Chief Executive Officer: job description

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About Blatchington Court Trust

Blatchington Court Trust is a dynamic and forward-thinking charity dedicated to supporting young people under 30 with sight loss and their families in Sussex.

Our mission is to inform, empower, and enrich the lives of those we serve through a comprehensive suite of services, including benefits advice, events, activities, grants for technology, educational advocacy, and wellbeing support.

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​Role overview

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Blatchington Court Trust is a key leadership position responsible for driving the strategic direction and operational effectiveness of the organisation.

Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the CEO will lead a dedicated team to ensure the Trust fulfils its mission and achieves its strategic objectives while maintaining financial sustainability and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

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Leadership

• Provide inspirational leadership to inspire and motivate staff, volunteers, and stakeholders towards achieving the Trust's mission and objectives.

• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the organisation.

• Lead by example, demonstrating integrity, empathy, and resilience in all interactions.

Strategy development and implementation

• Work closely with the Board of Trustees to develop and refine the Trust's strategic plan, ensuring alignment with its mission and vision.

• Translate strategic objectives into actionable plans and initiatives, overseeing their implementation and monitoring progress towards goals.

• Continuously review and adapt strategies in response to emerging opportunities and challenges.

Governance

• Collaborate with the Board of Trustees to ensure effective governance practices, including regular meetings, transparent decision-making processes, and adherence to legal and regulatory requirements.

• Provide timely and accurate reporting to the Board on organisational performance, financial management, and key risks.

Income generation and business development

• Lead efforts to diversify and grow the Trust's income streams, including fundraising, grant applications, corporate partnerships, and social enterprise initiatives.

• Identify new opportunities for income generation and business development, leveraging the Trust's strengths and assets.

Relationship Management

• Build and maintain positive relationships with key stakeholders, including beneficiaries, donors, funders, partner organisations, government agencies, and the wider community.

• Act as an ambassador for the Trust, representing its interests and advocating for the needs of people with sight loss.

Financial Management

• Oversee the Trust's financial management, including budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and risk management.

• Ensure prudent financial stewardship, maximizing the impact of resources to achieve organisational goals.

People Management and Development

• Recruit, develop, and retain a high-performing team, providing mentorship, coaching, and professional development opportunities.

• Foster a culture of inclusivity, diversity, and equality, promoting a positive work environment where all staff feel valued and empowered.

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Experience

• Proven experience in senior leadership roles within the charitable sector, demonstrating the ability to lead change, inspire, motivate, and lead teams.

• Track record of developing and implementing organisational strategy.

• Business development acumen, with a track record of growing income and identifying and bringing in new funding.

• Experience in recruiting, developing, and managing high-performing teams, with a commitment to staff development and empowerment.

Skills and knowledge

• Sound understanding of financial management principles, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, networking and negotiating skills, with the ability to build and maintain positive relationships with diverse stakeholders, including beneficiaries, donors, funders, and partner organisations.

• Strong understanding of impact assessment, with the ability to develop and implement effective impact assessment processes.

• Proven ability to create a positive and inclusive work environment where all staff feel valued, supported, and motivated.

Personal qualities

• Demonstrable alignment with the vision, mission and values of Blatchington Court Trust.

• Strong leadership qualities, including exceptional foresight, resilience, integrity, and the ability to foster a positive and inclusive organisational culture.

• Desirable: Lived experience of sight loss or a strong understanding of the challenges faced by individuals with sight loss would be advantageous.

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How to apply

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If you would like to apply for this position, please send the following:

• An up-to-date CV outlining your employment history, academic and professional qualifications, and contact details.

• A completed registration form

• A supporting statement (no more than 2 x A4 pages) demonstrating how you meet the criteria outlined in the Person Specification, and outlining why you are interested in the CEO role at Blatchington Court Trust.

Please submit your completed application to executive@harrishill.co.uk to arrive by 9am Monday 29th April 2024.

Please would you also let us know if you will require any reasonable adjustments should you be called forward for interview, and if you have any anticipated difficulty with the below dates.

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Next steps

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Advertisement for this role

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Blatchington Court Trust, based in Hove, is looking for a strategic, inspirational and experienced leader to join as our new Chief Executive Officer. As our new CEO, you will lead this well-regarded, financially secure local charity to further develop our work for children and young people with sight loss across East Sussex.

With a highly committed team, Blatchington Court Trust (BCT) stands as a beacon of support and empowerment for young people under 30 with sight loss and their families across Sussex. We are a vital resource for our community, offering a diverse range of services aimed at informing, empowering, and enriching the lives of those we serve. These include educational advocacy, technology grants, wellbeing support, benefits advice, and running a wide range of events and activities.

Under the leadership of our new CEO, we are looking to develop our strategy, policies and processes, better measure our impact, and explore fundraising opportunities beyond our investment income so we can expand and develop our services.

Key details

Role: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Blatchington Court Trust

Salary: circa £65,000

Location: Hove, Sussex

Contract: permanent, full time

As well as a clear commitment to our mission and values, you will demonstrate:

• Proven experience in senior leadership roles within the charitable sector, demonstrating the ability to lead change, inspire, motivate, and lead teams.

• Track record of developing and implementing organisational strategy.

• Business development acumen, with a track record of growing income and identifying and bringing in new funding.

• Experience in recruiting, developing, and managing high-performing teams, with a commitment to staff development and empowerment.

• Sound understanding of financial management principles, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, networking and negotiating skills, with the ability to build and maintain positive relationships with diverse stakeholders, including beneficiaries, donors, funders, and partner organisations.

• Strong negotiation and networking abilities, with a track record of successful relationship management and stakeholder engagement.

• Strong understanding of impact assessment, with the ability to develop and implement effective impact assessment processes.

• Proven ability to create a positive and inclusive work environment where all staff feel valued, supported, and motivated.

• Lived experience of sight loss or a strong understanding of the challenges faced by individuals with sight loss would be advantageous but not essential.

If you would like to receive an Information Pack for this CEO role with full details, including how to apply, please send an expression of interest and (optional but appreciated) a CV or professional profile in confidence to our consultant, Jenny Hills at Harris Hill via executive@harrishill.co.uk.

For an informal and confidential conversation about this position, please contact Jenny at the above address with suitable times to talk.

Closing date for applications: 9am Monday, 29th April 2024.

Harris Hill Charity Recruitment Specialists operates an equal opportunity policy and commits to treating all of our candidates and jobseekers fairly. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone regardless of age, disability, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

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