Associate Director (Fixed Term)

Associate Director (Fixed Term)

The Susanna Wesley Foundation (the SWF) is a foundation of the Southlands Methodist Trust (the SMT), a charity of the Methodist Church in Britain, based at Southlands College and the University of Roehampton. The SWF advances grounded research, strengthens formative practice and convenes generous conversation, looking toward flourishing, transformative, justice-seeking and inclusive communities.

The role

The SMT is appointing an Associate Director (Fixed Term) for 24 months. This senior post will put the governance, compliance, operations, communications and digital infrastructure of the SMT and the SWF on a sustainable footing, and will recommend to trustees how these functions should be organised and staffed for the long term. The post reports to the Director.

By the end of the appointment, the SMT expects to have:

•        a reliable and proportionate governance, compliance, policy and risk framework;

•        well-organised operational, financial, HR and research-administration processes;

•        a practical approach to communications and impact reporting;

•        a responsible approach to technology and AI

•        agreed recommendations for the permanent staffing and operating model, with an orderly handover.

The person

The SMT is seeking a senior professional who combines sound judgement and hands-on delivery with the ability to establish lasting improvements in a small charity. The successful candidate will have:

•        senior experience in administration, governance or operations, including support to a board;

•        experience of charity governance and Charity Commission compliance;

•        substantial experience in higher education or research, and in a church, faith-community or values-based charitable setting, or deep experience of one with working knowledge of the other;

•        a track record of leading organisational improvement and bringing a defined programme of work to completion.

They will be in sympathy with, and willing to work positively within, the Methodist ethos and charitable purposes of the SMT.

Terms

•        Salary: £50,000 to £60,000, depending on skills and experience.

•        Contract: fixed term, 24 months. The term is fixed because the post exists to deliver a defined programme of work. Any permanent post that follows will be openly advertised.

•        Hours: full time, with some evening and occasional weekend work. Flexible arrangements will be considered.

•        Location: the SWF offices on Roehampton Lane, London SW15, with a blend of on-site and home working by agreement.

The SMT expects to make this appointment on an employed, fixed-term basis. It will also consider proposals to deliver the work under a contract for services; a brief for that purpose is at Appendix A of the job description.

Closing date: midnight on 30th November. Interviews will be held in December.