Type of employment: Permanent, Full Time
Location: We operate a hybrid working policy – the person would need to attend at least one day in London for the Senior Team meetings and be available as leader as and when in the London Office. The remainder of time would be working remotely. Current WeWork Office is located on Chancery Lane, London
Salary: £110,000
Working pattern: 33.75 working week. Office hours are 9:15 – 17:00 we offer flexible working also.
Reporting to: Chair of Trustees, RCVS Trust (RCVS Knowledge is the trading name for RCVS Trust).
Direct reports: 3
Benefits: Our extensive range of benefits can be found here
Background
The new strategy plan for 2023–2028 will be put into action by the new Chief Executive. The work will be guided by three main objectives: supporting and catalysing improvement in veterinary care, bringing our veterinary past to life and developing the organisation.
The Chief Executive will be responsible in all aspects for the success of the Charity, reporting to a Chair and Board of Trustees. They will build on our position as the leading voice for quality improvement (QI) and evidence based veterinary medicine (EBVM), strengthening our role as a thought-leader and advocate for advancing veterinary care globally.
The Chief Executive will remove barriers to accessing our archives and library to increase research, public and profession participation and understanding.
They will further improve the engagement and morale of the staff, develop them to reach their potential, while promoting work-life harmony and fostering a vibrant and diverse culture.
The Chief Executive will be responsible for nurturing excellent relationships with key stakeholders, including RCVS, the veterinary profession and the academic community world-wide. They will work to develop the business of RCVS Knowledge, conscious of the need to secure varied income to support a viable business model which fits the purpose of the organisation. They will grow the partnership and fund-raising ability of the organisation, increasing the external opportunities for financial support from corporates, pharmaceutical organisations, Trusts and Foundations and legacies across the range of its work.
Key responsibilities
To provide dynamic leadership and direction for RCVS Knowledge, working with the Board of Trustees to drive the charity forward. To create an effective organisation capable of delivering excellent, sustainable projects which contribute towards the charity’s vision and aims. To enhance Knowledge’s impact and profile both nationally and internationally.
To contribute to RCVS Knowledge’s growth and success through the development and expansion of the charity’s enterprises; through the exploitation and leverage of our intellectual capital and the identification of new business opportunities; whilst also seeking new and innovative ways to generate profitable income for our core charitable aims through fundraising and other activities.
The Chief Executive will be responsible for developing and maintaining strong relationships with all stakeholders, including donors, sponsors, veterinary professionals, and the general public. The Chief Executive will work closely with the Board of Trustees and senior management team to ensure that stakeholder engagement strategies are developed and implemented effectively.
Duties and Responsibilites in Detail
Strategic Planning
- to drive RCVS Knowledge forward by delivering its 2023-2028 Strategic Plan.
- to develop and monitor strategies for ensuring long-term viability of the charity.
- to create annual operating plans that support the agreed strategic direction producing annual operating budgets and submitting annual business plans for approval.
- to develop operating policies to ensure programmes and activities are implemented effectively.
- to build and develop external networks, working with Trustees, RCVS Council and other relevant stakeholders.
Leadership
- to provide leadership to the staff team, promoting a culture that reflects RCVS Knowledge’s values, monitors and encourages good performance and rewards productivity.
- to develop national and international partnerships to further RCVS Knowledge’s purpose and impact
- to ensure that RCVS Knowledge is well administered and meets its governance responsibilities including the responsibility to ensure that its operations are in compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements.
- to ensure that staff and the Board of Trustees have sufficient and up-to-date information.
Financial Management
- to have responsibility for the day-to-day financial management of the charity, including preparation of budgets and business plans for approval by the Board of Trustees, and ensuring that income is maintained, and expenditure is controlled in line with budgets and that potential risks are identified and managed.
- to manage RCVS Knowledge’s resources within budget guidelines according to current laws and regulations.
- to provide prompt, thorough and accurate information to keep the Board appropriately informed of RCVS Knowledge’s financial position.
Fundraising
- to be responsible for developing and implementing fundraising strategies to ensure that the organization can meet its financial goals.
- build and maintain relationships with major donors, corporate sponsors, and other supporters of the organization to secure funding.
- responsible for identifying new sources of funding, including grant opportunities and other fundraising initiatives, to diversify the organisation’s funding streams.
- manage staff, monitor performance, and adjust strategies as necessary to ensure that the organisation meets its financial targets.
Key Relationships
- to serve as spokesperson and media personality for RCVS Knowledge.
- to become a thought-leader at national and international level on issues that further the Knowledge’s core purpose.
- to act as liaison between RCVS Knowledge and relevant stakeholders ensuring the organisation is represented. appropriately to them and building strong relationships with peer organisations, as appropriate.
- to foster and strengthen relationships with potential future donors.
- to collect and analyse evaluation information that measures the success of the charity’s programme of activity.
Key relationships
Internally:
- Chair, RCVS Board of Trustees
- Members of the Board of Trustees
- Staff
Externally:
- Chief Executive, RCVS
- RCVS Council Members
- RCVS Staff
- The Charity Commission for England and Wales
- Companies House
- Members of the veterinary profession
- Representatives of the veterinary press
- Major donors and potential major donors
- Other veterinary related charities and organisations
- The wider animal owning public.
- Professional advisers