Chief Executive

Job Description

WISE catalyses leaders in business, industry and education to transform participation, contribution and success of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) occupations. WISE is a Community Interest Company (CIC) providing innovative, value-adding Business to Business (B2B) services to a growing membership of 200+ employers, educators and training providers. Members benefit from WISEs unparalleled insight into attaining gender balance and benefiting from the business performance improvements that result. The CEO heads a staff of 25. HRH The Princess Royal is the WISE Royal Patron. Find out more at Job Title: Chief ExecutiveReports to: WISEs Chair and Board of non-executive directors.Job descriptionOverview:WISE is a not for profit, community interest company whose ambition is to drive and deliver gender balance in STEM occupations in the UK - across both industry and education. WISE is a membership organisation generating its own income from the delivery of value adding B2B products and services to an increasing number of members, partners and commercial clients. The Chief Executive pilots this important work, ensuring WISE enhances and sustains its reputation as a prominent national organisation committed to delivering STEM gender equity and benefitting individuals, communities, society and the nation at large.WISE is a thought leader in reaping the spectrum of benefits from gender balance and the Chief Executive is the public face of the campaign for gender diversity and inclusion. Behind the scenes she/he/they provide strategic leadership, planning and line management in collaboration with the WISE Board and the Management Team to deliver the cultural transformation and business impact gender diversity can bring. The Chief Executive also maintains internal alignment of activities throughout the organisation motivating the staff by putting their individual contributions into the wider context of achieving the organisations overall goal of gender equity across UK STEM occupations.The Chief Executive has overall responsibility for the ongoing performance of WISE against its Annual Operating Plan targets, providing updates and year-end forecasts to the Finance Committee of the Board.The Chief Executive is a member of the WISE Board and works collaboratively with the Chair and the board of non-executive directors, comprising experienced leaders from across the STEM landscape. The Chief Executive leads the WISE Executive Team, a high performing, empowered group comprising the Partnership & Development Director, the Marketing Director and the Operations Director who drive day-to-day progress towards full gender balance.Terms:

Full-time salary: £63,859 + annual incentive (NB we are open to discussion dependent on the candidate experience)

5% pension contribution for eligible employees.

London weighting of £2,500, where applicable

Location:Flexible working location with regular UK-wide travel to attend meetings and events, as required and as appropriate post-COVID working practices. Currently, the WISE head office is within the Leeds College of Buildings Hunslet campus.Hours: Full-time25 days holiday per annum plus bank holidaysThe role is subject to a 6-month probationary periodJob description

Maximize the impact of the WISE campaign by sustaining the organisations high profile and excellent reputation. Act as the principal spokesperson for WISE externally at events, conferences and in the media to advance the companys objectives and influence at the highest levels.

Inspire and lead the entire organisation through collaborative leadership, clear delegation of roles and responsibilities, organisational alignment, and motivational direction.

Be a leader amongst the WISE Board, working synergistically with the Non-executive Directors and harnessing their diverse contributions to support achievement of the WISE purpose of gender balance across UK STEM occupations.

Shoulder responsibility for leading a business strategy and an Annual Operating plan, agreed with the Board, which deliver valuable progress towards the gender equity campaign purpose and goals.

Motivate the Executive Team to retain their alignment and sharpen their focus so that WISE drives continuous improvement and prepares the business for the following year.

Provide leadership to the Management Team in a devolved management process that delivers prompt and effective line management by the Directors in full alignment of strategic and operational objectives.

Report regularly to the WISE Board concerning all aspects of company performance including end-of-year forecasts, new product status and the quantitative impact of WISE activities. Provide analysis, identify learning points and propose recommendations for continuous improvement, growth and innovation.

Shoulder responsibility for planning, delivery and mitigation of all aspects of company performance, business strategy, corporate governance, statutory requirements, strategic goals, financial targets, reputation and risk management and ensures the appropriate Policy and Procedure framework is in place and is working efficiently and effectively.

Build effective relationships across industry, government, academia and the third sector at Board and senior management level to develop effective partnerships, grow influence and consolidate WISEs reputation as a leader.

Network and ensure WISE and its impact is in the forefront of the minds of business decision-makers across the UK.+Responsibilities and AccountabilitiesWith both clear, measurable targets and review mechanisms the CEO is responsible and accountable for the following:

Actively coaching and managing the Executive Leadership Team (LT) to deliver:

Setting, and embodying, the WISE tone - behaviours, values, ethos - so that there is a recognisable WISE modus operandi

Customer value focus and WISE business growth through the WISE Annual Business Plan, meeting individual and Leadership Team objective

Positioning the business and the organisational capability for ongoing sustainable growth in impact

Providing team support and eliminating barriers to progress

2.Ensuring roles, responsibilities and accountabilities are clearly articulated, so all members of the WISE team are clear about their precise responsibilities and contribution. Ensure agreed measures and targets are in place and regular