LONDON WELSH CENTRE Chief Executive Officer The London Welsh Centre is a community and cultural centre built in the 1930s for the Welsh community in London. It is a charity, with the objective, in summary, of promoting Welsh culture in London and providing a centre for the purpose. Its associated trading company provides the principal source of income for the charity. The board of trustees is seeking a Chief Executive Officer who will be responsible for all aspects of the Centre’s operations and management and to lead its future development. The Centre The vision of the trustees is that the Centre should be a hub available to the many thousands of Welsh people living in London and a beacon for Welshness and Welsh culture. The board wants the Centre to work with its supporters and with other organisations both in London and in Wales to realise this vision. The Centre hosts a range of events, including: Theatrical performances Concerts and other music events, such as the Young Welsh Singer of the Year Literary events, including its own Literature Festival in 2013 and 2014 Groups for Welsh children and their parents Welsh language lessons and a language circle Welsh sports, including its very popular rugby international days The Centre also provides a venue for the display of Welsh arts and crafts, and has a collection of historic documents and books. The Centre generates income by letting space to a wide range of clients, including theatrical rehearsal space in its two halls, group activities and meeting space. It operates a bar which is open 4-6 nights a week, depending on the programme of events at the Centre. Supporter subscriptions provide a further source of income. The trustees are planning a thorough redevelopment and modernisation of the building in the medium to long term future. Preliminary work has been undertaken on architectural plans, a business plan and a fundraising strategy, though all remain at an early enough stage to allow for input from the new CEO. For further information about the Centre, please see its web site http://www.londonwelsh.org. The role The CEO will lead the Centre’s small team of staff. He or she will be responsible for the management of all aspects of the Centre’s operations, including: The bar, room hire and membership Marketing the Centre to potential clients and management of the room hire process Financial control and managing the Centre to the budget agreed with the trustees Communication with supporters and other stakeholders, and with the media Management of the Centre’s premises, including health and safety and compliance with all relevant legal obligations The CEO will also in due course play a central role with the trustees in the development of the Centre’s strategy, including its cultural programme. Early priorities will include developing the Centre’s current marketing strategy to ensure the Centre’s facilities are known to as many potential clients as possible, working with the Bar Development Manager to build on the Centre’s current bar strategy for making full use of the bar’s potential, and taking forward the Centre’s cultural activities. The CEO will be expected to reach out to other organisations in both London and Wales to build the Centre’s profile and maximise its potential. Longer term it is the aspiration of the trustees to bring about the comprehensive redevelopment of the Centre. The CEO will have a significant role in contributing toward the realisation of this aim. Central to the success of this will be demonstrating to potential funders what has been achieved with the building in its current form and making a persuasive case for how this would be enhanced by a multi-million pound development. The CEO will therefore need to take the Centre forward while at the same time helping to develop the vision for what it could be doing more of, and better, in the future. The person The successful candidate will be energetic and enthusiastic about the Centre and its objectives. He or she will be a good communicator both internally and externally, and able to enthuse the Centre’s small team of staff with their vision. He or she should be able to demonstrate the skills necessary for the effective management of a small organisation, including financial management, team leadership, marketing and business development, and the ability to think and act strategically. Experience of the hotel and hospitality sector, or of running an arts or social venue, is likely to be an advantage, but is not an essential requirement. A keen interest in the Centre’s mission is however extremely important as is a creative commercial mind-set with the ability to develop and promote new revenue generating activities, including events and increasing venue hire revenues. A working knowledge of the Welsh language would be an advantage, but is not an essential requirement. Terms and conditions This is a full-time post. Hours are 40 a week, although the CEO will be expected to show flexibility over hours, including evening and weekend work as necessary; time off in lieu may be agreed with the Chairman. The salary will be £40,000 a year. Bonuses will be available dependent on the achievement of agreed revenue targets. The role is not pensionable, though the Centre will in due course become subject to the pensions auto-enrolment obligations. There will be a probation period of three months, during which the appointment may be terminated on one month’s notice. Thereafter the appointment may be terminated on three months’ notice from either side. Annual leave entitlement is 25 days a year plus public holidays. The Centre is located at 157-163 Gray’s Inn Road, London WC1X 8UE. How to apply Applications by e-mail are preferred and should be sent to [email protected] by midnight on Sunday 21st June 2015. Alternatively, applications may be sent by post to: CEO applications London Welsh Centre 157-163 Gray’s Inn Road London WC1X 8UE Candidates should provide a full CV and the names and contact details of two referees; please note that referees may be contacted before first round interviews. In addition, candidates should describe in a short covering e-mail why they are interested in the role and why they believe they would stand out as the best candidate. If you wish to discuss the role further before deciding whether to apply, please contact the trust’s Treasurer, Hannah Roberts via [email protected]. It is intended that first round interviews will take place on Thursday, 9th July 2015 and second round interviews on Thursday 16th July 2015. Candidates should indicate with their applications if either or both these dates will be unsuitable for them; if so efforts will be made to accommodate them, but cannot be guaranteed. Candidates will be notified by email on, or shortly before, 1st July 2015 if they have been selected to attend the first interviews on 9th July. The London Welsh Centre is committed to equality of opportunity and diversity in employment. .