Chief Executive (CE)

Fighting With Pride is a ‘lived experience’ LGBTQ+ military charity, created in January 2020.

FWP supports LGBTQ+ veterans, serving personnel and their families. This support focuses on those who were affected by the ‘gay ban’.

The Chief Executive is responsible for providing leadership, developing, and implementing FWP strategic and operation plans, leading on partnership and development across Government, military charities and key stakeholders and being an advocate for the charity and its beneficiaries. They will be responsible for ensuring financial control and supporting and advising on good governance across all aspects of the Charity. This post directly reports to the Chair and Board of Trustees.

The role is full-time, 37.5 hours per week and is on a permanent employment contract. The salary is up to £60,000 per annum.

Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership

Be the principal ambassador of the charity.

To work in close partnership with the Chair and Board of Trustees to design, shape and implement the new strategy.

Lead, support, and motivate all staff, creating a positive culture throughout the organisation, delivering the charity’s aims, objectives, and ambitions.

Seek out, develop, and maintain effective working relationships with the Government and all relevant stakeholders to promote the work of the charity and facilitate the implementation of its strategic objectives.

Lead development of the vision, mission, core values and objectives in the Strategic Plan, providing advice, guidance and evidence-based proposals to the Chair and Board of Trustees.

Strategy

Work with the Board to develop a new FWP strategic vision and be responsible for leading its implementation.

Work towards long-term sustainability, developing the charity’s business model and maximising income.

Adopt a creative and innovative approach to development, remaining open to new ideas and opportunities.

Identify appropriate methods for monitoring the performance of FWP and to report to the trustees on the performance of the charity in line with its strategy, business, operational and annual plans, and against the annual budget as approved by the Board.

Operations

Take executive responsibility for all functions including service delivery, administration, finance, fundraising, marketing, and communications.

To run FWP efficiently and effectively by ensuring FWP has an appropriate management structure and systems, including financial reporting, to fulfil its strategic objectives and report to the Board of Trustees.

To ensure management policies and decisions support the agreed vision, mission, values, philosophy, and strategic priorities of FWP.

To ensure business, operational, and annual plans to underpin the strategic plan are developed, agreed, and implemented.

To ensure the recruitment, management, training, and development of staff reflect good employment practice and are directed towards achieving FWPs objectives.

Ensure FWP services and projects are delivered to the highest standard with due regard for timescales, risks and budgets.

Finance

Lead and direct the financial planning, forecasting, control reporting and management of the organisations finances and resources, ensuring regulatory compliance and sustainable organisational growth.

Take executive responsibility for the financial leadership of the charity, including forecasting and strategic budget leadership.

Ensure the charity’s financial resources are managed effectively and that FWP remains in good financial health, identifying risks and taking appropriate action.

Maintain effective financial management and control systems; ensure delivery within budgets and to performance targets and oversee the production of management accounts, statutory accounts and annual reports.

Governance and Compliance

Coordinate with the Board to ensure FWP overall governance structure and policies and procedures are appropriate and effective, taking remedial measures and implementing changes, as necessary.

Attend all Board meetings and prepare a written report in advance of the meeting detailing all matters of interest and concern regarding the charity’s activities, including the production of management accounts and cash flow forecasts. Ensure the Board is made aware in a timely fashion of any matters arising requiring its attention.

Develop and maintain effective operational policies and processes in all the charity’s areas of operation. Review and update the policies and content to meet legal, regulatory and best practice needs.

Oversee the development and practical application of all organisational policies and procedures e.g. with regard to health and safety, equality and diversity, and safeguarding.

Ensure the charity complies with best practice in all areas of operation.

Oversee the designated safeguarding lead ensuring the safeguarding of the vulnerable adults with whom the charity works through rigorous DBS procedures and staff training.

Take responsibility for the collection and protection of personal information ensuring this complies with relevant Data Protection regulations.

Ensure all major risks are identified and regularly reviewed, and that systems and procedures are in place to mitigate all such risks. To be responsible for the development and implementation of the charity’s Risk Register.

Other Duties

The duties listed are not exhaustive and may be varied from time to time as required by the changing needs of the charity. The post holder will be expected to undertake other duties as appropriate and as requested by the Board of Trustees.

Location

The postholder will be based within the UK, and work from home, with travel across the country, supported by the Board of Trustees.

Person Specification

Qualifications – Desirable criteria

Educated to degree level or equivalent professional experience and qualification, and evidence of CPD.

Experience of the armed forces community.

Experience – Essential criteria

Significant proven record of achievement in a senior position within a charity/not for profit organisation.

Experience of effective partnership working and development and external relationship management.

Experience of managing, motivating and developing staff.

Experience of business planning, business development and fundraising.

Experience of project management and service delivery across multiple functions.

Financial management skills including budgeting and delivery of cost and income targets.

Robust approach to governance, controls and definition/implementation of new processes.

Experience of financial and risk management.

Experience of managing organisational change.

Experience of line managing remote based teams.

Skills and knowledge – Essential criteria

Inspirational leadership, management and motivational skills.

Highly organised and personally effective.

Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.

Excellent interpersonal skills.

Ability to persuade and influence, both face to face and in writing.

Strong financial skills, including the ability to analyse budgets and accounts and manage an annual budget of over £500,000.

Outstanding business development skills.

A commitment to equal opportunities and inclusivity.

Rigorous analytical skills.

Personal attributes – Essential criteria

A thorough understanding of the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ / armed forces community and the ability to show a genuine and detailed interest in the work of the charity.

A commitment to improving the lives of others, ensuring all activities are in line with the charity’s aims, objectives, and values, and maintaining integrity and a professional approach, as a key ambassador to the charity.

Empathy for vulnerable people and those affected by the ban.

Positive, pro-active and dynamic.

Inclusive and flexible, with a consultative approach to leadership.

Confident and assertive.

Ability to pursue the mission and objectives of FWP with demonstrable passion, drive and commitment.

Committed to best practice and with a drive for continual improvement.

The appointee will also be expected to be fully IT literate and have access to a car and a clean driving licence.

Safeguarding statement

FWP is committed to safeguarding and protecting the adults we work with. As such, all posts are subject to a safer recruitment process, including the disclosure of criminal records and vetting checks. We ensure we have policies and procedures in place which promote safeguarding and a safe working environment.