JOB DESCRIPTION
POST: Chief Executive
SERVICE AREA: all
RESPONSIBLE TO: Board of trustees, through the Chair
PRIMARY JOB FUNCTION
To provide leadership and direction of Voluntary Action Islington, in accordance with
its charitable objects and agreed strategic priorities
To work with the Board of Trustees to develop the organisation’s strategy, resources
and services including collaboration with similar organisations in neighbouring
boroughs and related organisations in Islington so that services are relevant,
financially sustainable and continue to add substantial value to the work of the
voluntary sector in Islington
To develop the commercial activities of the organisation in a way that is congruent
with the mission and values of the organisation and exploits the opportunities to
generate sustainable income streams
To 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
To ensure a high profile and a developing role for the voluntary sector in Islington,
leading relevant cross sector initiatives and supporting strategic partnership work
involving the voluntary sector, local statutory and private sector organisations.
AUTHORITY
The Chief Executive is authorised to:
a) Direct and administer all employees of the Charity,
b) Engage or dismiss staff in accordance with the Conditions of Employment
and the Employment Acts,
c) Correspond with outside agencies as necessary to achieve his/her objectives,
d) Expend funds to limits set out in his/her Letter of Delegation,
e) Act as Company Secretary of Voluntary Action Islington and any subsidiary
company
f) Represent the Charity at meetings and develop relationships with external
organisations
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g) Delegate tasks and financial authority as S/he sees fit, within the limits of
His/her own authority.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Strategy and resources
a) Work with the Board of Trustees to develop the organisation’s strategy and
external relations
b) Develop options for collaboration with similar organisations in neighbouring
boroughs and related organisations in Islington in order to enhance the
relevance and sustainability of services available to local voluntary and
community organisations
c) Develop business plans and budgets that are aligned to the agreed strategy
d) Establish the long term sustainability of Voluntary Action Islington by
developing a mix of income streams - grant funding, statutory contracts and
social enterprise (premises management, consultancy, training and new
initiatives).
e) Be responsible to the trustees for the overall financial health of the
organisation; ensure that expenditure is controlled in line with budgets as
approved by the Board
f) Oversee preparation of bids and tenders and maintain positive relationships
with funders and customers.
2. Governance and information
a) Work with the chair of the Board of trustees to ensure high standards of
governance and that the Board fulfils constitutional and legislative
requirements
b) Provide appropriate and accurate management information and other
guidance to the Board of Trustees to ensure they have a clear understanding
of the health and performance of the organisation and are able to take
informed decisions
c) Support the Chair in ensuring the continued engagement/involvement of all
members of the Board
d) As appropriate, monitor and advise on the composition of the Board of
trustees its committees and the process of self-assessment and development
e) To be the Company Secretary of Voluntary Action Islington and any
subsidiary company established by the trustees
3. External relations
a) Promote the local voluntary sector and volunteering to external stakeholders
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b) Pro-actively manage Voluntary Action Islington’s reputation and profile with
members, other stakeholders and the wider voluntary and community sector
locally, regionally and nationally.
c) Develop and strengthen relationships with customers and external
stakeholders to ensure that resources are sustainable
d) Oversee development of specifications and manage and review contracts and
relationships with suppliers including ICT, premises and associates.
4. Service delivery and development
a) Ensure that services are developed, marketed and delivered in accordance
with customer requirements
b) Ensure that services are priced to ensure viability and to maximize the
resources available to achieve Voluntary Action Islington’s mission
c) Develop and implement partnership arrangements with other organisations to
deliver services in accordance with Voluntary Action Islington’s purpose and
mission
d) Provide the systems and processes to lead and support voluntary action in
Islington - personally, with staff and volunteers and through networks and
partnerships supported by Voluntary Action Islington
e) Develop the use of digital technology to deliver Voluntary Action Islington
services
5. Leadership and management
a) Provide leadership to staff and volunteers and manage organisational change
b) Develop and maintain Voluntary Action Islington as an exemplar of good
practice in the management of both staff and volunteers.
c) Ensure that Voluntary Action Islington has in place effective policies and
procedures to manage human resources, associates, finance, information,
communication, premises, and other resources and that these meet relevant
legislative requirements and agreed quality standards.
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PERSON SPECIFICATION
The person specification is a picture of skills, knowledge and experience required to
carry out the job. It has been used to draw up the advert and will also be used in the
short-listing for this post.
Service : Chief Executive
Designation : Chief Executive
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E2
E3
E4
REQUIREMENTS
EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE
Experience of generating income by initiating and leading business
development and developing new income streams
Experience of leading staff and volunteers through periods of significant
organisational change
Experience of working in a politically and culturally sensitive role, achieving
success through partnerships, influence and diplomacy
Experience of developing and maintaining relationships with a diverse range
of customers, stakeholders and partners including local third sector
organisations, private businesses and statutory agencies
A/I/T
A/I
A/I
A/I
A/I
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITY
E5
E6
E7
E8
E9
E10
E11
E12
E13
A good understanding of the governance, constitutional and legal
requirements of a charity and company limited by guarantee
A good understanding of the opportunities and challenges currently facing
local third sector organisations and local voluntary action
Ability to support a Board of trustees and engage the skills and experience of
trustees in the development of Voluntary Action Islington’s strategy
Ability to develop strategy, business plans and budgets to deliver an
organisation’s purpose and mission
Ability to monitor performance across a range of functions, including
finance, personnel, ICT and premises
Ability to negotiate with, influence and develop relationships with a wide
range of diverse stakeholders
Ability to process a large quantity of information and to communicate
effectively with members, customers, trustees, staff, volunteers and other
stakeholders
Ability to ensure that use of digital technology is effectively developed to
deliver services
Ability to lead, manage and motivate a diverse team of highly experienced
staff and ensure good practice in the management of volunteers in
accordance with the values and ethos of Voluntary Action Islington
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A/I/T
A/I/T
A/I/T
A/I/T
A/I/T
A/I/T
A/I/T
A/I/T
A/I/T
E14
E15
A good understanding of and commitment to equal opportunities and the
implications for this role
Able to work evenings and weekends as required
Assessed by: A= Application
I= Interview
T= Test
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A/I/T
A/I