CENTRE DIRECTOR: JOB DESCRIPTION

Responsible to:

The Chair of Executive Committee (Exec) and through them to the Executive Committee of Swindon Youth for Christ (SYFC) who collectively are the Trustees.

Responsible for:

Senior Staff Team (currently two post holders) and a team of volunteers

Work Location:

Based at the SYFC Office, Bethesda Church Hall, Gorse Hill, Swindon. All locations as required, relating to the work of SYFC including schools, churches and youth groups.

Hours of Work:

37 ½ hours per week, worked as required by the scope of the job. Evenings and some weekends will be required.

Job Summary:

To lead SYFC as it seeks to give young people in Swindon Borough the opportunity to discover and follow Jesus through serving, empowering, building relationships and teaching them to rely on God. The post holder will work under the direction of the trustees, in strategically leading and motivating the senior staff and team to ensure that SYFC's mission is fully resourced and carried out to the highest standard and in accordance with our ethos and with a commitment to building positive partnerships with individuals, churches and organisations to facilitate the above.

Organisation Context

Launched in 1950 Swindon YFC is a local church inspired, Christian outreach project in Swindon, Wiltshire. Registered as a local ministry of Youth for Christ, the project runs over 15 schemes of work that aim to engage with young people beyond the church giving them a chance to discover and follow Jesus through serving, building relationships and relying on God.

 

The organisation is now at an exciting stage of development having grown significantly during the last few years. As such the staff and trustees of SYFC are looking for someone who can lead the work onto its next stage, building on what has been achieved already and striving for even better things in the future.


Main Duties and Responsibilities

  

Staff

a) To lead, motivate, train and develop staff so that their work reaches its full potential and improves the delivery of SYFC's mission to young people.
b) To represent the staff and volunteers at Exec meetings.
c) To provide oversight for the staff, ensuring that each has regular line management and support, an annual appraisal and a development plan that supports both the needs of the individual and the overall work of SYFC.
d) Contribute to the ethos of SYFC by supporting the staff through corporate worship, bible study and prayer.

 

Strategy & Leadership

a) To develop with the trustees the direction of SYFC and facilitate the implementation of a sustainable strategy that ensures its vision and values are realised
b) To be responsible for overseeing the day to day admin relating to the Centre and leading the office staff and volunteers
c) To oversee the development of SYFC as a centre of best practice. This will include working towards meeting recognised quality standards for small organisations.

 

Finances and Resources

a) To ensure that SYFC is suitably resourced with personnel and physical resources and be responsible for leading the income development committee to generate appropriate levels of income
b) To provide accurate, appropriate and clear communications - verbal, written, reports and spreadsheets to staff, volunteers, and supporters on an agreed regular basis
c) To ensure that SYFC offers value for money

 

Communication, Links and Partnership Development

a) To work with the Senior Staff Team and our strategic church partners in developing our work with young people so that they can be drawn into a life and community of Christian faith.
b) To be responsible for building on established and seeking new strategic partnerships with agencies such as Youth service, Schools and Local churches
c) To develop the established systems of communications that ensure the SYFC supporter base is informed by what is taking place and that they are then and encouraged and inspired to be more involved
d) To manage and take a lead on the relationship with national YFC ensuring that SYFC continues to be an organisation that seeks to work in active partnership with them
e) To maintain the reputation of SYFC through a positive and professional engagement with local and Christian press, the general public and young people service users.
f) To be a committed and active member of a church or congregation recognised by Churches Together in England

 

Service Delivery

a) To be involved, where appropriate or necessary, in delivering the work of SYFC e.g. schools and youth work.
b) To support the development and implementation of cross-town youth events and initiatives.

 

Health & Safety

a) To be responsible for the health & safety of all SYFC staff and volunteers
b) To ensure all SYFC events and activities are suitably risk assessed and that required control measures are in place
c) To ensure that any accident or incident is investigated, recorded and where appropriate that the findings are reported to the Exec

 

Future Development

a) To continue to work with the trustees and the senior staff team to deliver the vision and develop and implement a new strategy
b) To assist the trustees in challenging and reviewing existing practices and procedures
c) To work with Senior Staff in identifying new opportunities and initiatives and developing plans of work that allow these to be met

 

Other

a) Contribute to the ethos of the wider YFC movement by involvement in corporate and individual worship, bible study and prayer and by upholding and demonstrating the values of the movement
b) To work in co-operation with and under the guidance of the trustees to ensure that all duties and responsibilities are carried out with due regard to the established policies and protocols
c) Any other duties as requested by the Trustees

  

Qualities and experience required 

Essential

Desirable

You should have an active personal Christian faith and be a committed and active member of a church or congregation recognized by Churches Together in England

An appreciation of other faiths

Understanding of the bible and able to apply it to the workplace

Awareness of charity and employment law as well as health and safety regulations

Have relevant skills and experience

Hold an appropriate professional qualification or degree

You should be a person of prayer who is good standing with the local church and the wider community.

Have a knowledge of YFC, its aims, purposes and basis of belief

Understanding of the needs of young people both within and beyond the church and passionate to see the gospel proclaimed to them in effective ways.

A demonstrable track record in the pastoral care and discipling of young people

A demonstrable track record in working with young people within and beyond the church, not necessarily in a professional context

A demonstrable track record of business planning, financial management, budget preparation, monitoring and reporting

A demonstrable track record in leading and managing a team.

A track record in liaising effectively with external organisations

Good communication, presentation and organisational skills, calm under pressure

To live in the borough of Swindon

An appreciation of the range of church styles and denominations

 

 Has a full driving licence and access to a car

 

 

 

For an application pack or to discuss the post further please contact Swindon YFC office@syfc.org.uk 01793 829795. P.O. BOX 2352, Swindon, SN2 1WE. Registered Charity no. 274402