Joint Chief Executive – Charitable Foundation

We are now looking for a Joint Chief Executive to be responsible for our work in the UK, working closely with Jo Cohen, the Joint Chief Executive who has responsibility for Israel and Europe, delivering effective grant-making and leading our small back-office team. You will work closely with the Board of Trustees to deliver our strategy and shape the next chapter of our story.

We are looking for a leader who shares our vision and values, and is committed to the day-to-day realities of grant-making and representing the Wohl Legacy externally. We are keen to speak to people who can demonstrate credibility within the communities and the fields in which we work.

Key CEO Responsibilities:

External Leadership – UK

• In line with Trustees’ vision and the Founder’s Letter of Wishes, understand the challenges and opportunities in the UK Jewish community, building relationships with communal leadership and other relevant funders to convene grantees and stakeholders around key issues.
• Develop and maintain relationships with all grantees of the Wohl Legacy Charitable Foundation in the UK, making site visits to see programmes in action, and acting as a critical friend, providing guidance and support as needed.
• Where naming recognition and/or conditions are necessary manage the negotiations and oversight of the grant agreement.
• Manage external communications relevant to UK grantees and the field.
• Manage reputation and crisis management in the UK.
• Represent the Wohl Legacy at relevant networking and public events and, shared with Trustees, at fundraising events.

Trustees and Governance

• Ensure that the strategy is continuously being developed to match the Trustees’ vision, the Letters of Wishes and the needs in the field.
• Meet regularly with relevant Trustees, as necessary, to both update on wider work and to co-manage individual projects.
• Manage the preparation of documentation for and follow up of at least three Board meetings a year.
• Produce high quality written materials as needed, including grant recommendations for Board meetings and Joint Chief Executive report.
• Participate in Finance Investment and Risk, and Investment committees meetings.
• Enable Trustee visits to Grantees, as required.

Internal Leadership – In Conjunction with Joint Chief Executive (Israel and Europe):

• Continuous communication, cooperation and co-management (or joint decision making) with Joint Chief Executive based in Israel.
• Maintain robust professional organisational and grant-making systems, approving payments in line with highest professional standards.
• Ensure strong financial and governance oversight, and risk mitigation, including preparation of annual trustee reports, oversight of the preparation of the accounts and preparation of annual budget.
• Lead and support the staff team through regular meetings, professional development, training and appraisals.
• Engage, delegate to, manage and have oversight of work done by external consultants (currently five), approving invoices for payment.
• Be a signatory and take legal responsibility for the respective Foundations’ actions, as appropriate.
• Be safeguarding lead for the UK.

Key Grant-making Responsibilities:

• Grant Management: Manage the full grant lifecycle for the entire UK grant portfolio (currently about 60 grants), including initial assessment of organisational and programme feasibility before inviting to apply, responding to applications, and managing the pre- and post- application process, overseeing outsourced financial and organisational due diligence reviews, and reviewing grantee reports. Help grantees deliver effective impact and hold them to account on agreed KPIs.
• Convening: Convene groups of grantees to learn together to ensure best practice across their relevant sector.
• Coordination: Plan and coordinate Trustee visits to grantees.
• Projects: Seek, initiate and manage projects of interest in line with the UK strategic focus and needs of the Jewish community.

Person Specification

Essential

• At least ten years’ experience of either grant management in a philanthropic foundation, or in a senior management position in a nonprofit organisation, and experience interacting with the philanthropic sector.
• In-depth familiarity with the UK Jewish community, Jewish institutions and Anglo-Jewish life in terms of its dynamics, strengths and challenges.
• Commitment to the core values of the Wohl Legacy and its mission.
• A good understanding of governance, financial sustainability and how to measure impact in nonprofit organisations.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills: friendly, flexible, open and curious.
• Strong attention to detail and an analytical approach.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to work across several projects simultaneously.
• Excellent oral and written English.
• Experience of staff management.
• An ability to handle sensitive information discreetly.

Desirable

• A broad understanding of at least one of the fields of welfare, pathways to employment or education.
• Proficient computer skills and ability to learn new technologies; experience working with a grant management database system.
• An ability to work both independently and collaboratively, to problem-solve and to innovate.
• Drivers’ licence.

For more information about the role, or to be recommended please contact our recruitment team: Melissa – melissa@theworkavenue.org.uk or Yael – yb@theworkavenue.org.uk

Code: J-04