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3 January 2017

Dear Applicant,

Re: Head of Operations - YMCA Guildford

Thank you for your interest in the above post.

Enclosed is a job pack containing the following:

o Welcome to Applicants

o The YMCA Movement & Our Vison

o About Us

o Job Profile

o Person Specification

o Principal Terms & Conditions

o The Recruitment & Selection Process

o Our Executive and Leadership Team

o Our Finances & Our Strategic Vision

o Our Locations

o Policy on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders

I have also enclosed an application form for your completion. Please be aware that the closing

date for this vacancy is Wednesday 1st March 2017 at 9am and the interview date is Friday

10th March 2017.

Please return email applications to recruitment@ymcadlg.org or hard copies by hand or post

to Human Resources, Reed House, 47 Church Road, Hove, BN3 2BE.

We look forward to receiving your completed application. If you have not heard from us within

2 weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application was not successful on this

occasion.

YMCA DownsLink Group requires all staff and volunteers to be committed to

safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable

adults.

Successful applicants are required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure via the

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Yours faithfully,

Emily Whiter

Recruitment & HR Systems Co-ordinator

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Welcome to Applicants

Thank you for your interest in this role and I hope you find this pack and our website answer

any questions you may have about this role. You probably will have heard of YMCA, the largest

and oldest youth charity in the world but you may not have heard about us. YMCA DownsLink

Group is a grouping of local YMCAs across Sussex and Surrey, who over the past seven years

have taken the decision to work more formally together to increase the capacity and impact of

YMCA work in the region. Our last merger was in 2014 when we welcomed YMCA Guildford into

the organisation. This collaboration was the point we changed our name from Sussex Central

YMCA to YMCA DownsLink Group to reflect the increasing geography of our organisation. We

took our name from a well-known bridle path that connects the South and North Downs called

the Downs Link Way. So while we have a long heritage, we are a young organisation with a

new team of Chair and Chief Executive. This creates opportunities that I hope you will relish.

We believe that the work of the YMCA is transformational and our vision is built on

transforming young lives. At YMCA DownsLink Group our work is targeted towards young lives

on the fringes of our society with the aim of helping them to belong, contribute & thrive. Our

services are focused on five key themes:-

1. Helping young people belong

2. Supporting wellbeing in young lives

3. Keeping children & young people safe

4. Helping young people achieve

5. Empowering young people to influence

Last year our services reached over 15,000 young lives across Sussex & Surrey. We are an

ambitious organisation committed to further increasing our reach and the impact of our work.

We are currently investing in and strengthening the leadership of our organisation to support

this ambition and to bring new skills and experience to the team to support our development

as an organisation.

Included in your application pack is a Snapshot of our work for 2016, our new 2020 Vision

Youth Minded Community Approach which sets out our vision for development of our YMCA

over the next four years and a copy of our executive & operational leadership structure.

I hope that you are sufficiently interested to read on and find out more about YMCA DownsLink

Group and this role. I shall look forward to receiving your application and wish you well.

I welcome your interest.

Chas Walker

Chas Walker

CEO, YMCA DownsLink Group

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The YMCA Movement

YMCA

The YMCA is the largest and oldest youth charity in the world. It is a global, faith-based

movement responding to the needs of young people around the world. From its humble

beginnings in the City of London in 1844, the YMCA has grown to become a worldwide

organisation reaching around 45 million members in 119 countries. As the founding ‘country’,

YMCA England plays an important role in the worldwide movement and YMCA Europe.

YMCA England

The YMCA Movement in England, Wales & Scotland is a federation of over 125 YMCAs each of

which is an independent, self-governing charity that affiliates to the YMCA Federation. YMCA

England supports and represents the 125 YMCAs in England helping them transform

communities; it gives the YMCAs a national voice, by speaking with government, key policy

makers and national media. As a representative body, it is able to advocate for the needs of

the most vulnerable young people in England. It supports the YMCAs by promoting high

standards of working, sharing best practice, fundraising on their behalf, partnering with them

to pilot new projects, and providing training opportunities for their staff and volunteers.

Our Vision

Our vision is of an inclusive Christian movement transforming communities so that all young

people can belong, contribute and thrive.

You will need to demonstrate a commitment to our aims and ethos, but do not have to be a

practicing Christian to be part of our organisation. We value diversity in our staff team to

reflect the people that we work with and our aim to be inclusive and accepting.

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About Us

YMCA DownsLink Group has around 400 staff and 150 volunteers and our current turnover is

£11million. We accommodate over 700 young people every year, provide community based

support, learning and advice services to over 5,000 young people and our specialist

therapeutic services works with over 7,000 children, young people and families.

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About Guildford

There are records of YMCA in Guildford going back to the 1890’s and Guildford has a long

history of having a thriving and valued local YMCA supporting local young people and serving

the local community. In 2014 Guildford YMCA formally merged into YMCA DownsLink Group,

but has retained its local focus and identity as YMCA Guildford, part of YMCA DownsLink Group.

YMCA Guildford is currently focused around the Guildford Y-Centre, a town centre housing

project for 116 residents, aged from 16–25. The accommodation is available to both students

and supported housing residents. This is based on approximately a 75%/25% split

respectively. The supported housing residents receive medium to high level support, aimed at

enabling them to move on to greater independence. Our support provision is funded by Surrey

County Council and referrals for the accommodation are taken from local statutory and

voluntary agencies. Our student accommodation services support students from both the

Academy for Contemporary Music and Surrey University.

The building has a residential and commercial café on site, which provides breakfast and

evening meal for the residents and is open commercially during the day serving drinks and

food. The Centre also benefits from a basement with significant potential for further

development to our offer to local young people and the wider community. We also rent some

office accommodation in the building to local organisations and have social space for the

residents.

We are working to expand our service provision in Guildford. We are currently redeveloping

our housing project in Wharf Road, Guildford, which is due to open August 2017. Midwey

House will provide the first Foyer in Guildford, with 34 studio flats for 18-25 year olds offering

training and support into employment.

YMCA Guildford has well established links and support from its local community and strong

partnerships with stakeholders and other local organisations. Our aim is to further develop

these through volunteering and partnership working to enable us to continue to increase the

services we offer in this area.

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Job Profile

Job Title Head of Operations – YMCA Guildford

Reporting to Director of Communities and Property Services

Service Area Communities and Property Services

Location Guildford Y-Centre, Guildford

Contract Type and

Employment Period

Full time - 37 Hours per week

Permanent

Salary Band Leadership Team

Job Purpose:

The post holder will have day to day accountability for the operations and development of

YMCA Guildford within the wider YMCA DownsLink Group Structure. The role will provide

strategic leadership to a diverse team of local staff and managers, develop strong local

partnerships and local governance and accountability, and oversee the growth and

development of YMCA DownsLink Group’s youth minded community approach strategy in the

Guildford area.

The objectives of the post will be to:-

To provide strategic leadership to YMCA Guildford

Have day to day accountability for the operations of YMCA Guildford

Build strong local partnerships and local support for YMCA Guildford

Work collaboratively as part of the wider Leadership Team of YMCA DownsLink Group

Grow and develop YMCA Guildford in line with YMCA DownsLink Group’s youth minded

community approach strategy

Responsibilities:

Provide leadership to YMCA Guildford’s housing projects for young people; maximising

opportunities for the residents to belong, contribute and thrive through high quality,

resident focused support and housing management services

Utilising the building infrastructure of YMCA Guildford and strong local support increase

the service offer to local young people

Identify and deliver new business opportunities, to further establish and grow YMCA

Guildford’s reach and profile within the local community

Lead on new business opportunities including the production and submission of tenders

Operational budget accountability, monitoring and management

Ensure YMCA Guildford meets the delivery outcomes and financial and operational

performance standards of YMCA DownsLink Group

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Accountability for the management of health and safety of the locality and work closely

with the Compliance and Facilities Manager to ensure high quality and safe

environments for residents, beneficiaries and staff

Work closely with YMCA DownsLink Property Services team to ensure high quality,

financially sound, housing management services

Develop and sustain positive links with the local community of Guildford and the wider

County of Surrey ensuring; positive partnership relations, strong local community,

financial and volunteer support and maximising local funding opportunities

Ensure YMCA Guildford is represented and participating well in local forums,

partnerships and networks

Develop, incorporate and maintain volunteer networks into service delivery structures

and work with YMCA DownsLink Group’s Chaplaincy services to engage with local

church and faith communities

Develop the commercial opportunities for YMCA Guildford, including the cafe and other

local social enterprise opportunities

Promote YMCA DownsLink Group’s service user participation plan and work closely with

others to ensure participation opportunities are available

Ensure YMCA Guildford delivers high quality services that meets the contractual

requirements of our commissioners and stakeholders

Contribute to the leadership and strategic development of YMCA DownsLink Group

Set a positive example and promote the values and ethos of YMCA DLG to all service

staff

Role model professionalism and commitment, equality and diversity

Act as an ambassador for the YMCA that may include establishing and leading networks

with partner organisations

Work collaboratively with the Leadership Team to deliver on the strategic and

operational objectives of YMCA DownsLink Group’s youth minded community approach

Carry out any other duties, as requested by the Executive Team

Nature and Scope:

This is a critical role that will lead YMCA Guildford into a new chapter, as part of YMCA

DownsLink Group’s wider strategy to recover and develop local YMCA identity and a greater

level of autonomy.

The post holder will need to show strategic leadership skills in leading YMCA Guildford, whilst

working as part of a wider Group leadership team balancing the local requirements of YMCA

Guildford with the wider strategic development of YMCA DownsLink Group.

The post holder will be able to demonstrate natural leadership qualities that inspire staff, build

confidence and relationship with senior local stakeholders and have a strong local profile in the

Community.

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The post holder will be expected to secure funding through tenders, bids and maximising

unrestricted funds through various fundraising activities working with the support of YMCA

DownsLink Group’s Business Development function. They will have financial and performance

accountability for their area and people management responsibility for locality staff including

recruitment and dismissal decision making for service staff.

YMCA DownsLink Group is an inclusive Christian organisation and the post requires an

understanding and respect for its Christian aims and purposes.

YMCA Guildford’s operational area extends across the west of the county of Surrey and

includes building strong working relationships with our neighbouring YMCA, YMCA East Surrey.

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Person Specification

Knowledge, Job Related Skills, Qualifications & Experience:

Experience

Demonstrate able experience of strategic leadership in either the charitable, housing or

commercial sectors

Experience of business and financial planning or relevant commercial experience

Experience of delivering services that transform lives

Experience of the needs of young people is advantageous but not essential

Experience of meeting targets and demonstrating the impact of services

Experience of generating new income sources

Experience of budget accountability and meeting financial targets

Demonstrable experience of motivating and supporting staff teams to achieve

Demonstrable experience of building significant professional networks leading to

development of service provision

Experience of line management / staff supervision

Experience of leading change management

Skills & Abilities

Excellent problem solving and motivational skills

Excellent IT skills & numeracy ability

Ability to work as part of a wider dispersed team extending beyond the Association

Excellent communication skills, verbal, interpersonal and written on all levels and

according to need

Excellent administrative and organisational abilities with close attention to detail

Ability to work to deadlines and manage stressful periods activity

Ability to deal with difficult and challenging situations involving staff, service users and

the local community

Qualifications & Training

Preferable, but demonstrable experience of strategic leadership essential

Knowledge

An understanding of the issues of vulnerable young people and delivering services to

meet their needs advantageous

Knowledge of safeguarding children & adults at risk

An understanding of participation and coproduction important

Understanding of housing provision and landlord functions and responsibilities

advantageous

An understanding of and an ability to adhere to professional boundaries essential

Knowledge of trauma informed working and psychologically informed environments

and or willingness to learn and develop in this area

General

Flexibility and adaptability to include some work over weekends, evenings and to

attend overnight seminars as required

A commitment to the Aims and Purposes of the YMCA

Hold a full driving licence and have access to a vehicle

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Principal Terms & Conditions

1. Salary and benefits

£50,000 pa, plus the following benefits:

- Competitive stakeholder pension: with Legal and General.

- Health shield cash plan: covers the cost (up to an agreed limit) of health and

well - being treatments.

- Life assurance policy: 2x annual salary

- Childcare voucher scheme

- Cycle to Work scheme / interest free bike loan

2. Holiday entitlement

30 working days, plus all public holidays.

3. Working hours

Normal hours of work are 37 hours per week. However, due to the seniority of this post

there is a requirement for flexibility in meeting the full responsibilities of the post and

this will include occasional evening and weekend work, given that many of our support

services are provided around the clock.

4. Location

Your normal place of work will be Guildford, but given the seniority of the role, travel

across all our operating areas and occasional national travel is also expected.

Consideration may be given to a relocation allowance for the successful candidate.

5. Probation and notice

There is a six month probationary period after which the notice period for the role is

three months.

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The Recruitment and Selection Process

We aim to ensure that you have sufficient time and opportunity to find out about YMCA

DownsLink Group.

If you are interested in the role please complete our application form, making clear your skills

and experience and your interest in working with us.

Closing date for applications is Wednesday 1st March 2017 at 9am

Date for interview is Friday 10th March 2017

There will be an opportunity to meet some of our young people and members of staff during

the selection process.

Our Executive and Leadership Team

CEO

Director of Communites and Property Services

Head of Operations -

YMCA Guildford

Head of Communities

Sussex South

Head of Communities

Sussex North

Head of Housing and Property

Services

Director of Children and Young People

Head of Learning

Head of Therapeutic

Servces

Head of Young People

Director of Finance and Resources

Head of Finance

Head of People

Head of Quality

Executive Assistant

Executive Team

Leadership

Team

In Progress

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Our Finances

Please click here to view the Snapshot of our 2015-16 annual

report and accounts.

Detailed financial information is available on our website at YMCA DownsLink Group Annual

Report and Accounts 2015-16

Our Strategic Vision

Please click here to view our 2020 Vision document. This sets out

our strategy for the next 4 years.

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Our Locations

The map below identifies the location of our key properties and what we do there.

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Policy on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders:

YMCA DownsLink Group actively promotes equality of opportunity for all, with the right mix of

talent, skills and potential, and applications are welcome from a wide range of candidates.

We undertake not to discriminate unfairly against any applicant on the basis of a criminal

record or other information revealed. Criminal records and other information will be taken into

account for recruitment purposes only when they are relevant.

We select all candidates for interview based on their skills, qualifications and experience. We

ask all applicants called for interview to provide details of their criminal record. Depending on

the nature of the position applied for, YMCA DownsLink Group may request details of your

entire criminal record or only of ‘unspent’ convictions as defined in the Rehabilitation of

Offenders Act 1974.

We request that this information is sent under separate, confidential cover to a designated

person within YMCA DownsLink Group and we guarantee that this information is only seen by

those who need to see it as part of the recruitment process. We would point out that for the

successful candidate, this information will be verified by requesting a Disclosure1 statement

from the Disclosure and Barring Service before the appointment is confirmed.

Failure to reveal information that is relevant to the position sought could lead to withdrawal of

an offer of employment or subsequent dismissal.

We ensure that all those in YMCA DownsLink Group who are involved in the recruitment

process have been suitably trained to identify and assess the relevance and circumstances of

offences. We also ensure that they have received appropriate guidance and training in the

relevant legislation relating to the employment of ex-offenders e.g. the Rehabilitation of

Offenders Act 1974.

At interview, or in separate discussion, we ensure that an open and measured discussion takes

place on the subject of any offences or other matters that might be relevant to the position.

For those positions where a Disclosure is required, application forms and guidance notes will

contain a statement that a Disclosure will be requested in the event of the candidate being

made a conditional offer of employment.

We undertake to discuss any matter revealed in a Disclosure with the person seeking the

position before withdrawing a conditional offer of employment.

Having a criminal record will not necessarily bar you from working with YMCA DownsLink

Group. This will depend on the nature of the position and the circumstances and background of

any offences. However, as the nature of the YMCA DownsLink Group’s work brings its

employees & volunteers into contact with young people (those under 18 years old) and/or

vulnerable adults, a criminal record or other information which makes an application

unacceptable for a position of trust will render the applicant unsuitable.

As an organisation using the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Disclosure service to assess

applicants’ suitability for positions of trust, this policy complies with the DBS Code of Practice.

1 Applicants for certain positions who are made a conditional offer of employment will be subject to a criminal record

check – known as Disclosure – from the Disclosure and Barring Service

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Declaration of Criminal Background & Guidelines for

Working with Young People and/or Vulnerable Adults

The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 sets out to help people who have been convicted of a

criminal offence and have not been convicted again in a specified period. This period is known

as a rehabilitation period. Once a rehabilitation period has expired and no further offending has

taken place, a conviction is considered to be ‘spent’. Once a conviction is spent, the convicted

person does not have to reveal it or admit its existence in most circumstances.

The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions Order) gives some exemptions from the

Act, whereby details of ‘spent’ convictions have to be declared. One of these exemptions is

working with young people and/or vulnerable adults. When recruiting people to work in such

positions of trust an employer is entitled to ask for details of all convictions, spent and

unspent.

If you are invited to an interview please bring with you a completed Declaration of Criminal

Background Form which is enclosed in this application pack. It asks for details of spent and

unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings. You should complete the form

and place it in an envelope marked ‘Private and Confidential’, addressed to the Interview

Panel. Your name should be clearly stated on the front.

The information relating to criminal convictions will only be seen by the interview panel if we

are considering offering you employment. If you wish to discuss the information that you have

given, please mention this to an interviewer. Having made its selection, the panel may wish to

discuss any information given with you. Having a conviction will not necessarily bar you from

consideration for the post. Criminal records will be taken into account only when they are

relevant to the position for which you are applying. The information you provide will remain

confidential.

If you are made a conditional offer YMCA DownsLink Group will apply for an Enhanced DBS

Disclosure depending on the nature of the job.

The DBS offers organisations a means to check the background of job applicants to ensure that

they do not have a history that would make them unsuitable for the post. DBS Disclosures are

provided by the Disclosure and Barring Service, an executive agency of the Home Office.

Enhanced disclosures provide details of a person’s criminal record including convictions,

cautions, reprimands and warnings; they also contain details from lists held by Government

departments of those considered unsuitable for this type of work. Organisations using the DBS

process must comply with the Code of Practice, a copy of which is available on request.

If you have any queries, please speak to a member of the HR team.