STEP Chief Executive Role Specification, July 2016
ORGANISATION BACKGROUND
STEP is a professional association for those advising families across generations. Its vision is
to be the pre-eminent worldwide professional association of this type.
Its main focus is the training and development of practitioners from a variety of professional
backgrounds including accountancy, banking, financial advice, law, tax advice and trust
administration, and to protect their reputation by maintaining high professional standards. Full
members of STEP are known as ‘TEPs’ (Trust and Estate Practitioners).
STEP also takes a leading role in explaining its members’ views and expertise to governments,
tax authorities, regulators and the public. For example, STEP works closely with the UK
government and others in developing policy in key areas such as tax and the protection of
vulnerable adults.
The mission and values of STEP are set out below.
Mission:
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Promote high professional standards
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Educate professionals
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Connect advisors and families globally
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Inform public policy
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Act in the public interest.
Values:
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Promote professional educational attainment
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Act transparently
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Uphold professional standards
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Serve the members, whatever their professional background, wherever based
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Recognise our responsibility to the public interest.
STEP was established in 1991. Whilst it initially focused on those working with trusts, the
society has broadened and now covers a wide range of professional backgrounds, all of which
help families with long-term wealth planning. This diversity in makeup is mirrored by the size
and international reach of STEP: it currently has around 20,000 members across 95 countries.
In the 25 years since STEP was established the organisation has grown rapidly, and now has
110 branches in 56 countries. The branches are run by member volunteers and provide
networking and professional development for members on a local level. In recent years STEP
has also developed a number of special interest groups providing opportunities for members to
connect and advance their focused area of practice. These have proven extremely popular.
STEP is currently at a turning point in its development. STEP’s rapid growth, while hugely
positive, has brought its own challenges, in particular in ensuring the consistency of STEP’s
offering globally whilst maintaining the existing forward momentum.
As the organisation continues to evolve it therefore needs to ensure that the links between its
members, branches, regions and worldwide office remain strong and effective. All STEP
members, wherever they are based, need to feel that STEP is relevant to them and that they
are relevant to STEP.
As an established professional association, the most important member service STEP provides
is professionalism: the professional status that comes with being part of a reputable
professional body provides recognition and market advantage. A key priority going forward is
therefore to be more outward facing and further develop and build STEP’s reputation among
external stakeholders, including employers, policymakers, educational providers and the public
and, in addition, to enhance community understanding of the importance of the profession as a
whole. STEP’s rebrand in 2015 was a key part of this process.
THE POSITION
STEP is looking for a new Chief Executive to lead the society.
The CEO will be working with, and reporting to, the STEP Board of Directors, which currently
consists of seven practitioners (TEPs), to design and oversee the implementation of STEP’s
strategy and, on behalf of the Board, to manage day-to-day operational matters involving STEP
staff, council members and membership. The position will be located in STEP’s London Head
Office.
The Chief Executive will have a critical role in driving and developing the society. Key
responsibilities will be to:
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Commit to STEP’s Mission, Vision and Values
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Contribute to the development of STEP’s strategy
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Deliver STEP’s strategic objectives
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Engage, motivate and inspire the STEP staff and volunteer network
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Manage STEP’s London Head Office (40+ staff members)
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Oversee management of STEP’s regional offices and administrators
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Be a leading representative of the association externally
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Influence STEP members and policy makers at the highest level
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Oversee the relationship between the Society's Board, Committees, the Secretariat and
the wider membership
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Generate ideas for revenue growth and income diversification
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Recognise and embrace the professional and geographic diversity within STEP’s
membership
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Maintain the unique ethos and culture of the STEP organisation and staff.
CANDIDATE EXPERIENCE
The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following:
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Leadership skills and the ability to both manage and engage people
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Strong commerciality
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Demonstrable experience in a similar role, ideally for an international organisation
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Understanding of the not-for profit/professional body sector
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A clear appreciation of the role of the Society in serving members’ interests globally
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Strength of purpose alongside awareness of STEP’s unique ethos and culture
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Ambassadorial skills and the ability to represent STEP externally
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The ability to be a self-starter and implement change with a high degree of autonomy
In addition, experience in some of the following areas would be advantageous:
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Relevant industry experience – helping families with long-term wealth planning
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Knowledge of and/or professional qualification in law, accountancy or finance
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Financial planning and budget management experience
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Implementing strategic change