Person Specification
We are looking for someone to join the Unity team who:
- Has synergy with our social purpose and vision, and the ability to lead the organisation to deliver them.
- Has the vision to build upon our distinctive identity, punching above our weight in fighting inequality and empowering BME people to improve their lives.
- Will understand how to develop our wider social purpose activity, including building on the success of our enterprise centres, and developing new services to support the social and economic success of the communities within which we work.
- Is able to deliver change through the development and involvement of our people, including a clear focus on cultural issues to support our innovation in service delivery and the implementation of our social purpose.
- Is an authentic leader who is inclusive, collaborative and builds effective relationships.
- Has the ability to work across sectors and institutional boundaries and engage well with communities.
- Has the skills and knowledge to ensure we are an outstanding social housing business, with excellent customer service and high-quality, efficient operations.
- Will lead the development of a culture of high performance, learning, support and innovation.
- Is resilient, assertive, able to take on risks, make uncomfortable decisions, and address organisation challenges.
- Has the ability to make sound commercial investment and robust financial decisions, whilst understanding how these are crucial to our social purpose.
- Has an understanding of community based / smaller organisations, and how its design, structures and culture can support delivery of its mission.
- Will be comfortable leading an organisation in a heavily regulated environment, within a well established governance framework.
Key requirements will include:
- Significant senior level management experience in social housing or a relevant other sector, including involvement in corporate financial management.
- The ability to innovate and bring fresh ways of thinking into the organisation.
- The ability to lead complex change programmes utilising motivational leadership skills that inspire senior managers and staff to work effectively both individually and as a team in a changing environment.
- Proven ability to work effectively with Board, trustees, committees or similar voluntary bodies .
- A first class ambassador for Unity, who builds on positive external relationships, continues to influence and maintain Unity’s profile, and builds partnerships which are crucial to deliver our ambitions.
- Evidence of use of good practice and anti-discriminatory working, promoting equality in organisations and service delivery.
- Understanding of how to use an organisation as a platform for influencing and campaigning.
- The ability to understand current and future challenges facing social housing, and public sector issues and sensitivities.
- Well developed understanding of the dynamics of business and financial management, commercial understanding and experience.
- High level of skill in strategic, systemic and analytical thinking coupled with an ability to make critical decisions and be agile and adaptable in both thinking and actions.
- High level of written, presentation, active listening and interpersonal skills appropriate to a wide range of individuals and audiences.
- Must be willing to uphold the values of the organisation
- To be committed to promoting the highest standards in Health & Safety performance