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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead lifesaving operations and inspire a dedicated team to save lives at sea.
- Company: Join the RNLI, a charity committed to water safety and rescue.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, generous leave, and an outstanding pension scheme.
- Other info: Embrace diversity and contribute to a world-class lifesaving service.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while leading a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 75191 - 88460 £ per year.
About Us
The RNLI is a charity that provides 24‑hour lifeboat search and rescue service, seasonal lifeguards, and water safety education and initiatives. Our lifeboat crews and lifeguards need a dedicated, professional and talented team behind them, and that is where you come in. This is your chance to join that team and help save lives every day. We’re looking for an inspiring and experienced leader to join us in leading our South West region.
Some of the benefits:
- Salary £75,191 - £88,460 (dependent on experience).
- Hybrid and Flexible working options.
- 26 days’ annual leave plus 8 Bank Holidays (increases with service).
- Outstanding pension scheme (employer contributions of up to 10% of basic salary).
- Life assurance.
- Health cashplan option.
The role
The geography for this role encompasses the coastline from Portishead around to Weymouth including the inland region, as well as the Channel Islands. The Head of Region will give greater visibility, voice, and input into decision making at a regional level. Responsible for the delivery of our lifesaving service, you will lead the lifesaving effort in the region including the lifeguard service, lifeboats and water safety enabled by fundraising, asset and equipment management and over time, other support services. Responsible for a multi‑disciplinary senior management team, and a high number of overall staff and volunteers, you’ll be focused on ensuring effective business performance across all services. This includes reviewing potential opportunities and threats, and monitoring and analysing data and trends to track progress, measure performance and understand regional impacts. You will cultivate collaborative working with the Regional Leadership Team, building relationships, providing support and constructive challenge within the region and the wider Lifesaving Operations Senior Leadership team, as well as across the organisation. Working with key internal and external stakeholders, you will ensure that we operate in the most effective way to save more lives at sea. There will be an expectation to travel cross region and departmentally too.
About You
Already an outstanding leader with significant experience of leading change and transformation, you will be able to build strong relationships, influencing and collaborating across boundaries. You will be accustomed to following a clear operational strategy, whilst at the same time, able to be strongly autonomous in your leadership and delivery. This is a highly visible and critical role responsible for all operations within the region therefore, you will convey the necessary credibility to influence at Board level, creating compelling proposals for budgets and resource whilst having the humility and empathy to work alongside our passionate volunteers and staff at all levels.
Experience:
- Senior leadership and influencing skills gained from leading multi-functional teams within a similarly complex organisation.
- Proven experience in formulating annual business plans, monitoring, and reporting.
- Significant financial responsibility in relation to assets and services.
- Experience of working within organisation risk and compliance frameworks.
- Ability to lead, manage, develop, and motivate teams, whilst working collaboratively with support functions and other regions.
- Expert communication skills to deliver sensitive information, internally and externally.
- Experience of change leadership and delivering programmes and projects.
As one of six RNLI regions, the South West region has 54 lifeboats, 89 lifeguarded beaches, 110 members of staff, 800 seasonal lifeguards and 2,500 volunteers as well as a regional base in Saltash, Cornwall. Therefore, frequent and extensive travel across the South West coast of England is expected to be a key component of this role. The RNLI supports flexibility in your working preferences.
Safeguarding
The RNLI is committed to safeguarding; protecting a person’s health, wellbeing, and human rights, enabling them to live free from harm, abuse, and neglect. We expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment and have a zero‑tolerance approach. The suitability of all prospective employees and volunteers will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment. This will include relevant criminal record checks being carried out dependent on the eligibility of the role.
Diversity at the RNLI
Our staff and volunteers have been saving lives at sea without prejudice for 200 years. We respect and value diversity of background, skills and perspectives within our teams, and consider it essential to help us deliver a world‑class lifesaving service. We are an inclusive organisation and welcome applications from everyone. In addition to having the skills needed for the role, we also look for applicants who share our commitment to living our RNLI values (trustworthy, courageous, selfless, and dependable), and helping us work towards Our Vision: To save Every One.
Head of Region - South West in Saltash employer: RNLI
Contact Detail:
RNLI Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Region - South West in Saltash
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the RNLI or similar organisations on LinkedIn. A friendly message can go a long way, and you never know who might put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the RNLI's recent initiatives and challenges. Show us that you're not just interested in the role but also passionate about our mission to save lives at sea.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! We want to hear about your experiences leading teams and driving change. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our lifesaving team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Region - South West in Saltash
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for the RNLI and its mission shine through. We want to see how much you care about saving lives and making a difference in the community.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in leadership and change management. We’re looking for someone who can lead our teams effectively, so connect your past roles to the responsibilities of the Head of Region.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of your qualifications and ideas for the role. Avoid fluff and focus on what matters!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity with the RNLI.
How to prepare for a job interview at RNLI
✨Know the RNLI Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you understand the RNLI's mission, values, and recent initiatives. Familiarise yourself with their lifesaving services and how they operate in the South West region. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your genuine interest and commitment to the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
Prepare specific examples of your past leadership experiences, especially those involving multi-functional teams and change management. Be ready to discuss how you've influenced decision-making and driven performance in previous roles, as this is crucial for the Head of Region position.
✨Emphasise Collaboration Skills
The RNLI values collaboration across various teams and stakeholders. Think of instances where you've successfully built relationships and worked with diverse groups. Highlight your ability to communicate effectively and foster teamwork, as this will be key in leading the South West region.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle challenges. Prepare for scenario-based questions related to operational strategy, financial responsibility, and risk management. Practising your responses will help you articulate your thought process clearly during the interview.