Welsh Rowing – Chief Executive

Job Description:

Welsh Rowing is looking for a dynamic and visionary executive leader to work with the Board of Directors, staff, the wider membership, and our key partners and stakeholders, to take us forward into the next phase, building on our rich history and heritage as the national governing body for rowing in Wales, covering all disciplines including river, coastal and indoor rowing as well as para rowing.

2022 is a very special year for Rowing across Wales as we host the World Coastal & Beach Rowing Championships at Saundersfoot on the Pembrokeshire Coast during July. The Board also plans to revise its long-term strategic plan in the Autumn so this is the ideal opportunity for an experienced executive leader to join us at this exciting stage in our evolution as an organisation. If you think you have what it takes as a team player and inspiring leader, then we want to hear from you.

As a membership and development focused organisation, our primary aim is to get more people involved in rowing and to achieve greater levels of success through the talent pathway whilst ensuring that all participants are welcome, irrespective of ability, aspiration, or background, and are at the heart of all that we do. One of our most important roles is encouraging non-rowers to try out the sport. This includes supporting clubs to reach out to new members, running targeted participation initiatives and highlighting the benefits of our sport as well as supporting clubs to expand their membership offering.

For those who want to take rowing beyond a hobby, we’re here to seek out, support and develop the best talent to represent Wales and GB at international competitions including the Olympics and Paralympics. We host a full calendar of indoor and outdoor events as well as coordinating the national calendar for regattas and club events across Wales. Part of our job is to support clubs to increase their outreach and membership. We do this through linking clubs with suitable partners, supporting fundraising bids and signposting clubs to relevant opportunities. As part of our participation work, we work with schools to get more children and teenagers involved in rowing, with a special focus on increasing equality, diversity, and inclusion. This includes organising and running school rowing events. As the national governing body for rowing in Wales, it’s our job to set policies for the sport, taking on governance around safeguarding, clean sport, and a host of other issues.

Role Responsibilities

1. Business Planning

• Develop and lead the implementation of agreed operational plans to ensure Welsh Rowing meets it’s short- and longer-term strategic objectives including those agreed Sport Wales funded targets.
• Oversee the development of our membership engagement plans and programmes to ensure Welsh Rowing meets the aspirations of its member clubs, participants, and volunteers.
• Leading the executive contribution to the formulation of the Welsh Rowing strategic plan working directly with the Welsh Rowing Board, our members, and stakeholders to ensure an engaged and consultative approach.
• Co-ordinate, with the Board Secretary and Directors the implementation of the development of plans and policies with the respective Board Working Groups and Sub Committees.
• Work directly with the Board Chairperson and Directors to regularly monitor and review progress against plans, providing management information to inform debate.
• Ensure there is regular, relevant, and transparent, communication between Welsh Rowing and all parts of the sport, in particular the constituent member clubs.
• Represent Welsh Rowing as the lead executive and ambassador for the organisation on relevant external and national bodies such as Sport Wales, Welsh Sports Association, NGB CEO Forums and liaising with wider Welsh Government to always represent the best interests of Welsh Rowing.

2. People Leadership & Management

• Be visible and “present” as a leader within the sport in Wales, communicating clearly with staff, Directors, members and stakeholders on a regular basis.
• Oversee the effective management and performance of the Welsh Rowing staff team including the implementation of annual work objectives and appraisal processes and plans.
• Lead the ongoing review of induction and professional development provisions for Welsh Rowing staff.
• Provide accurate and relevant information on staff performance to the Board Finance & Remuneration Committee to inform salary and benefits reviews.
• Ensuring that Welsh Rowing staff members engage the relevant constituent members of the sport in the planning and implementation stages of activities through a consultative approach.
• Review with the Board the overall structure of the organisation, the key appointments therein and the plans for their succession of key personnel.
• Oversee the recruitment process of appointments working directly with Board and staff as required.

3. Financial Management

• Prepare and present to the Board, in association with relevant staff, an annual budget, which supports the delivery of the Welsh Rowing strategy including the development of rolling four-year financial plan working with the Board Finance & Remuneration Committee
• Manage the organisation’s resources within budget guidelines according to current Company policies/procedures, laws and regulations.
• Provide regular, thorough, and accurate information to keep the Board appropriately informed of the organisation’s financial position working with the Board Finance Director.
• Lead the engagement with Sport Wales and other funding bodies together with any external audit partner and related processes as required.
• Lead and oversee the development and submission of key funding applications. To maintain and improve Welsh Rowing financial viability and ensure that it has the necessary funds to deliver its objectives through income generation, fundraising and by identifying potential new income sources.

4. Marketing and Communications

• Raise the profile of Rowing in Wales through engaging with the media and key stakeholders to increase investment and interest in the sport.
• Ensure that an appropriate Communications Plan is in place to engage all key stakeholders with the sport in Wales, including but not limited to newsletters and social media.
• Ensure regular open, relevant, and transparent communications with members and volunteers, using appropriate media and other communication channels, leading from the front as the CEO.
• Oversee any brand and digital review working with the staff and Board as required, commissioning any related activities as agreed with the annual operational plan.

5. Leadership

• Represent Welsh Rowing at a national and international level where appropriate working closely with external partners and media to articulate and champion the work of Welsh Rowing and the role that the sport can play in shaping and influencing society and the physical and mental health of people in Wales.
• Promote a culture that reflects the organisation’s core values and behaviours.
• Lead by example in setting high standards of organisational ethics and morals.
• Lead the organisations approach to safeguarding and welfare in our sport.
• Develop a high-performance approach to service delivery within the Welsh Rowing team comprising staff, Directors, and wider stakeholders.

Key Interfaces

1. Internal

• Establish a positive, collaborative working relationship with the Chair of the Board and Directors, providing ongoing reporting on an open and transparent basis and implement additional ad hoc tasks as requested by the Chair.
• Day to day contact with staff team.
• Regular contact with senior management of British and Home Country rowing federations.
• Members of Welsh Rowing clubs, athletes, parents, coaches, team managers, and administrators.
• Be open and available to our membership, particularly our member clubs.

2. External

• Maintain an effective working relationship with the Chief Executive of British Rowing and Scottish Rowing.
• Regular contact with Officers and Members of Sport Wales.
• Welsh Government.
• Commonwealth Games Wales Federation and Commonwealth Rowing Federation.
• Home Country Rowing Federation CEOs.
• Welsh NGB CEOs network.
• Key local authorities.

Person Specification

Essential

Experience 

• To have successfully held an equivalent position of Senior Manager, COO, or CEO in a public sector or a membership based or commercial organisation, while delivering business targets.
• Proven experience of effective business/corporate and financial planning of an organisation.
• Previous experience of developing efficient business/corporate systems and managing their implementation.
• A success record of representing an organisation while working effectively with a wide range of key stakeholders. Proven track record of being a highly respected leader or senior manager in an equivalent environment.

Skills and Attributes

• A proven ability to build and manage a high performing team including the ability to improve team and individual performance.
• Good understanding of the sporting and political landscape.
• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills, having the ability to present key messages at Board level or to a wide audience.
• Excellent programme management skills.
• A proven ability to influence effectively at executive and non-executive level.

Desirable 

Qualifications 

Relevant degree or equivalent qualification in business management or another relevant discipline.

Skills and Attributes

• Ability to innovate and recognise potential.
• Ability to speak Welsh.

Welsh Rowing Organisational Behaviours

These behaviours are instrumental to the operation of all staff and volunteers within the organisation. We also advocate these behaviours as values to be upheld by the entire rowing community in Wales.

Integrity – We are trustworthy, transparent and base actions on our behaviours.

Considered – We are thoughtful and reflective. We endeavour to be flexible but to also make all decisions based on smart principles.

Effective – We work within our means to deliver on the vision and strategic objectives.

Collaborative – We work in partnership wherever possible to add value and support and empower the community.

Equitable – We recognise and celebrate the diversity of the rowing community in Wales.

Ambitious – We are a passionate and driven organisation who always strive for the best possible results.

Enterprising – We approach problem solving with creativity and innovation. We will take appropriate risks to achieve results.

Equal Opportunities

Welsh Rowing is committed to equal opportunities for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

Reporting To: Chairperson of Welsh Rowing Board of Directors

Direct Reports: Designated Welsh Rowing Staff (currently 5)

Budget: Welsh Rowing has an annual turnover of approximately £350,000 per annum

How to Apply

To apply, please see here for an application form. More information can be found here.

Applications should be returned to [email protected] by 5pm Friday 29th April. Interviews will be held on Friday 13th May at Sport Wales National Centre, Cardiff. For an informal discussion on the role please contact Helen Tan, CEO on 07890 992858.

 

 

Salary: Salary c£40-50k per annum

Type: Full Time

Application Dates: From Wednesday 6th April 2022 to Friday 29th April 2022