Lewisham Disability Coalition

Title of Job:Director

Grade:Salary NJC scale £32,535 -36,960

Hours: 35 per week with some out of office hours as required

Person Responsible to:Board of Trustees

Responsible for:With the trustees, to manage Lewisham Disability Coalition (LDC) at a strategic and operational level.

Objectives and Purpose of the Role:

The role includes responsibility for:

  • Policy and external relationships
  • Campaigning
  • Financial and operational management
  • Fundraising
  • Charity management and governance
  • Management and development of LDC projects and services

Duties and Responsibilities:

  1. To manage, develop, monitor and evaluate LDC services and initiatives that will positively contribute to and influence local policies, strategies and practices affecting disabled people in Lewisham.
  1. To involve local disabled people in consultation and research so that their needs will influence the design, planning and delivery of all LDC projects and services.
  1. To identify and encourage the active involvement of key disability organisations and individuals in developing and managing LDC, ensuring that diverse and wide ranges of disability communities are represented.
  1. To be involved in the recruitment, management and development of LDC staff and volunteers, and to ensure that LDC meets its employment obligations.
  1. To maintain, review and update LDC’s business plan in conjunction with the trustees.
  1. To develop a fundraising strategy with trusts, statutory and other sources, and meet the objectives in the business plan.
  1. To develop, put in place and review financial controls, systems and procedures.
  1. To maintain, review and update policies, procedures and operational manuals in conjunction with the trustees and in line with current legislation and good practice, including equality and diversity and health and safety.
  1. To set and manage LDC budgets in conjunction with the trustees, and to ensure the annual accounts are produced.
  1. To advise and support the trustees and to ensure that LDC complies with charity and company laws.
  1. To provide administrative support to the trustees at their meetings.
  1. To ensure representation of LDC by members or staff on relevant local, regional and national bodies, professional groups and networks.
  1. To manage and develop LDC’s services, and to liaise with other local and national agencies.
  1. To keep abreast of new and existing national and local policies and legislation that can inform the work of LDC.
  1. To write, present and provide relevant reports on LDC activities to trustees and funders.
  1. To ensure that LDC works in partnership where relevant with the public, private and voluntary sectors in order to carry out its activities.
  1. Any other duties commensurate with the post as determined by the trustees.

Lewisham Disability Coalition

Person Specification

Title of Job:Director

Knowledge and Experience:

  1. Direct personal experience of Disability
  1. At least 5 years experience, with management responsibilities, of working in an organisation involved in campaigning, advocacy, advice work or social policy.
  1. Knowledge and direct experience of the Disability Movement.
  1. Knowledge and experience of working with or within the voluntary sector.
  1. Financial management and fundraising.
  1. Knowledge of relevant existing or impending legislation or policies affecting the rights of disabled people.
  1. Knowledge of equal opportunities and employment legislation, and experience in recruitment, selection and training of staff.
  1. Charity and company law practice.

Education/Level of Experience/Training

Educated to degree level or must be able to show relevant amount of work experience and training commensurate with the requirements of this position.

Skills/Abilities/Values:

  1. Leadership skills
  1. Team-working
  1. Flexible approach
  1. Commitment to equality and equal opportunities
  1. Ability to use own initiative and be creative
  1. Ability to develop projects
  1. Ability to work in partnership with the public, private and voluntary sectors
  1. Competence in numeracy
  1. Excellent written and oral communication skills, and interpersonal skills
  1. Excellent report writing skills
  1. Occasional evening meetings/weekends
  1. Willingness to undertake training and learn new skills

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