The Regional Lead, Midlands, Central and South West England will play a central role in helping us achieve our vision for an end for the need for food banks in the UK. This is a varied, proactive and fast-paced role which involves both the leadership of a dynamic team of Area Managers and volunteers, and the day-to-day coordination of region-wide projects and partnerships. They will be responsible for managing the Area Manager team across the Midlands, Central and South West England, including providing coaching to enhance performance and holding regular 1:1s, in order to provide food banks with support that aligns with our approaches of service, collaboration, expertise and transparency. They will oversee the delivery of regional projects and partnerships, including mobilising volunteers, as part of the Trussell Trust five-year strategy to help food banks reduce the need for their services locally.  The role requires someone who thinks strategically to achieve results and is solutions-oriented in approach.

Responsibilities

 Strategic Leadership:

• Lead the regional roll-out of the Trussell Trust’s five-year strategy to end the need for food banks, which includes a focus on the strategic themes of Changing Communities; Changing Minds; and Changing Policy.

• Build partnerships with organisations across the region to identify new opportunities to enhance services and develop approaches that help end the need for food banks.

• Engage with local politicians, church and community organisations and research bodies to promote The Trussell Trust’s policy, research and campaigning strategy as required.

• ·Drive a culture of innovation, resourcefulness and change within the region.

• Support the Head of Network Services in the development of systems, processes and stakeholder communication to ensure service excellence, including identifying process improvements with the Area team.

 Team Leadership:

• Provide leadership, direction, support and line management to the Area Managers and the foodbank project manager.  This will include regular 1:1s and annual reviews to ensure objectives and key results are met.

• Maximize the functionality and productivity of the Area team to deliver our core support offering to food banks in the region, including identifying and deploying strengths and subject matter expertise within the team to effectively serve the region.

• Work with the Trussell Trust’s volunteering team to recruit, train and support a network of regional volunteers.

• Line manage, direct and guide the Trussell Trust governed foodbank to set and deliver a vision in line with The Trussell Trust’s five-year strategy.

 Risk Management:

• Ensure consistent quality assurance of foodbanks across the region, in line with guidance from the Safeguarding and Quality team at the Trussell Trust.

• Support Area Managers to deal with complaints and effectively manage high risk foodbanks.

 Cross-organisational working:

• Act as a liaison between the Area team, the Trussell Trust operations central team, and other directorates, managing the flow of ideas and feedback to positive effect. 

• Attend Operations Management meetings and cross-organisational working groups, and follow-up with relevant actions/roll outs in the region.

• Any other reasonable duties as specified by your line manager to support the work of the Trussell Trust.