Chief Executive Officer jobs in United Kingdom

Job Title: Chief Executive Officer

Salary: NICS Grade 5 points 1-5: £79,237 to £85,685 per annum (appointee will normally start at bottom of the scale, dependent on experience).

Reports to: Board of Ulster Supported Employment Limited and DfC.

Main Purpose: The post holder is responsible to an independent Board for ensuring effective strategic planning, leadership, performance, partnership working, resource management and good governance in line with strategic functions, Ministerial targets, Government policy, DfC policies and priorities and Board Objectives.

As the designated Accounting Officer, the post holder is responsible, through the Accounting Officer in DfC, to the NI Assembly. The Chief Executive provides assurance to the Board and DfC regarding systems of internal control and must promote and be a model for ethical behaviours and our core values.

Duration: Permanent

Applicants must apply through Usel’s website.

OVERALL OBJECTIVE OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE (CEO) ROLE

The primary responsibility of the CEO is to support the Board in its duty to ensure that Usel is an efficient, effective and accountable organisation.

The CEO will have day-to-day responsibility for the company and will be the main point of contact between Usel and the Department on day-to-day matters.

The post holder will:

• Advise the Board on the discharge of its responsibilities and statutory duties as set out in Usel’s Management Statement and in any other relevant instructions and guidance that may be issued by Sponsor Department, the Department of Finance or the Northern Ireland Executive, identifying and progressing matters requiring decisions, scrutiny, or action.
• Ensure, as Usel’s Accounting Officer, delivery of the highest standards of financial probity, governance, and accountability on behalf of Usel and the Permanent Secretary, reporting against such standards as required to the sponsor Department.
• Support the Board, and lead the staff, in the development of its vision, strategies, policies and forward planning process.
• Undertake corporate and operational planning.
• Ensure that effective corporate governance and business arrangements operate in Usel, regularly reviewing systems to deliver continuous improvement.
• Represent Usel with external stakeholders.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership and Partnership Working

1. To provide the required leadership, vision and strategic direction to ensure that Usel delivers against its statutory functions, Government priorities, Ministerial targets, DfC priorities and Board objectives and that Usel continues to help change the lives of thousands of local people with disabilities or health conditions in NI.
2. To assist the Board in developing and to ensure achievement of Usel’s strategic objectives and associated business plans, in partnership with key stakeholders and ensure the Board are kept informed of any changes to the regulatory or policy environment which may require changes to policy or procedures within Usel.
3. To represent Usel effectively, working collaboratively with strategic partners and stakeholders, such as DfC and other government departments, local councils, other ALB’s and public bodies, 3rd sector organisations, private organisations, customer networks to ensure that Usel fulfils its role as the main employer of disabled people in Northern Ireland.
4. To ensure the development of corporate strategy and the annual business planning process to enable the delivery of Usel’s vision, considering the operating environment and examples of good practice and ensuring alignment to key priorities such as the Programme for Government and DfC’s strategic and business plan.
5. To ensure that innovative approaches to service delivery are researched, developed and implemented in order to continue to meet Usel’s objectives and to lead change and improvement programmes as appropriate using the principles of good programme and project management.
6. To maximise Usel’s contribution to improve the overall wellbeing of the people with disabilities and health conditions in Northern Ireland, collaborating with others as appropriate, for example, to deliver collaborative solutions, improved social and economic outcomes.
7. To lead and develop a high performing and cohesive Senior Leadership Team to deliver against corporate objectives, protect and enhance Usel’s reputation and maintain and build public confidence.
8. To be a role model for Usel’s Core Values and the associated behavioural expectations required to ensure high levels of performance, in a conducive working environment, ensuring effective communication with employees, Trade Unions and other key internal and external stakeholders.

Performance and Resource Management

1. Closely monitor operational performance to ensure that Usel is appropriately structured and resourced to enable the effective and efficient delivery of corporate objectives and that Usel delivers a value for money and high-quality public services to those with disabilities and health conditions and stakeholders.
2. Ensure robust financial management within Usel to ensure that all public funds made available to USEL are used for the purpose intended by the Assembly, and that such monies together with Usel’s assets, equipment and staff, are used economically, efficiently and effectively.
3. Ensure excellence and value for money in the procurement and delivery of contracted services in line with DoF policies and procedures.
4. Identify, develop and secure new business opportunities in line with strategic objectives, business plans and budgetary parameters which support organisational growth and sustainability.
5. Ensure the development and provision of appropriate performance metrics to enable the effective management of organisational performance and effective scrutiny and decision making by senior management, the Usel Board and DfC.
6. Ensure the continued development of a culture of high performance, customer orientation and continuous improvement across the organisation.
7. Ensure the development and implementation of appropriate policies and working practices that support the delivery of Usel’s corporate objectives.
8. Champion a culture of engagement, equality of opportunity, learning and development, health and safety and ensure effective employee relations are maintained in Usel.

Corporate Governance and Accounting Officer

1. Ensure that a robust Corporate Governance framework is in place to reflect the changing needs of the organisation and that it is implemented in-line with Usel’s responsibilities as a Non-Departmental Public Body of DfC.
2. Ensure that Usel has robust systems of internal controls, that these are fully complied with, and that Usel appropriately identifies and manages risk.
3. Ensure that Usel aligns to the requirements of the NI Charities Commission.
4. Ensure the continued financial stability and viability for the organisation and ensure that all financial covenants are met.
5. Ensure that Usel complies with all relevant legislation and Departmental requirements e.g., MPMNI, Public sector procurement rules, Section 75 NI Act 1998, Health and Safety at Work 1978 (as amended).
6. As Usel’s Accounting Officer, ensure that Usel activities achieve high and reliable standards of regularity and propriety and that Usel always acts in the public interest with due regard for probity and value for money.
7. Ensure and role model the highest standards of probity and good conduct in Usel and that the associated behaviours expected with good governance are understood by all employees.
8. Fulfil other specific duties associated with the role of Accounting Officer such as personally signing and providing assurance on organisational accounts, the annual report and governance statements.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

CriteriaEssential

• 1. Demonstrable experience at senior management* level in a large, complex, multi-professional, demanding, and performance-oriented environment, as an integral member of the organisation’s senior management team.

• 2. Demonstrable senior management experience of:

  • a) Strategic Leadership and Planning:

    • Successfully developing and delivering against strategic plans and corporate objectives.
    • Aligning to Government Policy in a challenging financial context.
    • Ensuring alignment with best practices in Public Governance and Accountability.

  • b) Governance and Accountability:

    • Analysing and interpreting complex corporate problems and information.
    • Making sound judgements and advising/influencing a Board (or Governing Body level).
    • Managing risk and ensuring good governance.

  • c) People and Resources:

    • Effectively engaging and motivating teams through an inclusive and encouraging working culture.
    • Utilising robust reporting and monitoring tools.
    • Delivering against corporate objectives within challenging budgets.

  • d) Partnerships:

    • Working in partnership with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders.
    • Achieving successful outcomes and meeting corporate objectives.
    • Developing productive working relationships.

  • e) Managing Change:

    • Leading corporate change programmes.
    • Demonstrating sustainable performance improvements and high-quality services.
    • Maintaining and enhancing corporate governance, working relationships, and employee morale.

  • f) Commercial Acumen:

    • Delivering commercial success through fostering an agile and commercially viable organisation.
    • Meeting the highest standards of governance and public accountability.

• 3. Can demonstrate:

  • a) Experience of effectively working with, advising, and influencing the Board (or Governing Body level) on complex delivery matters.
  • b) A comprehensive understanding or previous experience of the role of Accounting Officer.
  • c) Previous experience in budget creation, managing an annual budget, and practical experience of statutory reporting of financial performance.
  • d) The required behaviours to effectively fulfil the role of Accounting Officer for USEL.

• 4. Have access to a form of transport which enables fulfilment of the full requirements of the post.

  • (If the effects of a disability preclude an individual from holding a driving licence, the candidate should indicate how they could meet the mobility requirements for the post.)

Desirable

• 1. Possess a degree or equivalent level qualification.

• 2. Can demonstrate a deep understanding of disability and its context within the Northern Ireland Labour Market.

• 3. Have at least 2 years of senior management level experience in:

  • The Public Sector,
  • Local Government, or
  • The Voluntary and Community Sector.

* Senior management is defined as experience at Director, Head of Service, or Chief Executive level in an organisation with a minimum of 50 staff and a budget of at least £3 million.