Chief Officer

The post

Age Concern Bracknell Forest is considering applications for a Chief Officer to manage the day-to-day affairs of the charity for and on behalf of the trustees. This is a part time post, initially for 20 hours per week including flexible hours to attend external meetings.

The role

This is an opportunity to make a real difference to the wellbeing of elderly people in and around Bracknell Forest. It would provide a fulfilling role for someone who wants to work reduced hours but make good use of their experience of leadership and management within a small organisation.

The work is interesting and varied including controlling the operations, decision making with trustees, representing the charity to third parties, and managing staff and volunteers.

Skills

Good organisational, communications and office computing skills are essential; and experience of working with volunteers and/or public bodies is highly desirable.

Salary

Salary will be pro-rated £22,000 to £25,000 per annum.

Further Details

Job description

Please see attached job description.

Background / brief by Bob Pennell

Age Concern Bracknell Forest was formed in 1972. Its object is to promote the wellbeing of elderly people in the borough including the provision of day care facilities.

I joined as chairman in June 2010 to fill a vacancy created by resignation of the previous chair. The day care facility was admirable despite lack of surrounding structure and cohesion, and my hope was that my technical management skills could help to save it from impending disaster...

The post of chief officer is multi-faceted and is vital to the character and success of the charity. It demands a broad range of skills and experience and is impossible without the support and understanding of the trustees. It requires the business and communications skills to agree strategy and plans with the trustees and to marry these with opportunities presented by liaison with third parties. It requires the personal, technical and administrative skills to directly control tasks, currently without any supporting staff. The previous Chief Officer resigned in February 2011 having been unable to master administrative aspects of the role.

Since that time, I have personally acted as chief officer and developed computer based systems to assist the more routine aspects, thereby liberating the new chief officer to shape and develop services. The job will always be both challenging and satisfying and needs someone who has the experience and vision to decide its future. It is more a vocation than a career progression.

Facets

Trustees

Business strategy, Planning, Financial control, Skills shortfall

Operations

Develop organisation and procs, low IT skills, comply with funders

Staff

no HR support, recruit and supervise volunteers, tasks not objectives

3rd parties

flexible hours, cost-effective contacts, develop opportunities