Career Advice from a Charity Champion: Keri Landau

February 25, 2016

4 minute read

Keri is Principal Consultant for the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations, leading on business development for ACEVO Solutions and consultancy for a range of organisations and partnerships. She loves taking her children to explore the outdoors and encouraging an appreciation of nonsense poetry.

ACEVO provides support, leadership development, bespoke consultancy and an inspiring, collective campaigning voice for members across the UK.

“The boundaries between sectors is increasingly blurred so don’t be scared to apply learning from private or public sector organisations to the world of non-profits, and vice versa” – Keri Landau

How did you get into the charity sector?

“My first opportunity came about after returning from maternity leave from my first child, when I applied for a two-day per week role with a Community Voluntary Services organisation in Westminster. This involved supporting voluntary sector representatives to engage with local authority partnership boards. This was a good fit as it allowed me to apply my knowledge of the public sector but from the other side of the fence.”

What made you stay and progress within the sector?

“After a taste of working for an independent organisation, I recognised the changing political and funding environment and wanted to be in a position to offer advice and support to social enterprises and charities from across the sector. I decided to do a Masters in Social Policy and Planning to give me some thinking space and totally focus on redirecting my career in this direction. The opportunity arose to work at ACEVO, which fitted my desire to work with a wide range of organisations. My progress has always been driven by a passion and interest in non-profit organisations, but has been significantly aided by a good understanding of public sector commissioning and the underlying political drivers.”

What’s the one thing that the charity sector provides that you can’t get anywhere else?

“The wider networks between organisations mean that there is a variety of approaches and opinions which keeps it interesting. Also, the constant tension between delivering services, surviving in a challenging climate, and campaigning on issues that matter mean strategy is never purely commercially focused. It is this balance between the need for effective and brave governance and dynamic management, plus a constant revisiting of mission, that is both exhausting and exciting for charities. This keeps everyone on their toes, and means no two days are ever the same.”

In what way can transferable skills help people transition from the private/public sector to charities & not for profit organisations?

“Everything you learn in life can be considered a transferable skill, particularly if you think broadly about your experience and ability. Remember that non-profit organisations require a wide range of skills so, even if it’s not front-line service delivery, you may have experience with communications or project management for example, both of which are needed. Besides the basics like good time management, communication skills and teamwork, don’t underestimate the need for sales skills. Are you good at opening up conversations? Can you close a deal? Charities all need income to survive and while this may come from a wide variety of sources, they need to obtain it somehow and if you can help them do this effectively, you’ll be an asset to any organisation.

Life experience can also be invaluable, so, when relevant, a charity job interview may present an appropriate opportunity to mention you have experience from your family of the impact of mental health problems, or you campaigned to protect a local green space, for instance. From my point of view just saying you have the skills or experiences isn’t enough, you need to understand how you can apply them.”

What would you say to encourage someone who is considering moving to the charity sector, but feels uncertain?

“Put your toe in the water. Volunteering is a great way to gain an insight and to enhance your own knowledge and experience. I don’t mean signing up to a charity fun-run (although there’s nothing wrong with that) but particularly things that take you closer to the centre of what an organisation is all about. This could be volunteering to work in a central office for a few hours a week, helping to organise an event, or mentoring a vulnerable young person. The benefit of volunteering is that you can select the organisations in which you have a particular interest, be that in your local area, a cause close to your heart or one which you particularly admire due to an effective public campaign.”

Check out CharityJob for loads of great Volunteering opportunities.

Does your current role resonate with your own values? And how did your values guide you in your career?

“My current role resonates with my own values in a very practical sense. My values, which centre around a desire for greater social justice, and an equal value for all people have guided me in my career because I love working with organisations I admire and respect. With approximately 1400 leaders in the charity sector in ACEVO’s membership I am constantly inspired by the work of so many organisations and really value the opportunity to support them. This in turn adds to a real sense of fulfilment. ”

What’s the next step for you? Where would you like your career to go?

“I am currently considering taking on a trustee role, which is a non-paid governance role on the board of a charity. I feel that using my skills to support an organisation’s strategic decision making and oversight would help me to make a further positive contribution, whilst also adding to my own experience.”