Surrey Conservative Partnership: Director

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Surrey Conservative Partnership

Director

Role Description

 

JOB SUMMARY

The Surrey Conservative Partnership (“SCP”) is looking for an enthusiastic leader to run an exciting recently formed organisation based in the Surrey Hills, an area of outstanding natural beauty just 15 miles from the centre of London.

Our three Constituency Conservative Associations (Epsom and Ewell, Reigate and Banstead and Mole Valley) have created an organisation, the SCP, to provide ourselves with stronger campaigning, fundraising and organisational resources [1]

The successful candidate will lead our office consisting of two other full time equivalent staff.  They will play a pivotal role in setting up and managing the SCP, reporting to the SCP Executive (which represents the Member Associations).

This vacancy is a superb opportunity for a dedicated and organised individual to support the officers, members, elected members/candidates and volunteers of the Member Associations to make the SCP a success.  The ideal candidate would have very strong leadership skills; the ability to lead and inspire the SCP staff and volunteers in the association is considered paramount.  In addition, strong background in any or all of politics, campaigning or fundraising would be a considerable additional advantage.  Training will be arranged for those needing support in any of these areas.

We are looking for an individual with a proven track record in Conservative politics or with comparable organisational experience to work with us to continue to shape this new organisation and ensure it fulfils its potential, both in the local area and in the wider Conservative Party.

PARTICULARS

  • Salary: £35,000 to £45,000 dependent on skills and track record
  • Permanent position, with 3 month probationary period and 3 month notice period thereafter.
  • Office hours of 36 hours per week.  Required activity often exceeds this (eg during election campaigns); the successful candidate will be asked to opt-out of the 48 hour working week limit.
  • Regular evening and weekend working will be required, sometimes at short notice.
  • Some travel, particularly between the Member Associations of the Partnership area, will be required, for which appropriate expenses will be reimbursed.
  • 25 days’ holiday p.a. plus public holidays.
  • The role will be based at the Partnership office (initially in Ashtead, Surrey).
  • Flexible start date.

Flexibility in these terms may be considered for particularly strong candidates.

 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Contribute to delivering the objectives of the SCP; to ensure that the Conservative Party wins elections at all levels, local and General, including by-elections, and target seats beyond the Member Associations by ensuring that each of the Member Associations is provided with high quality administrative and management services as well as campaign support at optimum cost overall.
  • Ensure that the day to day operational management of SCP, including its office, is run in an efficient and professional way and in accordance with the SCP Memorandum of Understanding.
  • Lead the SCP team of staff on a daily basis and carry out a programme of formal appraisals and counselling under the direction of the SCP Executive.
  • Implement a programme of training and development of the SCP staff and volunteers of Member Associations.
  • Maintain a combined list of actions for the SCP team, SCP Executive Members, each Member Association’s Officers and Agents, to ensure that actions happen as and when required and are not missed.
  • Ensure that all enquiries, correspondence and tasks are correctly prioritised, directed and dealt with efficiently, professionally and courteously.
  • Co-ordinate the production of campaign material, through a combination of in house and external printers.
  • Support the delivery of Member Associations’ communications through various media, including mailings, email campaigns and social media.
  • Maintain and improve the Member Associations’ memberships and other data.
  • Support, where needed, the central administration of membership service to Member Associations of membership applications, renewals and enquiries.
  • Provide services to and support for Member Associations to ensure that they are able to be compliant with:
    • Financial reporting and obligations under PPERA
    • The Conservative Party’s rules including conduct of formal meetings, internal elections and selection of candidates for external elections
    • Data Protection legislation and best practice
  • Administer payment of funds into the SCP bank accounts, and to arrange payments by cheque or online payments to suppliers and Member Associations as necessary.
  • Support the running of fund raising, social and other events.
  • Provide to each Member Association a quarterly statement of account and a management report.
  • Carry out all duties commensurate with the post in a manner which actively supports and promotes the SCP and Member Associations.
  • Undertake any such other tasks as may be agreed from time to time by the SCP Chairman or SCP Executive.

 

PERSONAL SKILLS & QUALITIES

  • Possession of excellent verbal, interpersonal and written communication skills.
  • Ability to remain calm and professional under pressure.
  • Ability to assess, prioritise and communicate a diverse (and sometimes conflicting) workload.
  • Ability to provide leadership and manage a team.
  • Will be highly organised, and be able (sensitively) to ensure that others are organised, ensuring that the SCP fulfils its obligations.
  • Will be able to forge good relationships and demonstrate an empathetic understanding with all relevant stakeholders, especially Member Associations’ officers, Surrey Area and Regional officers, MPs and councillors, Party members and CCHQ professionals.
  • Will be competent in using Microsoft Office (or similar), VoteSource and other relevant software packages and online tools.  Will be able to assess and drive forward the use of technology to further the goals of the Partnership.  Training can be provided for specific specialist software.
  • Will have a flexible approach towards achieving team objectives and be willing to undertake a wide range of duties.
  • Will have a commitment to equal opportunities and have a proven record of confidentiality and trustworthiness.
  • Operationally focussed with a strong bias to action and proven ability to take the initiative.
  • Commitment to ensuring compliance with relevant laws.
  • Excellent problem solving and dispute handling skills.
  • Experience of organising election campaigns or comparable organisational experience.  An election agent qualification is highly desirable.
  • Commitment to the concept of partnership working and dedication to ensure the SCP is further developed and fully established.

Please submit a CV and covering letter describing how well you meet the requirements of the role to julian.ellacott@gmail.com or to Julian Ellacott, Chairman, Surrey Conservative Partnership, 212 Barnett Wood Lane, Ashtead, KT21 2DB, by Friday 5 July 2019.

[1] For the avoidance of doubt the SCP is a voluntary partnership, as opposed to a Federation or Multi Constituency Association.