StepChange Debt Charity Director of External Affairs Appointment Brief attentive trusted authentic
Director of External Affairs StepChange Debt Charity Contents Introductory Letter from the Chair and Chief Executive StepChange Organisational Structure Chart Role Profile and Person Specification Recruitment Timetable Terms and Conditions How to Apply
Introductory Letter from Chair and Chief Executive Dear Applicant, StepChange Debt Charity is the UK s leading debt advice and solutions organisation, with over twenty years experience of helping people become debt free. We are at a critical moment in our evolution. With a new brand and current awareness campaign, the charity is poised to make an even greater impact. Our ambitions for the future are clear: help more people, outclass the competition and influence public policy positively for consumers. No other organisation can boast our results in numbers of people helped, or match our financial performance and, critically, none share our charitable principles. There are considerable opportunities to seize following the name change and associated messaging from the re-brand; there is a need to drive momentum in the external engagement activity, positioning the charity as a credible and influential external player in the field of public policy. There also remains the need to ensure continued fruitful relationships with the financial services sector where we command a reputation of quality, consistency credibility and authority. StepChange Debt Charity is better placed than ever to shape policy relating to consumer debt and debt management and is well placed to assume a position of authority in the social policy domain and translate its considerable expertise to policy decisions that will affect consumers on a national scale. The new Director of External Affairs will help shape strategic plans for growth and development, promoting StepChange Debt Charity as a key influencer of government design and development of policy to solutions debt. These will enable the organisation to grow and develop, securing long-term positive changes for StepChange Debt Charity s client group. Yours faithfully, Lord S teve nson Chair Gordon Bell Chief Executive
StepChange Debt Charity StepChange Debt Charity is the UK s leading debt advice charity, helping people break free from problem debt for the past 20 years. Formerly known as the Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS), it was formed in 1993 and since then, we have helped over 2 million people deal with problem debt by providing free, expert and impartial debt help. CCCS was founded by Vic Ware OBE and Malcolm Hurlston CBE, based on the Consumer Credit Counselling model begun in the USA. In 1996, they won the support of the biggest names n the UK credit industry which allowed expansion and development of the debt counseling and debt management services. Today, StepChange Debt Charity s team of debt experts help over 350,000 people a year across the UK to overcome their debt problems and get their lives back on track. Over 6.2 million households in the UK are financially vulnerable; 3.2 million are three months behind with a repayment of subject to debt action like insolvency. StepChange Debt Charity offers practical solutions to help people out of debt, including fee-free debt management plans, debt and bankruptcy advice and equity release. Unlike fee-charging debt management companies, StepChange Debt Charity services are funded by financial services organisation, not paid for by clients. This is made possible by the charitable contributions that these creditors make to them. As a result of this unique social enterprise model, advice and solutions to people in need is genuinely free, based on what s best for them, not what is profitable. StepChange Debt Charity s service includes a free Helpline or online Debt Remedy tool to help the staff to understand each individual s debt problem to enable them to suggest a plan of action tailored specifically to the person in need. There are a range of services and solutions to suit every situation, including, debt management plans, individual voluntary arrangements, debt relief orders and debt arrangement schemes. The charity s vision is to help overcome the problems that debt presents in the 21 st century by raising awareness of the issues surrounding debt in the UK and continuing to build on the vital work that they have done over the last 20 years. Over the last two decades, the StepChange Debt Charity s service has grown hugely. StepChange Debt Charity want to be recognized as the most trusted provider of free debt advice and solutions and continue to be the champion of all that is best in debt advice and debt management. For a copy of our Strategic Aims and Objectives please click here
Organisational Structure Chart Chief Executive Gordon Bell Director of External Affairs Business Development Director Anne Somers Chief Operating Officer Fiona Megaw Chief Financial Officer Steve Nicholson Public Affairs Policy CCCS Scotland Creditor Relations Third Party Relationships Marketing People Services Debt Solution Services Debt Advice New Client Integration Digital Systems Support Development Procurement, Compliance and Facilities Operations Development Manager Business Information Manager Finance Manager Chief Executive (FCC CFO) Chief Executive (FCC CFO) Operations Manager Insolvency Practitioner Equity Release Manager Subsidiary Co. CCCS VA Subsidiary Co. CCCS Equity Release
Role Specification Role Overview To ensure that StepChange Debt Charity maximises its influence with policy and decision makers through ensuring that policy makers, stakeholders and the wider public across the UK are aware of the public and social policies that we champion so as to meet the needs of families and individuals with problem debt; To ensure that StepChange Debt Charity policy and public affairs work enhances and supports the charity s mission and strategic plan by coordinating and implementing the public relations, public affairs and corporate media strategies, ensuring the profile of StepChange Debt Charity remains consistently high with policy makers, stakeholders and the wider public; To inform the overall strategic decision-making for the charity by bringing knowledge, awareness, risks and opportunities from the external landscape to the Executive team and to the Board; To ensure that any differences in strategy and practice required by StepChange Debt Charity in each nation within the UK and elsewhere are developed and incorporated into the above strategies and to ensure that there are sufficient resources within the various external affairs teams to successfully effect the strategies in each nation; To develop thought leadership and strategic policy relationships with organisations allied with StepChange Debt Charity s service portfolio, mission and strategic plan; To provide support and assistance to the Chair and Chief Executive in fulfilling their external communications, activities and high level relationships; To provide support and assistance to the Chair and Chief Executive in matters of governance and Board meeting administration; To provide leadership across the charity in conjunction with other members of StepChange Debt Charity s Executive team; To lead a small and dedicated team of ten across various departments. Key Responsibilities Public and social policy Coordinate the development and implementation of StepChange Debt Charity s strategy for UK public and social policy work and regularly review and set social policy priorities in response to evidence, external opportunities and StepChange Debt Charity s mission and charitable objectives; Develop strategies to ensure that StepChange Debt Charity is able to effectively influence and respond to all nations Government policy and other relevant decision makers in key areas applicable to the core purpose of StepChange Debt Charity;
Raise the profile of StepChange Debt Charity in the fields of financial inclusion and capability to increase its impact on policy and practices within Government and the wider public arena; In partnership with the Chair, Chief Executive and other members of the Executive, develop and maintain effective relationships with policy-makers and service providers in order to influence and deliver change for people with problem debt; In collaboration with senior colleagues identify, research, develop and champion key policy positions on current and future issues relating to people with problem debt, and evaluate the impact of StepChange Debt Charity s public and social policy work; Establish StepChange Debt Charity as a thought leader in the broad areas of money management and problem debt through future policy positions and in collaboration with Think-Tanks, Government and other policy stakeholders; Maintain knowledge and awareness of external policy developments and maintain knowledge about concerns of other organisations - communicating these to the Chair, Board and Executive as appropriate; Review, in conjunction with other members of the Executive, public and social policy priorities in response to evidence, external opportunities and the charity s objectives, on a regular basis; Ensure analysis of StepChange Debt Charity evidence in policy areas is undertaken; Prepare accurate and concise briefings and policy submissions for the Chair, Board, Executive and Senior Management in response to public policy initiatives affecting people with problem debt; Ensure the charity responds to all relevant public consultations; Regularly evaluate the impact of StepChange Debt Charity public and social policy work and provide reports and briefings to the Chairman, Board and Executive as appropriate. Public affairs Work with key colleagues in the Executive team to develop stakeholder awareness of StepChange Debt Charity through extensive external engagement in accordance with the charity s purpose, vision and beliefs; As a member of the charity s senior management, facilitate and maintain excellent relations with Government, Civil Servants, lenders, regulatory bodies, partners, the media, money advice agencies and other stakeholders; Establish and maintain regular two-way communication with significant official bodies, sharing responsibility for this with the Chair, Chief Executive and other key members of the Executive team as appropriate;
Where appropriate and as required, represent StepChange Debt Charity at political events, debates, committee meetings and conferences both to present a policy response and to build relationships; Coordinate research into the effects of public policy on StepChange Debt Charity through public sources, political intelligence and personal contacts; Ensure the Chairman, Board and Executive receive effective and high quality briefing and content for speeches, communications and meetings as required. Corporate Media Relations Define a corporate media strategy in line with the charity s overall communications strategy and programme, that incorporates both proactive and reactive activity; Ensure that the corporate media strategy and resulting activities are developed and undertaken in conjunction and full collaboration with all other media, marketing and communications teams within the charity; Liaise with media representatives and act as corporate media spokesperson for StepChange Debt Charity as appropriate and as required; Provide full support and assistance to the Chair and Chief Executive in arranging, preparing and conducting their media communications. Governance and Board administration Provide support to the Chair and Chief Executive in the administration of the Trustee retirement and recruitment processes according to the charity's policies and procedures; Support the Chief Executive in setting out a programme of meetings for all Boards of the charity and organising those meetings, developing agendas, and preparing and distributing all papers for the Board; Ensure the required administrative and secretarial support is in place to meet the needs of the Chair and Chief Executive. Leadership Develop knowledge and understanding of StepChange Debt Charity s purpose, vision, mission, aims, objectives and beliefs and fully support all elements in both internal and external interactions; Be a role model for all levels of employees of the charity by adhering to, supporting and ensuring adoption of all the charity s agreed policies, procedures and practices; Manage own teams and direct reports in line with StepChange Debt Charity s policies, procedures and practices;
Engage fully and create positive and effective working relationships with other members of the Executive team to develop a broad understanding of all areas of the charity s activities, interactions and development; Communicate and share own functions strategies, goals and activity updates with members of the Executive team, and other senior managers as appropriate and required, to improve their awareness and understanding; Participate fully in decisions over the direction and development of all areas of the charity as a member of the Executive team and take collective responsibility for decisions made irrespective of own views and opinions; Participate in charity-wide communications where appropriate to demonstrate charity leadership as a united Executive team; Adopt fiduciary responsibility by developing the policy, public affairs and stakeholder media capability in the charity within the agreed budget. Person Specification You should be able to demonstrate and provide evidence of the criteria below within your written application. These will be further explored at various stages throughout the selection process: Successful candidates will be able to give evidence of the following: Significant successful experience of leading, devising and delivering creative, innovative and effective external affairs strategies in a consumer facing organisation Significant experience of influencing policy at a national level and a sophisticated understanding of the UK political system Experience of assimilating complex information rapidly and formulating policy responses in consultation with key colleagues Strong corporate leadership skills with the ability to engage and work collaboratively with colleagues Sophisticated communication skills with the ability to craft and present press releases, speeches, reports and briefings in an accessible and convincing way Strong people management skills with the ability to lead, manage and motivate multidisciplinary teams across two key locations Strong project management skills with the ability to plan, budget, implement, monitor and evaluate effective media and public affairs projects and campaigns Strong relationship building skills with the ability to engage key opinion formers and decision makers at the highest level Emotional intelligence coupled with an astute political antennae with the ability to deal sensitively with controversial/confidential issues
Sound knowledge and a broad understanding of social policy (concerning either money, consumer rights, credit and debt, access to financial services, justice or related areas within social welfare or poverty alleviation An understanding and empathy of the role of the Third Sector, the purpose and scope of advice work and partnerships with Government Strong judgement and a flexible, open and adaptable approach to work Timetable Advert closes Sunday 29 th September Preliminary interviews carried out by David Fielding at Attenti Due diligence stages including referencing and psychometric assessments for candidates Informal meetings between shortlisted candidates and key members of staff Final Panel in London, decision agreed, contract negotiated and offer made. w/c 7 th and 14 st October w/c 21 th October w/c 28 th October w/c 4 th November Terms and Conditions A Six Figure Package 35 days holiday per year Optional group pension scheme
How to Apply If you are interested in applying for this role, please do so via the Attenti website: www.attenti.co.uk Please ensure you provide the following: A supporting statement. This should clearly set out how you meet each of the criteria set out in the person specification. You should provide evidence in your statement; and not simply a broad claim to have done it - give us examples and dimensions; tell us what this achieved and how it helped meet your organisations' goals. A comprehensive CV including details of your achievements in each role. Details of two referees, one of whom should be your current or most recent employer, and let us know whether you would be happy for us to contact them as part of the process. Referees will not, of course, be contacted without your prior consent. Please also download and complete the equal opportunities form, saving it to your computer and then uploading it with the other documents as above as part of your application. Please ensure that you indicate in your application any dates when you will not be available, or where we might have difficulty in contacting you, which coincide with the appointments timetable. All applications will be acknowledged. Attenti will respect the privacy of any initial approach or expression of interest in this role, whether formal or informal. Closing date for applications: Sunday 29 th September 2013 For an informal and confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultants Hayley Clark, Jim Banks or David Fielding at Attenti on 020 7422 0620.