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 equality, 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