Strategic & Partnership Director

Involve Northwest

We are delighted to be able to offer a new position within our fantastic, thriving organisation.

Involve Northwest is a Charity based in Rock Ferry and Birkenhead that offers targeted support and practical solutions for a range of issues effecting the wellbeing and lives of Wirral residents.

Supporting people with a range of services including a community hub, welfare benefits and debt, employability, social isolation & community cohesion, mental wellness, health and wellbeing and domestic abuse (via Lighthouse Centre Wirral). Our ethos and values focus on providing information, guidance and support to local people to enable them to make informed decisions, empowering them to break down the barriers they are facing. We are extremely proud of the work we do, the fantastic team we have and the positive impacts and differences we make to people s lives.

This new and exciting senior role is now open to applicants to work alongside and in full partnership with the existing Management Team, together you will drive meaningful change across our communities to help residents lead happier and healthier lives.

Job Title: Strategic and Partnership Director

Location: The Community Village, Rock Ferry, and the Wirral community.

Working Pattern: Part Time (3 Days or 21 hours per week)

Salary: £62,000 per annum (FTE) (Pro rota / Actual: £37,200)

Reporting To: Board of Directors

Key Strategic Responsibilities

• Scope and drive forward funding & partnership opportunities in support of sustainability and growth.
• Collaborate, take shared accountability, influence and control for internal and outward facing operational strategies/delivery.
• Interface directly with funders/commissioners, managing relationships and integral contracts.
• Grow Involve Northwest s network of commissioners and strategic/mutually beneficial partnerships.
• Have an understanding where Involve Northwest sits within the competitive landscape.
• Consider the organisation, its destination and routes to that destination with out of the box thinking.
• Reviewing all aspects of service provision and roles of Involve Northwest including management and responsibility of company assets, including the building, owned by Involve Northwest, which is tenanted.
• Developing strategy in relation to the charity, facilities and building.
• Conduct horizon scanning for alternative opportunities for funding, and contract diversification e.g. collaboration with other third sector organisations, private income generation and legacy funding.
• Leading on the scoping and writing of bids and responses to tender invitations, expressions of interest and soft market testing as appropriate.
• Overseeing Involve Northwest s communication and marketing strategy.
• Reviewing the positioning of existing commissions in the context of the organisation s long-term ambitions.

Leadership And Managerial Responsibilities

• Collaboration, willingness to take shared accountability, influence and control for internal and outward facing operational strategies/delivery.
• To hold the strategic lead of some existing contracts and the Community Hub.
• Produce, track and monitor strategic operational resources such as business plans, business continuity plans, and risk registers.
• Lead a team of people and make sound strategic business decisions.

Company Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work in line with set company policies and procedures, including ISO9001:2015 and GDPR 2018.
• Work to Involve Northwest s Safeguarding procedures. Represent the charity in the best manner.
• Demonstrate a commitment to the vision, values, and strategic aims of Involve Northwest.
• Maintain high standards of professionalism and keep abreast of current legislation, standards, best practice and maintain a focus of continuous improvement.
• Work within the practice standards of Involve Northwest.

Partnerships Management

Involve Northwest is predominantly funded through contracts with central and local government. The successful person will interface directly with funders and commissioners, managing those relationships and attending contract meetings where appropriate. Attend external meetings/groups and act as the face of the organisation, in collaboration with the Management Team.

The role will focus on growing Involve Northwest s network of commissioners and strategic/mutually beneficial partnerships to secure future commissions in new delivery themes or areas in the Northwest that align with our strategy and vision. You would also be expected to explore and develop new partnerships outside of Involve Northwest s traditional stakeholders with other publicly funded organisations and within the private sector.

This role profile is not exhaustive and is subject to review in conjunction with the post holder and according to future changes/developments within the Company.

Person Specification Essential

Experience

• Significant experience in a senior management role.
• Strategy development with a proven record of implementation, tracking and monitoring progress.
• Experience in securing year-on-year sustainable funding.
• The ability to link operational delivery with the strategic plan to achieve its stated objectives.
• Track record in delivering results and achieving strategic objectives.
• Risk management, business continuity and disaster recovery planning and testing Working with commissioners/grant funders at senior levels.
• Significant experience in bid/tender writing at an operational and strategic level, with the ability to present at all levels and deliver reports as required.
• Strong decision-making skills.
• Budget management experience.
• Developing communication and delivery strategies.
• Working in the third sector would be useful but is not essential.

Knowledge and Skills

• Excellent people skills, including communication, relationship building and emotional intelligence.
• Proven track record in change management.
• Problem-solving, planning skills and innovative thinking.
• The ability to implement strategies to meet the organisation s goals agreed with the board of directors.
• Understanding the importance of excellent employee management and have the ability to motivate.
• Excellent organisational skills, results-driven, with a clear focus on outcomes.

Personal Attributes

• Be a visionary for the organisation and lead by example
• Be compassionate and empathetic and have a high level of integrity.
• Act with integrity and respect when working with all clients, agencies, and individuals.
• Flexible, adaptable, and an excellent active listener.
• Be a team player with an open and honest manner and be able to build effective relationships.
• High level of personal resilience concerning workload and ability to discharge tasks.
• Excellent organisational skills, hard-working, results-driven, with a clear focus on outcomes.