Job Description / Person Specification
Beyond Words
Title:
Business and Operations Manager (part time)
Reports to:
Executive Chair
Based at:
St George’s, Tooting, London.
Salary:
£37 to 42,000 pro rata (3 days per week) depending on experience
Last Up-dated Feb 2011
Introduction
Books Beyond Words is a small, dynamic, not for profit social enterprise, which has recently been
set up as a spinout company of St Georges University of London. The Company currently has
one product line, the Books Beyond Words series of picture books on health and social care
topics for people with learning and communication disabilities. Books Beyond Words is an award
winning series edited by Professor Baroness Sheila Hollins. 33 titles have been published since
1989 and people with learning disabilities work alongside illustrators and medical and other
professionals to develop each book. The Company has plans to expand the product range, but
also wishes the new post holder to get the existing books used by many more people with
learning disabilities than currently use them. For such a small enterprise the person we are
looking for will need to be multi-skilled and to be passionate about making a difference in the lives
of people with learning disabilities. An entrepreneurial spirit in someone who loves networking but
is also good at the day-to-day detail of running a small business will thrive. More information
about Books Beyond Words is available on our website:
(www.booksbeyondwords.co.uk/welcome), and on the website of our co-publisher:
(www.rcpsych.ac.uk/bbw).
Job Description
Business planning and reporting

Support to the Board in developing the strategic direction of Beyond Words in line with its values,
vision, mission and strategic objectives.

Write the annual business plan, including annual performance objectives, in line with the
organisation’s strategic objectives and submit for Board approval

Translate the business plan into operational objectives and ensure that these are met

Provide regular and accurate management and activity reports as required by the Board

Develop the necessary organisational policies and guidelines in-conjunction with the Board and
ensure their effective implementation
Financial management

Recommend a yearly budget reflecting all activities for Board approval and produce quarterly
updates against performance for the Board

Ensure the day to day management of BW’s resources within budget guidelines, maintaining
oversight of expenditure in conjunction with the book-keeper/accountant

Monitor and establish mechanisms to reduce financial risk to the organisation including the
diversification of income streams
Project management

Support the work of the Editorial and creative director in developing new activities in-line with
Beyond Words’ strategic plan

Provide clear leadership to and effectively manage other Beyond Words programme staff, including
the freelance book co-ordinators, illustrators and trainers, offering supervision and advice as
required
Fundraising:

Build on and develop a data-base of actual and potential donors

Research options for joint applications or research grants

Take responsibility for writing fundraising applications in conjunction with other team members
Contract Management:

Review all applications to ensure compliance with funding guidelines

Ensure contractual obligations are understood and met by the team

Liaise with and write reports and budgets for donors
Marketing and relationship management:

Develop a marketing and sales strategy in agreement with the Board and the Royal College of
Psychiatrists

Lead on the development of opportunities for partnership development, networking and information
exchange.

Manage responsibility for donor relations

Develop and implement a plan to disseminate the backlist effectively

Maintain the website to ensure that it remains up-to-date
Person Specification
Education:
Essential
 Degree or professional qualification in a
relevant subject or equivalent experience
Desirable
 Post-graduate degree in public administration,
social sciences, management, or similar.
 Marketing qualification
Experience:
Essential
 Substantial experience working at a senior
level with management responsibilities
including an ongoing programme of work
across a team.
 Experience of the financial oversight of
programmes
 Fundraising experience
 Grant management experience
 Business planning
Desirable
 Implementing projects collaboratively with key
partner organisations
 Publishing experience
 Marketing experience
 Business development experience
 Relevant experience in the not for profit sector
Knowledge and skills:
Essential
 Excellent communication skills
 Ability to plan own work, setting priorities and
completing them under pressure or when faced
with competing demands
 The numerical ability to create budgets and to
monitor costs
 Excellent organisational, operational and
planning skills
 A sound knowledge of budget management
and financial control procedures.
 Ability to use computers both for wordprocessing and spreadsheet packages.
Desirable

Copy editing skills

Knowledge of company management in
the not for profit sector
Personal qualities:
Essential
 Evidence of a strong commitment to the
disabilities sector
 Self Starter
 Collaborative attitude
 Willingness to coach others and draw out their
potential
 Commitment to Beyond Words approach and
values
Desirable
Family or voluntary experience of learning
disabilities