JOB DESCRIPTION – Chief Executive
Re-Union Canal Boats Ltd
Re-Union Canal Boats Ltd is a well-established innovative social enterprise operating on the Union Canal. We offer a commercial boat hire service and manage a number of employability and canal-related contracts which generates the income to subsidise community activity and volunteer support. More information on Re-Union is available on www.re-union.org.uk.
Our General Manager is moving to a new developmental role, and the Board now wishes to recruit a Chief Executive with the skills to consolidate the organisation, in terms of business income and contracts, demonstration of its social impact and its management and governance.
Our Mission
Re-Union exists to create inspiring spaces where people can re-connect with each other and their communities.
While our mission is universal, our focus for the next four years is on our two bases at Edinburgh and Falkirk.
To that end…..Re-Union builds boats, crews and communities.
Strategic Objectives
To achieve the mission of Re-Union, the following strategic directions will guide and focus our business.
1. Create inspiring spaces and activities
2. Engage people in the social and cultural life of the canal
Operational Objectives
As an organisation we need to:
§ consolidate our progress to date
§ improve our capacity and skill base to deliver
§ create an appropriate operational base and team of people
§ make more profit for re-investment.
Re-Union now needs a Chief Executive who can consolidate the achievements of the last 8 years to ensure even greater financial security and take Re-Union into the future with confidence. This is, however, not a purely strategic role, and our CEO will be a hands on person who is prepared to do what it takes to ensure continuity of Re-Union’s day to day operations.
Conditions of Service
Hours: Full time, 38 hours per week
Salary: £35,000
3 months probationary period
Holiday: 25 days per annum plus 13 public holidays
Responsible to: Re-Union Board of Directors through the Chair
Location of work: Re-Union offices in Edinburgh and activity base in Falkirk
Role & Responsibilities
The Chief Executive will manage the core staff team, currently comprising:
1 p/t Volunteer Development Worker (Edinburgh) – Health & Wellbeing Programme
1 p/t Volunteer Development Worker (Falkirk) – Health & Wellbeing Programme
1 f/t Volunteer Manager (Falkirk) – Employability Programmes
1 f/t Lock Keeping Project Manager (Falkirk)
1 f/t General Administrator
1 p/t Business Development Manager
1 p/t Union Canal Unlocked Project Worker
2 p/t Lock Keeping Team Leaders
4 casual skippers/trainers
Volunteers involved in all aspects of Re-Union’s work
The Board has a draft strategic document for 2016-2020 which will underpin the work of the Chief Executive, with objectives which they will work towards achieving in conjunction with the Board. Responsibilities will include:
Business management
~ Focus the organisation on expanding its sales and marketing activities
~ Ensure that Re-Union offers excellent customer care
~ Ensure that volunteers are available and committed to run the boat trips and plan resources for individual trips
~ Develop and manage a business planning process for Re-Union in conjunction with the Board
~ Create financial projections for the next 3-4 years against which to benchmark Re-Union’s performance
~ Provide reports to existing funders, maintain relationships with potential future sponsors or funders and submit funding applications to maintain operations as required
~ Ensure that all legal, regulatory, employment, insurance and health & safety requirements are complied with
~ Review Re-Union’s Policies and procedures to ensure that they are up to date and fit for purpose
~ Expand the organisation’s Friends of Re-Union offer
~ Fulfill the functions of Company Secretary to the Board
Funding
~ Fulfill the delivery of existing funded programmes
~ Research, develop and submit funding bids in line with Re-Union’s objectives in partnership with other team members
~ Ensure delivery of funded programmes and ensure monitoring and evaluation is carried out to meet funders requirements
Sales and Marketing
~ Ensure Re-Union’s commercial sales increase through undertaking sales activity
~ Develop a marketing plan and carry out marketing and promotion of Re-Union’s commercial activities
~ Develop and expand the organisation’s social media presence
~ Promote Re-Union through networking and liaison with all relevant stakeholders and potential collaborators and that this activity delivers further contract opportunities.
Financial management
~ Take overall responsibility for managing Re-Union’s banking, finances and computerised accounting system (Xero)
~ Ensure accurate records of project financial activities and financial reports are available for funders and the Board
~ Produce monthly management accounts for the Board
~ In the first year, assist the Board to appoint new auditors
~ Work with the company’s auditors to prepare annual accounts
Staff and volunteer management and development
~ Lead, manage, support and develop the Re-Union staff team to fulfill their roles
~ Ensure a high standard of supervision of staff to maximize skills and abilities
~ Ensure that Re-Union is providing the best possible experience for all its volunteers
~ Develop a quality assurance system for the organisation
Social impact
~ Build a social impact monitoring system for Re-Union
~ Undertake development work in areas identified by the Board, and expand opportunities for Re-Union to fulfill its social and environmental mission as well as its enterprise objectives
~ Report monthly to the Board on progress and liaise with lead Board members for specific areas.
~ Other appropriate duties as directed by the Board of Re-Union.
Personal skills and attitudes
~ You have a demonstrably entrepreneurial approach
~ You will have a marketing perspective
~ You should have excellent interpersonal and communication skills
~ You will be able to lead, support and manage a staff team
~ You must have a positive attitude and friendly character
~ You are dedicated and trustworthy
~ You are confident, approachable and considerate of others
~ You have a flexible approach to the job combining energy, enthusiasm and a will to succeed
~ You are resourceful and proactive
~ You are methodical and well-organised
~ You will need to have empathy with the overall aims of Re-Union
Experience
~ You will have the experience to sell and market Re-Union to customers, organisations and other supporters
~ Knowledge and experience of good practice in staff management is essential
~ Financial management and business planning experience is essential
~ A knowledge of using the Xero accounts package would be desirable
~ Excellent administration skills are essential
~ Knowledge and management of funding opportunities, bid writing and monitoring and evaluation essential
~ You should have prior experience of helping to develop commercial and social projects that will help Re-Union realise its mission
~ An understanding of social enterprise is essential, and experience of managing a social enterprise would be desirable.
Work skills
~ You will be able to demonstrate excellent organisational skills and be able to manage your work to meet targets using your own initiative
~ You have the skills to negotiate deals on behalf of Re-Union
~ Essential requirements for the post are computer literacy and a sound working knowledge of office systems. Previous experience of working with administrative systems is essential
~ Financial skills are essential
~ Knowledge of grant making Trusts and funding bodies is essential
~ Knowledge of the canal and boating, the communities which surround the canal and community projects in these areas would be valuable
~ A full clean driving license is essential.
Competences required for the post
Entrepreneurial / · Spots opportunities for commercial development· Displays creative thinking
· Has the drive to follow through on ideas
· Will address financial issues by developing new income streams
· Will find new partners
Marketing and promotions / · Sells Re-Union effectively to its markets
· Maintains high standards of customer care
· Appreciates Re-Union’s markets and understands the features and benefits from a customer perspective
· Has the ability to develop promotional campaigns
· Can maintains Re-Union’s website
· Can use social media to support Re-Union’s activities
People management / · Manages performance of staff and volunteers to give of their best
· Communicates with the staff and volunteer team to maintain clear focus, clarity of purpose, roles and responsibilities
· Maintains a supportive environment for volunteers
· Identifies training needs and addresses them
Planning and operational management / · Will maintain a clear focus on business planning
· Identifies operational problems and finds solutions
· Pays attention to detail
· Makes the best financial decisions according to Re-Union’s resources
· Will meet deadlines
· Will involve staff and volunteers in forward planning
· Will do what it takes to deliver Re-Union’s activities
· Will be self-managing
Strategic development / · Understands Re-Union’s mission, values and priorities
· Supports the Board in developing new projects by providing impartial and evidenced information
· Creates strategic directions in partnership with the Board and other staff
· Can create a viable long-term plan for Re-Union
Communication and negotiation / · Writes clear and concise reports
· Understands how to write effective funding bids
· Can speak clearly, confidently and persuasively about Re-Union
· Understands how to find win-win situations with others
· Maintains effective relationships with stakeholders
Leadership / · Understands the importance of listening to and consulting others
· Can develop the respect, loyalty and commitment of all stakeholders
· Accepts responsibility for ensuring Re-Union’s success
Decision-making / · Maintains an evidence-based approach to making decisions
· Can judge priorities when making decisions
· Able to understand the limits of authority and refer issues appropriately to the Board
· Decisions are respected
Legal compliance / · Advises the Board accurately in order to ensure effective governance of Re-Union
· Develops and maintains Re-Union’s compliance with all relevant legislation
· Understands the role of Company Secretary
Re-Union Canal Boats Ltd - Charity Reg No SCO 35342 - Company Reg No SC265866
Registered Office: 15 Valleyfield Street, Edinburgh EH3 9LP