Job Description

Please note that this is a sub-set from our complete role pack which is attached. 

About the Nightline Association

Nightlines are confidential and anonymous listening services run by students, for students. They provide peer-to-peer support at night when other services are often closed. Nightline services cover over 100 universities and colleges across the UK thanks to the efforts of over 2,500 trained student volunteers.

Nightline services across the UK are currently recovering from the effects of the pandemic, while continuing to deliver their services. 

The Nightline Association is the umbrella charity that provides support, guidance, and quality assurance for Nightline services across the UK. The Association is run almost entirely by volunteers whose energy, skills and passion are the driving force of supporting and developing the Nightline movement. The support from the Association has become even more important in recent years, building relationships with stakeholders such as Students’ Unions and Universities, and providing specialist advice and guidance on operating the service.

We are now seeking to expand our organisation by bringing in a permanent staff base, beginning with a Chief Executive Officer.

About the role

We are seeking a dynamic and enthusiastic CEO to lead our organisation in this exciting time. The successful candidate will work closely with trustees and volunteers to transform the organisation.

The purpose of your role is to organise and lead the charity, taking responsibility for operations, administration and financial management. You will also need to work closely with the Trustees to develop, refine, and deliver our organisational strategy, identifying and implementing best practices from across the sector.

You will take the lead on managing the transition from a primarily trustee and volunteer-led organisation, to an organisation led by you as CEO, with a small number of dedicated staff. A key focus of the role will therefore be to support our fundraising volunteers to increase our income, enabling the recruitment of further staff in the medium-term. Working closely with the Trustees, you will shape these roles based on the needs of the organisation.

This is an exciting opportunity to have a transformative impact in a leading mental health charity. A proactive attitude and enthusiastic approach to your work will be vital in what we hope will be a rewarding and challenging role.

Activities and Responsibilities

Principal tasks & responsibilities

• Promote the mission, aims, values and objectives of the Nightline Association

• Oversee and ensure the success of all operations

• Be accountable to the Trustees for all of the Association’s operations and financial management

• Work closely with the Board of Trustees to develop the organisation's strategy

• Lead in the delivery of the organisation's strategy, including refinement, recommendations for major changes and delivery of committed workstreams. 

Working with Nightlines:

• Ensure that the Association is providing accurate and useful advice and support to Nightlines, in line with best practice in the sector.

• Establish strong working relationships between the Association and Students’ Unions, universities, and other stakeholders involved in delivering Nightline services.

• Provide support to organisations or groups interested in setting up new Nightline services.

• Be able to demonstrate the impact and value of Nightlines as part of the wider student mental health sector.

Management & Leadership:

• Provide overarching leadership in pursuit of Nightline Association's charitable mission

• Line manage the four volunteer Heads of Department

• Design, recruit, and manage additional staff roles for the Association

• Motivate and inspire volunteers and staff to meet targets and to understand how their work contributes to the Association’s strategy

• Ensure clear lines of communication, accountability and responsibility across the Association to foster and maintain effective working relationships for the organisation

Governance & Risk:

• Provide or source professional advice for the Trustees as required

• Take appropriate steps to manage risks that could significantly impact the Association

• Ensure full and accurate reporting including the preparation of an annual report and financial statements, and completion of annual returns and other filings with the relevant regulators

• Act as operational safeguarding lead, working closely with the trustee safeguarding lead to manage safeguarding referrals and issues

• Ensure that the Association has the right management systems and processes in place to effectively and safely carry out its work, and to meet relevant professional and regulatory standards

Fundraising & stakeholder relations:

• Build a sustainable fundraising strategy to ensure long-term income, coaching and developing the volunteer Fundraising Team to achieve income targets

• Develop a plan for the funding of additional staff roles

• Act as the primary ambassador for the Association, networking widely to build and develop relationships with similar charities, potential funders, and other stakeholders

• Write and submit funding applications to trusts, foundations, and other potential funders

• Manage relationships with existing funders and donors

Finance:

• Produce a budget for approval by the Trustees, aligned to the Association’s strategy and objectives

• Manage the Association’s finances effectively, and within budget

Equal Opportunities

The Association is committed to providing equal opportunities to all. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

We intend that the shortlisting stage of the recruitment process will use anonymised applications to reduce the possibility of unconscious bias. 

If you may require any reasonable adjustments as part of the application process (for example, a different format of the application pack, or adjustments for interview), please contact us to discuss these. We aim to accommodate all reasonable adjustments to ensure that all candidates are treated fairly.

Eligibility

Safer Recruitment & Safeguarding

We operate safer recruitment checks as part of our applications process. All employment is subject to suitable references and our vetting policy. You will be required to undertake a Basic DBS check before taking on this role.

Right to Work

You must have the right to work in the UK. 

You will have the right to work if you:

• Are a British or Irish citizen

• Have pre-settled or settled status from the EU Settlement Scheme

• Have a family permit from the EU Settlement Scheme

• Have indefinite leave to enter or remain

• Have right of abode

You may also have the right to work in other situations. More information is available from Citizens Advice.

Unfortunately we are unable to sponsor visas.

Senior Management Eligibility

This role has senior management functions as defined in section 178 of the Charities Act 2011. It is a criminal offence to be employed in such a role if you are disqualified and have not obtained a waiver from the Charity Commission.

More details on the disqualification rules can be found here. 

If you are unsure if you are eligible for this role, you can contact us. Enquiries about eligibility will not be considered as part of the decision-making process.