At Make Votes Matter (MVM), our mission is to achieve real democracy via the necessary step of equal votes.
We lead the movement to introduce Proportional Representation (PR) to the House of Commons. We combine the power of people taking action from the grassroots up, with coordinated activity by a cross-party Alliance of politicians, public figures, parties and organisations to win PR in years, rather than decades.
About the role
As CEO, you'll support us through a new stage in our development. We're operating in a fluid political environment and so our new leader needs to be confident to work in a political setting while also having the skills and experience to run an organisation like ours.
You'll take ultimate responsibility for our campaign to achieve Proportional Representation in the House of Commons. You will:
- as leader of the campaign, be primarily responsible for building the popular and political momentum needed to secure this seismic reform;
- as leader of the organisation, be primarily responsible for defining and executing MVM’s strategy, while ensuring its good financial health and legal and regulatory compliance; and
- as leader to our staff and volunteer team, be primarily responsible for providing clarity of direction while ensuring the organisation maintains a collaborative, empowering and inspiring culture.
You will:
- lead the UK campaign for Proportional Representation;
- ensure MVM has a clear external brand, with consistent messages, effective and emotive arguments, and impactful use of evidence;
- be a spokesperson for the organisation on a variety of public platforms including national media and at key MVM events;
- create and strengthen relationships with key stakeholders;
- lead on development of MVM's post-election strategic plan;
- line manage and delegate responsibilities to staff, as appropriate;
- take ultimate responsibility for the good governance of MVM, including but not limited to the organisation’s financial health, legal compliance, and good standing with regulatory bodies;
- with support of relevant MVM staff, to ensure that the Board is supported in performing its governance role;
- support and comply with MVM’s policies active within the organisation pertinent to the role; and
- undertake other related duties as required to assist MVM in meeting its objectives.
About you
This job is for you if:
- you have a track-record as a successful leader in an organisation of comparable size, or equivalent managerial or director experience;
- you have political or campaigning experience, an understanding of the UK’s democracy sector and an ability to work in a non-partisan, cross-party way;
- you have experience of being a spokesperson on public platforms;
- you have a collaborative approach to team management and facilitating empowerment of staff;
- you have prior experience of good governance practices, financial planning and managing an operation to tight budgets;
- you are an experienced leader of people, able to ensure coherent and aligned activities across staff, governance and volunteer teams that support the overall objectives and enable high impact campaigns to be realised;
- you have excellent communication and influencing skills and the ability to convey a message with impact and inspire trust; being comfortable communicating with senior stakeholders, volunteers, staff and funders;
- you are a high achiever with an ambitious mindset; and
- you have a strong personal commitment to winning Proportional Representation.
Campaigning for Proportional Representation for the House of Commons
Job Title: Admin/Customer Services
Reports To: CEO
Main Purpose of Job
To ensure the smooth running of the sales floor and main office to offer a high-quality service to donators and customers.
Main Responsibilities
- Serving customers, dealing with enquiries, arranging delivery when necessary
- Processing cash, card and other customer payments
- Arranging for approved donations of furniture to be collected
- Handling product returns and payment refund requests
- Helping with movement, inventory and presentation of stock in the warehouse
- To assist in the movement of stock by road transport, including van driving.
- To assist and support new volunteers as directed. Ensure that volunteers understand the customer service standards that we aspire to as an organisation
- To follow all statutory Health and Safety requirements and those detailed in the organisation’s Health and Safety policy and risk assessments
- Work flexibly and to be prepared to contribute to all areas of work in the organisation
- Collect and share feedback from volunteers, work placement trainees, donors and customers with the CEO
- To undertake any other reasonable tasks as deemed necessary by the CEO
- To promote equal opportunities and value diversity in accordance with Statutory and Sofa’s Equal Opportunity and Diversity Policy
- To undertake any other duties as required by Sofa Trustees which are consistent with the aims and objectives of Sofa
Other Requirements
- Adhere to Sofa’s Health and Safety Policy
- Work flexibly throughout the week excluding Sundays
- Attend occasional meetings
Provide affordable household items, help volunteers get back into employment and save the environment by diverting tone of furniture from landfill