Role Purpose

• To lead, influence and strategically develop the relationships within the RSPCA’s network of federated charities (branches) building a new sustainable branch model which delivers consistent animal welfare and secures the RSPCA’s long-term future.

• To consolidate and strengthen the Society’s relationship with the branch network and build a new model of branch support.

• To develop partnerships externally to the RSPCA e.g. with other charities, voluntary bodies and external agencies, which support our strategic objectives.

• To Deputise to the Director of Field Operations as required
  
  

 Principal Accountabilities

• To provide a pivotal leadership role within RSPCA Operations, contributing to the work of the Operations Senior Leadership Team. To act as a senior leader within the RSPCA and to lead cross-functional working groups when needed.

• To ensure governance and consistent performance reviews across Field Operations led by the Operations Performance Manager

• Leading an effective and dynamic Partnerships function as part of the development of our evolving strategic plan.

• To lead a review of the Branch Rules.

• To make key recommendations and decisions on strategic planning for The Society, which have positive and significant operational impacts.

• To collaboratively lead cross-functional projects with numerous stakeholders, ensuring positive and sustainable outcomes.

• To build effective relationships with colleagues in the Inspectorate, Veterinary and Field Operations teams, being a role model for collaborative working.

• To provide inspiring leadership across the Branches & Partnerships teams, fostering innovation, consistency and striving for positive and meaningful change.

• To develop a people plan for the Branches & Partnerships function which ensures the team is highly engaged, motivated and developed. To build succession plans for key roles. To build a diverse and inclusive team.

• To provide expert advice and instilling confidence in considered and accurate decision making by the

Branches & Partnerships team

• To lead a performance culture supported by timely and accurate reporting; using KPIs to effectively support the management of insights-driven performance consistently throughout the Partnerships team, in a positive and robust manner.

• To interpret, analyse and manage complex financial information, ensuring rigorous oversight and flexibility within the business plan and budget to take advantage of opportunities as when they arise and be able to switch spend between channels and products to ensure maximum effectiveness.

• To build effective relationships with counterparts in other animal welfare charities in order to share best practices.

Branches

• To lead the Branch Sustainability workstream in collaboration with the Regional Chairs on the Branch Affairs Committee

• To ensure regular and consistent performance reviews of the branch network, supported by the Operations Performance Manager

• To lead an effective strategy to improve Downed (special measures) Branches, working to minimise the instances of this happening and in turn minimising the time a branch is under the National Society’s control

• To work cross-functionally to develop an improved way of working between the National Society and Branches, including finance and legal, to deliver revised branch ‘rules’ that are appropriate for a modern organisation

• To build the new support hub for branches and to act as the interface between centres of excellence in the Society e.g. digital, comms and legal in order to ensure best practice is adopted consistently by the branch network.

External Partnerships

• In line with our evolving strategic objectives, lead the development of a network of external partnerships which allows the RSPCA to deliver its priorities of focusing on neglect and cruelty cases. This network will be broad and encompass other animal welfare organisations as well as national and local agencies (e.g. police and local authorities) and the private sector.

Volunteering

• Supporting the step-change in the Society’s adoption of volunteers, significantly increasing numbers.

Networking

• To develop a single, national, model of networking across the RSPCA which ensures high levels of animal welfare are delivered consistently. Liaise effectively with the licensing team to ensure effective use of PBEs and controlling costs. Transition drivers to be a volunteer-focused team.