Director of Operations
Information Pack | June 2013
Contents
Background
Job Description
Person Specification
Organisational Chart
Terms of Appointment
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Background
Dyslexia Action is a national charity that takes action to change the lives of people with dyslexia and
literacy difficulties.
We want a world where barriers to learning, employment and fulfilment have been removed for people with
dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties.
We take action to change lives by:
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Offering help and support direct to individuals
Empowering others so they can help individuals affected by dyslexia
Influencing change to help individuals affected by dyslexia
The charity operates from the Head Office in Egham, Surrey and a network of 25 regional centres and 97
teaching locations throughout the UK.
To support our work, we fundraise and sell products through our shop, the proceeds of which are donated
back to the charity.
Why Dyslexia Action exists
Dyslexia is a hidden disability that affects approximately 10% of the population to varying degrees. It
doesn’t affect intelligence but predominately causes difficulties with reading, writing and spelling. However,
it is much more than just a difficulty with reading and can affect an individual in many other ways such as
organisation, memory and / or mathematics.
The social impact of dyslexia is extensive. If you cannot learn to read, you cannot read to learn and
everything we do at school and throughout life requires us to have the skills to be able to access written
information. Above and beyond the difficulties and barriers dyslexia presents, is the damage that low selfesteem can have, which is life-long.
But with the correct help and support, dyslexia and literacy difficulties need not be a barrier to education,
employment and fulfilment. Dyslexia Action exists to ensure all those affected by such hidden disabilities
get the help and support that they need.
Our history
The beginnings of Dyslexia Action date back to 1968 when a group of parents, including Kathleen Hickey
and Beve Hornsby who formed the North Surrey Dyslexia Society, set up a working party, including Wendy
Fisher, with the aim of establishing a Dyslexia Institute. In 1972 the Dyslexia Institute was founded with
Miss Hickey as Director of Studies and Mrs Fisher as Executive Director. Beve Hornsby went on to found
the Hornsby International Dyslexia Centre.
From its small beginnings, the Dyslexia Institute grew into a national charity with 26 main centres across
the UK and 150 teaching outposts and units. We specialise in assessments to identify dyslexia and
specialist multi-sensory tuition to help and support those identified as dyslexic, as well as offering training to
teachers and other professionals.
Then in 2005, following a merger with the Hornsby International Dyslexia Centre, we changed our name to
Dyslexia Action.
The name may have changed over the years but what hasn’t changed is the charity’s passion and ambition
to improve opportunities for those with dyslexia.
Taking action, changing lives
Who needs us?
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Over 6 million people in the UK
2-3 children in every classroom
Around 500,000 teachers
Over 17,300 primary and 3,300 secondary schools
Every employer throughout the UK
We work with:
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Those affected by dyslexia and literacy difficulties and their families
Teachers and other teaching staff
Schools, colleagues and universities
Pupil Referral Units
Employers
Prisons and Probation services
Other voluntary organisations with similar goals and ambitions
Training Providers
Central and Local Government
Local communities
Working with individuals
Dyslexia need not be a barrier to success. The key to the right support is the identification of the individual’s
specific needs. As a charity that is passionate about providing the right help and support to enable learners
to change their lives, and as the leading provider of services for dyslexic people, Dyslexia Action is
continuously striving to provide the right help to fit all learning needs. We offer a range of assessment and
screening services, one-to-one specialist teaching, home support packages that include the use of their
multisensory computer software Units of Sound (UofS) and other services, such as study skills.
Empowering others
Dyslexia Action offers a range of training opportunities for teachers and other professionals and parents, as
well as consultancy services for schools, colleagues, universities, employers and training providers. We
work with a range of partners on a number of projects such as P4L and Load2Learn to empower others to
help individuals living with dyslexia. Please visit the projects section of the website for further details – click
on link Dyslexia Action Projects
Influencing policy
Dyslexia Action has 40 years’ experience and knowledge of how best to help and support those affected by
dyslexia and literacy difficulties. We therefore prioritise working with decision and policy makers to improve
the opportunities for those with hidden disabilities across the UK.
Dyslexia Action is the Secretariat of the All Party Group. Through this group of Peers and MPs’ they work
with our sister charities to ensure Westminster is kept apprised of important issues and updates related to
their sector. Dyslexia Action also uses this group to identify opportunities to influence positive change for
their beneficiaries.
The charity continues to work closely with the Dyslexia-SpLD Trust, The British Dyslexia Association (BDA)
and other sister charities to deliver Government-funded projects through schools and with Local Authorities.
One project currently being delivering is called Empowering Parents and Carers, which aims to increase
the knowledge and understanding of parents of dyslexic children, as well as the work we completed on the
BID Project and The Qualifications Framework to help teachers identify the skills they needed and,
therefore, the right training.
As with many other Government reviews, which included The Rose Review (2009), Dyslexia Action has
been asked to advise on educational issues related to special educational needs (SEN). We submitted
evidence to the SEN Green Paper (Support and aspiration: A new approach to special educational
needs and disability, March 2011) which, depending on how its aspirations are taken forward, has
significant potential to affect the outcomes of children with dyslexia and other SEN.
Together with their sister charities, we are working to ensure that dyslexia training is a compulsory part of
all initial teacher training courses.
For information about the partner organisations working with Dyslexia Action please click on this link Dyslexia Action's Partners.
Website address - www.dyslexiaaction.org.uk
Job Description
Post Title:
Director of Operations
Responsible to:
Chief Executive
DEPARTMENT SUMMARY
The Operations department is responsible for:
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The operation of the regional activity within centres, outposts and other locations
Delivering a quality assured service of assessments, teaching and consultancy
Delivery of a high quality external training service
Delivering against both financial and impact targets
Development of the presence of Dyslexia Action in the areas where we have delivery
Working with Fundraising and Business Development colleagues to identify and crystallise opportunities
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
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To increase the reach and impact of support for people with dyslexia and other specific learning
difficulties
To ensure the implementation of Dyslexia Action’s strategy as part of the Executive Team and through
leadership of the Operations Department
To act as a proactive strategic change agent to enable the Operations Department to be robust and
responsive to challenges in the current environment
To work closely with regional heads to deliver and grow a quality assured service through our centres
and other points of delivery.
To deliver and grow a high quality efficient and effective external training service.
KEY AREAS OF RESPOSIBILITY
Regional Activity
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To lead, support and develop Dyslexia Action’s regional delivery to meet and surpass impact, financial,
and quality targets.
To directly line manage a number of delivery centres, with the remainder split between the Regional
Managers
To develop operational business plans to grow the regional activity across the UK, through existing or
new delivery models as appropriate
To campaign and lead on the identification and implementation of new ways of delivery ensuring that
service users and customers’ needs and requirements are identified, understood and used to inform
service development
To ensure that the advantages offered by new methods of delivery and their impact on organisational
structures are fully understood and included in the plans for organisational change
To develop strategic partnerships with third parties to support the development of sustainable services
and enable Dyslexia Action to maximise its impact
Training
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To lead, support and develop the Dyslexia Action’s training department to meet and surpass impact,
financial, and quality targets
To develop training business plans to grow training through existing and/or new delivery models, as
appropriate.
To campaign and lead on the identification and implementation of new methods of delivering training
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To develop strategic partnerships with third parties to support the development of the impact of training
General
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To lead, support and develop the capacity and strategic effectiveness of the Operations Management
Team including defining clear delivery priorities with explicit links to the business plans for staff,
ensuring clarity of objectives, delivery priorities and links into the organisation’s overarching strategic
direction
To ensure that services are managed in line with organisational policies, statutory requirements and
best practice guidance
To manage the external customer complaints’ process
To represent Dyslexia Action externally
Other duties commensurate with the post
DIMENSIONS
2013/14:
Income £4.8m
Expenditure £4.0m
INTERFACES
Internal:
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Chief Executive (Line Manager) and the other members of the Executive Team
The Leadership Team, in particular the Regional Managers
Principals and other centre staff
Other operational managers
The Fundraising and Marketing Team
The Finance Team
Facilities Manager
Human Resources
IT Team
External:
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Customers/Beneficiaries
Potential clients
Service providers
Third party partners and potential partners
Person Specification
Experience
Essential:
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Significant successful educational management and leadership experience
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Proven experience of leading the strategic development and delivery of direct services (including
educational services)
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Experience of developing high performing teams and managing people effectively with a track record of
inspiring and leading others, particularly during times of change, engendering trust and confidence to
minimise instability
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Experience in building alliances and maintaining effective relationships to include high level contact,
partnership and alliance building.
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Able to influence, convince and negotiate with others in a way that achieves acceptance and agreement
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Track record of applying commercial acumen to the development and delivery of services
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Proven experience of managing a substantial income and expenditure budget
Desirable:
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Leadership and development of educational dyslexia services
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An appreciation of the skills and professional progression of teachers, dyslexia experts or other
educational specialists
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Professional educational qualification
Abilities, understanding and personal qualities
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Strategic and innovative thinker at home being “hands on”
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The ability to make strategic assessments and decisions around the effectiveness of methods of
delivering services to those with dyslexia
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A quick learner who can absorb the complexities of Dyslexia Action and assimilate its culture
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A flexible and dynamic contributor, capable of working autonomously whilst making a significant
contribution to the Executive Team
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Proven ability to motivate and empower people at all levels in a large organisation
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Enthusiastic and committed, ensuring delivery of objectives
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Able to remain calm and in control when challenged or in the face of setbacks
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Ability to understand and demonstrate commitment to Dyslexia Action’s Equal Opportunities Policy
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Demonstrable ability to display interest in other’s opinions and be sympathetic and tolerant of differing
needs and viewpoints
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Proven ability to produce written communication that is fluent, clear, concise and tailored to intended
recipient(s)
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Awareness of own development needs evidenced by continuous professional development and
established professional networking
Executive and Leadership Teams
Kevin Geeson
Chief Executive
Executive and
Leadership Team
Liz Ambekar
Emma Malcolm
Vacant
Matthew Wilkie
Director of Finance
Director of
Fundraising and
Marketing
Director of
Operations
Head of Human
Resources
Executive and
Leadership Team
Executive and
Leadership Team
Executive and
Leadership Team
Executive and
Leadership Team
Margaret
Rooms
John Rack
Head of Units of
Sound
Development
Leadership Team
Lynn Reddy
Jo Mahler
Alison Bryant
Head of Finance
Northern Regional
Manager
Southern Regional
Manager
Leadership Team
Leadership Team
Kathryn
Benzine
Head of Research,
Development and
Policy
Executive and
Leadership Team
Barry Johnson
Glenys Heap
Head of Training
Head of
Psychology
Head of
Educational
Development
Leadership Team
Leadership Team
Leadership Team
Leadership Team
Terms of Appointment
Salary:
up to £60,000 per annum
Benefits:
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Hours:
Pension: An optional contributory Pension Scheme, with contributions of 3% employers matching
minimum 3% employees
Annual Leave: Six weeks
40 hours per week
Location:
Flexible with one day per week to be spent at our Head Office in Egham and a requirement
for other UK travel.
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Director of Operations
Location:
Flexible with one day per week to be spent at our Head Office in Egham
Salary:
Up to £60,000 per annum
Dyslexia Action has a proud history of more than 40 years and is the foremost UK charity dealing with
dyslexia and related learning difficulties, operating across multiple sites. Its head office and national
training centre are in Surrey, and it also has 24 centres in England, Scotland and Wales, 40+ teaching
outposts and over 100 units delivering specialist services to a range of audiences in schools, the prison
service, NHS and local employers.
The opportunities and challenges facing Dyslexia Action are enormous, with many individuals with dyslexia
receiving limited and inadequate help. We are ambitious in our aim of transforming people’s lives, and see
significant opportunities to increase our reach and range services through innovation and new models of
operation.
This is an exciting time of ambitious change and we are looking for a new Director of Operations.
The successful candidate will be a member of the Executive Team (ET), reporting to the Chief Executive
and working together with the members of the ET. You will play a central role in developing our strategy for
future growth and impact, of our Regional and Training offer, leading on the development and delivery of
these services. Travel to our Centres across the UK will be required.
You will need to be an experienced leader and manager with credibility in an educational environment. You
will set a compelling vision and direction for our dedicated teams of experts, with a focus on driving up
performance through robust business planning, joining up our people across the organisation to optimise
effectiveness and share best academic practices.
This is an exciting time for Dyslexia Action, and we are looking for somebody who is able to contribute
towards our continuing success.
Closing date: 9am on Monday 9 July 2013
To find out more about this role please visit our website
For more information please contact [email protected]
Dyslexia Action is an Equal Opportunities employer.
A DBS enhanced disclosure will be required for this post.
www.dyslexiaaction.org.uk