HESPA Executive Director Recruitment

Job Description

We are…

HESPA is the representative body for people working in strategy and planning in UK higher education. We provide an active forum for members to network, discuss, improve and influence and are dedicated to supporting their learning and development and career progression needs. We represent a compelling and unified voice for members, while recognising their contrasting needs and ideas and we strive to influence and shape the future of higher education by challenging policy and promoting awareness and understanding of strategy and planning issues.

HESPA is a Special Interest Association (SIO) of Professional HE Services (PHES) - an umbrella company which currently comprises a number of other associations. We are not-for-profit and exist to support members. Any funds generated through the activities of the Association are used to fulfil our objectives and mission. We operate with an engaged Executive Committee of 16, including a Chair and Deputy Chair and Treasurer. We buy in back office, digital, HR and other support from PHES.

We are looking for…

A leader who can ensure the strategic development, delivery and evaluation of services provided for members. You will develop strategic plans for HESPA and be accountable for ensuring the delivery of these plans. You will ensure that HESPA meets the needs of its members and that generation of new ideas exists to enhance the impact of strategy and planning work within Higher Education in the UK and beyond.

You will provide strategic and high level advice to the HESPA team, the HESPA Executive Committee, and to senior strategy and planning colleagues throughout the sector. You will develop the professional reputation of strategic planning within the HE sector and beyond and ensure that HESPA plays a key role in influencing and shaping the impact of strategic planning within UK Higher Education. You will represent the strategy and planning voice within UK HE in discussions and negotiations with key sector bodies including, for example, UUK, OfS, Jisc and other leading sector bodies, and you will be responsible for ensuring that things get done, often being central to the delivery of tasks.

In association with the PHES Managing Director, the HESPA Executive Director formally reports to the Chair of HESPA, works in partnership with the HESPA Executive Committee and manages the HESPA Team. 

You will support the HE strategic planning community by...

A - Informing, guiding and supporting HESPA members and the wider sector

Because you will need to…

• Review HESPA stakeholder needs now and in the future and ensure services are shaped to meet them.
• Generate original developments and innovative solutions which are of benefit to the reputation of strategic planning within the sector, and strategic planners in particular, taking into account the strategic implications for HESPA.
• Effectively analyse and communicate the possible implications of any given situation presented by members seeking guidance. You must be able to ensure that any guidance given must manage the potential risks which could arise for member organisations and hence HESPA.
• Identify items for discussion at HESPA Executive, and other committee meetings, following up actions and ensuring others also complete actions assigned to them, including project managing specific projects requested by members or the Executive.
• Demonstrate the ability to identify the key issues arising and communicate these to members in plain English.
• Develop and implement a marketing and communications strategy for HESPA to promote and ensure the growing reputation and awareness of HESPA and its activities and to enhance the reputation of strategic planning in the sector and beyond.

B - Facilitating networking and development opportunities

Because you will need to…

• Promote and enhance the value of HESPA by initiating, developing, supporting and/or delivering a programme of external events including a UK wide annual L&D programme and conference.
• Provide strategic and operational support to HESPA committee members and other leaders to ensure that the impact and reputation of HESPA is maximised across the UK.
• Be confident in communicating pro-actively and re-actively with Directors of Strategic Planning and their staff, with sector bodies, government and other charitable organisations, and any relevant commercial firms.
• Represent HESPA in its relationships with key bodies inside and outside of Higher Education.
• Ensure that active platforms exist to foster peer-to-peer engagement and support between members, and between members and the external environment.
• Develop and implement a strategy to ensure effective engagement of HESPA members in special interest groups, the Higher Education Data Insight Group (HEDIG) and other committees. 

C - Influencing and working in partnership with related organisations and government bodies  

Because you will need to…

• Represent the HESPA organisation, and the HE sector by association. with external organisations, suppliers of services to the sector and other representative bodies within and outside the sector. This representation ensures that Strategic Planning Directors’ interests are well served and communications between HESPA and these groups is frequent and effective.
• Initiate, maintain and expand relationships with senior staff in government, quasi-governmental bodies ,  regulators and sector bodies for the benefit of members, HESPA and, by extension, the sector.  This includes using influencing skills for the benefit of the sector as a whole in line with policy priorities agreed with the Executive.
• Be responsible for responding to press queries as the first point of contact for the organisation and the HE sector by association.
• Demonstrate exceptional communication skills, especially with external bodies and members. This will include the ability to produce clear, concise and accurate technical information.
• Proactively scan the external environment, identifying where there are impacts on higher education and make corresponding strategic recommendations to the Executive Committee for the sector, and to members for impact on their organisations.
• Draft policies and position statements for consideration and approval by the Executive Committee or a designated sub-group thereof.
• Use your strong interpersonal skills including motivational, negotiating, influencing and networking nationally and internationally. 

D - Leading HESPA and working with the team

Because you will need to…

• Work with all team members to plan for the short and long term to ensure optimum use of internal resources, and to enable members to plan for the coming year.
• Propose, seek approval for and manage the organisation’s annual operational budget and ensure that HESPA operates in a financially stable manner as appropriate for a not for profit organisation, using the funds available but also retaining reserves for any exceptional future projects.
• Ensure that strategic and operational objectives for HESPA are delivered within a broadly agreed specification.
• Devise and deliver strategies for growing HESPA membership numbers.
• Recruit and line manage staff required to undertake HESPA activity, setting appropriate targets for achievement, professional development and assessment of such HESPA staff and associates.
• Manage the Executive Committee and ensure that any sub-Committees, working groups and other meetings are delivering successfully.
• Provide strategic and operational support to HESPA committee chairs to ensure that the impact and reputation of HESPA is maximised.
• Provide strategic direction on the development and delivery of relevant and timely products and services to members, using evidence-based stakeholder input and analysis.
• Work with the Executive Committee to ensure that good governance is always sustained and that Executive members are supported in discharging their responsibilities.
• Work with all members of the wider PHES team as appropriate on different cross-SIO projects, as and when the need arises.
• Ensure that HESPA at all times complies with its legal, regulatory and contractual obligations, including those resultant from HESPA’s membership of PHES.
• Ensure that HESPA operates within the Terms of Reference with Professional HE Services Ltd. 

E - A highly motivated and motivating “self-starter” who thrives in a small team environment

Because you will need to…

• Have a friendly, open, and supportive manner towards other team members.
• Display excellent organisational skills, and juggle multiple work streams with competing priorities to meet deadlines.
• Produce work to a professional standard and with attention to details.
• Use your excellent IT Skills including Word, Excel, specialist software, and email on a daily basis.
• Have a flexible approach to team working – sometimes working outside normal office hours, for example when organising or attending events.
• Commit to observing the organisation’s Equal Opportunities Policy at all times.
• Have a willingness to undertake further training.

You must also have…

• A good first degree or equivalent experience.
• Experience of working in the higher education sector.
• Prior experience of successful project and staff management, together with exposure to internal or external marketing and communications.
• Good knowledge of the organisational structures and business mechanisms in the HE Sector.
• Good knowledge of the political environment that HE is operating within, including current drivers for change.
• Highly developed skills in planning at a strategic level and a track record of successfully implementing strategic plans with impact.
• Personal credibility and gravitas and the skill to work collaboratively, fostering relationships and influencing a broad range of partners within HE and beyond.

You might also have…

• Experience of leading a membership organisation.
• Experience in marketing and/or business development and commercialisation.
• Experience of working with policy in a senior role.

We will offer…

• A competitive salary at Grade 9 £59,138 to £77,105 dependent on qualifications and experience.
• A defined contribution pension scheme with 7.5% employee and 16% employer contribution rates.
• Life assurance.
• 30 days’ holiday plus bank holidays and discretionary days’ office closure.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Support for CPD and appropriate training.
• This Job Description sets out current duties of the post that may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the post or the level of responsibility entailed.