Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Closed: 14 July 2017
Fundraising Senior Management

Sorry, this vacancy is now closed and applications can’t be submitted!

  • Salary c£65,000 depending on experience
  • Location Reading, Berkshire, South East (On-site)
  • Job Type Permanent
  • Sectors Youth/Children
  • Job Reference :

Lattitude Global Volunteering is seeking a new Chief Executive Officer to lead and develop this long-established leading provider of medium to long term international voluntary service placements for young people aged 17 to 25.

Based in Reading, UK, but with responsibility for a global team, the new Lattitude CEO will lead a programme of growth through designing and delivering compelling programmes, invigorating volunteer recruitment and improving income and funding streams. 

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate their ability to lead teams, effectively implement change, and work in partnership and build strong relationships. Relevant experience to lead an international youth development charity is a must, as is strong commercial acumen.

The CEO reports to the Board of Trustees on strategic and operational matters and provides information, advice and support to the Board and its Committees on all aspects of its governance function.

About Lattitude Global Volunteering

Lattitude’s mission is to educate and develop young people worldwide by providing inclusive opportunities for them to make a positive difference to the lives of others through a distinctive, challenging, structured volunteering experience in a culture and community different from their own.  We achieve this by facilitating medium to long term international voluntary service placements for young people aged 17 to 25.

Lattitude (formerly GAP Activity Projects) has been facilitating youth volunteering for 45 years and currently works with c.700 volunteers annually, recruited from countries worldwide. We have well established long-lasting partnerships with a wide range of charitable organisations around the world which provide opportunities for young people to volunteer in the fields of education, health, community, sport and the environment.  The largest host programme is in the UK, with Australia, New Zealand and Canada also popular destinations. More recently Lattitude has focused on product development and partnership working to extend reach and impact alongside longstanding programmes.

Lattitude provides unrivalled levels of structured service and support to our volunteers and hosts based on internal and external quality & safety standards, including interviewing all applicants in their home country; briefing them before they depart overseas; providing residential orientation on arrival; risk analysis; 24/7 emergency support during their placement and debriefing on return home.

The global HQ is based in Reading in the UK. Regional Directors are responsible for recruitment and hosting operations in Europe, Africa, Latin America, North America, Asia and Pacific. Our Patron is HRH The Princess Royal.

Specific responsibilities

  • Foster the vision, mission, beliefs and values of Lattitude, founded as they are on the ethos of life-long volunteering, in an organisation that emphasises the diversity, distinctiveness and affordability of its programmes globally.
  • Work with the Chairman, Trustees and senior leadership team to develop, manage and deliver Lattitude’s strategic priorities
  • Identify and lead required change to improve the Lattitude proposition and programmes, meeting strategic goals agreed with the Board
  • Plan and deliver continuous development and improvement of operational and management processes.
  • Maintain and enhance Lattitude’s financial sustainability to deliver its strategic and charitable objectives.
  • Represent the organisation establishing, maintaining, developing and managing effective partnerships and relationships in the UK and overseas.
  • Provide leadership, management and support to the senior leadership team, including focusing on all aspects of their personal and professional development.
  • Develop and implement the monitoring framework to measure the impact of the work of the organisation on the learning and development of volunteers and on the communities in which they live and work.
  • Ensure compliance with all external legislation and internal controls. 

Person Specification

  • Considerable high level management experience and leadership in both strategic and operational roles, ideally in the charity sector, with the ability to inspire and empower senior managers and staff to maintain a culture of high performance
  • Proven financial management and experience of income generation
  • Experience in designing and leading change programmes including internal and external communications
  • Experience of working with a Board of Trustees; regulatory bodies, funders, customers, Patrons
  • A track record in initiating and sustaining strategic and operational partnerships and in developing new business and income generation
  • A good level of higher education with an excellent command of written and spoken English
  • Experience and/or qualifications in management, business, finance, human resources or another relevant field       

Skills and Abilities

  • Excellent analytical, planning, reporting and organisation development skills
  • Ability to gain the confidence of the senior leadership team and Trustees; and Lattitude’s clients, staff, volunteers and key stakeholders
  • Sound business acumen, and awareness of legal and governance environments in an international context
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills both written and verbal; highly articulate and confident with groups and individuals
  • Comfortable in acting as the public representative of Lattitude Global Volunteering
  • Proven ability to deal appropriately with confidential and sensitive issues relating to clients, staff, volunteers and partners
  • An open minded and dynamic approach to work and change
  • A strong commitment to achieving results, to quality standards, and to good governance
  • A willingness to travel, and to work flexibly as required

Knowledge

  • Understanding of and experience of youth development and the issues facing young people in a global context
  • Understanding and experience of delivering programmes and services in an international context
  • Understanding of strategic relationships and partnership working
  • Understanding of equality & diversity, safeguarding, data protection, risk management, safety & security
  • Knowledge of charity-related legislation and regulation, including its application and best practice

How to apply:

Candidates should send their CV (maximum 2 sides A4) and a covering letter (maximum 2 sides A4) outlining their suitability for the role.

In the covering letter we would expect to see evidence of your knowledge of the work of Lattitude, our competitive position and your views on the key challenges and priorities for the organisation.

Closing date           14 July 2017

Shortlisted candidates informed:18 July 2017

First interviews (in London): 24 July 2017

We are an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications irrespective of disability, age, ethnic origin, religion, gender or sexual orientation. All applications will be reviewed on their own merits.

The client is happy to conduct telephone interviews for overseas candidates.

The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.