Director of Corporate Services

The Director of Corporate Services is a central role within the Executive Management Team, acting as a trusted senior advisor to the CEO and working alongside the HQ Directors and National Secretaries Office (NSO) to drive forward and deliver the Federation’s priorities. The role combines strategy, operational oversight, stakeholder management, and leadership, enabling the CEO to focus on the highest‑value activities while ensuring alignment across PFEW. The role will also have a dotted line responsibility to the National Secretary to support with wider National Board work with the over‑riding purpose of creating One Federation – a major part of our ambitious Transformation Programme.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Planning: Acting as a strategic partner to the CEO, translating the organisations vision into actionable plans, collaborating with key internal and external stakeholders to achieve this. Leading the development, coordination, and tracking of strategic priorities and key initiatives. Providing analysis, insight, and advice on complex organisational, operational, and policy issues. Preparing briefings, board papers, and presentations for senior leadership and governance forums including for National Board and in support of the National Secretary. Participating with the CEO and senior management team in strategic planning, policy development, and decision-making.
• Change Management: Leading or sponsoring cross‑organisational programmes and change initiatives on behalf of the CEO. Monitoring delivery, risks, and dependencies, intervening where necessary to maintain momentum and outcomes. Embedding robust governance, reporting, policies, procedures and frameworks is in place to ensure compliance. Improving PFEW’s ongoing processes and organising procedures to ensure optimal efficiency and productivity. Designing, reviewing, and improving the organisation’s structure and addressing ongoing problems working closely with the Head of HR and Learning and Development. Ensuring timely and effective completion of projects and initiatives. Researching and recommending new and revised policies and strategies. Creating and maintaining systems and processes to streamline operations.
• Stakeholder & Relationship Management: Develop and enhance excellent relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders to drive shared responsibilities to include National Board and National Council members, the management team, staff and partners. Acting as a liaison between the staff, CEO, and management team to assess the organisation’s mood, employees' well-being, and progress on major initiatives. Gathering departmental reports and compiling them into one company report for the National Board. Representing the CEO in meetings, via email and phone calls with internal and external stakeholders. Handle sensitive, confidential, or high‑risk matters with discretion and professionalism. Supporting the CEO in meetings by capturing and assuming responsibility for completion of action items. Acting as the liaison between the CEO and other stakeholders to ensure consistent communication and involvement in decision-making.
• Leadership & Culture: Influencing and role‑modelling PFEW values, behaviours, and ways of working. Supporting executive effectiveness and collaboration across the leadership team. Line‑managing of relevant team members (e.g. Strategy or Programme/Project teams), as applicable.
• Executive Office Management: Overseeing the effective running of the Executive Office, ensuring priorities, workflows, diaries and decision‑making processes are efficient and aligned. Acting as a central point of coordination between the CEO, Executive Team, and wider organisation. Managing and prioritising incoming issues, ensuring timely escalation or resolution. Maintaining accurate and confidential files and data records.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Qualifications: Educated to degree level or equivalent professional experience (essential). The following would be highly desirable: Postgraduate qualification such as: MBA; MSc in Management, Leadership, Strategy, or Organisational Development Chartered or professional qualifications, for example: Chartered Manager – CMI; CIPD; PRINCE2, MSP, or equivalent programme/change management qualification Board or governance related training, such as: Institute of Directors (IoD) Certificate or Diploma; Public sector or charity governance qualifications Risk, audit or assurance training/qualifications Leadership and Management training/qualifications.
• Experience: Significant experience operating at senior level within a complex organisation, ideally a staff association, trade union or public sector organisation. Proven experience supporting or working closely with a CEO, Executive Team, and/or Board. Proven ability to develop a strong working relationship with a principle and act as their delivery agent, often through influence. Demonstrable leadership and management of cross-functional strategic projects, programmes, or organisational change. Experience of managing complex stakeholder relationships at senior level and acting as a trusted adviser. Proven line management experience and a strong track record of organising teams which deliver high quality, strategically value‑added outputs to agreed and tight deadlines.
• Skills & Abilities: Outstanding strategic thinking and problem solving capability. Strong political and organisational awareness, with the ability to navigate ambiguity. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including drafting high quality board level materials. Ability to prioritise, manage competing demands, and operate at pace. High emotional intelligence, credibility, and influencing skills. Understanding the particular demands of working in an organisation which experiences significant scrutiny. Proficient in the use of MS office suite and project management tools.
• Knowledge: Strong understanding of governance, decision making, and risk management frameworks. Sound knowledge of organisational design, performance management, and operating models.
• Personal Attributes: Absolute discretion and integrity when handling confidential information. Resilient, adaptable, and calm under pressure. Ability to deliver through others – raising their performance, confidence and commitment. Proactive, solutions focused, and outcome driven. Collaborative leadership style with the confidence to challenge constructively. Excellent communicator who is resilient, trustworthy, and professional. Well organised and able to prioritise competing priorities and work toward deadlines.

Benefits: We offer multiple benefits to our HQ employees including: working flexibly, hybrid working, competitive salary, private healthcare, enhanced pension contribution, enhanced leave, employee assistance program, onsite free lunches and refreshments, free onsite gym, free onsite parking, 26 days holiday (increasing with length of service), mental health clinics, support for continuous professional development, employee discounts and more…

Applicants are advised to apply early as we reserve the right to close the advert prior to the advertised closing date should we receive a large number of applications.