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SalaryAre you a strategic senior leader who believes every young person deserves the chance to reach their potential?
The Way Youth Zone (Wolverhampton) is a unique and ambitious charity dedicated to improving outcomes for young people. As part of the national OnSide family and deeply rooted in the diverse community it serves, The Way is a purpose-built space buzzing with energy and filled with incredible facilities. It is staffed by a skilled and dedicated team who truly believe in the young people of Wolverhampton. The Way successfully delivers a strong core youth offer that has an excellent reputation with young people, parents and carers, commissioners, local businesses, and funders alike.
The Way Youth Zone is proactively inclusive and youth-centred, always prioritising the specific needs of young people. From vibrant, creative, and diverse play work for younger members to evidence-based youth work, including arts, sports, and enterprise for individuals aged 8 to 19 years, up to 25 with additional needs. In addition to their universal offerings, The Way also provides a range of targeted youth programmes for children and young people who benefit from intensive support. They are seeking an incoming Chief Executive to increase numbers and participation among young people in Wolverhampton's vibrant and diverse community.
Salary: Circa £55,000 - £60,000, depending on experience, with potential for negotiation for an exceptional candidate. They are happy to discuss flexible working patterns, including a 4-day week.
Location: The Way Youth Zone Wolverhampton,
Benefits: This position offers a 5% employer pension, 33 days of annual leave (including bank holidays), access to OnSide's Talent Academy for training, a day off on your birthday, gym access, subsidised meals, parking permits covered through payroll, uniform, and Employee Assistance Program (EAP) access.
Could you lead this established and highly respected youth charity as it expands its provision, supporting more of the young people of Wolverhampton to reach their potential?
About the Opportunity:
The dimensions of the role of Youth Zone Chief Executive defy definition in conventional terms. It is strategic and requires effectiveness at a high level, yet at the same time demands detailed and hands-on management. This is an incredible opportunity for someone eager to make their mark in their first Chief Executive role or for an experienced CEO hungry for the next big challenge.
You'll have responsibility for a revenue budget of £1.3 million per annum and the leadership of a dedicated team of 59. There is a unique duality to being a Youth Zone CEO-you'll need willingness to get stuck into the detail in an environment without corporate support structures, as well as the ability to influence effectively at the most senior levels. The Chief Executive's relationship with the Chair and wider Trustee group is one of high support and high challenge, enabling you to deliver ongoing success for the Youth Zone.
About You:
We're looking for an empowering leader who can create a meaningful, dynamic balance between supporting a highly motivated team to feel valued and involved in strategic delivery and the output of high-quality, open-access provision modelling reach, scale, quality, and measurable impact.
To apply, you'll need to be able to clearly demonstrate:
- Successful track record of leading and growing multi-faceted teams within charitable organisations.
- Understanding of a multi-agency framework operating within community-based settings.
- Financial literacy, with demonstrable knowledge and experience of good governance.
- Ability to identify, win, and mobilise commission-funded services.
- Experience of managing highly regarded services within a nuanced political landscape.
- Ability to maintain safe practice and leadership within a fast-paced, high-risk environment.
- Commitment to advocating and proactively championing ED&I.
It's of vital importance that you are an emotionally intelligent communicator and relationship builder, able to work seamlessly with young people, youth workers and volunteers, senior leaders internally, external stakeholders at all levels, and an ambitious and supportive board of trustees.
If you are as excited by this unique opportunity as we are, you'll want to get in touch ASAP for further details on how to make your application.
To apply, please send a copy of your profile or CV in the first instance to Ellen Drummond () and Priya Vencatasawmy () at Charity People.
Deadline: 9 am on the 2nd of February
First stage interview: Wednesday the 14th of February 2024
Second stage interview: Monday the 19th of February 2024
Charity People actively promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion. We match charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates, irrespective of age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we know greater diversity will lead to even greater results for the charities we work with.
