JOB DESCRIPTION: Programmes and Partnerships Director

Salary: £40,000p.a. + 5% pension and 25 days of annual leave

Hours: Full time

Reporting to:Chief Executive

BACKGROUND

The School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE) is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee, established by serial social entrepreneur Michael Young. SSE opened its doors in 1997 with the aim of transforming the potential of social entrepreneurs and enabling their projects to make a real difference in their communities. SSE supports social entrepreneurs who are working on a ‘live’ social project, through long and short duration ‘action learning’ programmes, comprising action learning sets, study sessions, expert witnesses, project visits and individual tutoring and mentoring.

SSE’s 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.

SSE’s core activity is a long duration (6-12 month), action-learning programme of personal and organisational development involving a number of different elements. This provides personalised and tailored support to social entrepreneurs from a wide and diverse range of backgrounds, and who are establishing and leading new mission-driven organisations. In addition to the original London School, based at London Bridge, SSE has developed a Global Network of Associate Schools (social franchises) comprising eight schools across the UK, one school in Australia operating in two locations, and one school in Canada.

SSE is currently delivering a UK wide five-year learning programme with the support of Lloyds Banking Group and Nominet Trust. This project is being delivered through eight locations and will support 150 social entrepreneurs each year. SSE also has a strategic partnership with PwC, Linklaters and others. SSE is currently seeking further opportunities to expand and develop the National and Global Network.

OVERVIEW

The principal objectives of this role are:

  1. To ensure high quality delivery of the SSE’s strategic projects and funding programmes via our Global Network of Associate Schools; and
  2. To ensure growth and development of our Global Network by championing an active and vibrant community of schools and partners.

This role is designed for someone with senior management experience, particularly in externally facing roles. We are looking for someone with a track record of delivering complex projects and leading national programmes, someone who shares our passion to grow SSE, who is ambitious energetic and a great networker. The ideal candidate will have the gravitas to build strategic relationships with partners; excellent people management skills;exceptional communication skills; and have the confidence, dynamism and focus to create new opportunities and assist in the growthof one of the country’s most exciting movements.

PURPOSE

This job has three key areas of responsibility:

  1. Relationship Building and Communications - ensuring excellent relationships and communications with all internal and external partners and stakeholders for SSE’s national programmes, strategic partnerships and the SSE Global Network; supporting the CEO to champion the SSE Brand with key influencers and funders and in new markets.
  1. Strategic Project Management and Delivery–providing quality leadership to colleagues and working with the senior management team andtrustees on projects and initiatives that contribute to the growth and development of the SSE Global Network throughstrategic partnershipsand business collaborations;overall responsibility for delivery of major national / international projects.
  1. Team Leadership and Organisational Support– leading and managing a newly created team (P&P) comprising the core functions of project delivery, management of the Global Network and communications, and developing a joint approach across these disciplines; participating in the senior management team and reporting to the Board of Trustees on all aspects of Programmes and Partnerships work including: financial updates, risk assessment, planning and stakeholder management.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. Relationship Building and Communications
  • Work with the CEO to develop and manage senior level relationships with SSE strategic partners (e.g. PwC, Lloyds Banking Group and Nominet), other stakeholders and Associate Schoolsto develop trusted business relationships and ensure excellent provision of service.
  • Champion the SSE brand, quality standards and action learning methodology in order to gain support for, and increase understanding of, the SSE’s value proposition, in particular with strategic partners, funders and other key policy influencers.
  • Support the Network Manager to identify and work with partners sympathetic to SSE’s core values to expand the SSE’s presence in the UK and internationally.
  • Ensure effective development and communication of SSE’s strategicproject goals and objectives.
  • Raise the profile of SSE with potential strategic partners and other networks across the public, private and third sectors for example by representing the SSE at conferences, seminars and other events.
  1. Strategic Project Management and Delivery
  • Oversee the planning and delivery of strategic projects; support the Projects Officer and Projects Administrator to ensure effective and successful achievement ofproject goals and objectives.
  • Oversee the development of contracts and legal agreements for strategic project delivery with funders, partners, and Associate Schools.
  • Work in partnership with the Development Director to promote collaborative business development and joint fundraising activities with Associate Schools in order to gain access to mainstream funds andensure sustainability of the SSE Global Network.
  • Support the Network Manager to deliver a strategy for growth across the SSE Global Network, both in terms of capacity building and network expansion.
  1. Team Leadership and Organisational Support
  • Provide line management for the Projects Officer, Projects Administrator, Network Manager andCommunications Officer,creating a team dynamic that maximises knowledge sharing across the SSE and Global Network.
  • Report to the CEO and Board of Trustees on strategic developments and financial matters relating to project delivery, network management and communications, stakeholder and risk management.
  • Manage the Programmes and Partnerships departmental budget and work with the senior management team to scope opportunities for income growth.
  • As a member of the senior management team contribute to the development and delivery of organisational policies and procedures that are consistent with SSE’s values; provide mutual support to the CEO and the other Directors.
  • Carry out other duties that are within the scope and spirit of the Programmes and Partnerships Director role.

This role will involve travel to existing and potential UK schools and may include overseas travel from time to time. There may also be a requirement to undertake work in the evenings as and when required.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

The ideal candidate will be able to fulfil most of the following specifications:

Experience
Senior or strategic programmeand project management
Delivering support to a network oforganisations at regional, national or international level
Advocating on behalf of organisations and networks
Development of successful external partnerships and managing senior levelrelationships
  • Developing and delivering a national communications strategy
  • Working within a senior management team and reporting to a Board
  • Leading and motivating successful teams
Knowledge / Understanding
  • Social entrepreneurship, social enterprise and the wider third sector
Organisational development, growth and replication strategies (franchising)
  • Private sector agendas relating to support for social entrepreneurship
Processes for ensuring and monitoring quality
Skills / Ability
  • Leadership and motivation
  • Outstanding interpersonal and relationship management
Project and programme management
Presentation and communication
  • Resource management
Computer literacy
Attributes
Understanding and commitment to SSE’s aims, values and action learning methodology
Able to find new ways of working and seize opportunities to innovate
Drive, focus and good judgment
Approachable, friendly and positive

Willingness to work flexibly

Willingness to travel

SSE operates an equal opportunities policy and will appoint solely on the basis of the applicants’ ability to do the job in question. SSE does not discriminate with reference to age, gender, sexual orientation, race, colour, religion, marital status or disability, nor will such factors play any part in decisions on appointment or selection.

To apply for the job

To apply for the role, please send a copy of your current CV and a covering letterexplaining how you fulfil the job requirements and what you would bring to the organisation in terms of your experience, knowledge, skills and attributes.

In your covering letter we would also like you to answer the following two questions:

  1. What excites you about the prospect of working for the SSE?
  2. What difference will you have made to the SSE after 12 months in post?

Please send your covering letter and CV by Midday on 12th November 2012 to

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