Chief Executive Jobs in Holborn, Greater London

• Contribute to high-profile OTS project in a pivotal year
• Work closely with the CEO and Chair

About Our Client

Established by the telecoms industry in June 2022, TOTSCo (The One Touch Switching Company Ltd) is a member-owned company whose goal is the introduction, in line with new regulations, of switching processes for broadband and voice services in the home and for businesses. The planned date for the implementation of the corresponding One Touch Switch process and technology is 12 September 2024 and is likely to be headline news in the consumer press. Given its unique position in the industry, the governance of TOTSCo is key to its legitimacy and effective operation. TOTSCo is looking for a Chief of Staff to drive the development of its governance and strategy.

Job Description

Reporting to the CEO, the job holder will work closely with the CEO, the executive team and the board on a variety of tasks to help TOTSCo achieve maturity in its governance, decision making and strategy and more generally as an organisation. Tasks include:

• Forward-planning board agendas in the light of strategic and operational priorities
• Preparing papers for board consideration under direction, including appropriate analysis and recommendations
• Support strategic development and implementation
• Preparing periodic board off-site strategy meetings
• Support board committees (e.g. Remco, ARC) in meeting preparation
• Development, management and review of organisational policies, including development of the staff handbook
• Support the board in implementation of Wates code of corporate governance
• Support the executive in preparation and analysis of consultation exercises with stakeholders
• Ad-hoc operational, strategic and organisational projects

Should time allow, additional tasks may extend to a variety of projects such as:

• Assist in analytical tasks such as the interpretation of OTS data
• Compliance analysis (in association with external advisers)
• Development with SMEs of TOTSCo's operations procedures manual

The Successful Applicant

We are looking for candidates who can demonstrate experience in such tasks and that could add value in TOTSCo's journey to maturity.

To be successful, candidate will need to demonstrate the following qualities and experience:

• Analytical thinker, also delivery focused
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Numerate
• Policy and process mindset
• Programme and planning management
• Experience of governance processes
• Self-motivated and organised

What's on Offer

This role is homeworking and can be performed from anywhere in the UK.

There will be travel to London approximately twice a month and this will be paid for. 

Salary - £80-£100K

Where specific UK qualifications are required we will take into account overseas equivalents. All third party applications will be forwarded to Page Executive.

PA to Executive Director of International Programmes

Contract: 13 Months Fixed-term contract, Full Time, Maternity cover

Salary: £39,358 - £41,325 with excellent benefits

Location: London, UK

Hybrid Working: A minimum of 40% of working time is spent face to face, either in London office, or as a result of external engagement or travel for WaterAid. WaterAid is located at Canary Wharf, London and this will be your location and contract base.

About WaterAid:
Join WaterAid as PA to Executive Director of International Programmes to change normal for millions of people so they can unlock their potential, break free from poverty and change their lives for good. We need passionate, creative and dedicated people. In return, you will be encouraged and empowered to be yourself at your very best. Together, we will make a bigger difference.

About the Team:
The International Programmes Department is made up of four regions: West Africa, East Africa, Southern Africa, and South Asia; and three support teams: Programme Support and Knowledge team, the Programme Funding and Partnerships Team and the Programme Operations Team; the International Programmes Department delivers our work effectively across Africa and South Asia focusing on quality programming; accountability and effectiveness; research, learning and documentation.

About the Role:
The purpose of this role is to provide proactive and professional support to the Executive Director of International Programmes, with some general administrative support to the Programme Operations Director and the International Programmes Senior Management Team.

The role will be split 80/20 with a majority focus on executive support for the Executive Director, ensuring they are well organised and briefed and supported to maximise her capacity to lead WaterAid effectively. The minority focus will be on general administrative support to the Programme Operations Director and to the International Programmes Senior Management Team. The role will also be instrumental in running operations in the department, including supporting the organisation with key high profile programme events, line managing the administrator to ensure the department is working effectively and efficiently within itself and the wider organisation.

In this role, you'll:

A) Provide professional, timely and proactive support to the Executive Director of International Programmes, including:

• Diary and meeting support
• Support internal processes, communications and prioritisation Support internal communications with the directorate and wider organisation so these are timely, strategic and engaging;
• General administrative support

B) Operations for the department

• Oversee departmental operations to ensure compliance with wider WaterAid processes as well as championing, innovating, or streamlining the department's process and procedure.
• Maintain effective filing systems ensuring archive material is safe and can be retrieved in line with Data Protection Regulations.
• Organise and lead logistical planning for any departmental events that take place in either the UK or Country Programme locations, as necessary.
• Work as part of a wider team of PAs and Administrators across the organisation, ensuring mutual support and good communication between teams.

About You:

• Proven successful track record of being a Senior Administrator or Personal Assistant in a global organisation, including exceptional diary management;
• Effective time-management, organisation and prioritisation skills, including ability to manage multiple projects and priorities and to keep track of high volumes of information within a busy environment;
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal), including ability to assimilate information quickly and produce accurate minutes, clear PowerPoint presentations and written briefings;
• Integrity and the ability to act with discretion and respect confidentiality.
• Digitally literate with excellent IT skills, particularly for setting up virtual meetings and effectively using Microsoft Office tools, with extensive experience of using PowerPoint and creating simple and compelling presentations;
• Numerical accuracy and experience of managing and processing invoices and expenses. Ability to co-ordinate / track project budget.
• Team player who is motivated by the desire to support others to be effective and efficient in their work, proactive, with confidence to take initiative and solve problems;
• Willingness to travel in the UK and internationally, if required, for the proper performance and delivery of the role;

Closing date: Applications will close at 23:59 on 12th May 2024. Availability for test and interview is required the week commencing 27th May 2024 and 3rd June 2024.

How to Apply: To see the full job pack, please click 'Apply'. Please apply by submitting your CV and a cover letter into one document in either Word Document or PDF format.

Pre-employment screening: To apply for this post, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in the UK. All our vacancies require a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check to comply with our Safer Recruitment policy.

Our Commitment

Our People Promise:
We will work with passion and focus to ensure safe and sustainable water, toilets and hygiene are available to everyone, everywhere. WaterAid is a place of purpose - where people have a real commitment and shared responsibility for the impact we have. We are a global community with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, motivated by inspiring, stimulating work. We are determined to put the wellbeing of our people first, to be a place where people feel safe and able to contribute their voice and truly live our values.

Equal opportunities:
We are an equal opportunity, disability-confident employer and are dedicated to achieving the highest standards of diversity, equity and inclusion. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, beliefs, customs, traditions and ways of life. This includes, but is not limited to, race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion, national or social origin, health status, and economic or social situation.

Safeguarding:
We are also committed to protecting everyone we come into contact with. We have a zero-tolerance approach to abuse of power, privilege or trust across our global work, and any form of inappropriate behaviour, discrimination, abuse, bullying, harassment, or exploitation. Safeguarding the people and communities we work with, our staff, volunteers and anyone working on our behalf is our top priority, and we take our responsibilities extremely seriously.

Are you an experienced Personal Assistant and passionate to make an impact?
We’re working with a fantastic charity who are looking for an experienced Personal Assistant to join their high performing team. You’ll provide high quality personal and administrative assistance to the Director. You’ll manage the Director’s diaries and appointments, as well as preparing and drafting correspondence as required.
You’ll oversee coordination and collation of reports for Board meetings as well as supporting the Director to ensure departmental deadlines are met for governance activities. You’ll also organise internal and external meetings/conferences, arranging venues, refreshments and minute taking, whilst also preparing agendas. This is an amazing role withgreat perks including working closely with a supportive team.
You will need:

• Experience of organising and providing administrative assistance in an office environment
• Experience of diary management, arranging meetings and preparing papers
• Ability to write succinct, clear and professional communications for senior audiences
• Highly proficient using MS Office

If you would like to have an informal discussion, please call Chloe on 02030 062787 or email [email protected].
Ashby Jenkins Recruitment are a specialist charity recruitment agency, we use our extensive sector knowledge and experience to match candidates to the most suitable roles. We take a relationship-led approach to recruitment, working ethically, supporting people to find their perfect role within the not-for-profit sector.
We are passionate about improving equality across the sector, you can read more about our commitment to diversity here. We proactively welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates.
If enough applications are received the charity reserve the right to end the application period sooner. 

About you

We are seeking an enthusiastic and self-motivated individual who is confident in being able to provide office operations and finance administrative support to the Society and to the CEO.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone interested in learning how a charity runs, with lots of scope for development.

• You will be working with a wide variety of people and you will need to be a confident communicator through phone, email, and in person.
• You will need to have good IT skills, with knowledge of Microsoft Office, and a willingness to learn our IT processes.
• You will have some previous experience in customer service or administration, and have strong attention to detail.
• You may have some finance experience, have a bachelors degree or equivalent, or have worked in a charity, however, these are not essential requirements and training will be provided in all areas of the role.

About the role

Reporting to the Head of People, and with support from the Sustainability & Finance Officer, some of the responsibilities of the Office & Finance Assistant are to:

• Be the first point of contact for visitors to our office, and administer the hello@ email.
• Provide administrative support to the Chief Executive
• Administer day-to-day financial processes and the accounts@ email, helping staff with their finance queries.
• Take minutes during key strategic meetings
• Provide administrative support in office operations
• Meet and greet visitors for business meetings, prepare meeting
  rooms where necessary, and support our in-office events.
• Contribute to our well-being activity schedule, supporting the team
  in organising staff outings and activities.

 To find out more about the role, please download the job description and job pack.

For more than 30 years, War Child has been driven by a single goal – ensuring a safe future for every child affected by war. We aim to reach children as quickly as possible when conflict breaks out and stay long after the cameras have gone to support them through their recovery. We work with local communities and governments to help protect and educate children, and support them to heal and learn, for a safer, brighter future.

Last year, War Child UK agreed to come together with War Child Holland, War Child Germany, War Child Sweden and Children in Conflict in the USA, each of whom previously operated as independent NGOs, to form the War Child Alliance, which went live in January 2024. The new Alliance now runs our overseas projects, our research, scaling and advocacy programmes on behalf of us all, utilising our collective power and influence to have the greatest possible impact for children affected by war. As a member of the new Alliance, War Child UK is now a highly effective and innovative fundraising entity, raising crucial funds and awareness of our work globally.

Join us as our Director of Finance and IT at War Child UK, a pivotal role within our Leadership Group reporting directly to Helen Pattinson, CEO. Your role is to lead our finance and IT, but as a member of our leadership group to take joint responsibility with other Directors for leading the organisation.

As Finance and IT Director, you'll lead the optimisation of our finance and IT systems to streamline recording and reporting of financial transactions. Your analytical skills will be essential as you explore cost and income centres, supplying vital data necessary to significantly enhance our fundraising efforts.

Beyond day-to-day operations, you'll play a strategic role in long-term financial planning, fostering collaboration across the War Child Alliance. Together with fellow leaders, you'll steward the wider organisation, ensuring War Child UK is ready for success and equipped with ambitious financial investment frameworks.

Success in this role also entails ensuring our IT systems maintain the highest standards of excellence, delivering accurate and timely financial performance insights. You'll contribute to a vision where War Child UK achieves extraordinary results within a financially sound Alliance, empowering members to maximise their impact while being accountable for every penny raised.

You will be a qualified accountant with exceptional strategic and operational experience. You do not necessarily need to have prior international development experience, although you will need to demonstrate that you can build effective working relationships with overseas counterparts. Experience of working within a complex fundraising environment would be highly advantageous though.  For this role, we are also as keen to hear from experienced directors who are excited by what we do as we are from those for whom this would be their first senior leadership role.

Tall Roots is acting as an employment agency partner to War Child UK. If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please email Mark Crowley at Tall Roots.

Make your mark as a key leader in this growing charity

This is a key leadership role in this vibrant, user-led charity based in Richmond and Wandsworth. You will be providing leadership and direction to 5 team leads/managers as well as leading and directing development to increase the scope and depth of the services we offer. We are looking for innovation as well as sound leadership skills and professional knowledge of employment law is a given.

Ruils is a charity supports disabled children and adults, to live independently, be part of their community and to live life to the full. We provide information, advice, practical support, befriending and accessible activities to our clients and families. We enable individuals to have choice and control over the way in which they get their support.

The Adult Services Team Manager is one of 3 team managers reporting to our Chief Executive Officer. The services managed include Direct Payment Support across Richmond and Wandsworth, Befriending and Community Activities, our Benefits and Housing Advice and Information service and our Counselling service.

We constantly research and develop services to meet the identified needs of the community and this role would suit someone who wants a good level of autonomy to develop new ideas.

The Adults Services Manager works alongside our Children’s Team Manager and our Social Prescribing and Community Development Manager, supported by Finance, Fundraising and Campaigns and Communications Managers.

Purpose of Post

• To be responsible for the management of the Support Services to Direct Payment clients in Richmond and Wandsworth.
• To be responsible for the research and development of adult services in Richmond and Wandsworth.
• To oversee promotion, monitoring and delivery of the CILS, Pathways and Counselling services.
• To provide leadership and supervision, performance evaluation and general support for all of the adult services team managers and leads
• To be responsible for adult safeguarding and health and safety across the organisation.

What you might be doing now:

• You might be working for or volunteering in a similar charity or in a similar role.
• You may be looking to work part-time to fit around your other responsibilities.
• You may be a HR practitioner looking for a new management challenge away from the corporate world
• You may have worked for a local authority, but are looking for more autonomy and flexibility
• Or you may have the skills we need from some other combination of work and volunteering.

Main Duties include:

Management of Direct Payment Support Service

• Lead and manage the Direct Payment Support Service across Richmond and Wandsworth Boroughs through an experienced DP Project Manager.
• Provide support to the DP Project Manager to resolve complex DP HR management issues around the area of employment law.
• Support the Project Manager in their work with the local authority to set targets for the project, monitor performance against these targets and identify and resolve any issues that arise.
• Report as required to the commissioners and the Ruils Board of trustees
• Work with the DP Project Manager and the CEO on new DP projects and funding applications as required.

CILS, Pathways and Counselling Teams

• Lead and manage the delivery of the Community activity, Befriending, Pathways and Counselling services.
• Work with the CILS partners to ensure that the service is meeting Local Authority targets
• Report as required to the commissioners and the Ruils Board of trustees
• Responsible for ensuring active promotion of the services to potential and existing clients and stakeholders and to ensure representation of Ruils at networking events.
• Work with the CEO and Fundraising Manager to ensure projects are fully funded and demand is well managed.

General Responsibilities

• Responsible for ensuring safeguarding policies and principles are upheld across Adult Teams.
• Responsible for Health and Safety across the organisation.

What we can offer you:

• A vibrant and interesting work environment – every day is different.
• An experienced and supportive CEO and a great team 
• Training and development opportunities.
• Flexible working.
• Kind and caring colleagues who work as a team.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Access to an employee assistance programme (EAP)
• 1-2-1 coaching

We welcome applicants from all walks of life, training and mentoring will be provided.

We actively encourage applications from disabled people and people with long term health and mental conditions. We operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme in that we will guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post. Please state in a cover letter if you wish us to consider you for this guaranteed interview scheme.

Please apply in writing with a cover letter and stating your current salary to Viv Sage our HR Consultant at Better Talent.

Closing date for applicants: 1st May 2024, interviews the following week.

As the Chief Operating Officer at Quo Vadis Trust, you will play a pivotal role in leading the organisation through a transformative phase of growth and change.

Reporting directly to the CEO and spearheading the Senior Leadership Team, you will be responsible for enhancing QVT's operating model across key functions, including Finance, People and Culture, Operations, Supported Accommodation and Care services.

As the Training Programmes Manager you will have oversight and responsibility for the healthcare professional training projects and activities, as well as growing the M4RD network within HCP groups and training institutions.

You will be key to rolling out Rare Disease 101 training for healthcare professionals all over the UK and potentially abroad. While you are not expected to deliver training yourself you will be pivotal to creating opportunities and facilitating all aspects of the programme.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Co-lead M4RD’s Ambassador Programme, managing the clinical and medical student ambassadors.

• Planning and delivering training events.

• Deliver educational and training projects inline with M4RD’s current strategy and work programme.

• Collaborate  with training institutions and NHS workplaces inline with M4RD’s current strategy and work programme.

• Potential to manage up to two members of the M4RD Team.

• Support the CEO and Operations & Finance Manager with recruitment duties, operational strategy and development and coaching any relevant staff.

This is an exciting opportunity for a talented fundraiser to make a tangible difference to London’s landscape and its people.

Heritage of London Trust restores the buildings and monuments that tell the story of the city and the people who live within it. Founded over 40 years ago, our mission was to rescue characterful and neglected historic sites all across the city. We focus on sites at risk in areas of least investment - in local communities that most need our help - ensuring a sustainable future for every project we work on. To date, we have restored nearly 800 sites across London.

In 2020 we launched our ground-breaking Proud Places youth programme to inspire and  engage young people with the world around them, helping them develop knowledge and skills now and for the future. We work with mainstream schools across London and are the only UK heritage organisation to specialise in working with excluded pupils, young  people at risk of gang exploitation and young refugees. To date we have worked with 6,000 young people and the programme continues to expand.

As our programme work has grown, so has our team and investment into our fundraising capability. We are now looking for a dedicated fundraiser who will help us build on our relationship based fundraising activity to grow our income. The Head of Philanthropy is a new role reporting to the Chief Executive.

We have a great pipeline of corporate partners, opportunities with charitable foundations and attractive offers for our dedicated group of high-value supporters to experience our work up close. Our Board of Trustees are committed and well connected, many of them are generous personal donors. We steward our supporters through a series of high-quality events such as intimate lunches, VIP behind-the-scenes visits, site based workshops and expert-led conferences.

We are looking for a Head of Philanthropy who shares our ambition and drive and is excited to work closely with a dedicated and collaborative team while enjoying autonomy to build on our great work to date. Based in a vibrant newly developed impact-hub for charities who work with young people, this role will work in partnership with senior peers in communications and programmes, alongside a fundraising assistant and the Chief Executive, who herself was a professional fundraiser.

The role would be suited to an experienced relationship fundraiser looking to step up or into a role with exciting growth opportunities, or could suit an experienced relationship based sales or communication professional looking to pivot their career and make a positive social impact. Regardless of your background, with support and collaboration, this is an incredible opportunity to spread your professional wings and help drive our growth, reach and impact.

To learn more about this fantastic opportunity, please download the full appointment brief, where you will also find contact details of our talent consultant Ami Jenick, should you wish to have an informal and confidential conversation about the role.

• You will be very confident and competent with (Word, Excel, Teams/Sharepoint), Zoom and using a database and finance system.
• You will be confident in minute taking in Board meetings and writing the draft minutes.
• You will be a confident project manager, able to use a project tool to facilitate planning of schedules for SLT, Board and committees throughout the year.
• You will have excellent telationship skills, confident to liaise with board members and provincial presidents from around the Globe, to arrange travel, answer routine queries, and organise meetings
• You will be confident to work with colleagues across the organisation.
• You will have strong and highly accurate administrative skills.
• Mothers’ Union is a Christian organisation, and empathy with the Christian faith with be important, although it is not an occupational requirement to be a practicing Christian

Job title: Director of Policy and Strategy

Term: Full time, permanent

Salary: Circa £100,000 per annum plus generous benefits, and 30 days’ annual leave.

Location: London (Victoria) – hybrid (one to three days in the office as a minimum), with some travel around England required

Closing date: 10am 22 April 2024

Interviews: w/c Monday 6 May 2024

NHS Providers is the membership organisation for the NHS hospital, mental health, community, and ambulance services that treat patients and service users in the NHS. We help those NHS foundation trusts and trusts to deliver high-quality, patient-focused care by enabling them to learn from each other, acting as their public voice and helping shape the system in which they operate.

NHS Providers has all trusts in England in voluntary membership, collectively accounting for £115bn of annual expenditure and employing 1.4 million staff.

Our Policy directorate encompasses around 35 people, and the director of policy and strategy has responsibility for four direct reports and sits on our Executive Management Team (EMT), also helping to lead strategy and development across our 100-strong organisation. As director of policy and strategy, you will play a pivotal role in developing and strengthening our Policy and Strategy directorate. This will include ensuring we continue to operate in an integrated way across our Policy and Strategy, Communications, and Development and Engagement directorates to deliver the greatest impact for members and our organisation.

You will provide strategic leadership for the organisation’s policy, strategy, analysis and public affairs functions, providing high-level advice and support to the chief executive, deputy chief executive, chair and board, as well as playing a key role as part of the NHS Providers director team.
 

NHS Providers is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported and welcomes applications regardless of sex, gender identity, race, age, sexuality, beliefs, or disability. To be successful in this role you will need to be personally committed to being anti-racist and support our broader diversity work across all protected characteristics

Home-Start Southwark works with families who are pregnant or have children under 5. Our core work is to provide weekly support from a trained peer volunteer or worker empowering families to make changes to improve their lives. The way we support families continues to have relationships at its core – we believe, and our work proves, that the confidence and resilience gained by having someone standing alongside you offering encouragement and support, can make a huge difference to parents and children. Being a parent is difficult regardless of circumstances and many of our families are facing several additional challenges.

Our ambition is to continue to develop outstanding services that meet the needs of our community; if you want to be part of our future, we would love to meet you to discuss this further.

Main Purpose:

• Work closely with the Chief Executive to develop and evolve Home-Start’s services in response to changing needs, informing the strategy for our family support and development of services.
• Provide vision, direction, and leadership to motivate staff and volunteers to deliver high-quality services that make a measurable positive difference to children and their families.
• Manage the HSS Family Support Team, coordinating and quality assuring their work.
• Collaborate with multi-agency partners to deliver evidence-based interventions that support parenting and prevent need escalating, including structured programmes and group work.
• Be a Designated Safeguarding Lead for the charity.

Are you interested in working for a Global Charity that works on peace and safety, gender justice and building self-reliance among women and families. Mothers' Union is a global Christian movement working with people of all faiths and none to develop communities, strengthen families and advocate for change. Our members are active in 83 countries and work tirelessly to serve their communities to build a future where everyone thrives.

We are a diverse and inclusive movement who also welcomes friends and supporters from within and outside of the church structure, together with a host of active volunteers all championing the work we do.

The Role:

This role will cover a wider area of executive support including governance, meeting management, senior leadership team support, managing on-line gatherings, travel management, diary management, correspondence management and relationship management.

The post-holder will be key in supporting the WWP in this, and also, with both WWP and CEO, in mapping out the key events and activities over a 6 year cycle, so that there is a clear structure for the new WWP (and ultimately successor to CEO ) to come into and work with. They will also assist the CEO in “standard agenda planning” for the board, for example, the induction of the new Board in early 2025.

Whilst the role is for 3 days per week, ideally this would be flexible, with the individual working more days at certain times (for example during the Board week) and less at quieter times.

MU is a small team, (about 25) and there is an expectation that all will show flexibility in helping out on areas not explicit in their role descriptions, when time and their expertise and ongoing workload allow

Who we are looking for

The ideal candidate should be proficient in handling the Microsoft suite, zoom, familiarity with handling databases and finance systems. They should be confident in taking minutes in board meetings, experienced in acting as a project manager, able to use a project tool to facilitate planning of schedules for SLT, Board and committees throughout the year, and possess excellent relationship skills, confident to liaise with board members and provincial presidents from around the Globe.

Benefits

• 25 days of annual leave (full time) plus up to 4 days of leave (full time) given at the discretion of Mothers’ Union
• Employer pension contribution of 7%
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Two volunteering days and one away day per calendar year
• Enhanced sick pay
• Bereavement leave & Compassionate leave
• Season ticket loan
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee assistance programme.
• Eye care voucher and an allowance towards glasses.

For more information about the role: please refer to the attached job description

Work Location

This role will be based at our Head Office in central London. Mothers’ Union operates a hybrid working model. Staff are required to work an aggregate minimum of 90 days per calendar year (pro rata for part timers) at our Head Office, Mary Sumner House in central London. Tuesdays are our anchor days where every staff member is expected to be at the office. The 90 days includes anchor Tuesdays.

How to Apply

If you are interested in this position, please apply by sending your CV and a Cover Letter via Charity Job. The Cover Letter should clearly outline how your skills match the main responsibilities of the role.

Application Deadline

The closing date for applications is 21 April 2024. Due to the number of applications we receive, we may not be able to individually respond to each applicant. If we do not get in touch with you within 4 weeks from the application deadline, then unfortunately you have not been shortlisted for this position. We aim to get in touch with the shortlisted candidates after the application deadline.

Equal Opportunity

Mothers’ Union is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to create an inclusive environment for all employees.

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