Chief Executive Officer
ABOUT MANCHESTER YOUTH ZONE
We’re looking for a CEO who is inspiring,values-driven, and a confident fundraiser to lead the next exciting chapter forone of Manchester’s most ambitious youth charities
Manchester Youth Zone is much more than ayouth centre. Yes, we have state-of-the-art facilities (climbing walls, gym,dance studios and football pitches), but we’re also a safe space, a hot dinner,a place where young people of North Manchester can feel seen and heard and beinspired.
Based in Harpurhey, our big yellow buildinghas an exceptional track record for making a positive impact on the lives ofyoung people and we want to hear from people who are ready to join us on ourmission to level the playing field and lead a new, strategic chapter for youthwork in North Manchester.
WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE
●A safe inspiring place for young people to go.
●Opportunities for young people in an area whereoutlooks are often limited.
●A secure and diverse income pipeline coveringoperational costs, with a focus on multi-year funding and excellent donorstewardship.
●Strong financial controls, clarity and confidence,with new income streams actively developed.
●A motivated, supported and high-performing staffand volunteer team that feels valued and connected to the Youth Zone’s vision.
●High quality open-access youth provision withstrong reach, scale, quality and demonstrable impact.
●A strong safeguarding culture with robust riskmanagement embedded in decision-making.
●A safe,vibrant and well-maintained facility thatmeets the needs of young people
ABOUT ONSIDE
OnSide is a national charity that believes allyoung people should have the opportunity to discover their passion and theirpurpose to find what they’ve got and where it could take them. OnSide funds andbuilds state-of-the-art, multi million- pound Youth Zones in the country’s mosteconomically disadvantaged areas. They train the amazing people that run themand they offer continuing support via the nationwide OnSide Network wheretheycan learn and grow, share their stories, and celebrate their success together.ManchesterYouth Zone is part of this growing and vibrant Network of 18 Youth Zones acrossthe country.
It’s about opportunity.
OnSide - But when I’m here (youtube.com)
https://www.onsideyouthzones.org/
THE ROLE
This is a rare and exciting opportunity to lead oneof Manchester’s most ambitious youth charities at a pivotal moment in itsjourney.As Chief Executive of Manchester Youth Zone, you will combineinspirational leadership with a strong, hands-on approach to fundraising andcommercial direction.
Acting as a visible ambassador for Manchester YouthZone,you will build trust with partners across the city, influence at aregional and national level, and lead with integrity, creativity and purpose toensure lasting impact for young people and the communities we serve.
We are looking for a proven leader with significantfundraising experience who can demonstrate success in building long-termrelationships with major donors (£25k+), corporate partners, trusts andstatutory funders, and who can confidently translate ambition into adiverse,resilient income pipeline that secures the future of the organisation.
Alongside fundraising leadership, you will providestrategic direction, financial clarity and cultural leadership to avalues-driven organisation focused relentlessly on young people. You willempower a talented Senior Leadership Team and wider workforce to deliverhigh-quality, inclusive youth work, while ensuring strong safeguarding, and asafe, inspiring facility that remains fit for purpose.
SUPPORT
●You will report to the Chair of the Board,through a high support and high challenge relationship, managing an annualbudget of approx. £1.2-£1.5m p.a. ensuring the Youth Zone delivers ahigh-quality offer to local young people.
●OnSide will also provide support, via an OnSidenominated Trustee on the Board
●There is a dedicated Network Chief Executivesgroup – with ongoing quarterly meetings plus informal peer support includingbuddying arrangements.
●Access to OnSide services: HR (incl. Learning& Development), Fundraising, Systems,Finance, Communication, Safeguardingand Facilities.
ALL MANCHESTER YOUTH ZONE EMPLOYEES ARE EXPECTEDTO:
• Be a positive role model for young people – bringa ‘can-do’ attitude and take responsibility for your actions.
• Live the values of Manchester Youth Zone and theOnSide Network, working within the charity’s performance framework to support aculture of high performance, continuous learning, and a young people first,team always ethos.
• Be a positive ambassador for Manchester YouthZone in everything you do – whether that’s working with colleagues, chatting tovisitors, or helping out with promotional events and tours.
• Help create and maintain a safe and welcomingenvironment for all young people, encouraging positive behaviour and mutualrespect.
• Demonstrate an ongoing commitment to equity,fairness, and inclusion.
• Follow all policies and procedures, especiallyaround Safeguarding, Health &Safety, and Equity, Diversity & Inclusion,and Charity Commission regulations.
JOB DESCRIPTION
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategy & Governance
●Work with the Board to maintain, review andstrengthen Manchester Youth Zone’s overall strategic plan ensuringaligned to the wider priorities of Manchester and OnSide.
●Ensure successful implementation of the strategicplan.
●Support effective governance and provide timely,accurate information to enable informed decision-making.
Fundraising & Financial Sustainability
● Alongside the Head of Fundraising, developand lead an ambitious fundraising strategy
●Show personal leadership on high-valuefundraising, including securing and stewarding major donors, corporatepartners, trusts and statutory partners.
●Translate financial information clearly and confidently,ensuring strong financial planning, monitoring and control.
●Ensure high-quality impact reporting and strong relationshipbuilding to funders and donors to support stewardship, renewal and long-term engagement.
Leadership & Culture
●Provide clear, inclusive and inspirationalleadership to the organisation, leading a team of approximately 50people.
●Line manage and support the Senior Leadership Team(Director of Operations, Head of HR, Head of Finance and Head ofFundraising and Communications).
●Empower teams to deliver high-quality universaland targeted youth work provision with measurable impact.
●Foster an inclusive, learning-focusedorganisational culture that is young-people-centred and values based.
Partnerships, Profile & Influence
●Maintain and promote Manchester Youth Zone’sreputation with a wide range of stakeholders including Manchester CityCouncil, corporate donors, statutory agencies, VCSE organisations and theOnSide network.
●Act as a visible ambassador for the Youth Zonelocally, regionally and nationally.
●Add value to the OnSide network and activelycontribute to shared learning and collaboration.
Youth Work Quality & Safeguarding
●Strategically lead high-quality youth workprovision in North Manchester responsive to the needs and voices of youngpeople.
●Ensure a strong safeguarding culture, riskmanagement and decision-making with young people’s welfare at the heartof the organisation.
Building and Facilities
●Provide strategic oversight of the Youth Zone’sfacilities, ensuring they remain safe, compliant, welcoming and fit forpurpose.
●Take a forward-looking approach to assetmanagement and maintenance of the building.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Applicants will be expected to demonstrate theexperience, skills, knowledge and aptitudes listed below throughout therecruitment process. However, if you don’t meet every single requirement butfeel you have strong and relevant transferable skills or lived experience todraw from, we encourage you to apply anyway. If you’re excited about this rolebut your past experience doesn’t align perfectly, please tell us how yourexperience is transferrable.
SELECTION CRITERIA
EXPERIENCE
●Successful senior leadership experience within acharity or similar complex organisation.
●Significant experience of hands-on fundraising,such as securing and stewarding major donors (£25k+), corporates, trusts andstatutory funding.
●Proven track record of developing and deliveringorganisational strategies and business plans.
●Experience of leading financially sustainableorganisations with strong governance and controls.
●Experience of developing and overseeinghigh-quality youth-focused services or programmes.
●Experience of working within multi-agencyenvironments, particularly around safeguarding.
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ATTRIBUTES
● Strong financial literacy with the ability tointerpret and communicate financial information clearly.
● Strong leadership, people management andcommunication skills.
●Ability to motivate, coach and challenge seniorleaders to deliver high performance.
●Ability to influence, negotiate and act as anambassador for Manchester Youth Zone.
●Good understanding of safeguarding, riskmanagement and safe practice.
●Well organised, strategic and able to operateeffectively in a fast-paced environment.
PERSONAL QUALITIES
●Passionate about improving outcomes for youngpeople and communities.
●Values-driven, authentic and aligned withManchester Youth Zone’s mission.
●High standards with a strong focus on opportunityand impact.
●Sound judgement, resilience and integrity.
●Commitment to continuous learning, reflection anddevelopment.
●Respectful and informed approach to working withindiverse communities.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The normal hours of work are 40 per week, or thosenecessary to fulfil the requirements of the position. There will be arequirement to work outside the normal 9 to 5, Monday to Friday, working week,including frequent evenings and weekends. This will mean working flexiblythroughout the week, to suit the needs of both the role and the individual.
APPLICATION PROCESS
To apply, please submit a CV and a one-pagecoverletter to hrteam@manchesteryz.org
Your cover letter should bepersonally written andclearly set out how you meet the person specification.
In addition, please provide the followinginformation:
• Confirmation you are eligible to work inthe UK (documentary evidence will be required before a job offer is confirmed)
• Any reasonable adjustments we can make toassist you in your application or the selection process
• How you demonstrate your commitment toequity, diversity & inclusion.
As this role is based in a youth zone, thisposition requires an Enhanced DBS check In accordancewith our Child Protection and Safeguarding procedures,
● Do you haveany unspent conditional cautions or convictions under the Rehabilitation ofOffenders Act 1974?
● Do you haveany adult cautions (simple or conditional) or spent convictions that are notprotected as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974(Exceptions)Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020?