Visionary is a membership organisation for local independent charities that support blind and partially sighted people across the UK. These independent local charities provide practical on the ground services for local people with sight loss. Bringing together a wealth of experience and expertise in the sector, Visionary acts as the collective voice for these local charities.
Our mission is to develop a strong national network of good quality local sight loss charities covering all parts of the UK and we have three key priorities:
- Identifying the unmet needs of blind and partially sighted people
- Developing the roles of local sight loss charities in meeting these needs
- Developing a strong national network and working with partners to support the effective delivery of consistently high quality services to people with sight loss
In 2015 Visionary entered into a strategic alliance with Thomas Pocklington Trust, a long standing supporter of Visionary, to strengthen the platform that Visionary operates from and to extend the depth and breadth of services we offer to our members.
Following this, we have grown the team and the membership to position ourselves as a key organisation in the sight loss sector. We are now in an exciting phase of development where our role representing our members in national conversations about the future of the sight loss sector is critical and we are looking for someone dynamic and self-motivated to join us as Interim CEO (maternity cover) to lead our strategic development.
The charity now has 11 members of staff who support members across the UK through a range of knowledge sharing and service delivery support mechanisms. All Visionary staff are employed directly by Thomas Pocklington Trust and seconded to Visionary. We encourage and support the development and improvement of local charities and their services for blind and partially sighted people in three main ways:
To Connect:
- Bringing the network of local sight loss charities together
- Promoting joint working and the sharing and learning from best practice opportunities and challenges
To Influence:
- Consulting Visionary members on issues that affect them and representing them on the national stage
- Promoting our members’ diverse interests and lobbying for change
To Develop:
- Offering direct support to Visionary members, providing advice, learning opportunities, guidance and funding to facilitate the development of services
‘Together we are stronger’
Organisations cannot exist alone - there’s definitely strength in numbers. By becoming a member of Visionary, local sight loss charities are able to draw on the collective experience of Visionary and its members to support them in developing their services and in how they develop their organisation, providing essential services to local people with sight loss.
This is a really exciting time for Visionary and we need a dynamic, motivated interim CEO to join us for a period of 12 months to provide maternity cover. This role will play an important part in helping us to develop as an organisation and to strengthen the role of local sight loss charities, working alongside our national partners.
If you like the sound of the challenge and think you have the skills to help us grow we would love to see your application.
Graham Findlay
Chair of Board of Trustees, Visionary
JobDescription
Jobtitle:Visionary Chief Executive Officer
Responsible to:Board of Trustees through the Chair of Visionary
Responsible for: Head of Income Development and Head of Member Services
Location:
Home based although it is a requirement of employment that the post holder be prepared to work at any additional or different locations as may be necessary. The role involves regular travel to London as well as nationally for events and meetings.
Salary: Competitive
Hours: Full time (36 hours per week)
Contract: 12 month maternity cover
Overall purpose:
To provide inspirational leadership to Visionary, setting strategic goals and clear direction and engaging all stakeholders for effective delivery with responsibility for overall delivery of the business plan.
Main accountabilities:
- With the Chair and Board of Trustees, determine and lead Visionary’s strategic direction, ensuring this remains dictated by the needs of blind and partially sighted people and the members that support them and work with the Senior Management Team to deliver thebusiness plan successfully.
- Provide leadership to the Visionary team and the Visionary membership (as appropriate) in accordance with the Visionary values to ensure that staff, members and partners are engaged with our strategic aims and motivated to deliver them.
- Ensure that processes and controls are in place to support financial security, sustainability and compliance and to manage both financial and non-financial risks.
- Monitor and review the strategy and financial budget, reporting on performance against agreed objectives on a regular basis.
- Represent the organisation externally and work in partnership with members and other organisations to make daily life better for people affected by sight loss. This will include working with partners at Thomas Pocklington Trust to ensure that the business plan is based on an agreed set of priorities based on the needs and aspirations of blind and partially sighted people.
- Lead, develop and motivate a high-performingSenior Management team to delivery against their objectives with their teams.
- Ensure that all of Visionary’s activity is dictated by the needs of blind and partially sighted people and that that is at the heart of all planning and decisions made to take the organisation forward.
- Ensure Visionary, in conjunction with Thomas Pocklington Trust as a strategic partner and provider of staff, is compliant in all legal aspects including health and safety legislation, employment legislation, safeguarding and the regulatory framework for charities.
- Provide oversight and strategic leadership of organisational change, ensuring Visionary is equipped to respond to external challenges and remains relevant to blind and partially sighted people as their needs and society evolve.
- Be the custodian of Visionary’s brand and reputation, protecting this and working to enhanceitwith the membership and externally.
- Drive organisational change with the organisation and contribute to such across the membership and wider sector to help create a culture where sight loss charities collectively put blind and partially sighted people at the centre of what they do.
The post holder will also be expected to undertake any other duties commensurate with the post and adhere to Visionary (and Thomas Pocklington Trust) policies and procedures at all times.
Person Specification
All criteria are essential unless otherwise stated.
- Specialist knowledge, skills and experience
1.1 Substantial senior management experience, including a leadership role within a complementary environment with a clear track record of tangible success and experience of working in a national environment.
1.2 A creative thinker with the vision, determination and ability to translate the broad needs of a diverse population and membership into compelling and deliverable solutions, products or services.
1.3 Experience of creating partnerships and developing relationships that deliver business aims.
1.4 Proven experience of determining and successfully executing ambitious plans for growth together with a track record in maximising income and value.
1.5 Prior experience of successfully managing change.
1.6 Able to demonstrate a broad strategic view of the issues affecting member organisations, the organisation’s role in the voluntary sector and the long-term impact of decisions.
- People management skills
2.1 An inspirational leader and team player, particularly leadership during times of change, engendering trust and confidence to minimise instability and deliver success.
2.2 Ability to maximise the overall success of the business, defining, enhancing and driving the business plan while strengthening relationships.
2.3 Able to provide clear direction to staff within Visionary and proven ability to engage with and influence people at different levels in a group of diverse organisations.
- Planning and organisational skills
3.1 Excellent skills in planning and prioritisation with experience of scheduling events, activities and resources.
3.2 Experience of establishing measures and procedures for monitoring progress against plans and objectives.
3.3 Financially astute with previous experience of setting, managing and monitoring budgets.
- Problem-solving and creative skills
4.1 Relevant experience of evaluating information in a logical manner and making systematic and rational high level judgements.
4.2 Able to identify and manage conflict. Able to remain calm and in control when challenged or in the face of setbacks.
4.3 Enthusiastic, committed and solutions driven leading to delivery of objectives; maintaining focus on outcomes. Able to see and maximise opportunity whilst being skilled at managing risk.
- Communication skills
5.1 Experienced and skilled at influencing, negotiating and building alliances and maintaining effective relationships. This should include high level contact, partnership and alliance building.
5.2 Able to speak clearly, fluently and in a compelling manner to both individuals and groups. This will include media representation and platform speaking.
5.3 Able to communicate effectively both within and outside of Visionary in order to build and maintain relationships and networks of contacts.
5.4 Proven ability to produce written communication that is fluent, clear, concise and tailored to intended recipient(s).
5.5 Demonstrable ability to demonstrate interest in other’s opinions and be sympathetic and tolerant of differing needs and viewpoints.
5.6 Able to guide and steer discussion, using influencing and negotiation skills in order to achieve objectives, maintaining a diplomatic approach and results in acceptance and agreement.
How to Apply
Internal applications:
Complete an up to date CV and Cover Letter (500 words max)
Email to .
Closing Date: 19.11.2017 5pm
Interview Date: Week commencing 04.12.2017 TBC
External applications:
Complete an ‘Application and Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form’ and email it to .
Download application form here
Closing Date: 27.11.2017 5pm
Interview Date: Week commencing 04.12.2017 TBC
For further information please contact (Visionary Chair) Graham Findlay:
We actively seek applications from all backgrounds including disabled/visually impaired individuals and people who have lived experience of sight loss. We also guarantee all disabled applicants that reach the minimum appointment criteria an interview. We are happy to accept applications from all suitably qualified persons who have the appropriate skills and talent regardless of their age, gender, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or marital status.