Assistive Technology Strategy And Development Officer Jobs

Job title: ​​ Chief Operating Officer

Salary: ​​​ £65,000 to £70,000 per annum depending on experience

Position:​​ Permanent

Hours:​​​ 40 hours per week

Holidays:​​ 25 days excluding Bank Holidays 

Responsible to:​ CEO 

Location: ​ 9 Kingside Business Park, Ruston Road, Woolwich, SE18 5BX

Please note this is not a hybrid role.

About First Step Trust:

First Step Trust (FST) is a registered charity providing access to work experience and employment opportunities for people (referred to as workforce) with mental health challenges, learning disabilities, a history of offending and other socio-economic disadvantages, with a key aim to provide opportunities for people who are not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET).

The charity currently operates a garage and a catering business, both focused on providing real-life work experience for these learners. FST has over thirty years' experience as a provider of employability programmes and has successfully run the commercial aspects of the business, creating a solid balance sheet with healthy reserves.

In recent years, FST has been exploring new ways of helping people overcome barriers to learning including, low levels of literacy/numeracy and debilitating anxiety in formal situations e.g. exams or interviews.

Through FST's ground breaking work using Virtual Reality (VR) to upskill our workforce members and engage learners in secure mental health facilities, we have recognised the potential of assistive and emerging technologies as a real game-changer for the people we work with. The technology enables us to do things never before possible. We have, with the support of Halfords Autocentres and the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), developed an innovative programme which offers high quality training in a safe environment that does not require any written work.

This led us to identify the need for new ways of enabling and 'scaffolding' learning that will combat some of the wider psychosocial barriers including 'fear of learning', the impact of e.g. learning disabilities, Autism, negative peer pressure and reoffending behaviours. A recent Resolution Foundation report suggests that current "low rates of training among the least educated are troubling, given international evidence showing that there are higher returns to adult education for these individuals." Research suggests that AI/ machine learning could help us overcome these.

We have been supported by two Ufi VocTech Trust grants to deliver VR supported training to these communities of learners furthest away from learning and work. The route to market for our products is into the automotive industry directly, but is also being commissioned by NHS and criminal justice/mental health services as a way to introduce those in secure environments to potential future work opportunities.

These digital developments form part of the charity's strategy for embracing digital innovation to better serve our client base and grow the market we are able to serve beyond those in our local areas.

About the role: 

As the COO, you will support the CEO in executing their strategic plans and directives, while overseeing the efficacy of the organisation’s strategy and implementing changes needed for the growth and development of the organisation. Ultimately your purpose is to support the continued success and growth of the organisation through good management, communication and relationship-building, without compromising on our commitment to working with people who use our service as colleagues..

About you: 

You will be a senior manager who has energy and drive as well as sound judgement. On top of a strong track record in an operational position, you will have the breadth of experience to oversee our operations strategy and systems, commercial activity, budget management, monitoring and evaluation and fundraising. You will have a proven track record of success in senior-level general or commercial management.  You will be a clear, analytical thinker who will strengthen the leadership of our charity. You will be an excellent manager of people, able to support people with varying skills and abilities, who may come from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Key objectives for this role:

Ensure the smooth running of all First Step Trust’s core operations including our commercial activities, people, budgetary control, fundraising, HR, office, facilities and IT.

Work closely with our CEO and Board of Trustees to lead on developing First Step Trust’s next 3-year business plan.

Key responsibilities:

Direct line management of operations staff.

Directing and controlling the work and resources of the organisation ensuring that it achieves its mission and objectives.

Oversee and develop systems for our volunteers’ development and training.

Lead on all aspects of budget management.

Oversee production of the annual report.

Develop our fundraising strategy, working with our CEO. Pursue new sources of funding to support existing operations and new work.

Lead on funder and grant management.

Develop a building and facilities improvement plan including fabric of the building, equipment and IT. 

Person specification:

Experience and skills (Essential)

Senior level operational management experience

Experience of developing strategy and business plans

Track record of line managing staff (and volunteer) and teams. 

Strong budget management expertise.

Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities, with the ability to define the problem, assess options, recommend solutions and drive to a decision.

Excellent communications skills, including the ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of people at all levels.

Expertise in charity regulatory matters and compliance

Knowledge of data protection including GDPR

Good working knowledge of safeguarding requirements 

Experience and skills (desirable)

Experience of IT infrastructure

Experience of fundraising and funder management

Experience working in the charity and not-for-profit sector

Experience working with vulnerable and disadvantaged people