Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive Officer of CancerCare

CancerCare is proud of its heritage and renowned for the support it offers to cancer patients and their family and friends. 

We are passionate about our work within our local community, with young people and individuals who sometimes find it hard to seek help and a time when they need it most.

The next three years will be marked by change and challenge, articulated within in our forward plan but also a huge opportunity for an experienced and inspirational leader to work with a talented and committed team of staff and volunteers.

Reports to: Chairman of Trustee Board

Accountable to: Trustee Board

Direct Reports: Head of Operations, Head of Client Services and Head of Fundraising

Salary: £50,000

Closing Date: Monday, February 4th, 2019, at noon

Context

This role requires an experienced senior manager, a leader who can demonstrate a genuine empathy and compassion for the clients of CancerCare and who can drive the organisation forward to further enhance its role as the major regional provider of non-clinical support services to those affected by cancer throughout North Lancashire and South Cumbria.

CancerCare’s charitable objects are:  

• To relieve sickness and suffering of persons facing cancer and other chronic or life-threatening illnesses, and of their carers, families and friends during and after such illness or illnesses.

• To provide or assist in providing forms of therapies and support suitable to meet individual needs.

• To educate the public in order to broaden its understanding and knowledge of vital aspects of cancer, such as prevention, detection, relief and treatment.

• To undertake or promote research into prevention, detection, relief and treatment and to encourage the dissemination of the useful results of such research for public benefit. 

CancerCare’s mission statement is: 

Providing therapies, help and support, free to people of all ages affected by cancer throughout North Lancashire and South Cumbria. 

CancerCare’s Vision statement is:

To improve the quality of life for everyone affected by cancer within our communities. 

CancerCare currently has three locations from which it provides its therapy services; these are located in Lancaster, Kendal and Barrow in Furness. The Lancaster location also serves as the head office for all administration.

Job Summary 

To develop, lead, manage and motivate all CancerCare staff and volunteers to guarantee the provision of CancerCare’s free professional therapy services across North Lancashire and South Cumbria, ensuring high standards and value for money. 

The Chief Executive will be responsible for the administration, financial management and reporting of the organisation, ensuring it complies with all legal and regulatory requirements. Working closely with the Chair and board of Trustees, the Chief Executive will lead the development of the organisation’s long-term strategy, budget and business plan. 

As the principle ambassador for CancerCare, the Chief Executive will provide the public face for campaigns and build relationships with all key external stakeholders. Additionally, they will be the key driver of engaging, motivating and developing volunteers, staff, beneficiaries and prospective donors. 

Main Duties and Responsibilities 

• Lead the development of a rolling three year plan and annual budget for approval by the board of trustees within the agreed timescales

• Operate the organisation in line with the annual budget, ensuring that all planned initiatives are delivered on time and within agreed costs

• Ensure that all management and HR policies are up to date

• Ensure that the organisation fulfills its legal, statutory and regulatory responsibilities

• Recruit, develop and retain an effective senior management team

• Ensure the organisation’s staff and volunteers are focused on achieving its mission and vision

• Establish, monitor and report key performance indicators of the organisation’s impact, financial and operational health

• Maintain awareness of and report risks and changes in the external environment that may affect the organisation

• Be the interface between the Trustee Board, Leadership Team, Staff and Volunteers

• Build an effective working relationship with the Chair of the Trustee Board

• Provide regular and timely reports to the trustee board

• Drive the momentum to secure a sustainable income from all key income streams, supporting the fundraising strategy to achieve the funds required to meet the organisations strategic objectives 

• Represent the organisation with all media, political, government and regulatory officials to advance the organisation’s aims and visibility 

• To ensure robust systems are in place for risk and governance including: Finance; IT Systems; premises; HR; Health & Safety; Fundraising; data management

• To lead the identification of new openings for the provision of current and new services

• To lead on maintaining existing and the developing new opportunities for partnership working at local, regional and national level

• To lead the development of services with proposals and business cases made to the Trustee Board and external funding bodies

• To work with the Trustee Board and Leadership Team to agree optimum opportunities for CancerCare

• To be the external representative of CancerCare in enhancing its reputation as a leading support charity for cancer and other life limiting conditions at local, regional and national level 

Key Skills 

• Leadership

A key function of this role is the motivation of internal and external stakeholders, strong personal drive and high energy are key strengths

• Advocacy

This role demands the ability to be both the public and private face of CancerCare, therefore the ability to effectively promote the organisation and its aims is paramount

• Interpersonal Skills

Strong internal and external relationships have become critical to the success of CancerCare and the ability to build enduring relationships is essential

• Financial Acumen

Good ability with regard to financial reporting is essential as is the relationship between the Chief Executive and the organisation’s Treasurer. In addition, management of our reserves and awareness of the investment strategy is key

• Quick Learner

CancerCare has well-established systems and a robust mission and vision, which is underpinned by a successful rolling three year plan. The ability to get up to speed quickly with the organisation’s current position, and the nature of its service provision and aims is essential 

Operational Management 

• To lead the leadership and development teams in ensuring effective Client Services provision, fundraising and support services to sustain the success of the organisation

• To inspire staff and volunteers to deliver the highest standards of care to clients at all times

• To develop a strong performance culture supported by a commitment to high standards of client care

• To ensure equitable access to CancerCare services for all potential users across North Lancashire and South Cumbria

• To ensure the development and implementation of all necessary policies, procedures and systems to facilitate accountability and effective governance

• To ensure the buildings and facilities are maintained in good repair

• To ensure the necessary systems (e.g. Company Secretary, IT, Financial, Human Resources, Facilities, Health and Safety, Risk) are in place to enable CancerCare to comply with legislation and discharge is responsibilities effectively

• To ensure that effective staff appraisals and development systems are fully implemented and maintained

• To lead the optimisation of data to further the development of the organisation whilst upholding the established GDPR standards

 Organisational Promotion 

• To act as a credible ambassador for CancerCare safeguarding and promoting its good name and reputation

• To ensure the marketing of CancerCare’s work and brand identity is strong, clear and consistent

• To lead on identifying opportunities to expand and promote the role of CancerCare

• To ensure CancerCare is presented in an appropriate and professional manner to its stakeholders

• Champion the communications strategy ensuring the development of our external links so as to grow awareness of our service proposition, fundraising activities and successes, organisational development and the general awareness of CancerCare

• To lead the ongoing drive towards the continued evolution and delivery of our rolling three year plan in line with CancerCare’s mission, vision and values and strategic focus 

Working With the Chair and Trustees’ Board 

• Ensure that CancerCare discharges its constitutional and legal obligations

• Monitor the operation of CancerCare , optimising its organisational structure and present recommendations for changes as appropriate to the Chair and Trustee Board

• To provide regular updates and briefings to the Chair and trustee Board and attend Trustee meetings and sub committee meetings as appropriate

• To lead the quarterly staff meetings ensuring these lively and informative meetings are sustained for the benefit of the organisation

• In conjunction with the SMT, support the organisation’s ongoing commitment to the MIND index approach and participation

• To ensure appropriate presentation and reporting by the Leadership Team to the Trustee Board on the progress of CancerCare and the discharging of its responsibilities

• With the Chair, support the Trustee Board to regularly review the organisation’s mission, vision and values and its strategic direction

• To support the Chair in ensuring the continued engagement and involvement of the Trustee Board and to actively engage in the recruitment and induction of new Trustees 

Other Duties and Responsibilities 

• To undertake any other duties within the competence of the post holder under the direction of the Chair and Trustee Board from time to time to aid the smooth running of CancerCare

• To carry out the duties of the post in accordance with CancerCare policies and procedures including: Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety, Confidentiality, Complaints, Data Protection, Safeguarding of vulnerable adults and children

• To promote the work of CancerCare and safeguard its good name and reputation at every opportunity

• To have a flexible approach to working patterns with hours to suit the needs of the role and responsibilities as appropriate 

Relevant Experience 

Experience of senior management or organisational leadership is essential. A feature of the role is working closely with the non-executive trustee board; therefore, experience of leading and/or working with committees or organisational boards is advantageous.

For any enquiries please contact Neil Townsend at CancerCare.