Job Description

Summary

• Lead Z2K, providing inspirational leadership to the organisation, fostering cohesion, innovation, shared purpose and engagement 

• Develop a long-term strategy focused on improving the welfare benefits system and raising the voices of those who have been most disadvantaged by welfare reform

• Lead on ensuring we deliver against annual plans and targets, including raising significant sustainable funds and creating the conditions to support our ambitious growth plans

• Represent Z2K in the media, government, supporters, donors and other stakeholders to ensure ongoing support and funding for Z2K and its work

• The ideal candidate will embrace our warm, positive and upbeat culture, and is an empowering leader who inspires and motivates people to deliver with passion and enthusiasm

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Provide outstanding leadership, modelling Z2K values,  to deliver the shared mission of the organisation

• Develop the strategy to achieve long-term sustainable growth that allows us to help more clients

• Ensure organisation-wide buy-in, communication and implementation of effective strategies

• Create and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders within and outside of the organization, including charity partners

• Successfully represent the organisation externally to funders, policy makers, media and other audiences

• Develop strategic alliances for effective fundraising and service delivery

Campaigning

• Work with the policy team to develop campaigns on an annual basis

• Represent our client’s needs and future needs legally and politically with a view to changing unjust policies or improving statutory processes, building on our successes to date

Income Generation

• Lead, following consultation with the Boards of Directors, in diversifying our funding and generating new income streams to resource the organisations’ growth strategies

• Manage relationships with major funders

Management

• Create an enabling, supportive, high-performing and accountable environment among staff and volunteers

• Enhance management capacity including in business development, service delivery, fundraising and marketing to ensure future growth

• Design and implement an appropriate structure to recruit and retain team members and ensure robust target setting and performance-monitoring procedures are in place

• Ensure all staff are recruited, managed, appraised and supported effectively according to agreed HR policies and practices

Finances and Operations

• Ensure strong financial management, including generating budgets, preparation of annual accounts and overseeing all required reporting, working with the external accountant and bookkeeper

• Develop and implement plans to improve systems and processes that support growth strategies and extend the scope, quality and accessibility of our services

Governance

• Ensure that Z2K builds on its current high level of quality service and client satisfaction, continues to meet the outcome targets agreed with funders, and meets the quality requirements of AQS or other accrediting body

• Ensure a positive and constructive relationship with the Board. Demonstrate sound judgement and maintain appropriate levels of communication with the Board on the progress of the organisation (and on all other matters relevant to the Board’s responsibilities)

• Ensure compliance with all the legislative requirements and regulations of the Charity Commission

Person Specification

• Demonstrable commitment to improving the welfare benefits system and raising the voices of those who have been most disadvantaged by welfare reform

• Proven experience of growing the impact of an organisation and managing change aligned to strategy and culture

• Highly numerate and able to analyse complex data and to exercise sound, evidence-based judgment

• Experience of developing an organisational strategy, working closely with senior staff and other stakeholders to ensure the strategy clarifies and articulates the future direction of the organisation

• A natural networker with highly developed influencing skills with the ability to develop and nurture a good relationship with the Media

• Track record of growing and diversifying funding and income streams

• Demonstrable experience of building and sustaining relationships with internal and external stakeholders

• Experience of strategic planning and programme delivery and embedding change and making key contributions to business-critical outcomes

• Experience of reporting to a trustee board and a track record of inspiring confidence in all those they interact with including external stakeholders