JOB DESCRIPTION
Chief Executive Officer
Barking Enterprise Centres CIC
Location: Barking Enterprise Centres, Barking Town Centre
Salary: circa £55 – 65k, with discretionary bonus for exceptional performance
Accountable to: the Chair of the Board of Directors
Overview
Barking Enterprise Centres CIC (BEC CIC) is currently being set up to take forward the management
of two enterprise centres in Barking. BEC CIC will be a small but forward thinking organisation with
plans for growth in service delivery and expansion into other areas. The post-holder is the most
senior and highly influential member of the team and will be expected to contribute to the
development of wider organisational values and ensuring that the company is managed in a way
which realises these values for all stakeholders.
Barking Enterprise Centres CIC is being set up by the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
and its strategic partner Agilisys to provide business accommodation and support to create and
grow new entrepreneurs and business start ups. BEC CIC will support amazing individuals who will
drive business growth and employment across the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham and
more broadly across the wider locality through the creation of new enterprises. It will support start
ups and existing businesses by providing business support with all the business knowledge,
confidence and connections they will need to create a successful, growing enterprise. BEC CIC will
provide business incubation, ‘hot desking ‘ and other flexible work spaces across two centres in
Barking and Dagenham, with aspirations to grow.
JOB PURPOSE
To work with the Board of Directors to ensure that BEC CIC fulfils its objectives as outlined in the
Articles of Association by developing strategic business plans, ensuring that the required income to
implement those plans is obtained, and ensuring the proper management and reporting of all
functions within the organisation.
To act as the 'public face' of the organisation and carry out public speaking engagements, media
appearances, and networking with stakeholders whilst supporting the development of the company
and delivery of the CIC’s objects.
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Main duties
1. Leadership and management
The post-holder will:

Provide over-arching leadership and direction for an organisation of currently 5 staff and will
introduce initiatives and develop a culture that ensures a healthy, happy and dynamic
workforce and maintain a positive team spirit.

Articulate the organisation’s values and ensure that they are consistently applied across the
organisation, including in management of its people

Lead the Barking Enterprise Centres
o
to support and develop new business start ups and entrepreneurs, and facilitate the
growth of start-up, micro and social enterprises and support the development of
existing businesses
o
in providing high quality managed workspace with high occupancy and high
occupation satisfaction
o
in carrying out its mission of transforming the culture shift in entrepreneurship
across Barking and Dagenham and other regions as the business starts to grow.
Essential skills/experience:
o
previous experience of leading an entrepreneurial and ambitious organisation with
demonstrable success
o
experience of motivating and inspiring internal and external stakeholders
o
excellent networking and presentation skills with demonstrable results
o
A persuasive negotiator able to achieve consensus among organisations with diverse
cultures and missions
o
Strong coalition-building skills and an ability to communicate and work effectively
with diverse internal and external stakeholders
Desirable skills/experience:
o
Significant senior level experience of working with businesses (especially SMEs) and
civil society policy makers
o
Leadership experience in start-up organisation, of serving new and emerging
markets or of addressing markets in a new way
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2. Strategy and Strategic stakeholder relationships
Partnership working will be critical for the service.
The post-holder will:

Spearhead senior level, strategic relationships with a number of key stakeholders,
participating in local and regional networks and meetings as appropriate

Work with the Board of Directors and Steering Groups in regularly reviewing the
organisation's mission and strategic plan; and to implement and monitor annual plans and
targets
Essential skills/experience:
o
Experience of developing and executing high level strategy and working with a Board
of Directors
o
Experience of relationship building, influencing and negotiating
3. Financial management
The post-holder will:

Be responsible for managing the budget, with the help of regularly produced management
accounts. This will involve balancing the need to pay costs and develop the service with
keeping to a pre-defined budget

Ensure the Barking Enterprise Centres CIC financial sustainability by sensible appropriate
management and expansion of its products and services

Negotiate, bid and secure funding to deliver the organisation’s strategy and vision

Take responsibility for the financial health of the organisation; ensure that expenditure is
controlled in line with budgets as approved by the Board
Essential experience:
o
strategic and financial acumen; financial planning and budget management
o
responding to and negotiating tenders and contracts
o
negotiating sponsorship with major corporate organisations at the most senior level
o
securing additional forms of funding
4. Service development and innovation/Promotion of the Organisation
The aim is to develop an organisation which pushes boundaries and engenders real, lasting
change.
To realise this vision, the post holder will:
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
Be responsible for and lead the creation and development of new products and services
leading to greater financial sustainability.

Be responsible for the provision of high quality learning, mentoring and advice opportunities
for businesses and start ups based in LBBD.

Need to look for innovative ideas and bring creative approaches to the service development
process

Represent the organisation in an appropriate and professional manner to a range of
stakeholders.

Measure and articulate the organisation’s social impact

Develop effective communication and relationships with the organisation’s stakeholders and
supporters; including relevant public, private and voluntary organisations, particularly those
focused on addressing entrepreneurship and business start-up and growth in Barking and
Dagenham and other boroughs as the organisation grows.

Build relationships with contracting, sponsoring and grant-making organisations and secure
funding where appropriate

Ensure that the organisation continues to develop as a centre of enterprise excellence and
innovation for economic development and that its achievements, expertise and services are
well promoted and well used
Essential skills/experience:
o
Creative approach and seeking out innovations
Desirable skills/experience:
o
Service development
o
A good understanding of HR and Financial management.
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Person Specification
Skills
Commitment to the objectives of Barking
Enterprise Centre CIC
Excellent knowledge of business
development and management
Excellent knowledge of the issues facing
entrepreneurs and business start ups
Demonstrable experience of successful
partnership working and stakeholder
management
Skills in strategic management and
business planning
Excellent written and verbal
communication skills, including experience
and confidence in public speaking
essential
√
Effective and inspiring leadership abilities
√
Ability to plan and prioritise a varied work
load
√
Expertise in networking and relationship
building
√
Ability to work flexibly and to tight
deadlines
√
Financial management knowledge and
understanding
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Knowledge and understanding of company
law and governance
Computer literacy including skills in Word,
Excel, PowerPoint, and other programmes
Demonstrable skills in bid writing and
tenders
desirable
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Attributes
Highly self motivated and enthusiastic
Reliable and trustworthy
Hardworking and resourceful ability to
maximise the development of the
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organisation
Highly personable and persuasive ability to
stay calm under pressure
Creative and Innovative
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Application Process
Applications are sought for this vacancy from experienced leaders who are passionate about
business and entrepreneurship and are excited about the opportunity to be part of a new company’s
growth in an emerging sector.

Please provide a copy of the curriculum vitae

Your supporting statement should tell us why you are interested in the role, and how your
skills, experience, abilities and attributes make you suited for the role.

For the benefit of our records, when responding, please let us know where you originally
heard about the post and indicate your current and aspired salary.

Please also indicate the name, full contact details and relationship of two referees (including
your current/most recent manager); please note that referees will only be contacted with
your consent.

The closing date for this post is 31st August 2015. Applications will be considered
immediately after the closing date.

Applications should be e-mailed to karen.bosdet@elevateeastlondon.co.uk
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