Chief Executive Appointment Brief March 2019
Chief Executive | February 2019
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Chief Executive | March 2019
Introduction
Dear Candidate, Thank you for your interest in the role of Chief Executive Officer for SBA – The Solicitors Charity. I hope that through this pack you will come to learn about SBA and our passion for helping beneficiaries so that “No Solicitor is unsupported in time of need or crisis”. SBA works with beneficiaries to assist them in a variety of ways. Historically, the help provided has been to a large measure financial, but in more recent times there has been diversification: so that help can be also be delivered through “Renovo” to help beneficiaries, where appropriate, to find work. Debt counselling is also provided. SBA wishes to expand the manner in which it helps beneficiaries. SBA has enjoyed a number of significant achievements in its 150 plus year history. At this exciting and opportune time we are looking for a new Chief Executive Officer with strategic vision and drive to lead the charity forward. Our outgoing Chief Executive Officer, Tim Martin, has been with SBA for over 5 years and leaves us now in a strong position for further growth; particularly in relation to developing a fundraising/income strategy. In this role as Chief Executive you will provide the external face for SBA, with funders, partners and beneficiaries. You will also build on the SBA’s existing successful relationships and develop new ones to ensure the charity is best placed to take advantage of all possible opportunities. We envisage 2019 will allow SBA to review its current projects and build on their capacity; with particular emphasis on getting the SBA’s infrastructure right. This is a challenging role and a highly satisfying one. I look forward to hearing from you.
Chair of the SBA
Chief Executive | February 2019
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Who We Are SBA The Solicitors’ Charity is an independent charity working for solicitors both past and present and their families. Every year we help hundreds of people of all ages who are in serious financial need as a result of illness, accident, redundancy or other adversity.
We determine ‘serious financial need’ by using research produced by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s ‘Minimum Income Standard’. We provide grants and interest-free loans (secured), support with career transition and access to advice on welfare benefits and managing personal debt. SBA is run by solicitors, for solicitors and their families. Formerly known as the Solicitors Benevolent Association, SBA has been working at the heart of the legal profession for over 150 years. It is dedicated to helping solicitors past and present, and their families, in times of need.
Our Values We exist to help our beneficiaries in need or crisis.
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We actively demonstrate this by listening to our beneficiaries and by being both approachable and responsive.
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We aim to earn the trust of our beneficiaries. We do this by respecting our beneficiaries, by maintaining confidentiality, by providing honest answers to their questions and by avoiding judgemental behaviour.
We seek to make a positive difference in the lives of our beneficiaries. We achieve this by using seven grant-making objectives to shape our actions: • • • •
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Sustain beneficiaries in short-term hardship Support transitions to more sustainable lifestyles Reduce the impact of ill-health Minimise the adverse effects of entrenched financial hardship
Chief Executive | March 2019
Maintain independence Facilitate supported living where independence is not feasible Create new opportunities by providing short-term specialist input on matters of re-employment, state benefits and debt management.
We aspire to learn and improve. We are open to constructive suggestions and will pursue beneficial changes.
We reflect the respected integrity of the profession we serve. We are bound by the highest standards of professionalism in everything we do.
Our Vision SBA’s vision is that no solicitor is unsupported in times of need or crisis.
Beneficiary Statistics 2018 Beneficiary Statistics 2018 SBA The Solicitors' Charity
Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, SBA awarded
73%
£1,166,759
39 %
30%
30
24%
20
to solicitors & their families in need
Men
aged 60 or under
17%
15%
10
10%
61 %
4%
in grants
£380,537
86%
in interest-free loans
are qualified solicitors
2 in 3 have health issues
19%
27%
25%
have poor mental health
have a serious condition
have multiple health issues
are their dependants
8% 4% 19% 2% 13% 16% 14% 7% 10% 7%
East East Midlands London North East North West South East South West Wales West Midlands Yorks & Humberside
Racial Diversity 8%
have dependent children at home. Of these, nearly half were lone parents
7%
Asian/ Asian British African/Caribbean/ Black British
Women
14%
No health issue - 29%
31%
50%
70 +
U nd er
30
£786,223
31 -4 0 41 -5 0 51 -6 0 61 -7 0
0
2% 7%
13% 10%
4%
7%
8% 19% 16%
14%
*Other - 1%
*Unspecified - 3%
4%
77%
£15,940
Other White/ White British
Average household income pa 10% were either living with family members or homeless
+xxx solicitors received emotional support & guidance via LawCare funded by SBA
Chief Executive | February 2019
020 8675 6440
bensec@sba.org.uk
www.sba.org.uk
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@SBACharity
Beneficiary Quotes
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Chief Executive | March 2019
Finances The Charity continues to receive donations from individual solicitors, firms and law societies. These are gratefully received, and the income is utilised in each year to make a positive difference to the lives of our beneficiaries through grants, loans and career support.
Income 2017
Loan Repayments, 7%
Subcriptions & Donations, 5%
Other Income, 3%
Legacies, 1%
Investment Income, 29%
Residual Client Balances, 55%
Expenditure 2017 Loan Advances, 23% Grants & Welfare, 64%
Governance, 2% Fundraising & Membership, 11%
Future Plans There is continued pressure on the legal profession as legal aid is cut, firms are experiencing cash flow problems, and many are forced to close or merge with other firms. Solicitors in work feel the pressure of having to bill more, working long hours and having to be available to clients at all times. SBA needs to have regard to these external factors which will affect demand for its services.
Chief Executive | February 2019
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Organisation Structure Trustees CEO
Operations Manager
Head of Service & Delivery
Welfare Department
Financial Director
Volunteers Income Gemeration
Investment
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Chief Executive | March 2019
Fundraising
Marketing/ Communications
Role Description Job Title:
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Accountable to: Board of Trustees Direct Reports: Finance Director Head of Service Delivery Beneficiary Case Manager Operations Manager Digital Communications/Supporter Development Coordinator Budgetary accountability: £2m annual income plus investments Location: London office Salary: Competitive
Job Purpose: • • • •
To be accountable for the overall management and development of SBA, to provide dynamic strategic leadership, enabling the organisation to grow whilst ensuring its vision, mission and values and strategic objectives are met. To work with the Board and staff to create, review and take responsibility for ensuring the delivery of an ambitious strategy for impact growth and sustainability, with corresponding business plans and objectives. To increase the organisation’s reach through proactive relationship building and developing strong propositions to ensure the growth and influence of SBA is achieved. Ensure long term sustainability, through effective governance, sound finance and delivery of services.
Chief Executive | February 2019
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Job Accountabilities Strategic leadership
Staff management
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Work with the Board and staff to develop a strategic plan to deliver our strategic aims ensuring the overall strategy is translated into meaningful business and operational plans. Lead the implementation of the strategic plan and monitor performance and progress against agreed targets. Create, develop and maintain relationships with partner organisations and other benevolent societies / major funding bodies to ensure continued development and innovation of service delivery. Increase SBA’s profile and reputation using sound business planning e.g. ensuring SBA is appropriately marketed and to act as an ambassador to raise the profile of SBA. Work in line with our values to create a positive and transparent culture and to ensure the employees of SBA are working in line too. Lead, develop and manage SBA’s team ensuring that each individual is performing at the optimum level and that the team as a whole function effectively.
Income Generation •
Take accountability for driving SBA’s income and growth through: o sound management of the organisations investments. o building relationships with Local Law Societies and firms to convert them into financial supporters. o the development of a fundraising strategy.
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Financial and operational management •
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Chief Executive | March 2019
Oversee the development of SBA’s program work ensuring that those are on time, within budget taking any remedial actions if this is not the case. Ensure appropriate consultation and engagement with trustees, staff and partners in the development of the SBA’s work. Take responsibility for the financial health of SBA, reporting to the Board and mitigating financial and operational risks facing the charity as they arise. Identify and mitigate reputational risks, ensuring SBA is an effective steward. Ensure the effective delivery of services and support to beneficiaries of the SBA.
Governance & Compliance •
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Provide management and leadership to the staff team ensuring the right staff, right place, right time. Manage personal development objectives, appraisals and training and support. Manage all HR matters including recruitment, training, absence, disciplinary and grievance processes.
Ensure that SBA acts at all times in compliance with its governing documents, all relevant legislation, regulatory codes and partnership agreements. Support the continuing development of SBA’s Board and governance. Attend all meetings of the Board and ensure highquality reports are provided to them on a timely basis. Any other duties that reasonably fall within the remit of the role.
Person Specification Qualifications
Skills
Desirable • Degree standard or relevant experience. • Relevant managerial qualification/training.
Essential • A leader with gravitas, energy and vision who has flair and drive to grow the SBA. • Highly articulate with excellent written and verbal communication skills. • Strong influencing and negotiating skills in order to represent SBA at a strategic and local level. • Highly organised and with business and financial acumen. • Personal integrity and excellent interpersonal skills. • Strong leadership and management skills. • Financial awareness with strong analytical skills and a creative approach to problem solving.
Experience Essential • Proven experience of developing and implementing strategies that successfully deliver objectives. • Demonstrable experience of leadership at CEO or senior director level. • Proven track record of successfully managing significant organisational review and change. • In depth experience of developing staff, performance management structures and organizational structures. • Proven experience of creating and sustaining high performance culture, and success in driving impact through culture change. • Experience of working closely with a Board, with robust and detailed governance knowledge. • Experience of successfully developing sound propositions. • Proven track record of building personal relationships with high profile organisations, trusts and foundations in a professional capacity. • Successful track record of building profile and reputation of organisations. • Proven experience of collaboration with the ability to build excellent relationships with internal and external stakeholders, especially with volunteers. • An understanding of and experience of working with regulators and taking responsibility for compliance. • Experience of managing budgets and maintaining the financial viability of an organisation. • An understanding of how to implement a fundraising strategy.
Competencies/Behaviours Essential • Communication to lead and to develop people with the ability to bring together and inspire a range of stakeholders. • Strategic leadership with strong strategic and hands on abilities. • Energetic and passionate with a high level of adaptability and resilience. • Financial acumen.
Other Essential • Able to travel when required, work away and on some occasions nights away.
Desirable • Previous leadership role in the charity sector. • Working with poverty, social issues, mental health. • The Solicitors profession.
Chief Executive | February 2019
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Chief Executive | March 2019
How to Apply To apply for this position, please upload a comprehensive CV and a supporting statement of no more than two pages of A4 on our website. Please ensure that your application fully addresses the appointment criteria in the person specification. We ask that you complete the equal opportunities information online when you submit your application via our website. The information collected will be treated as confidential, used for statistical purposes only, and will not be treated as part of your application. We would also be grateful if you could let us know if you will require any special provision as a result of any disability should you be called for interview. Finally please ensure that you have included mobile, work and home telephone numbers, as well as any dates when you will not be available or might have difficulty with the indicative timetable. Applications should be made via the Prospectus website at: http://www.prospect-us.co.uk/executive/job/HQ00174466
Timetable Closing date: Monday 25th March 2019 Initial interviews with Prospectus: 1st to 11th April 2019 Panel interviews at Solicitors Benevolent Association offices: w/c: 29th April 2019 These dates may be subject to change and applicants will be advised in advance should this happen.
Recruitment Process
Queries
Should you decide to make a formal application, you will receive feedback within seven working days of the closing date. Shortlisted candidates may be required to undertake an additional assessment prior to the final interview. The successful appointment is subject to a satisfactory criminal records disclosure and written references.
If you have any queries on any aspect of the appointment process, need additional information or would like to have an informal discussion, please contact Anna Gardet, Alex Williams or Roberta Giubilini at Prospectus on 020 7691 1920, or email: anna.gardet@prospect-us.co.uk alex.williams@prospect-us.co.uk roberta.giubilini@prospect-us.co.uk
Chief Executive | February 2019
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Chief Executive | March 2019