Chief Executive Officer

Rowan is a Cambridge-based charity and arts centre for people with learning disabilities. We provide a safe, creative and welcoming environment where we use the arts as a tool to bring people together; break down issues of social exclusion and improve health and wellbeing.

Chief Executive Officer
Responsible to: Chair of the Board of Trustees
Contract: Permanent, full-time
Salary: Up to £55,000 p.a.
Location: Cambridge

Main purpose of the role

• To lead the strategic and operational management of Rowan
• To advise and report to the Trustees on the management of Rowan to ensure that the Board can fulfil its responsibilities in the governance of the charity
• To ensure long-term financial sustainability of Rowan
• To act as an ambassador and to promote the aims and values of Rowan
• To oversee Rowan's focus on the Creative Arts both locally and nationally

Principal tasks and responsibilities

• To develop Rowan’s strategic direction and operational plans, leading their implementation, as agreed with the Board of Trustees
• To manage and foster a productive and effective relationship with the Board of Trustees, promoting active communication and reporting on progress against operational goals
• To lead Rowan, ensuring effective delivery of the services provided and creating a safe and inclusive working environment, strengthening our community and empowering people
• To build an effective workforce in support of Rowan’s activities, through employees and volunteers
• To manage the administration, budgets and resources of the organisation effectively, ensuring financial security and sustainable development
• To supervise building maintenance and keep the charity’s infrastructure in good working order
• To drive the growth of Rowan’s operations in a safe and sustainable way
• To take a key role in building Rowan’s income streams and reserves.  This includes oversight of grant applications and funding bids, and feedback, as well as effective communications with funders and private donors
• To ensure compliance with Rowan’s legal responsibilities, such as to fulfil the Company Secretary role, meet the Charities Commission requirements, Health & Safety and safeguarding
• To ensure that Rowan’s corporate policies and practices are up to date and relevant
• To act responsibly and ensure that Rowan maintains and develops its public profile and relationships with key external stakeholders, student artists, parents and carers

Person specification

The following experience, knowledge and skills are desirable in applicants for this role; it is not expected that candidates will satisfy every area identified below to be successful.

Experience

• Experience as a senior executive in a charity, local authority or not for profit setting, ideally with experience of the learning disability and/or arts sector
• Strong financial management experience including budgeting, forecasting, monitoring income and expenditure and financial governance
• Experience of developing and successfully delivering business plans and strategies
• Experience of working closely with Trustee Boards, advising and guiding decision making

Knowledge

• A good understanding of the charitable sector
• A thorough understanding of Charity Governance, policies and statutory requirements
• A broad knowledge of general management disciplines:  HR, finance, the regulatory environment and business development.

Skills

• Strong leadership and management experience
• Strong financial management skills
• Strong people management skills, empathy and knowledge of HR practice
• Strong communication skills with the ability to communicate with a diverse range of people
• A strong influencer and negotiator
• Problem-solving ability

Closing Date:  6 February 20221.

To Apply and for More Information:

If you would like to apply for this position, please click the apply button and attach your CV and covering letter, explaining why you are interested in this role and why we should consider you to lead the next phase of growth at Rowan.

Offers of employment subject to a satisfactory DBS and 2 references.

At Rowan we believe that inclusion in terms of age, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, physical and mental ability and ethnicity is of real value. We actively welcome applications from those whose lived experiences will bring new perspectives and support our desire to diversify our team.

No agencies please.