Senior practitioner jobs

About Us

The Greater Manchester Women’s Support Alliance (GMWSA) was established in 2016 by seven organisations who provide support services to women across all ten boroughs in Greater Manchester (GM) who may be vulnerable or have unmet support needs.

We came together as the GMWSA in order to ensure that our collective voice is heard by policy makers and commissioners of services. We represent the interests of our beneficiaries and service users, we share good practice and experience and ensure that no service operates in isolation. GMWSA is now formed of nine Member and Associate Member women’s centres having a presence in each of the 10 local authority areas across GM all of whom are collectively funded to deliver support services across GM to women either involved in the Criminal Justice System, or whose vulnerability and marginalisation leaves them at risk of offending, but all also have individual funding streams to ensure their provision reaches every woman in need of support.

Alliance members offer a full range of services to women who need support around issues such as domestic abuse, housing, mental health, substance misuse, education, employment, training, and confidence/self-esteem, all delivered with a trauma responsive approach. 

This post is open to WOMEN ONLY, exempt under the Sex Discrimination Act (1975) Section 7(2) and in accordance with our safeguarding procedures, will require a DBS check.

Purpose of the Role 

We are looking for a Chief Executive Officer to join GMWSA to transform the Alliance to meet future challenges around function and funding.

You will shape and implement the strategic direction of the Alliance, ensure the smooth running of the charity, provide leadership to staff, support the Board of Trustees to fulfil its strategic and governance duties and ensure the delivery of grants and contracts.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic Direction

• Provide leadership and direction for the organisation and its staff in line with our vision.
• Clearly articulate and communicate GMWSAs vision, mission and values to staff, partners and others.
• Drive GMWSA’s strategy and business plan while establishing clear targets.
• Lead the development of innovative programs and services that align with GMWSA's mission.
• Ensure awareness of relevant current and changing legislation and good practice.
• Proactively build, maintain and leverage relationships with strategic partners, stakeholders and influencers to shape policy, secure support and ensure GMWSA’s voice is heard in key local and national forums.

Supporting the Board

• Responsibility for working with and advising the Board of Trustees with regard to strategic developments, delivery of grants and contracts, opportunities and challenges.
• Responsibility for working with the Board to develop the relationship with members.
• Support the Board of Trustees to ensure that the organisation is in all aspects legally and financially compliant and operating to best practice.
• Advise and work with the Chair and Board of Trustees in developing its structures.
• Ensure GMWSA has up-to-date policies on safeguarding, data protection and other regulatory requirements and that these are reviewed regularly and adhered to.
• Act as Company Secretary and Safeguarding Lead for the charity, undertaking appropriate training as necessary.
• Develop and maintain a risk management strategy to identify, monitor, and mitigate risks affecting GMWSA, including financial, legal, and reputational risks. 

External Affairs

• Promote and encourage multi-agency partnerships with third sector, statutory bodies and the funding and delivery of projects, following our code of ethics and strategy.
• Ensure effective participation in relevant local and regional networks and foster relationships with community leaders and stakeholders.
• Oversee the development of systems to measure the organisation's impact, ensuring clear, evidence-based reporting of outcomes to funders and stakeholders.
• Lead on using evaluation findings to drive improvements in services, delivery models and organisational strategy.
• Represent the work of GMWSA in publicity and media opportunities, with quotes and interviews, ensuring a consistently good public image and reputation. 

Finances and Fundraising

• Accountable for fundraising from a range of sources to deliver GMWSA’s agreed strategic objectives in the medium term and working towards an increased sustainability in the long term.
• Responsibility for liaising with funders, writing applications and applying for grants from various government funds, trusts and foundations.
• Responsibility for securing corporate partnership.
• Ensure grants are spent appropriately within aims of the charity, the grants’ terms and in accordance with Charity Commissioner regulation.
• Ensure effective grant management processes are in place across member organisation in order to deliver grants and contracts.
• Report to funders in a timely and accurate way.
• Oversee budget management.
• Oversee all financial reporting ensuring it is accurate and done on a timely and regular basis, including the annual accounts/annual report.

People Management

• Provide leadership, direction and motivation for the team of staff, ensuring supervision and appraisals are carried out regularly.
• Lead on embedding EDI principles and ensuring the GMWSA’s policies and practices reflect its commitment to antidiscrimination and inclusivity.
• Lead initiatives to strengthen internal infrastructure to align with long term strategic goals.
• Ensure robust professional development opportunities for staff fostering an environment of learning and growth. 

Digital Transformation

• Ensure GMWSA is compliant with funder requirements to become IASME accredited.
• Develop and lead a digital transformation strategy to improve internal processes, communication, and service delivery, making the most of emerging technologies.

Person Specification

Knowledge and Experience

• Proven ability to think strategically and develop and implement long-term plans.
• Experience of leading organisational change and managing periods of transition.
• Experience of managing a dedicated team with a range of roles and responsibilities.
• In-depth knowledge of the charity sector, including relevant legislation, best practice, and compliance requirements.
• Strong understanding of financial planning, budgeting, and financial management, including preparation for year-end in line with Charity SORP.
• Proven track record of securing funding from a range of sources, including trusts, foundations, statutory bodies, and commissioners.
• Experience of managing commissioned services or programmes of work.
• Understanding of safeguarding responsibilities and risk management.
• Working knowledge of data protection regulations and responsibilities.
• Knowledge of national and regional policies relevant to our work, including a strong understanding of the VCFSE landscape in Greater Manchester.
• Understanding of the role of a Board of Trustees with experience enabling good governance and compliance.

Skills and Leadership Style

• A motivational and collaborative leadership style that fosters trust and enables people to thrive.
• Ability to develop and communicate a compelling strategic vision that inspires internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent public speaking and presentation skills, with the ability to represent the organisation with credibility and impact.
• Strong written communication skills for funding applications, reports, policy responses, and wider communications.
• Ability to build and sustain positive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders and strategic partners.
• Strong critical reasoning and listening skills; able to analyse and synthesise complex information and make sound decisions.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, balancing short-term pressures with long-term strategic goals.
• Proven ability to lead service and organisational development, including improving systems and processes for greater efficiency and impact.

Values and Personal Qualities

• High level of empathy and understanding of the challenges experienced by the communities we support.
• Committed to the values, vision, and social purpose of the Alliance.
• A strong advocate for equality, diversity, and inclusion, actively embedding these principles in our culture and practice.
• Personal resilience, with the ability to remain focused and effective under pressure.
• Open to alternative perspectives and committed to listening to diverse voices to inform decision-making.

Accountable to: The Board of Trustees

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Salary: £45,000 - £47,000 per annum dependent on experience.

Pension: 5%

Annual Leave: 25 days, plus bank holidays and the days between Christmas and New Year, rising by 1 day per year of continued service to a maximum of 30 days.