Chief Executive Officer

Transform Drug Policy Foundation is a global leader in developing, and advocating for, more humane drug policies. Our vision is a world where drug policy contributes to safer and healthier societies.

Transform Drug Policy Foundation is looking for a dynamic and strategically minded leader with fundraising experience to drive our vital work forward.

Our work combines advocacy and campaigning with policy development and advice, working with decision-makers and governments at both local and national level around the world. 

This job is an opportunity to lead a dynamic and committed team driving and shaping change on one of the foundational social justice issues of the day.

You will be working with a wide range of policy and practice stakeholders, as well as the families and volunteers involved with our Anyone’s Child campaign, to drive collective action for change.

You will help build organisational capacity while increasing our profile and impact; manage staff to develop synergies within the charity’s workstreams; and ensure financial stability, maintaining relationships with existing supporters while identifying further sources of income.

Transform is committed to diversity, inclusion and equality and we have an organisational culture that has anti-oppressive values at its core. The war on drugs disproportionately affects People of Colour, particularly people from African and Caribbean Heritage communities in the UK. We recognise the importance of drug policy reform being led by those most affected and would therefore particularly encourage applications from anyone from these communities.

Responsible to: Chair of the Board of Trustees

Hours: 4 or 5 days per week, negotiable. We would also consider applicants looking for a job share. Please state your preference in your application.

Location: The Station, Silver Street, Bristol (a mix of office and remote working with a minimum of one full day in the Bristol office per week)

Salary: £55,000 per annum pro-rata

Job description:

Strategic leadership

• Ensure our strategic vision is communicated effectively across the organisation and implemented across all our work 

• Lead on the evaluation and implementation of our strategy going forward

Fundraising and financial management

• Overall accountability for income generation, ensuring the organisation retains strong relationships with existing and potential funders and as well as diversifying income streams and maximising funding opportunities.

• Work with the Treasurer to ensure effective financial planning and accurate reporting

• Lead on setting annual budgets and developing financial plans

Advocacy and impact

• Ensure a strong synergy between our evidence, advocacy and lived experience to create powerful campaigns

• Oversee the implementation of our Communications and Public Affairs Strategies

• Act as a public champion for Transform, engaging with media and senior stakeholders national and internationally

• Ensure Transform maintains its credibility, reach and impact as a global leader on drug policy reform

• Seek out and develop new partnerships, creating new lines of support and political influence

Operational leadership

• Ensure our staff and volunteers remain highly motivated and effective

• Line manage staff – setting work plans, providing supervision and supporting development

• Work with our Operations Manager and the Board of Trustees to ensure our policies and procedures are updated and compliant

Governance

• Ensure good governance across the organisation including timely reporting to the board

• Ensure our documentation is up-to-date and that we maintain accurate records with the Charity Commission and other key organisations

• Ensure the board has full oversight of risks and compliance requirements

Person specification: skills, experience and approach to work:

Essential skills, knowledge and experience

• Ability to provide strategic leadership, effectively driving shared visions and goals

• A successful track record of income generation from a range of sources including individual giving and major donors.

• A values-based approach to leadership and the ability to maintain a positive work culture within the organisation where staff feel appreciated and supported and are also motivated to pursue the strategic goals of the organisation

• Strong understanding of campaigns leadership, navigating the use of evidence, messaging and narrative to maximise impact

• Strong understanding of policy landscapes and the dynamics of policy change

• Ability to engage confidently with research and apply it for impact in a campaigning context

• Experience providing operational leadership within a team

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with an ability to persuade and motivate both staff and external partners

• Strong understanding of oppression, equality, diversity and inclusion and an ability to apply that understanding both to the daily leadership of the organisation and to the wider drug policy environment

• Experience working with external stakeholders to create support or collaborate on projects

• Experience working with trustees or other governance structures

• Willingness and desire to engage in thought leadership, both within the organisation and externally

• A strong understanding of financial management, especially setting budgets and reporting

• Understanding of key compliance and safety issues including safeguarding, data protection, and health and safety

Desirable

• Experience of working in the policy sector: communicating evidence to decision-makers and / or advocating for a specific policy issue

• Experience effectively using social media to engage with key partners or the wider public 

• Experience producing public reports or other public-facing written materials

• Project management and operational skills

• Based within a short commute to our Bristol office

To apply for this post please send:

• Your CV and a covering letter describing your relevant experience, specifically how it relates to the person specification and what you hope to bring to Transform

• If you would like to discuss the opportunity in more detail, please contact Alex Feis-Bryce at Transform

• Shortlisting interviews will take place mid-December or early January.

• Deadline is 5pm on Monday 11th December