Job description Job title: Responsible to: Hours: Salary Commercial and business director CEO Full time – 37 hours per week £50,000 - £60,000 depending on skills and experience Purpose of the post The Reading Agency is an Arts Council England national portfolio holder. We work with over 1.5 million people from across the whole of the UK and our goal is to:    inspire more people to read more encourage them to share their love of reading with others celebrate the difference being able to read well makes to their lives and to society as whole The commercial and business director is a member of the senior management team (SMT), responsible for leading the financial, commercial and operational “engine room” during a key period in The Reading Agency’s development. This will include: developing and overseeing robust business planning, commissioning and delivery models; identifying and maximising commercial opportunities world wide, generating income; securing investment and enabling and supporting excellent programme delivery. Context of the job     The commercial and business director will work closely with the chief executive and other members of the senior management team of The Reading Agency. The senior management team provides strategy and long term direction for the charity, delivered through effective operational management. This post is responsible for the strategic financial planning for the organisation ensuring that there is adequate funding for the organisation’s plans; that there are robust processes in place for managing the resources and that they are used to the best advantage of all stakeholders. This post reports to the chief executive and will deputise for the chief executive as appropriate. It also reports to the finance sub committee. A new strategy and business plan has recently been agreed, and we will need to make changes to the organisation, its processes and culture over the next two years to meet these commitments. This role will play a prominent role in delivering this change. Responsibilities      Work with the board, CEO and SMT to establish a budget for the organisation which can deliver our ambitions, be responsible for its financial management and ensure that resources are used to the best advantage of all stakeholders. Work with SMT to secure and oversee key funding streams, particularly Arts Council England funding commercial revenue and other grants and donations income. Ensure accurate reporting of financial information and organisational viability. Be responsible for protecting the intellectual property of The Reading Agency. Work with the CEO and creative director to create a new shared delivery model for Reading Agency programmes which ensures that they meet our customers’ needs, are delivered to consistent standards, with economies of scale, on time and in budget. Ensure the financial health and welfare of the organisation by establishing a commercial arm for the organisation which identifies new markets and generates the income needed for delivery of our creative programmes.          Ensure the financial viability of projects and programmes which need to work in the operating context of local authorities and other markets. Effectively manage resource allocation, income generation activity and sales functions. Work with the fundraising and communications director to support the establishment and activity of a development board. Act as company secretary and be accountable for financial reporting to the auditors and the Charity Commission and key funders. Work with the chief executive and the board and take overall responsibility for the quality of all internal operations and systems. Effectively line manage and motivate staff, ensuring cross-organisational working and sharing of best practice. Work creatively and collaboratively with colleagues across The Reading Agency according to The Reading Agency’s values. Work with others to ensure that The Reading Agency’s work remains cutting edge. Do anything else needed by the chief executive and the board appropriate to this role. Management responsibility:   Line management of the commercial, business and finance teams which includes administration, IT, human resources, sales and promotions. Part of the role during 2015/16 will involve designing the structure of the commercial and business directorate, including appropriate line management arrangements. Person Specification           CCAB qualified with considerable relevant financial management, business experience, including effective management of a comparable budget (current turnover approx. £2m p.a.). Previous experience acting as Company Secretary and of developing/ improving business processes Proven track record of income generation and of developing successful commercial partnerships Experience of leading and managing successful teams and of managing and supporting change Track record of working independently and of delivering results in a pro-active and highly organised manner Excellent written and oral communication skills Excellent reporting and analytical skills with good attention to detail Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work with people at all levels and as part of cross-organisational teams Passionate about reading Strong sense of personal responsibility for The Reading Agency’s work The Reading Agency is committed to openness and inclusion in every activity, from the way we employ staff to the way we deliver services. It is a central responsibility of board members, managers, employees and contractors of The Reading Agency to ensure that every individual with whom we come into contact is treated with dignity and respect. April 2015 Commercial and business director – April 2015