DIRECTOR OF SOCCER AID

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Director of Soccer Aid provides the strategic leadership of Soccer Aid through key relationships across UNICEF UK, Soccer Aid Productions, ITV, Initial and other key commercial partners; driving forward the strategy and growth of the campaign through shared objectives. The level of success that the campaign achieves will have a direct effect on the levels on the income raised to support UNICEF UK's vital work.

What we will expect you to achieve:

• Demonstrate and model a commitment to our shared values, behaviours and inclusive practices (known as Our Shared Commitment) in all aspects of your work.

• Organisational and strategic leadership as a member of the Extended Leadership Group (ELG), also accountable for growing income, reach (and ultimately impact) by leading the entire Soccer Aid for UNICEF campaign team successfully; working effectively with all key partners.

• Develop the Soccer Aid vision and the multi–year fundraising strategy that ensures delivery of a year–round fund–raising pipeline for Soccer Aid. This strategy will ensure continued growth of soccer aid using new innovations and further expansion of the existing portfolio. This includes new fundraising approaches, products and propositions.

• Maintain strong relationships with the joint venture partners' leadership teams and key contacts; working with them to ensure the fundraising objectives of the campaign are met, and the costs and discretionary spending is within pre–agreed parameters.

• Full ownership, management and leadership of the financial management of the campaign across Soccer Aid Productions Ltd (SAP) and UNICEF UK.

• Management of the Soccer Aid core team and matrix management of individuals across UNICEF UK and SAP Ltd, ensuring strong co–operation and alignment between all of the teams at both organisations.

• Representing UNICEF UK externally including working with UNICEF in New York and Geneva, other UNICEF National Committees, and Country, Regional and other UK–based agencies as appropriate.

• Prompt escalation of key issues to the SAP board and UNICEF UK leadership along with suggestions on how they can be resolved.

• Working collaboratively with the UNICEF UK Corporate, Philanthropy and Foundation teams, to confidently present to potential new partners, the benefits of a Soccer Aid partnership.

BEHAVIOURS, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

This section contains the essential behaviours, experience, knowledge and skills needed in order to be effective and successful in this role. All criteria in this section are essential.

Effective behaviours

Supporter driven and mission aligned

• Is committed to children and their rights and motivated to work towards achieving a world that is fit for every child.

Good leadership and Management

• Provides strategic direction, sets clear objectives, clarifies expectations and agrees the parameters for each person's authority and accountability.

• Stewards the resources that are available to the directorate in a capable manner, assisting the team to make the most impact with all provided.

Positive relationships

• Builds happy, collaborative and effective relationships with stakeholders internally and externally, that ensures high levels of engagement, flexibility and loyalty.

• Confident in driving forward change, using influence and negotiation with senior leaders across multiple organisations.

Negotiation and Influence

• Successfully influences others, demonstrates and stands up to rigorous analysis and challenge.

• Considers partners' needs and pressures, balancing their expectations with doing what's right for children.

• Strong negotiating skills, able to have difficult conversations whilst remaining solutions focussed.

Resilience

• Thrives in a rapidly changing working environment.

• Prioritises and sustains focus on work that will have the greatest impact on agreed aims.

Communication and Effective Facilitation

• Delivers impactful and engaging written and oral communication methods to engage an audience and win understanding and support.

• Guides and directs multiple, challenging stakeholders to reach consensus and deliver the required outcome within the time allocated.

• Clear and confident communication of outcomes which may sometimes be unpopular.

Achieving Change

• Works on own initiative, assesses priorities and is proactive in making/recommending improvements.

• Challenges accepted ways of working where needed.

Relevant experience

• Demonstrable senior strategic leadership and organisational management experience in setting strategic direction and leading the team to executing a programme of events.

• Proven experience cultivating high profile relationships and partnerships with multiple, external stakeholders and key corporate entities/partners. Significant experience in delivering and leading programmes and project management experience is required.

• Good experience of working at a strategic level with external partners, agents and talent (as required), key external agencies and suppliers.

• Exposed and experienced with building and developing appropriate sector and broadcast relationships.

• Proven experience in leading and managing through people. Comfortable in coaching, mentoring and providing supportive line management.

• Experienced in developing and maintaining a team culture of openness, collaboration and ambition and high achievements.

• Proven experience with budgetary responsibility and accountability. Able to plan, actively manage and report on high figured spend due to strong financial management discipline, and able to foster a culture of cost efficiency and financial accountability throughout the team.

Specific knowledge and skills

• Specific knowledge of mass public–facing fundraising appeals or campaigns; both the broadcast & charity sectors and the opportunities and challenges they present.

• Experience of operating within a fast–paced business, with a track record for creative and innovative approaches to fundraising and marketing.

• Strong understanding of how to maximise partnership opportunities.