Director of Operations Appointment Brief

caninepartners.org.uk

March 2018

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Contents

Letter from the CEO

About Canine Partners - Our mission - Our values - Our vision - Organisational chart - What our employees say

About the role - Role responsibilities - Experience, knowledge and competences

Location, renumeration and benefits

How to apply

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Letter from the CEO

Dear candidate,Thank you for showing an interest in joining Canine Partners.

We are proud of our charity.

For over 27 years we have been partnering highly trained dogs to live with people who have physical disabilities and are often wheelchair users.

These amazing dogs dramatically enhance the lives of those they are partnered with and there are now almost 400 people currently living with a canine partner. In 2017 we created 74 life-changing partnerships, and this can only be achieved through the dedicated work of our passionate staff and volunteers. We are fortunate to be supported by many donors, our community support groups, corporate sponsors, trusts and individuals. Our board of Trustees also play an active part in supporting our development using their wide range of skills and experience.

Our new Director of Operations will play a critical role in developing and delivering our strategy, enabling us to re-open our waiting list and create 100 partnerships a year by 2020. This year we hope to complete our capital appeal at our brand new training centre in rural Leicestershire to provide on-site kennel facilities as well as increasing our operational efficiency and laying the foundations for future growth. Leading a team of over 50 expert staff and supported by around 250 volunteers you will ensure that every part of the partnership journey from puppy breeding and applicant assessments to advanced training and aftercare provides an even balance between the welfare of our dogs and the needs of our clients.

If you believe that you have the skills, knowledge and experience to help us build on the strong foundations in place and grow the significant impact that we deliver, I would love to hear from you.

Yours sincerely

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Nicola Martin BVSc MRCVSChief Executive, Canine Partners

About Canine Partners

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Founded in 1990 Canine Partners is a charity that has experienced impressive growth over the past 27 years. It now has two purpose built training centres, one in rural Sussex and the other in rural Leicestershire, the latter of which opened in 2014.

With almost 400 disabled people now living with a fully trained canine partner in the UK our reach continues to increase.

We are now looking for a new Director of Operations to lead the next stage of development of our charity and help us provide even more amazing assistance dogs to support those who would greatly benefit from a canine partner.

More information can be found on the charity’s website caninepartners.org.uk

Our missionOur mission is to transform the lives of people with disabilities through partnership with our specially trained assistance dogs.

We aim to achieve our mission at Canine Partners through our values and vision for the future.

Our valuesExcellence We always aim for the very highest standards. We never accept anything less and work hard to make improvements where necessary.

Respect We always aim to deal with other people in the way we would ideally like to be dealt with.

Passion We are passionate about our work and the mission of our charity. We throw ourselves into everything as much as possible and enjoy the rewards.

Teamwork We are a multidisciplinary team, spread across the UK. We support each other, through good times and the not so good.

The personal touch We foster a friendly family feel towards anyone with whom we come into contact. Whenever possible we are flexible and seek to tailor-make our service to every individual.

Innovation We aim to lead the way in everything we do becoming ever more adept. We try new things, in the full knowledge that some things work and some things do not but if you never try, you will never know. We welcome any new ideas.

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Our visionOur long-term vision is that every disabled person in the UK will be aware of our work, and:

they will not have far to travel to our nearest training centre

they will not have too long to wait for their dog to be trained

they will enjoy greater independence

they will enjoy a better quality of life

we will remain true to our mission

we will remain true to our values

Canine Partners Council of Trustees

Chief Executive OfficerHR Team

Scotland Team

Director of Fundraising, Marketing &

Communications

Director Operations

Director of Finance & Resources

Company Secretary

Communications Donor Development

CommunityFundraising

Advanced Training

Housekeeping - Midlands

Aftercare Applications &Assessment

Puppy Department

Finance Housekeeping - South

Office Management -

South

SiteManagement -

South

Volunteers: fundraising (community groups), speakers, puppy parents, fosterers, brood bitch holders, office, fleet and garden

Organisational chart

What our employees say

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Our staff survey from 2016

100% of staff are proud to promote the work of Canine Partners

98% feel committed to Canine Partners’ cause

95% believe in the aims and objectives of this charity

“I am very proud to work for Canine Partners. I often say that there would be people queuing up to have my job! I am very grateful to work for such an incredible charity.”

– Staff member, 2016 annual staff survey

“I am incredibly proud to work for Canine Partners. Canine Partners is very proactive and encourages innovation. I feel the atmosphere is very warm and welcoming and the charity supports a work/life balance.”

– Staff member, 2016 annual staff survey

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About the roleAbout the role

The Director of Operations is responsible for the supply and specialist training of high quality assistance dogs to meet an increasing demand from people with disabilities. Leading a team of around 50 staff and 250 volunteers this role is critical in delivering all aspects of the partnership journey, from puppy breeding and selection to training and aftercare.

The role involves strategic planning and operational delivery and the Director of Operations is responsible for planning, leading, and achieving continuous improvement in our partnership processes as well as supporting and providing direction to both staff and the wider UK volunteer workforce who are crucial to the successful delivery of the programme. This is a senior level role where close collaboration with colleagues at all levels is essential.

Role responsibilities

Leadership

To be an active member of the Senior Management Team, assisting the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in making wider organisational decisions and working closely with the other Directors.

To lead, engage and develop the Operations team at Canine Partners including the areas of puppy supply and training, advanced training, dog care and welfare, partnership training and aftercare, and the assessment of applicants, maximising their development, motivation and output.

Strategy, budget and risk

To develop and deliver the Operations strategy in line with the wider organisational strategy.

To devise detailed annual plans, budgets and appropriate KPI’s to deliver the strategy.

Contribute to the development of clearly defined annual Operations Department objectives, targets and standards. Ensure that adequate plans are in place to achieve them in line with the Business Plan.

Be the budget holder for the Operations Department’s budget.

Governance and policies

Ensure that all policies, procedures and guidelines are disseminated throughout the Operations team and that all staff are aware of and comply with necessary Canine Partners rules and processes.

Ensure that standards and ethics are maintained at a high level, above and beyond the minimum set out by Assistance Dogs International.

Attend and report to Trustee meetings, including any relevant sub-committees of the Trustees.

Corporate behaviour

Conduct the affairs of the charity, with the highest standards of integrity and probity.

Maintain and protect the charity’s reputation with all clients, communities, donors and regulatory bodies.

Role mode and champion the charity values.

Management and administration

Ensure the Operations Department is adequately resourced and managed to enable it to achieve its strategy.

Ensure there are effective internal controls and KPIs, policies and procedures and management information in place.

Experience, knowledge and competencesEssential

Ability to formulate and implement strategic and operational plans.

A proven track record of building and managing high performing teams, and experience of delivering targets through team effort.

Excellent leadership and management skills with an ability to inspire and motivate others.

Ability to support those with disabilities.

Creative thinking and problem-solving skills.

High level conceptual and analytical skills including the ability to interpret operational performance data.

Exceptional written and verbal communication skills to enable reporting and liaison across a number of audiences, SMT, Trustees, staff, volunteers and clients on a variety of sensitive issues.

Ability to make sound decisions in complex scenarios but also know when others should be allowed to make them.

Expertise in financial planning, management and budgetary control.

Strong team player committed to building and working with SMT to deliver shared organisational goals.

Desirable

Experience of the Charity sector.

Experience of human disabilities.

Good knowledge of technical issues relating to the training and placement of assistance dogs.

Experience of working with and delivering results through volunteers.

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Location, remuneration & benefits

LocationOur Southern Training Centre is based in Heyshott, West Sussex in the beautiful South Downs National Park. Our Midlands Training Centre is based in Osgathorpe, Leicestershire in peaceful countryside. Our successful candidate could be based at either location but regular visits to the other training centre, satellite training centres and key events mean that travel is required on a regular basis.

Remuneration The package will reflect the experience of the individual and the responsibilities demanded in a role of this seniority. It is likely to be in the region of £50,000-£55,000.

Benefits 38 days leave, inclusive of eight Bank Holidays, increasing to 39 days after five years’ service.

Employer matched pension scheme.

Canine Partners is a dog friendly employer and we have a popular pet dog at work scheme.

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How to applyTo apply, please send us a comprehensive CV together with any supporting documentation that demonstrates your suitability for the role.

Your application should be sent to Sarah McElhinney (HR Manager) before the application closing date. Please email your application to recruitment@caninepartners.org.uk.

You should give the names, positions, organisations and telephone contact numbers of two referees that are relevant to this role. References will only be taken after interview and once your express permission has been granted.

Finally please ensure that you have included your mobile, work and home telephone numbers, as well as any dates when you will not be available or might have difficulty with the recruitment timetable.

Recruitment Timetable

Closing Date: 9th April 2018 1st interview Southern Training Centre, Heyshott or Midlands Training Centre, Osgathorpe: 19th or 20th April 2018 2nd interview London or Heyshott, West Sussex: 3rd May 2018 We welcome diversity, promote equality and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

caninepartners.org.uk

Canine Partners, registered charity in England and Wales (803680) and Scotland (SC039050). A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales company number 2516146.

Registered office: Mill Lane, Heyshott, Midhurst, West Sussex, GU29 0ED.

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