London Youth- Director of Engagement by Prospectus

Director of Engagement Appointment Brief October 2018

Director of Engagement | October 2018

Welcome from the

Chief Executive

Dear Applicant, Thank you for your interest in our Director of Engagement role. Young Londoners are ambitious, creative, fun and capable. Yet, many grow up in poverty and lack opportunity to be all they can be. In recent years investment in services for young people has been significantly reduced. We believe this has an impact, London’s young people are less active, with poorer wellbeing and a higher unemployment rate than most of the rest of the UK. I believe it has never been a more important time for organisations working with young Londoners to excel than now. London Youth is a vibrant, growing network of amazing youth organisations based in communities all across the capital. We have a long, proud history of working with and through our members and at our two residential centres to support and challenge young people to be the best they can be. We are in a strong position to advocate on behalf of our members, and support them to respond to need. But our members are also facing significant challenges as a result of income reduction. As the Director of Engagement you’ll play a vital role in further developing and executing London Youth’s ambitious membership strategy to increase reach and deliver even better value to its members. Leading our communications and marketing teams, you will ensure young Londoners’ voices are heard, and that London Youth is positioned as the gateway for members to key stakeholders across London.

You will actively represent us with members and stakeholders. As a member of the senior leadership team you will contribute to the development of our vision and strategy and work alongside colleagues across the organisation to ensure it is successfully delivered. We are in an exceptional position to succeed, with solid finances and funds designated for strategic projects. London Youth is a values led, collaborative and creative organisation. We strive towards excellence and to fully represent and mirror the diverse communities we are part of. If you share our values, are committed to always putting young people and members at heart of what you do, and have the senior level experience to lead a high performing team, we would like to hear from you. To learn more about the role and how to apply, please do read the contents of this appointment brief, and our advisors at Prospectus would be delighted to have a confidential discussion about the role. With Best Wishes, Rosemary Watt-Wyness Chief Executive

Director of Engagement | October 2018

An introduction to

London Youth

We are London Youth. A charity on a mission to improve the lives of young people in London, challenging them to become the best they can. Young people need opportunities outside school to have fun with their friends, to learn new skills, to make a positive change in their communities and to shape the city they live in. Last year, we worked with over 27,000 young people through our sports development, employability, youth action and involvement, arts and outdoor education programmes. Our work gives young people access to opportunities they might not otherwise have had. Throughout our history, community youth organisations have provided a constant lifeline and a vital safe space outside the family and formal education, where young people can develop confidence, resilience and skills. Our vision is that all young Londoners grow up healthy, able to express themselves, navigate a fulfilling career and make a positive contribution in their communities. Our mission is to support and challenge young people to become the best they can be; developing their confidence, resilience and relationship skills. We do this with, and through, our network of community youth organisations and at our two residential centres. We look to work with all young people, focusing particularly on those who wouldn’t otherwise have access to the kind of opportunities we offer. Because good youth work works.

Director of Engagement | October 2018

We deliver our mission through four strategic objectives: 1. Membership Development Developing, training, connecting and quality assuring our membership network to deliver good youth work. 2. Opportunity Creating a broad and inclusive range of quality opportunities for young people in social action, sports development, employability and outdoor education. 3. Voice Ensuring our expertise and the on-theground voices of youth workers and young people are reflected in public policy, practice and opinion. 4. Best we can be Being the best we can be; fundraising effectively, financially robust and a great place to work.

And we strive to act in line with our four simple principles: • • • •

Honesty – about what works (and what doesn’t) and we learn from our mistakes. Collaboration – with each other, young people, our members, and the world beyond. Improvement – committed to continual improvement. Fun – because we think people learn best when enjoying themselves.

More information can be found on our website: https://londonyouth.org/

Director of Engagement | October 2018

Organisation

Structure

CEO

Director of Programmes and Partnerships

Director of Engagement

Director of Residential Centres

Director of Finance and Resources

Head of Talent Match

Head of Communications

Head of Woodrow

Head of Finance

Head of Youth Action

Head of Membership Development

Head of Hindleap

Head of People

Head of Sports and Culture Head of Fundraising

Head of Safety and Safeguarding

Head of Digital and ICT Head of Learning

Director of Engagement | October 2018

Role

Description

Role title: Director of Engagement Accountable to: Chief Executive Responsible for: Head of Membership Development, Head of Communications, and 8 other staff

Lead and implement London Youth’s membership development strategy (30% of role) •

•

Leadership (10% of the role) • • • • • • •

• • •

Provide corporate leadership to London Youth. Model the organisation’s vision and values in leading the organisation. Provide purposeful, credible and developmental leadership to your team. Contribute to the development of the charity’s medium and long-term vision and strategy. Lead our stakeholder management and actively engage with our members and young people. Represent London Youth to a range of audiences. Ensure that our membership and communications strategies are aligned with organisational strategy and other departmental strategies. Work collaboratively with and contribute critical analysis to senior colleagues and senior team discussions. Present at Board and Committee meetings. Ensure consistency of communication and process across the organisation by working closely with fellow Directors and function Heads.

Director of Engagement | October 2018

•

Ensure members’ needs and views are embedded across our organisational strategy, operations and communications. Oversee the continued development and implementation of a membership strategy that responds to the contemporary needs of youth organisations. Develop a segmented membership offer that uses our corporate position and resources to deliver increased value to members. Develop a membership communications plan that ensures members are fully aware of and engaged with London Youth opportunities, products and programmes. Identify new needs and opportunities emerging from membership engagement and innovate solutions to unmet need.

Lead Corporate Communications (30% of role) •

•

Lead the development of a communications and stakeholder management strategy that raises the profile of London Youth and positions us as a gateway for our members to London influencers, policy makers and funders. Raise the profile of the value of qualityassured, community-based youth work with funders, policy-makers and the media. Work with organisations in our membership to develop agreed influencing priorities.

•

Use learning and evidence from our programme outcomes to influence the future environment and opportunities for young Londoners in all areas of our expertise. Continue the development of a strong, coherent brand identity that represents the values of London Youth.

Corporate responsibilities cutting across tasks • •

Lead the development of London Youth’s marketing strategy (10% of role)

•

Develop our marketing capability to research our markets and consult with members, young people and stakeholders to shape our products and services and communicate our offer to our target audiences. Ensure that market insights inform our strategies and plans.

Secure significant funds from diverse sources (20% of role) •

•

Work with the Director of Programmes and Partnerships and the Head of Fundraising to develop and secure income for new and existing activities. As part of a collaborative team approach, raise significant income from trusts, corporate and individual givers to meet departmental and organisational budget requirements. Engage with funders and develop funding proposals.

•

• • •

Support team Heads to develop and deliver operational plans, income plans and budgets within the department. Manage performance within the agreed annual planning and budgeting framework. Actively promote London Youth’s policy and procedures to value and respect diversity and inclusion in all aspects of their duties and working relationships. Ensure talented staff with suitable skills and experience, who can demonstrate London Youth values, are recruited and inducted for your department. Ensure your team is developed, supported, appraised and managed in line with our values and standards of line management and leadership. Manage any advanced grievance and disciplinary matters. Take an active approach to your own ongoing professional development. Ensure your department fully complies with our key policies including our Health and Safety, Wellbeing and Safety and Safeguarding policies and procedures.

Director of Engagement | October 2018

Person

Specification

It is essential that in your written application you give evidence of examples of proven experience for the selection criteria. The successful candidate will have the following skills, experience and attributes:

Knowledge and Experience

Qualifications

•

• •

• • • • • •

Experience and strong track record of developing and leading membership strategy or transferable skills in developing and delivering value for customers Experience and strong track record of leading communications strategy/ function Excellent communications ability – written and verbal – and able to establish rapport with a wide range of stakeholders Demonstrable track record of new business development Knowledge of developing a marketing strategy/leading marketing activity Experience of developing and overseeing operational plans Experience of working at a senior level Significant experience of budget management Ability to develop and coach direct reports to become the best they can be

Director of Engagement | October 2018

Marketing/management qualification preferred

Personal Attributes • • • • • • •

Values led with a strong interest in improving the lives of young Londoners Strategic thinking ability Collaborative in approach Motivated to achieve impact for our members and young people Organised and with attention to detail Committed to improvement Flexible and open to change within a growing and developing environment

Our members work at evenings and weekends and you will make a regular schedule of visits.

Director of Engagement | October 2018

How to

Apply

To apply, please forward your CV together with a supporting statement (the statement should be no more than 2 sides of A4). In your statement please provide evidence of your suitability against the criteria in the Person Specification and explain why you want to be Director of Engagement at London Youth. Applications must be made via the Prospectus website: http://prospect-us.co.uk/jobs/ details/hq00173722

Recruitment Timetable Published closing date: 4th November

Preliminary interviews with Prospectus: 12th-19th November Interviews with London Youth: 27th November Please let us know if you will require any special provision as a result of any disability should you be called for interview.

Queries

If you wish to have an informal discussion about the opportunity, have any queries on any aspect of the appointment process, or need additional information please contact our advisors at Prospectus; Alex Williams and BĂ¸rge Andreassen on 0207 7691 1920 or email: alex.williams@prospect-us.co.uk borge.andreassen@prospect-us.co.uk

Director of Engagement | October 2018

Created by the Prospectus Talent Attraction team. Prospectus Ltd 20-22 Stukeley Street London, WC2B 5LR

Director of Engagement | October 2018