Managing Director

About Koreo

Koreo is a learning consultancy working across the public and non-profit sectors in the UK. We believe that a just and regenerative world is possible; that the talent to build it is everywhere that the work of building it is for everyone; and that doing so will require a radical approach to learning.

Since 2004, we have combined those beliefs to become one of the UK's leading learning and development partners for organisations in the public and non-profit sectors; working directly with leaders in communities, partnering with household name institutions to shift organisational culture towards learning, and delivering cross sector learning networks that bring people together across organisational boundaries.

We work through a combination of consultancy projects, from large scale culture change programmes to discrete strategy and people development projects, as well as through our own programmes developing emerging and existing talent across the social change sector. Find out more about our practice, projects, and people at koreo.co.

The Job

The Managing Director will:

• Report to the CEO
• Be employed on a permanent contract
• Be based remote or hybrid, with regular travel to London
• Be paid a pro rata full-time equivalent salary of £70,000-80,000, dependent on experience
• Work a minimum 3 days/week, with flexible arrangements welcome, Koreo operates a 9 day fortnight for full time staff.
• Benefit from 25 days holiday (5 days of which are fixed in August and Christmas), plus bank and public holidays, enhanced sick pay and family leave policies, workplace pension scheme.

Role in Brief

This role is responsible for Koreo’s strategic, financial and operational performance, with the aim of building and scaling a sustainable commercial consultancy with a social mission. Working to and with the Founder & CEO, the Managing Director is responsible for the day to day leadership and management required to develop Koreo as an organisation. As befits a senior role with broad responsibility, the Managing Director role is varied, but has a particular focus on supporting the CEO to set and implement strategic direction, drive growth, produce strategic communications, and lead excellent operational and financial performance across the company.

The key responsibilities of the role are summarised below:

• Strategic Leadership: Responsible for the implementation of Koreo’s strategic, financial and operational performance, ensuring it is in keeping with Koreo’s mission and values and supports the sustainability and growth of a commercial consultancy.
• Business Development & Communications: Contributes to the growth and development of the organisation, supporting the CEO and directing Portfolio Directors to create, win and operationalise new programmes of work.
• Operational Performance: Responsible for Koreo’s commercial operational performance, with ultimate oversight of projects across the company, including direct involvement in high value projects and stakeholder engagement as relevant, as well as wider responsibility for operational processes and systems.
• People & Culture: Responsible for the development of a just and inclusive culture in which a diverse team can do its best work. This includes supporting the CEO with the development of organisational practice and process, managing people, leading priority projects and working with the team on culture and development.

Person Specification

Strategy & Governance:

• Experience of leading the development and implementation of organisational strategy with a focus on operational and financial maturity, and translating strategic intent into operational priorities.
• Experience of strategy development and implementation in a commercial consultancy is desirable.
• Experience facilitating the performance of a senior team, with a particular focus on shared understanding and purpose.

Business Development & Comms:

• Experience of developing and delivering strategies that support organisational growth and financial resilience. Leading or contributing to the growth of an equivalent organisation is desirable.
• An understanding of the landscape of social change work, and how this differs in markets across all sectors (e.g. from social innovation int he UK, to INGOs, to private sector organisations committed to purpose).
• An existing network and profile in this line of work is desirable, as is having experience of social change work in the private sector.
• Experience of winning, and/or growing projects or programmes of work to deliver on business development targets. This may be through growing existing projects, responding to opportunities, or by taking a new idea from concept to operational delivery. Experience of doing this in an equivalent context is desirable.
• A proven ability to influence externally, with a particular focus on building networks and a reputation that supports Koreo’s profile. An existing practice (and examples) of sharing your thinking or practice with a wider audience is desirable.

Operational Performance:

• Experience of designing and implementing operational systems/processes that drive consistency and efficiency in delivery. Experience of implementing robust approaches to resourcing and capacity is desirable.
• Experience of budget setting, financial management, and reporting at both an organisational and project level. Experience of designing and implementing an organisational approach to project budgeting is desirable.
• Experience of leading client projects in an equivalent environment.

People & Culture:

• Significant experience in managing people/teams/organisations in an equivalent context in a way that supports development, consistency and confidence.
• An understanding of Justice, EDI, and anti-oppression and how to apply that understanding into organisational development.
• An understanding of how to create the conditions for a learning environment.
• Responsible for maintaining a focus on your own personal development, in the context of your role and your future career ambitions.

The full details of the role can be found in the job pack here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-gBRKFxdLXywdZsff8Gw2sh2nrrRXO0g/view

How to apply

To apply for this role please complete the application form by 5pm on Monday 5th June 2024. We would also request applicants complete this voluntary Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form and return it to us with their application: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bDwBvah3xYYzvzGA1fWmvRDwZfJCE07dB3n1SZIqQWM/edit#heading=h.42iuu8bzbn9j

If you have any questions about applying you can direct any enquiries to hello@koreo.co up to 48 working hours prior to the application deadline. We strongly encourage applications from people who are historically under-represented in positions of leadership in the social sector, London and the United Kingdom, including Black and People of Colour, gender-nonconforming people, and people with disabilities. In support of our approach to flexible working we are happy to receive applications from those seeking full time employment, as well as those who may want to share the role on a part time or flexible basis.

Our recruitment process:

• All applications are received centrally and are anonymised by a member of the team before being shared with the panel for screening and selection
• Our team will shortlist candidates based on the criteria as presented within the role and person specification.
• We are unfortunately unable to offer feedback to non-shortlisted candidates; however, every applicant will be informed of the outcome of their application.
• Shortlisted candidates will be invited via email to take part in a panel interview, most likely held virtually, that may also include some written and/or scenario-based tasks
• Appointed and shortlisted candidates will receive feedback on their application and performance through the application and interview process
• References will be requested and verified following an offer of employment.

Further information

Should you require any particular arrangements or support related to this process we are committed to working with you to support this as much as possible - including after any appointment. We seek to ensure the accessibility of our recruitment processes and workplaces and environments for everyone so please let us know at any point during the process via hello@koreo.co.