Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Vision

• Lead the development and delivery of the organisation’s strategic plan, business plan, and annual objectives, as the lead accountable officer for the organisation.
• Ensure all activities and services align with the charity’s mission, vision, and values.
• Identify opportunities for growth, innovation, and new service development. Lead the development of new projects, including planning, resourcing, and monitoring delivery timescales.
• Work collaboratively with stakeholders on common aims and to make a difference to the local area.

Governance and Board Relations

• Act as the primary link between the Board of Trustees and the organisation’s staff and volunteers.
• Provide regular, accurate, and timely reports to the Board on performance, finances, risks, and impact.
• Ensure compliance with Charity Commission guidance and all relevant legal and regulatory requirements.
• Work closely with the Chair of Trustees to maintain effective governance structures and decision-making processes.
• Support Trustees in fulfilling their duties and responsibilities.

Financial Management and Sustainability

• Take overall responsibility for the financial health and sustainability of the organisation providing assurance to the board of trustees.
• Lead and oversee the development of the fundraising strategy, including making grant applications, developing corporate partnerships and maintaining and increasing donations.
• Set and manage the annual budget in collaboration with the Finance Manager and Board.
• Monitor financial performance, including cash flow and reserves.
• Ensure effective and responsible allocation of resources in line with organisational priorities.

Leadership, People and Culture

• Provide leadership and management to the staff and volunteer teams.
• Foster a positive, inclusive organisational culture centred on compassion, wellbeing, and professional development.
• Provide visible leadership and model personal behaviour, in order to empower, equip and inspire all staff and volunteers to deliver impact and outcomes to individuals and community.
• Promote continuous learning and development across the organisation.
• Lead by example in embedding organisational values and behaviours.

Safeguarding and Organisational Responsibility

• Ensure a strong organisational culture of safeguarding, safety, and accountability.
• Maintain oversight of organisational risk, current safeguarding cases and ensure mitigation strategies are in place.

Advocacy and External Relations

• Act as the public face and ambassador of Compassion Acts.
• Represent the organisation with key stakeholders, including funders, partner organisations, churches, community groups and government bodies.
• Build and maintain strong relationships to enhance the organisation’s reach, impact, and reputation.
• Promote the charity’s work and advocate on issues relating to poverty and inequality.
• Develop partnerships, including relationships with local community organisations and faith organisations.
• Develop corporate partnerships to ensure long term funding and ownership of the work.
• Work with other antipoverty organisations locally and nationally including Trussell.

Operational Oversight

• Work closely with Operations Manager to ensure effective delivery of all projects and services across the organisation.
• Oversight of performance, outcomes, and impact across all operational areas holding staff and volunteers to account where appropriate.
• Manage and support senior staff in delivering high-quality services and achieving organisational objectives.
• Ensure systems, processes, and resources are in place to support efficient operations.

General Organisational Duties

• Uphold and promote the mission, vision, and values of Compassion Acts.
• Ensure compliance with all organisational policies and procedures.
• Maintain strong communication across staff, volunteers, trustees, and stakeholders.
• Comply with all organisational policies, including GDPR and safeguarding requirements.
• Communicate effectively with colleagues, volunteers, stakeholders, and service users.
• Work collaboratively to support high-quality service delivery.
• Contribute to team meetings, supervision, and organisational planning.
• Maintain accurate records and work towards agreed targets.
• Engage in ongoing professional development.
• Represent the organisation positively at all times, including at events and community activities.
• Support fundraising, campaigns, and other organisational events.
• Undertake any other duties reasonably required.

Additional Duties

• Lead, develop and deliver on specific funded projects for external organisations as agreed by the board trustees from time to time.