by employee:______Date: ______
PERSON SPECIFICATION
- QUALIFICATIONS
a)Degree, management qualification or equivalent experience and evidence.
b)A commitment to continuous professional development.
- EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
Characterising the nature of previous work experience:
a)Evidence of substantial senior and strategic management experience within an organisation that balances a diverse range of activities, preferably including member focussed or campaigning activities.
b)Successful experience of working ideally in Higher Education or with students in Higher Education, and/or within a charity/third sector organisation.
c)A proven track record of multi-departmental management at a strategic level and of success in project delivery.
Characterising the level and type of previous work experience:
a)Evidence of successful strategic and operational resource management.
b)A proven track record of achieving high quality standards within a customer facing service.
c)Effective business resource planning, financial and people management and application of rigorous monitoring and control procedures.
Characterising experience around governance:
a)Working with and/or reporting to a Board of Trustees/Directors.
b)Working within a democratic environment.
c)Knowledge of the numerous statutory influences on a Students’ Union/Charity.
- VALUES AND ATTITUDES
a)Team player, yet strong leadership.
b)High level of self-motivation and loyalty.
c)Drive - forward thinking and always looking for new ideas, initiatives and way of working.
d)Enthused by the student movement, passionate about our mission and vision.
e)Highly developed interpersonal skills, demonstrating tact, diplomacy and high standards of integrity.
- KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITY
Characterising Communication Skills:
a)Demonstrable and excellent communication skills including the ability to articulate and disseminate a vision, present clear, concise reports to a wide range of audiences and share advice and knowledge with others.
Characterising Leadership Skills:
b)Strong leadership skills with the ability to guide and mentor teams and able to work on different levels with Trustees, Directors, Executive Officers and staff.
c)Ability to build effective teams and relationships and achieve results through others by leading, inspiring and motivating others to create a ‘can-do’ culture.
d)Excellent leadership skills.
Characterising Finance Skills:
e)An ability to understand and interpret financial information and to have a strong influence in future financial planning.
f)Expertise in fundraising and developing diverse income streams.
Characterising Planning and implementation Skills:
g)Proven ability to manage change including service delivery and staff development.
h)Adaptable to external changes and versatile in risk-taking.
i)Ability to advance strategic thinking which improves activities and services.
j)An understanding of UK Higher Education policy and of the nature of Students’ Unions.
Characterising Inter-personal Skills:
k)Evidence of successfully developing high quality partnerships and relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
l)Strong negotiating, influencing and persuasion skills.
m)Ability to influence and work successfully within a democratically led environment, with an understanding of the dynamics of a member-led, membership focussed organisation.
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- COMPETENCIES
a)Accountability: takes personal responsibility for the part they play in our student body and wider society.
b)Student focus: keeps the needs of students at the heart of activities.
c)Personal effectiveness: consistently role models high standards and good practice.
d)Inclusivity: applies an understanding of equality and diversity to strengthen positive engagement in all our students’ unions activities and services.
e)Results focused: maintains commitment to targets and results, striving consistently to achieve them.
f)Communications: helps to provide clear, consistent and appropriate messages at all levels of our students’ union and beyond.
g)Political awareness: applies an appreciation of the political environment in which our students’ union operates.
h)Motivational leadership: actively leads, establishes expectations, accountabilities, purpose and vision, creating an environment where others can achieve optimal performance.
This job description and person specification is a statement of requirements at the time of writing and is not contractual. It should not be seen as precluding future changes after appointment to this role.