Application pack for West Midlands SSE Chief Executive Officer Thank you for your interest in applying for the role of Chief Executive Officer at the West Midlands School for Social Entrepreneurs. We have put together some information below which we hope will provide some useful context and an understanding of the organisation and job role. You can also visit our website www.the-sse.org.uk and please do contact us for a more in-depth discussion if you d like more detail on the role after reading through this pack. About the School for Social Entrepreneurs SSE was founded in 1997 by Michael Young. Its mission is to address inequalities and social exclusion by supporting social entrepreneurs from all backgrounds to transform their talent into real social outcomes, in the form of sustainable solutions to poverty and disadvantage in communities. It does this through the use of actionlearning based programmes of personal and organisational development. SSE supports individuals to realise their potential and to establish, scale and sustain, social enterprises and social businesses across the UK, Australia and Canada. About SSE West Midlands SSE works on a social franchising model. Each school is an independent company (or hosted by another organisation) and operates in a clearly defined geographical location, in our case the whole of the West Midlands region. We are a Company Limited by Guarantee. As a network of schools, we work together in numerous ways including the nationwide delivery of a learning programme across the UK and sharing knowledge and good practice across the globe. We also operate within a set of agreed quality standards which ensures that the work we do is of a consistently high standard across all schools.
West Midlands SSE is a new school and we are currently recruiting our first cohort of 17 students who will start on the Lloyds Banking Group Social Entrepreneurs programme in October 2013. We have a range of local partners, funders and supporters and we are in the process of forming a Board of Directors who will provide a strategic steer to the work of the organisation in the years to come. About the Job This job is exciting, challenging and demanding. We have secured start-up funding from local partners and a have a contract to deliver our first learning programme but we don't yet have a leader - we are looking for someone to build the business, put us on the map and make a huge social impact across the West Midlands. The key priority for the successful candidate will be to design and implement a business model and strategic plan in partnership with the Board that will ensure West Midlands SSE has a financially sustainable future in the region. This will involve securing funding for additional programmes to run alongside the Lloyds Banking Group programme and actively raising the profile of SSE across the region. About the Person You will need the right balance of wllingness to get stuck in and ability to formulate strategy and see the bigger picture. You ll need to be able to attract funding (whether grant or corporate) and identify opportunities for generating other revenue. Ideally you ll have great networks across the region but at the very least, you ll need to demonstrate that you have the ability to create those networks very quickly. You will have the ability to work effecitvely with a Board and to get the best from them. Above all, you ll be passionate about helping people to develop and about social entrepreneurship. If you ve got passion, ideas, influencing skills, confidence and business savvy, we d love to hear from you! How to Apply Please email a copy of your CV and a personal statement outlining your suitability for the post by addressing the Person Specification to Leah McPherson at leah.mcpherson@sse.org.uk The closing date for applications is 10am on Monday 15 th April 2013. Interviews will take place on Thursday 25 th April 2013. Additional Information For more information or for an informal chat about the job role, please contact Leah McPherson, Central SSE Network Manager on 020 7089 9120.
Job Description Chief Executive Officer Salary Scale: Hours of work: Contract: Reporting to: Annual leave Flexibility: Location: Travel: Notice Period: 35,000-45,000 per annum pro rata (negotiable depending on hours, skills & experience) 21-35 hours per week (negotiable based on availability and required outputs) Permanent subject to funding (6 month probationary period) Board of Directors 24 days (excluding Bank Holidays) pro rata There is considerable flexibility within this role subject to prior discussion and agreement at the time of appointment. There is an expectation that the successful candidate will be willing to adapt his/her working hours to suit the needs of the organisation In the short-term and while the organisation is in start-up mode, this role is likely to be home based or in a flexible hotdesking environment. In the longer term, the successful candidate will be responsible for establishing a permanent location for the school This role requires regular travel across the West Midlands and on occasion, travels to other parts of the UK 3 months Summary of the Post An exciting and challenging opportunity exists for an inspiring individual to establish and lead the new West Midlands-School for Social Entrepreneurs (WM-SSE). The CEO has overall responsibility for establishing and managing the new WM-SSE with a focus on business development, team leadership and promotion of the organisation and its social impact. A high degree of partnership working, networking and championing the school is required and the successful applicant will be able to quickly establish strong connections and effective partnerships across the West Midlands region. Full induction into SSE services, processes and brand management will be provided by SSE Central. Priority Tasks 1. Work with the Chair of the Board to formulate, implement and regularly review the organisation s mission and strategic plan; ensure all systems and processes are in place to monitor annual plans, targets and social impact 2. Be responsible for staff leadership, management and administration of the organisation; recruit team members, volunteers, mentors, supporters and sponsors
3. Publicise, promote and maintain a high profile for WM-SSE across the region 4. Work with the Chair to ensure that the Board receives appropriate advice and information on all relevant matters and enable it to fulfil its governance responsibilities Further detail on tasks and deliverables Working with the Board: Ensure appropriate presentation and reporting to the Board on the progress of WM-SSE and on all matters relevant to the discharge of its responsibilities As agreed with the Chair, develop strategic plans, business and policy proposals for Board discussion and decision Support the Chair in ensuring the continued engagement and involvement of all members of the Board As appropriate, monitor and advise on the composition of the Board and the process of self-assessment and development Ensure an annual calendar of Board meetings is in place Staff and organisational leadership and management: Ensure that a long-term strategic plan is in place which will guide the organisation in achieving objectives and a financially sustainable business model Enable the organisation to articulate its company philosophy and value base; ensure that these are consistently applied across the organisation Be responsible to the Board for the overall financial health of the organisation; ensure that expenditure is controlled in line with budgets as approved by the Board Ensure the organisation discharges its constitutional and legal obligations Provide leadership to the staff team; keep under review and appraise the work of staff and volunteers Ensure that the organisation has the resources (human, material and financial) to operate as effectively as possible Establish and implement appropriate HR, financial and grant management systems. Oversee the planning and delivery of the organisation s learning programmes to ensure that all required standards are met Manage relationships and agreements with SSE Central and other SSE network schools, actively contributing to the development of the SSE brand and offer Promotion of the organisation Develop and maintain effective networks across the West Midlands region and beyond Identify and engage with key organisations and individuals; develop mutually beneficial relationships with principal supporters, funders and stakeholders Seek opportunities to expand and promote the role of the organisation Ensure the organisation is presented in an appropriate and professional manner to its stakeholders
No job description can be entirely comprehensive and the Board may require you to undertake other duties from time to time consistent with the status and responsibilities of this role. Person Specification Experience Leading organisations and/or departments Developing, implementing and monitoring strategic and operational plans Developing proposals, bids and submissions to secure additional resources and contracts from trusts, foundations, corporate partners and statutory agencies Managing and delivering complex projects and/or programmes Recruiting, inspiring and managing staff and volunteers Running and facilitating effective events and meetings Managing and growing organisations Creating marketing plans and developing media relations (desirable) Knowledge Understanding of social enterprise and/or community businesses Knowledge of potential commercial and third sector regional partners Understanding the roles and benefits of mentoring and volunteering Understanding of financial management and required systems Knowledge and awareness of national and regional business development opportunities Skills Leadership and motivation Business acumen and commercially astute Strategic thinking Networking, influencing and negotiation Interpersonal and communication, presenting to a range of audiences Information technology Attributes Self-motivated, work with minimal supervision, use own initiative Sets and achieves ambitious targets and goals Innovative approach to problem solving Ability to take a flexible approach to work issues Seeks ways to continuously improve and learn Ability to assess conflicting priorities and take appropriate action Transparent, open and accountable manner Reliable, diplomatic, people-friendly Persistent and persuasive Drive, focus, good judgement and decision making that will reflect positively on WM- SSE, Central SSE, partners and funders
Application Process Application: Email a copy of your CV and a personal statement outlining your suitability for the post by addressing the Person Specification Deadline: 10am, Monday 15 th April 2013 First Interviews: Thursday 25 th April 2013 Second interviews: Friday 3 rd May 2013 Applications to: Leah McPherson, Network Manager at Central SSE leah.mcpherson@sse.org.uk Further information: Contact Leah McPherson on 020 7089 9120