ShelterBox is seeking a Chief Operating Officer to join our experienced and energetic Executive Team.

Location: Cornwall (remote working considered) Please Note: This role will require frequent travel to Cornwall

The Chief Operating Officer is a member of the Executive Team. This is ShelterBox’s most senior management team, with overall responsibility for leading, planning and managing the work and development of ShelterBox. You will be responsible for the delivery of our current 5-year organisational strategy 2022-27 as well as supporting and ensuring that departmental strategies are linked to this and are delivering as intended. ShelterBox’s extraordinary growth over the last two years in particular means that we are seeing considerable change in how we work to take us to scale. That change must be carefully managed to ensure staff are brought along and that this is sequenced in a logical and manageable way. The COO is required to maintain the ‘helicopter view’ of change initiatives across the organisation and ensure that we are getting this right.

Who are we looking for?

We are seeking a highly experienced strategy and delivery expert, who can see where organisational effectiveness can be improved and change management is needed. You must be able to hit the ground running, have a strong record of developing and leading successful functions by building highly effective relationships across a whole organisation.

The role will support teams to deliver the organisational strategy, ensuring that departmental plans and strategies fit within this and are achievable. This requires someone who can digest information from all areas of the organisation and support the synthesis of data and ideas into plans and action.

The COO will also be responsible for coordinating the day-to-day delivery of the internal functions of the organisation and ensuring cross departmental collaboration on projects that have wider implications for ShelterBox. These may include facilitating new ways of working such as remote/office and hybrid working practices, the introduction of a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, and our future offering as an international disaster relief charity in a localising aid system.

The role holder must be a superb communicator ensuring that they are at the hub of an all informed network across the organisation which includes our international offices and strategic partners. The COO will be committed to ensure that teams avoid siloed working and bring the spirit of collaboration in how we work together.

Experience of the international aid sector is desirable, but not essential. Experience of operating as a COO is desirable. This is an exciting opportunity for someone to help a high performing growing organisation go to the next level, driving the longer-term strategy and guiding change throughout the organisation.

Key Responsibilities

With the CEO and as part of the Executive Team-:

• Support the development, implementation and evaluation of ShelterBox’s Strategy 2022-27.
• Support the development and implementation of ShelterBox’s mission, vision and corporate values, including through demonstrable leadership and communication skills.
• Direct and coordinate all operational activities in order to achieve the goals of the strategic plan, in line with ShelterBox’s mission, vision and values.
• Work closely with the ShelterBox Board of Trustees, reporting on progress against strategy.
• Deputise for the CEO as and when required.

As Chief Operating Officer -:

1 – Strategy delivery, monitoring, reporting, and compliance:

• Develop and implement mechanisms for monitoring the organisation’s strategic objectives and progress towards achieving them.
• Prepare regular reports on operational performance and key performance indicators for presentation to the Executive Team and the Board of Directors.
• Ensure compliance with internal policies, donor requirements, and relevant legal and regulatory frameworks.
• Lead and develop the Strategy Delivery Group as the internal mechanism for performance management of the organisation.

2 – Project Management Office:

• Establish and lead the Project Management Office, providing oversight and coordination for all projects and initiatives within the organisation.
• Implement best practices in project management to ensure the successful delivery of disaster response programs and other organisational projects.

3 – Change Culture:

• Champion a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and adaptability within the organization.
• Lead change management initiatives to facilitate smooth transitions and acceptance of new processes and strategies.
• Lead, through example, the behaviours that illustrate our values, to deliver a culture where our colleagues feel they are able to raise issues freely.

4 – Risk& Legal:

• Oversee legal matters and ensure compliance with all legal obligations, including contracts, agreements, and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with legal counsel as needed to address legal issues and ensure the protection of ShelterBox Trust’s interests.
• Develop and implement risk management strategies to identify, assess, and mitigate operational risks.
• Ensure appropriate insurance coverage for the organization’s assets, staff, and operations.

5 – Facilities & Relocation:

• Manage facilities and infrastructure to support the organization’s operations and ensure a safe and conducive working environment for staff and volunteers.
• Oversee any relocation initiatives or facility expansion projects as necessary.

As a SLT and people manager at ShelterBox:

• Actively demonstrate the importance of staff development in line with ShelterBox’s policies and procedures, for example by undertaking regular 1:1 meetings with direct reports and investing in performance management.
• Model ShelterBox’s values through behaviours and leadership.
• Champion equality, diversity and inclusion within the organisation.
• As part of an emergency organisation there will be times when you will be required to work evenings and weekends at short notice in response to a disaster.