.
Chief Executive
Information for candidates
Welcome from the Chair
Thank you for your interest in this exciting position.
Wide Horizons believes that every child should experience adventures as part of their
education and development. We are the UK’s leading Adventure Learning charity, providing
a full range of outdoor education programmes for children of all ages. Last year, nearly
50,000 children visited one or more of our 8 sites around England and Wales, participated in
our award-winning holiday programme or were involved in one of our national outreach
programmes.
We believe that children learn better outdoors in the real world and in an inspiring
environment, especially when facilitated by expert tutors who can provide a unique setting
for experiential and enquiry based learning. We also now know, through the development of
our social impact report, that adventure is one of the best ways of nurturing personal and
social skills. We offer curriculum-based learning in the outdoors and adventurous activities
that are targeted at the children most in need. We offer schools bespoke, targeted programs
aimed at raising pupils' educational attainment and improving their social and emotional
wellbeing through our innovative Adventure Learning Partnership programme. Our services
are subsidised through fundraising and challenge events to enable as many disadvantaged
children as possible to participate.
The development of our strategy will be led by you and supported by our enthusiastic and
dedicated Board who will be on hand to provide any advice and guidance you need.
Wide Horizons is an ambitious and growing organisation. Our new CEO will be joining us at
an exciting time of positive change and we are seeking an exceptional individual with a
passion for adventure to lead the organisation. We are looking for someone who could
recognise the power of affordable and accessible Adventure Learning to change lives and
create brighter futures for children and young people.
I look forward to receiving your application.
John Russell
Chair, Wide Horizons
The Wide Horizons story so far
Wide Horizons was set up by both Lewisham and Greenwich Councils in 2006 as an
independent charity operating the outdoor education service. Since then, the organisation
has increased the number of sites and services it provides for children and young people
who come from all over London, the south east and the Midlands.
Today, the organisation provides Adventure Learning experiences to around 47,000 children
and young people every year, with an ever-increasing range of services and a greater
understanding of the social impact for children and the wider community. We have 8 sites
across England and Wales and an outreach service providing Adventure Learning to pupils
in and around their schools.
In the past 5 years, we have grown from working with 24,000 children a year, and have
increased the turnover from £1.6m to £3m.
The majority of the organisation’s income comes directly from schools, although there is a
growing function responsible for securing funding from other sources. In the last few years,
we secured our first major corporate fundraising partner, delivered holiday programmes for
disadvantaged children funded by Social Housing Associations and secured a multi-year
contract to deliver the NCS scheme all helping to increase and diversify our revenue
streams.
Wide Horizons is one of the largest providers of Adventure Learning in the country and as
such, plays a leading role in the analysis on the impact of Adventure Learning which has led
to an award-winning evaluation process and our first Social Impact Report (available on our
website).
What makes Wide Horizons unique? Firstly, the range and breadth of our services providing
educational and development experiences from the age of 2 to 25, and at sites varying from
inner-city nature reserves to mountain centres, via large residential centres in the
countryside. Secondly, our Adventure Learning Partnership scheme (ALPs) is an innovative
programme designed for schools to maximise the benefits of Adventure Learning, whilst at
the same time securing funding for disadvantaged children to participate. Of the 400
schools we work with every year, 25 of them are ALPs partner schools with an ambition to
grow this for the future.
We also provide a range of other services such as teacher training, technical/safety advisory
services to Local Authorities and Adventure Learning to SEND schools with a particular
emphasis on working with children with challenging behaviour.
The future
There’s no doubt that the education sector has changed dramatically in recent years and will
continue to do so in the future. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity, and as
parental income gets squeezed and costs rise, so does the need for the types of
experiences that Wide Horizons provide. With an increasing number of children suffering
from mental health issues, with obesity and lack of aspirations, our work becomes more vital
and relevant than ever before. The future for Wide Horizons is as a truly charitable
organisation ensuring that disadvantaged children don’t miss out on powerful learning and
development experiences.
Job Description and Person Specification
Job title:
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Reports to:
Board of Trustees
Direct reports:
Head of Finance
Head of Projects and Partnerships (Part Time)
Head of Sales and Marketing
Head of School Relationships
Head of Operations
PA (Part Time)
Salary:
Competitive
Hours:
Full time – 35 hours a week, although additional hours will be
expected
Contract:
Permanent
Benefits Package:
Car, Employee pension scheme, 26 days annual leave
Location:
Based at Wide Horizons Central Office in Eltham, Greenwich.
Regular travel to Wide Horizons places of operation is expected.
JOB PURPOSE
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will work with the Board to shape the vision and strategy,
to set and deliver the business plan providing inspirational leadership across all areas of the
organisation.
They are responsible for key external relationships, maintaining and building the profile of
the organisation through networking, partnership working and collaboration.
They have a responsibility to ensure that all operations are carried out to the highest
possible standards and within legislative requirements.
They must ensure that the Board is supported to achieve effective governance and that they
are involved and kept abreast of key issues and developments with the charity.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Leadership
To provide leadership to the organisation to ensure the delivery of all strategic goals within
agreed timescales and budgets.
Lead the Senior Leadership Team to contribute to the development of operational strategy
and performance.
To ensure sound financial management, including making recommendations and proposals
to the Board for medium and long-term financial planning.
To lead, manage and support direct line reports while providing overall leadership to the
wider staff team.
To lead the charity in a time of change, promoting the organisational values at every
opportunity and inspiring a positive mindset.
To always consider the needs of customers and beneficiaries in decision making and
strategic development.
To manage the performance of the organisation through the identification and monitoring of
Key Performance Indicators, making decisive interventions where required.
Constantly scan the horizon for new opportunities, and exploit networks both within and
outside the sector to ensure that Wide Horizons remains a charity at the forefront of
adventure learning for disadvantaged children.
Financial
To ensure the charity has a viable business plan and operational budgets for the short,
medium and long-term.
To oversee the financial management and performance of the organisation.
To be responsible for the day to day use of charitable funds in accordance with achieving the
business plan, charity and business law and best practice.
To work with the Head of Finance to present financial reports, and budgets for approval to
both the Finance and Risk Committee and the Board of Trustees.
Operations
To take responsibility for the Health and Safety programme across the entire organisation,
including the adventurous activities, ensuring a safe place to work and visit for everyone.
To promote a culture of innovation, thought leadership and best in class across the entire
adventure learning programme.
Oversee a capital
management.
investment
programme
development
and
building/land
asset
Ensure the development and innovation for services, programmes and projects using
adventure learning to address some of society’s most challenging issues.
Work with the Senior Leadership Team to ensure that the organisation is able to operate
effectively, maintaining adequate resources and enabling developments where possible.
Income generation
Actively play a lead role in securing new partnerships and relationships to generate income
streams and/or fundraising opportunities.
Spend time building and maintaining new and existing relationships with key decision
makers in schools, Local Authorities and other commissioning or funding bodies.
Support the sales and fundraising teams with attendance and speaking at events, with
meeting key contacts and developing leads to secure funding or revenue for the
organisation.
External
Act as the main link between umbrella organisations, sector and industry bodies and Wide
Horizons.
Raise the profile of the organisation and the impact of Adventure Learning with leading
figures in education, politics and the community.
Influence policy and decisions that affect education in relation to adventure learning and
legislation on the provision of adventure activities for children.
Act as the main spokesperson for the organisation in media activities, promoting Wide
Horizons and the benefits/impact of adventure learning at every opportunity.
Build relationships across a wide variety of sectors and bodies to facilitate the achievement
of organisational goals.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Knowledge
Experience
& Essential;
 Senior management experience in a charitable/Not for Profit organisation
 Strategic development and planning
 Project planning and management
 Stakeholder management and partnership development
 Budgeting and financial management minimum £1m operation
 Collaboration and consultation across departments in a complex
organisation
 Leading employees and teams with varied roles and responsibilities
through change
 Building effective working relationships internally and externally
Desirable;
 CEO/MD experience
 Working with disadvantaged children and young people
 Property/facility management (leases, planning etc.)
 Securing funding, contract negotiation and/or commissioning processes
 Outdoor education/adventure and/or education sector
Skills
Essential;
 Managing senior managers
 Compelling and articulate communicator
 Presentation and public speaking
 Strategic planning
 Networking or new business
 Microsoft Office
Desirable;
 Project management
 Multiple site facility management
Qualifications
Essential;
 None
Desirable;
 Post graduate/career development qualification
Disposition
Essential;
 Inspirational
 Business-minded and entrepreneurial with commercial acumen
 Driven by improving the lives of disadvantaged children
 Able to build effective external relationships
 Able to work quickly and accurately under pressure, with a ‘can-do’ attitude
 Able to develop positive internal working relationships through natural tact
and good listening skills
 Inspired by the work of Wide Horizons
 Willingness to work, when necessary, outside the normal duties and hours
 To lead by example through embracing and demonstrating Wide Horizons’
core values:
 Adventurous
 Environmentally Conscious
 Honest and Open
 Innovative
 Mission Focused
 Collaborative
This job description and person specification may be subject to review from time to time
in consultation with the post holder.
Further information
Our accounts and Social Impact Report can be found at
http://www.widehorizons.org.uk/who-we-are/about-us/accounts/
Environmental campaigner and Guardian journalist, George Monbiot, visited one of our
centres and took a group out for the day. Here’s his piece
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/video/2015/apr/08/time-to-rewild-your-childgeorge-monbiot-video?CMP=share_btn_link#comments
Charity Commission information
http://apps.charitycommission.gov.uk/Showcharity/RegisterOfCharities/CharityWithPartB.asp
x?RegisteredCharityNumber=1105847&SubsidiaryNumber=0
Companies House
https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/05190812
Recruitment Timetable and Process
RECRUITMENT TIMETABLE
Deadline for Applications
Interviews with Veredus
First Interview with Wide Horizons
Final Interview with Wide Horizons
9am, Monday 15th May
22nd May – 2nd June
w/c 12th June
w/c 18th June
RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Should you decide to make a formal application, you will hear from Veredus if you are being
called forward for a preliminary interview. Those candidates not long-listed will be advised by
email. Preliminary interviews will be carried out by Veredus at its London offices. All longlisted candidates will be advised of the outcome of this stage by telephone, immediately after
the formal shortlisting meeting.
How to apply
To apply, please email a comprehensive CV and supporting statement outlining your interest in
the role and your fit against the essential experience criteria listed within the person
specification. Please quote the following reference:
•
Chief Executive - 929703
Please give the names, positions, organisations and telephone contact numbers for at least two
referees, one of whom should ideally be your current or most recent employer. Referees will not
be approached without your permission.
You are encouraged to complete the Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form here:
http://jotformpro.com/form/32673640720956
Veredus is accredited by Investors in Diversity and aims to achieve best practice in the
promotion of diversity; information we gather from you helps us learn and continuously improve.
Your details will be kept confidential and used for analysis only. This form will not be treated as
part of your application and will not be seen by anyone involved in the selection process.
Finally, please ensure that you have included contact details, including your mobile phone
number and your email address.
Applications should be emailed to [email protected] by 9am Monday 15th May 2017
Should you have any queries or wish to have an informal discussion about this role, please
contact Rob Hilyer on 020 7932 4209.