Head of Improvement and Business

Position: Head of Improvement and Business Growth
About

The Role Working directly with BCT's Chief Executive and their leadership team, you will provide strategic direction and oversight to the sector-led support plan. The role will oversee day to day progress of support to local authorities, and BCT Support's impact on improvement, as the dedicated person to 'make things happen' and provide the BCT Chief Executive with confidence that the improvement work is progressing in the agreed way, allowing the wider team to do their work.

The role will also provide strategic oversight of BCT's charity, Bfriends, ensuring its vision, governance, fundraising and delivery activity are aligned to the needs of children, young people and families. This includes working with trustees and key partners to strengthen accountability, maximise impact and ensure the charity operates effectively, sustainably and in line with relevant legal and regulatory requirements. We have been rated as 'Good' by Ofsted, following a 2023 inspection.

This is a fantastic achievement for Birmingham Children's Trust, with many positive highlights focusing on areas including the quality of staff leadership, partnership working, safeguarding and corporate parenting. This is a hybrid role based in Birmingham so you must have the correct right-to-work documents to work in the UK. Sadly, we do not support those who require sponsorship.

About you:

Sector-led Improvement
• To lead and coordinate the work of Birmingham Children's Trust in supporting other authorities/Trusts in their improvement.
• To be a pro-active member of the Trust Executive team, ensuring effective planning informs service priorities for support
• To collect and collate evidence of support provided, impact and outcomes, to monitor and evaluate the programme, drive evidence-based decision-making for improvement initiatives and provide regular reports as required to BCT's TLT, Executive, and Trust Board.
• To coordinate site visits, shadowing and sharing opportunities between BCT and the LAs we support.
• To manage any national and local media and political enquiries
• To collate and provide any returns required on the support programmes
• To ensure all support offers are efficient and effective
• To collate evidence of 'what works' in terms of support
• To collaborate with key stakeholders to identify improvement opportunities, analyse existing processes, and develop recommendations for enhancing efficiency, effectiveness, and quality.
• Specifically, to coordinate support from other organisations designed to complement the Trust's support and accelerate improvement
• To foster a culture of continuous improvement by promoting best practices, providing coaching and guidance, and fostering innovation throughout the organisation.
• To design and implement change management strategies to ensure successful adoption and sustainability of improvements and transformations.
• To establish strong relationships and effective communication channels with senior leadership, department heads, and cross-functional teams to gain support and alignment for improvement and transformation initiatives.
• To develop the business model for BCT that enables the Trust to support a high-quality and effective support/improvement offers to other organisations Bfriends
• Oversee the development and delivery of the charity's vision, mission and strategic plan
• Ensure all activity aligns with the charity's purpose and public benefit
• Work effectively with Trustees to provide oversight, direction and accountability
• Maintain strong governance, ensuring compliance with the charity's governing document and legal requirements
• Ensure the charity operates in line with relevant legislation, regulation and Charity Commission guidance
• Identify, manage and mitigate organisational and financial risks
• Maintain accurate records and ensure timely submission of reports and accounts
• Develop and monitor budgets, financial plans and forecasts
• Ensure effective use of resources to deliver impact and value for money
• Work with Trustees (e.g. Treasurer) to ensure financial sustainability and accountability
• Oversee and deliver a fundraising strategy…