Candidate Pack October 2017

Transcription

1 CREATOR AND OWNER OF THE WORK EXPERIENCE QUALITY STANDARD BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Candidate Pack October 2017 Fair Train (Group Training Association) Limited Registered as a company limited by guarantee Company number: ; Registered charity number:

2 Introduction and welcome from Rod Natkiel, CEO Thank you for showing interest in Fair Train; it s very much appreciated. As you will see in the summary in the Job Description, Fair Train was established eight years ago to support employers in the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) by encouraging their greater realisation of the benefits to workforce development of apprenticeships, the availability of which was extremely limited within the sector at that time. Fair Train s founders were keen to raise awareness of the positive impact that work-based learning can have on individuals and organisations, both in their local context and in the wider economy. Fair Train has developed and grown exponentially since those early days. We still, of course, passionately believe in the benefits of workforce development - not only for those people, especially young people, who want to kick-start their careers, but also for employers looking to recruit the best talent and see the best results. We still, of course, see our work as essential to future workforce development, but we are now playing a significant role in all sectors, not just the VCS. Key to our development and expansion was creating the national Work Experience Quality Standard accreditation that has now improved the work experience journey for hundreds of organisations and thousands of people across the UK. In March 2013, the UK Commission for Employment and Skills funded us with 1 million over three years to do this and we delivered. We have made truly significant progress in promoting the Work Experience Quality Standard in a wide range of not-for-profit organisations as well as in commercial businesses of all types who are keen to improve the quality of work-based learning. Believing that work experience should be celebrated, we also run the annual national Work Experience Week/Month campaign. Recognition of the importance of what Fair Train does is reflected in the support we get from organisations and firms in all sectors, funders, agencies and government departments and ministers. But every organisation needs to grow and develop, and we are no exception. We are looking to appoint a Business Development Manager with the skills, experience and knowledge to work enthusiastically alongside the CEO, with a broad range of stakeholders and funders and supported by our Board of Trustees and wider team, to drive forward our work, to increase and broaden our stakeholder base and to help us realise our vision and strategic objectives. They too are changing to reflect our expanded role. Though only recently amended and still to be ratified by the Board, they have evolved to: VISION Our vision is that every organisation in the UK will have a highly trained workforce that is constantly evolving to be fit for the future, and that that every organisation in the UK will offer high quality workbased learning opportunities so that everyone who wishes to undertake it can access the opportunity, whatever and wherever their field of interest. MISSION Whilst retaining our focus on Voluntary and Community Sector organisations, our mission is to enable as many UK employers as possible to achieve high quality workforce development that enhances their sustainability and strengthens civil society by offering the broadest range of work experience and that as many people as possible, especially the young, can access high quality work experience at the key moments in their careers. continued FAIR TRAIN Business Development Manager October 2017 Page 2 of 9

3 SPECIFIC AIMS AS THE GTA FOR THE VOLUNTARY AND COMMUNITY SECTOR As the Group Training Association (GTA) for the VCS, Fair Train will act as an independent voice for the sector to: Represent the voices of VCS employers, learning providers and learners at the national strategic level; Champion and improve workforce and career development within the sector; Promote and increase the quality and quantity of work experience opportunities of all types; Promote fairness and equity within vocational training and employment opportunities. Support sustainable employment for young people within the sector. This is a small but growing charity which has enjoyed year-on-year progression and a very strong Continuing that growth in all aspects of Fair Train s activities is something in which the Business Development Manager will play a key role, alongside and supporting the Chief Executive. It will be challenging and hard work, but I am certain that it will be an extremely fulfilling and exciting role which is rich in opportunity, not least in the post-holder s professional development. We all understand that any candidate will have greater experience and a higher level of skills and knowledge in some aspects of the requirements of this role than in others, and we will provide support for development in those. Spotting, initiating, securing, developing and maintaining relationships is key to our continuing business development and, of course, to securing external financial support. The Board and I are very excited by this new phase in the organisation s development and growth and are confident that this is a great opportunity for the right person to help Fair Train to achieve our ambitious objectives and I am looking forward enormously to working closely with our new Business Development Manager. I am acutely aware of the time and thought required to complete a good application, so I thank you most sincerely, in advance, for doing this and I very much look forward to hearing from you. ROD NATKIEL CEO FAIR TRAIN Business Development Manager October 2017 Page 3 of 9

4 FAIR TRAIN BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Job Description and Person Specification Post title: Reports to: Direct reports: Business Development Manager Chief Executive (CEO) None at present FAIR TRAIN BACKGROUND Fair Train is now the national expert in all forms of work experience, which includes work placements, internships, traineeships, volunteering and apprenticeships. It is also the Group Training Association (GTA) for the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS). Fair Train created and owns the national Work Experience Quality Standard, an accreditation that acts as a step-by-step guide to developing a high-quality work experience programme and as demonstration of best practice delivery. Fair Train also created Work Experience Week, an annual national campaign, first staged in 2015, to celebrate work experience and shine a light on employers and providers who deliver high quality work experience programmes. In 2016, Work Experience Week started with a national conference. In 2017, Work Experience Week has evolved into Work Experience Month, incorporated into which are five conferences staged around the UK. As the leading expert in work experience in the UK, Fair Train guides and coaches organisations to develop best practice, raises awareness of the power of work experience and strives to increase the quantity and quality of provision which is accessible to all. It is also associated and working closely with many agencies and organisations in this field, including the Institute for Apprenticeships for which it is leading the development of a new Trailblazer apprenticeship standard for the VCS: a prime example of Fair Train s role as the sector s Group Training Association. Recognition of its expertise and experience in the field of work experience is demonstrated by Fair Train being frequently asked to speak and lead workshops at major events and conferences, contribute articles etc. Fair Train was established in 2009 to focus the VCS on vitally needed workforce development and, in particular, to increase appreciation in the sector of the benefits of apprenticeships. It received support from the National Apprenticeships Service to set up and run the organisation and, in 2010, it was awarded project funding from the Learning and Skills Council to develop into a Group Training Association (GTA) for the VCS. Fair Train grew quickly. Major impact was achieved through the delivery of a 3-year Employer Pathways project which resulted in the development of Fair Train s Work Experience Quality Standard. This standard constitutes the Work Experience frameworks and kite marks that are now widely recognised and respected for their thoroughness and independence, maintained through rigorous audits, and which have been adopted by organisations of all sizes and types in all sectors throughout the country. continued FAIR TRAIN Business Development Manager October 2017 Page 4 of 9

5 Fair Train now provides best practice guidance and coaching to Work Experience Quality Standard accredited employers and learning providers in all sectors throughout the UK. These range from learning providers like Sheffield College, The Skills Company and RNIB College, through to prisons, major public-sector bodies (including the NHS, with whom we have a very large, wide-ranging partnership) and private sector firms including British Airways, Sky, Cisco International and Bentley Motors. Recently, Fair Train has extended its service to provide support to accredited facilitators (like Develop EBP) which act as the broker between employers and the providers of work experience. In November 2016, Fair Train started a new chapter when Rod Natkiel joined as its CEO. Rod s role is to lead the organisation s further growth, through both the expansion and broadening of the Work Experience Quality Standard and the development of other services to be offered by the organisation. Rod s approach is that Fair Train is one team, in which every member full-time or part-time staff, trainee/s and/or apprentices and Board members - is key to the organisation s success and is valued accordingly. The members of the Board bring substantial and wide-ranging experience and knowledge to that team and are very supportive and participatory. FAIR TRAIN Business Development Manager October 2017 Page 5 of 9

6 FAIR TRAIN BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER: Job Description SUMMARY This is a new role. As well as stewarding our existing accredited organisations, the Business Development Manager (BDM) will identify, initiate, develop, manage, build relationships with and secure the Work Experience Quality Standard accreditation of large numbers of employers, learning providers and facilitators in all sectors in the UK who are delivering high quality work experience programmes and, through their accreditation fees, increase Fair Train s revenues. The BDM will also secure funding through other channels, e.g. grants, trusts and foundations and sponsorship. In addition, the BDM will play an active role in the organisation s strategic planning and implementation, and in its management and administration, i.e. supporting the CEO in all aspects of Fair Train s activities and in forward planning to grow the organisation and increase its impact. KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Where audits is used below, this refers to visits carried out by Fair Train to accredited organisations to review their work experience activity and to confirm the continuation and level of their accreditation). Identify, develop and maintain key relationships with employers, learning providers and facilitators to meet agreed targets in the increase of the uptake of Fair Train s Work Experience Quality Standard accreditation; Work closely with the CEO to develop new or extended products and services that will increase Fair Train s presence, impact and revenues; Lead projects and initiatives as reasonably required by the CEO, for example managing and analysing data returns, setting up audits by Trustees and, in particular, pursuing grant funding and funding from trusts and foundations; Provide ongoing support and stewardship to organisations accredited with the Work Experience Quality Standard to add value to their accreditation, to enable the sharing of best practice and to ensure that these organisations remain confident that they are getting excellent value for their accreditation fees; Ensure the robustness of the Work Experience Quality Standard accreditation by carrying out audits and reviewing the delivery of accredited organisations; Develop and maintain knowledge relevant to Fair Train s activities in all sectors, especially key developments (e.g. T-Levels), with the support of other staff and the Board; Develop and maintain relationships with appropriate and influential individuals, agencies and other organisations; Make active use of information and resources gained via personal networks to inform the development of this role; Deliver CPD training, workshops and guidance to accredited organisations; Continued FAIR TRAIN Business Development Manager October 2017 Page 6 of 9

7 Commit to own continual professional development; Support the CEO to develop the annual national Work Experience Week/Month campaign and any other such campaigns or brand development initiatives that may be developed; In the event of there being addition/s or amendments to Fair Train s staffing, undertake management of direct report/s as may be reasonably required by the CEO; Act as an ambassador and spokesperson for Fair Train at events, conferences and exhibitions to influence debate, practice and policy and to promote awareness of Fair Train and its development as a brand; Play an active role in Fair Train s communications with principal responsibility for its social media communications, but also involvement in e-newsletter preparation, website updating, and social media and website analysis, as directed by the CEO; Perform any other administrative and operational activities as reasonably required by the CEO, including the maintenance and updating of key information database/s; providing regular updates and progress reports, including appropriate Board reports; preparation or drafting documents (e.g. our Impact Report) papers and bids; financial actions and reporting; the creation and management of events. Deputise for the CEO as reasonably required. HOURS Your normal working time will be 37.5 hours per week. However, as this is a senior role, you may be expected to work out of office hours, which may include evenings and weekends, and/or additional hours as may be reasonably required to meet the needs of the organisation. These will normally be compensated with time off in lieu. LOCATION This post will be home based (you will be provided with a Fair Train laptop and mobile phone), with regular face-to-face meetings with the CEO as scheduled by him and with regular digital communication with the CEO and other Fair Train personnel. You must have the willingness and ability to undertake extensive and regular nationwide travel to various locations within the UK and, if required, outside the UK. Overnight stays and/or a very early start to your working day may sometimes be required. TERM, PROBATIONARY PERIOD AND SALARY Appointment will be subject to satisfactory references and there will be a six-month probationary period (standard for Fair Train). You will be entitled to 25 days annual leave, to be scheduled in consultation with and approved by the CEO, plus 8 statutory bank holidays. Salary will be c. 37,500 p.a. dependent on experience. FAIR TRAIN Business Development Manager October 2017 Page 7 of 9

8 FAIR TRAIN BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER: Person Specification SUMMARY There is huge potential for what Fair Train s Business Development Manager might achieve. This is an exciting, new opportunity for someone with wide-ranging skills and capabilities: charismatic, dynamic, enthusiastic and ambitious; hard-working. results driven, persuasive and persistent, but diplomatic, flexible in approach and reliably able to act as an ambassador for his/her organisation in all circumstances; an ideas person and big thinker, but who also enjoys bouncing ideas around within a team; someone who enjoys getting and keeping things organised and can tolerate dealing with minutiae and mundane tasks; a passionate but clear communicator; an excellent and supportive colleague who is always willing to help out with major or minor tasks. ESSENTIAL Self-motivated and proven experience of ability to work on own initiative, whilst also a committed and effective team worker. Experience of devising and implementing effective and quantifiably successful business development and/or sales strategies. Innovative thinker, with ability to come up with creative new ideas. Excellent: Written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills. Presentation skills. Relationship building, influencing and networking skills. Project management, administrative and organisational skills. Able to prioritise workload and to work calmly and effectively under pressure. IT and (in particular) Social Media literate. Ability to exercise sound judgement, sensitivity and political awareness in working with multiple stakeholders. Receptive to the constantly changing environment in which s/he will be operating. Willingness to develop new skills and take on new areas of responsibility. Willingness to work outside standard hours and to travel in and outside the UK as reasonably required. Full, clean UK driving licence. DESIRABLE Sound knowledge of the education sector and/or the voluntary sector and/or the public sector. Sound knowledge of the UK and contacts in many parts of the country Experience of managing staff and/or trainees and/or volunteers. Experience/understanding of working for a not-for-profit organisation. Experience/understanding of marketing and brand management. Experience of contract management. Car-owner or use of a car on a frequent basis. FAIR TRAIN Business Development Manager October 2017 Page 8 of 9

9 HOW TO APPLY Unless you have already accessed it, you should download an application form from the Jobs section of the Fair Train website ( and complete it. If you experience any problem with this, please and ask for it to be sent to you. The form includes a 1-2 (maximum) page statement in which you should detail your interest in the job and highlight how your skills, attributes, capabilities and experience meet the criteria in the job description and person specification and how they will enable you to achieve the objectives, tasks and responsibilities specified. Please return your completed application form to recruitment@fairtrain.org If you wish to arrange an informal and confidential discussion about the opportunity, or for any additional enquiries, please enquiries@fairtrain.org stating BDM recruitment enquiry clearly in the subject line. However, please do NOT submit applications to this address. Fair Train believes strongly in equality of opportunity and diversity, and welcomes applications from all candidates who meet the criteria listed in the job description and person specification. Closing date/time Midnight (GMT), Monday 16 th October 2017 Interview date Thursday 26 th October 2017 in London (venue TBA) (This date and venue may change; candidates will be advised at the earliest possible opportunity, should this happen). Shortlisted candidates being invited for interview will be notified by the end of Saturday 21 st October Whilst we strongly advise applicants not to devote much time to the following task until they know if they have been shortlisted for interview, you may wish to give it some preliminary thought. Each interview will be asked to start his/her interview with a succinct presentation pitch of 5 minutes (maximum) duration, using a PowerPoint presentation as an integral component. You should pitch to the interviewing panel as representing a hypothetical public-sector employer of your choice (e.g. NHS Trust, police service, prison service etc.) [1] explaining the benefits to them of offering Work Experience (in any of its forms), and [2] selling them the idea and benefits of getting accreditation with the Work Experience Quality Standard. FAIR TRAIN Business Development Manager October 2017 Page 9 of 9