Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive Officer

Starting at c £58,000 Full Time (37 hpw)

Flexible working with the expectation of at least 3 days per week in the Office

Cambridge Citizens Advice is looking for a new Chief Executive Officer to bring fresh energy and a distinctive vision to take the organisation into the next stage of its development. We were one of the first 200 Citizens’ Advice offices to be set up in 1939 to help people with issues arising from the war. Since then, our mission has changed and adapted to the challenges of the day.

Our Chief Executive will be an inspirational leader who can fire up a passionate and committed team of staff and volunteers; quick to see how the challenges people are facing in their daily lives are changing and able to pivot the organisation to give support and advice where they are most needed.

You may be an experienced CAB professional, a Senior manager with experience in other parts of the voluntary sector or somebody looking for a career change. If you have the imagination to see how social trends are developing, the empathy to relate to our clients, staff and volunteers, the commitment to building great relationships with our partners and the business skills to get the most out of our resources, we’d like to hear from you. We value diversity, promote equality and challenge discrimination. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds.

Benefits

• Based in Cambridge, close to the Train Station
• 7% pension contribution
• Holiday: 24 days pa plus Bank Holidays. Up to 4 days of Christmas closure. One additional day every 12 months, up to 5 years.
• Death in Service insurance and Employment Assistant Programs
• Flexible working hours (at least 3 days per week in the office)
• Variety of learning and development options

Closing date: Monday, 2nd April 2024 at 9 am

The selection process and interview dates are: Wednesday, 17^th, and Thursday 18^th April 2024

(shortlisted candidates will be required to attend two days)

 

Job Description

Employer: Cambridge & District Citizens Advice
Responsible to: Trustee Board via the Chair of Trustees
Based at: 66 Devonshire Road, Cambridge, CB1 2BL

Purpose of Job

Responsible for: The effective and efficient delivery of the charitable strategy and objectives of Cambridge and District Citizens Advice (CCAB) as delegated by the Trustee Board.

Ensuring the delivery and development of information, advice and advocacy services to meet locally identified needs, and nationally as part of national Citizens Advice led programmes.

Working with the Board to develop a strategy that reflects the mission, vision, and values of Cambridge and District Citizens Advice.

Providing positive, engaging, and inspiring leadership of Cambridge and District Citizens Advice staff and volunteers so the charity can achieve its mission.

Establishing sustainable and diverse funding opportunities and ensuring all human and financial resources are managed properly and effectively.

Promoting the interests of the charity at local and national levels and forging strong links and partnerships with funders and key stakeholders.

Personal qualities

• A passion and desire to transform lives through the provision of expert high-quality advice
• An understanding of the issues facing our clients and community, the socio-economic, policy and regulatory landscape within which we operate, and the root causes of poverty and hardship.
• An exceptional communicator, genuinely seeking out the opinions of others, actively listening, reflecting and responding.
• A highly visible, inclusive, motivating and inspiring leadership style.
• Friendly and approachable with high levels of integrity transparency, openness, honesty and the self-awareness to generate trust in others

Leadership and Strategy

• Provide leadership to a complex advice and advocacy organisation.
• Work with the Trustee Board to develop a compelling vision and strategy to drive the charity’s development.
• Promote the aims, principles, policies, interests and wellbeing of the organisation and the wider Citizens Advice service to protect its integrity and reputation.
• Lead the development, implementation and monitoring of the charity’s business plan, setting objectives for how strategic priorities will be delivered and the resources required to do so.
• Inspire, engage, communicate, listen and respond to staff and volunteers in the formulation of strategy and plans.
• Ensure the voices and experience of staff and volunteers at all levels, and clients are heard and taken into account.

People Management and Organisational Development

• Build, lead, manage and coach an effective senior management team.
• Develop and promote a positive, inclusive and supportive culture that re-enforces CCAB’s values and principles, enabling staff and volunteers to fulfil their potential and offer excellent services to clients.
• Oversee the delivery of a learning and development plan that supports the development of staff and volunteers

Operational Management and Planning

• Oversee the delivery of high quality, effective information, advice and advocacy services that provide value for money for funders and desired outcomes and impact for our clients and community.
• Lead the development and implementation of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policies, procedures, guidelines, practices, and behaviours to identify those most in need of CCAB’s services and to improve the access, experience, and outcomes for marginalised service users.
• Ensure appropriate structures.
• Resources and controls are in place to deliver high-quality services.
• Oversee management of premises and associated assets to secure best value for money.

Governance and Compliance

• Provide support and advice to the Trustee Board and its Committees including regular, accurate and timely reports on performance against strategy, budget, business plans and strategic risks, ensuring CCAB enjoys high quality and effective governance.
• Be responsible for ensuring that CCAB meets its compliance commitments to the Charity Commission, Companies House, Money and Pensions Service, Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner, Information Commissioners Office, Financial Conduct Authority, Specialist Quality Mark, Advice Quality Standards and Citizens Advice, Health and Safety Executive.
• Have effective policies and procedures in place for health and safety, risk and financial management, information and data security, safeguarding and complaints to ensure assurance and compliance with legal and CCAB policy standards.
• Identify, mitigate and manage strategic risks and embed a positive and enabling risk management culture across the organisation.

Finance and Funding

• Identify funding opportunities and secure funding to support the delivery of existing activities and to develop new services in line with CCAB’s Mission and Business Plan
• Ensure the financial stability and sustainability of the organisation through effective budgeting, resource management and financial controls.
• Oversee the day-to-day management of finances to ensure CCAB meets its financial obligations and develops sufficient financial resilience to be sustainable.
• Ensure the Trustee Board receives timely, complete and accurate financial information and accurate returns to funders and Citizens Advice are submitted on time.
• Ensure appropriate financial regulations and controls are in place and that all finances are properly administered, monitored and reported.

External Relations and promotion

• Be the principal public face of CCAB and be comfortable representing the organisation in a diverse group of local and national fora.
• Play an active role as a member of national Citizen’s Advice seeking to harness support for local initiatives and to influence national developments.
• Maintain the overview of CCAB’s public profile, media presence and input to local, regional and national media.
• Support and coach staff with media appearances and attendance at external fora.

Policy Influencing and Campaigning

• Lead policy influencing and campaigning work ensuring that CCAB meets its commitments as part of the Citizens Advice Service.

Person Specification

Factor	Essential
Leadership and Strategy	Experience of senior leadership within a complex multi-channel organisation. Understanding of the Voluntary and Community sector Experience of developing and delivering strategy and business plans. Excellent team building skills and experience, with the ability to inspire and lead a passionate and committed team, at all levels of the organisation, to perform to the best of their abilities. Experience of building positive and productive relationships with a diverse group of internal and external stakeholders including a range of funders, partners and policy makers. Experience of managing change within an organisation, considering the views and experiences of all stakeholders.
People Management and Organisational Development	Strong people management skills acquired through extensive experience, including effective delegation, recruitment, retention and performance management. Demonstrable commitment to equality and diversity. Proven ability to work with people at all levels, from different backgrounds and with a variety of learning and thinking preferences. Understanding of the management of volunteers, and how this is different from managing a paid workforce.
Operational Management and Planning	Understanding of what good advice services look like. Experience of engaging people from diverse backgrounds in developing and improving services with an understanding of the inequalities that affect them. Understanding of operational management, including project and programme management, and associated risks and controls.
Governance and Compliance	Knowledge and experience of charity governance and compliance requirements for a UK based charity. Understanding of quality assurance and compliance systems for a charity providing advice services, and what is required to comply with them. Experience of effective strategic risk management.
Finance and Funding	Experience of strategic financial management in a complex multi-funder environment. Track record of developing new services to meet community needs. Experience of successful income generation and bid development and writing. Solid understanding of charity finance. Understanding of financial risks and experience in mitigating them. Experience of managing large and complex budgets.
External Relations and promotion	Excellent oral presentation skills and experience of public speaking. Experience of representing an organisation at a variety of external fora. Personal credibility to operate at a high level with external stakeholders. Good understanding and ability to use a variety of communication channels including social and digital media.
Policy Influencing and Campaigning	Understanding of how to build convincing cases for changes in policy and practice. Understanding of local and national government policy development and research and appreciation of its impact on CCAB.

Charity 1056102. Company 3191085. Financial Conduct Authority FRN: 617537

Files

CEO Job Pack

Organisational Structure 2024

Business Plan 2023-26

Annual Report and Accounts 2023