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Role Description

Vision, Mission, and Ethos

  • Ensure Upbeat’s vision is realised—creating thriving communities where refugees can contribute and embrace opportunities.
  • Develop innovative services, projects, and social enterprises that empower refugees to rebuild their lives.
  • Uphold and actively facilitate the charity’s Christian ethos, maintaining inclusivity while staying true to Upbeat’s roots.
  • Foster a culture of innovation, learning, and empowerment, encouraging new approaches to refugee support.
  • Establish partnerships to pilot and scale initiatives that enhance refugee experiences and long-term integration.

Leadership and Strategy

  • Champion innovation and adaptability, leading the organisation through changes in the refugee and migration sector.
  • Inspire stakeholders with a compelling vision, ensuring alignment with Upbeat’s mission and values.
  • Drive strategic growth, ensuring long-term sustainability and expansion across Derby and the East Midlands.
  • Work closely with the Board of Trustees, conducting horizon scanning and sector analysis to maintain strategic alignment.
  • Ensure strong governance by providing trustees with clear, data-driven updates for informed decision-making.
  • Identify and develop entrepreneurial opportunities that support Upbeat’s mission and financial sustainability.
  • Position Upbeat as a thought leader in the refugee sector, ensuring its voice is heard locally and nationally.

People Leadership and Culture

  • Unite and inspire a diverse team of staff and volunteers, fostering alignment with the charity’s mission and values.
  • Cultivate a values-driven, empowering culture that provides an exceptional work environment and outstanding service for refugees.
  • Lead with a servant-hearted approach, prioritising the development and wellbeing of the team.
  • Apply situational leadership approaches, adapting management styles to support individuals and teams effectively.
  • Provide coaching and mentoring to senior leaders, fostering their professional growth.
  • Ensure lived-experience voices shape Upbeat’s work by embedding co-production methods in service delivery.
  • Promote equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) across all areas of the organisation.

Partnerships, Communication, and Representation

  • Serve as Upbeat’s ambassador and public representative.
  • Engage with refugee communities to ensure Upbeat’s work remains relevant and grounded in lived experiences.
  • Represent Upbeat in networks, forums, and alliances, particularly across Derby and the East Midlands.
  • Strengthen partnerships with local authorities, policymakers, businesses, churches, and national refugee organisations to enhance impact.
  • Lead media representation, including TV, radio, and print interviews, to raise awareness and advocacy efforts.
  • Build and maintain a strong working relationship with the Chair of Trustees.

Policy and Advocacy

  • Lead Upbeat’s influence on local, regional, and national policy, advocating for refugees’ rights and inclusion.
  • Support the team in accessing up-to-date training and resources related to refugee sector policy and advocacy.

Service and Operational Oversight

  • Provide strategic leadership for all service delivery and operations.
  • Embed a continuous improvement approach, ensuring service excellence and efficiency.
  • Oversee risk management, safeguarding, and compliance to uphold the highest standards.
  • Implement impact measurement frameworks to evaluate programme effectiveness and drive innovation.
  • Integrate environmental sustainability within Upbeat’s operations and services.
  • Drive digital transformation, leveraging technology to improve service delivery and communication.

Finance, Fundraising, and Income Generation

  • Provide strategic leadership for Upbeat’s financial health, working closely with the outsourced Finance Director.
  • Oversee budgeting, investment strategy, and financial planning to ensure sustainable growth.
  • Support the Trustee Finance Sub-Committee with up-to-date financial reporting and decision-making data.
  • Lead the fundraising strategy, working with the team to set and achieve ambitious targets.
  • Identify and develop new funding opportunities, including grant applications, donor engagement, and partnerships.
  • Oversee contract management and tender submissions for new and ongoing work.
  • Ensure social enterprise growth aligns with Upbeat’s mission and charitable objectives