Chief Executive – British Paralympic Association
Foreword from Nick Webborn, BPA Chair
The Paralympic movement is at a time of huge growth with ever increasing global interest in Para sport and the potential to engage with global audiences like never before.
London 2012 changed the profile of Para sport in the UK forever. Great Britain has a unique place in the history of the Paralympic movement as its founding nation, and the British Paralympic Association (BPA) is the charity that is the member nation of the International Paralympic Committee. Our team at the Games, ParalympicsGB, boasts an impressive record, consistently a top three nation in the medal table. With a haul of 164 medals in Rio 2016, and two of the most successful Winter Games in Sochi and PyeongChang, the breadth and depth of Para sport in the UK across both Summer and Winter Games is at an all-time high, but we need to go further.
The Chief Executive is central to providing the leadership to take the organisation forward and this is a unique opportunity to lead an amazing team, and to work in partnership with our commercial partners, our member bodies and a range of stakeholders.
Central to the BPA is the impact that the inspirational stories of our athletes can have on the public, on business and on government policy. We believe that the inspiration of athletes on the field of play transforms people’s attitudes towards disabled people. Seeing what is possible inspires people to do incredible things themselves, but also advocates for increased inclusion and diversity. We hold our vision close to everything we do – through sport, inspire a better world for disabled people.
With just under two years to go until Tokyo 2020, it is an exciting time to join the BPA and a great opportunity for an inspirational and innovative leader to take this organisation to the next level.
Nick Webborn
Chair, BPA
BPA Values
The British Paralympic Association is an organisation with unique responsibilities and roles. However, we will only achieve our ambitions by working with and through others, and by appreciation of where we fit within the wider sporting landscape.
This partnership working internally and externally is driven by three values highlighted in the BPA Strategic Plan for 2016-21, “Inspiring Excellence”.
The CEO will therefore adhere to:
EXCELLENCE
Everything we do as the BPA should be of the highest possible standard, and reflective of an ambition to be world leading. We are committed to a flexible, proactive, challenging approach to all activity – recognising how our own commitment to ‘being better’ can support the similar ambitions of our athletes and team;
HONESTY
We will ensure that all engagement and communication is fair, open and grounded in an appreciation of others and their views, seeking to set and manage expectations of ourselves and others to ensure consistency and transparency;
TRUST
Our interaction with each other with key partners and the wider community will be characterised by respect and will seek to engender a belief in the value, ethics and integrity of the BPA.
Job Description
JOB TITLE
Chief Executive
RESPONSIBLE TO
The Board
RESPONSIBLE FOR
All Staff, with line management responsibility for the five-strong Executive Team and the Executive Assistant
TYPE OF CONTRACT
Full Time
HOURS OF WORK
Such hours as are necessary to fulfil the duties. This will involve a minimum of 35 hours per week and include work in evenings and weekends.
LOCATION
The British Paralympic Association Headquarters in London. Significant travel will also be required in the UK and abroad, specifically in the lead up to and during the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games.
JOB PURPOSE
The Chief Executive has overall responsibility for the strategic direction and the daily operational delivery of the BPA as well as all staff and financial matters and its external representation to key stakeholders both in the UK and internationally. The role reports through the Chair to the Board.
A key responsibility will be to ensure the continued successful enactment of the four strategic priorities highlighted within the BPA’s current 2016-21 Strategic Plan: “Inspiring Excellence”, as well as leading the process of both preparing for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and ensuring effective strategic planning for the period beyond.
GAMES-TIME ROLE
The Chief Executive fulfils the role of Secretary General of the National Paralympic Team during Games time and as such is heavily involved in international engagement with host and other competing nations as well as with the International Paralympic Committee.
Responsibilities
Operational and Governance
In conjunction with the Board, provide strategic leadership to the BPA determining the overall direction, policies and delivery plans.
Create and lead an effective, highly respected and high performing organisation able to maximise opportunities across the distinct sport, charitable and business elements of its responsibilities.
Develop, review and implement a strategic plan for each ‘Games cycle’; and underpin this with annual business and operational plans that ensure the effective focus of resource on both the successful presentation of ParalympicsGB at the Paralympic Games and other key priorities identified.
Ensure the effective creation, monitoring and reporting of both an annual and four-year budget and forecast, including a regular review of both income and expenditure.
Build on the existing team and further develop the capability of the BPA. Ensure the different functions work effectively together, internally and with external advisers and agencies in its implementation of the strategy.
Recruit, develop and retain staff through an effective staffing structure, job role description, performance management and CPD programme.
Oversee the development of key strategic programmes and initiatives, and monitor performance against targets.
Be responsible for the development and delivery of major governance policies such as those around Equality & Diversity and Safeguarding.
Stakeholder management
Establish and maintain strong, positive working relationships at a senior level with:
All members of the BPA’s National Paralympic Committee – the National Governing Bodies of Paralympic sport; National Disability Sport Organisations; and Home Country Disability Sport Federations.
Other key UK key partners and stakeholders – including but not limited to the British Olympic Association, UK Sport, UK Anti-Doping, the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and Channel Four.
All key partner international organisations – in particular the IPC but also the European Paralympic Committee and other National Paralympic Committees.
The Organising Committee, UK Embassy and other relevant in-country partners for each iteration of the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games.
All BPA commercial sponsors and partners, and those Trusts, Foundations and individuals who donate to or fundraise for the BPA.
Key disability charities with whom the BPA interacts – including but not limited to Help 4 Heroes and Scope.
Commercial, Marketing & Communications
Develop a strong commercial capability within the BPA and work with the Commercial Director to generate the revenues required to sustainably finance the activities of the BPA. Contribute to the development of attractive sponsorship and partnership packages, which will enhance the BPA’s image and value whilst delivering a genuine return on investment for partners.
Ensure the successful development and presentation of the BPA brand and external profile, including through both traditional and digital media platforms.
Oversee the creation of programmes and partnerships to demonstrate and deliver the charitable purpose of the organisation and its vision to ‘through sport, inspire a better world for disabled people’.
Act as a principle spokesperson for the organisation, speaking at events, presenting to Government and other key partner organisations, and engaging with both national and international media.
Governance
Ensure the objectives of the BPA, as agreed by the Board, are fully and promptly carried out.
Recommend a strategy for the Company to the Board to fulfil its corporate objectives.
Ensure the Company’s operations are all conducted in accordance with legal and other requirements as set out by the Charities Commission and by funding bodies such as UK Sport.
Ensure the Board is kept fully informed in the manner and frequency it requires in achieving all strategic business objectives; including a regular and proportionate approach to the management of business risk.
Attend all BPA Board meetings and other meetings of sub-committees of the Board as required. Ensure presentation to the Board for approval of proposals for all major expenditure exceeding authority and budget limits.
Ensure the development, implementation, control and co-ordination of appropriate internal and external risk management policies (Health and Safety, IT etc.).
Act as the Accountable Officer (as defined by UK Sport) for the BPA.
Person Specification
Skills
Essential
Ability to create and set strategy and communicate that effectively both to internal and external audiences.
Ability to operate and influence effectively at Board and senior management level.
Proven track record in the effective handling of relationships and management of high-profile and sensitive political issues at both national and international levels.
Ability to understand and manage complex financial information and act as the Accountable Officer.
Ability to manage a multitude of projects concurrently, to a high level and at a high standard.
Excellent written and verbal communication / presentation skills including in high pressured environments.
Exceptional inter-personal and team-working skills, with a proven ability to motivate, enthuse and drive forward individuals and broker successful partnerships focussed on getting the most out of the whole team.
A strong sense of both personal and organisational values and ability to set and define organisational culture.
Well-developed time management skills, including the ability to set and meet deadlines and to prioritise work (self and team).
Ability to manage project planning and other risk management programmes.
Desirable
Experience of media engagement in high profile situations.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
Demonstrable experience of operating at Board level and a track record of leading an organisation in a multi-stakeholder environment.
Experience of operating at a strategic level, creating and implementing the vision for an organisation.
Experience of leading a high-performance organisation with a strong positive culture centred on the qualities of enabling and empowering people and fostering cross functional working.
Proven track record in business planning, financial management and corporate governance.
Demonstrable success in securing additional sources of revenue from commercial and philanthropic sources.
Direct experience of negotiating commercial contracts and agreements with suppliers, sponsors and other partners.
Desirable
Understanding of the high-performance Games environment (e.g. Paralympic or Olympic).
Understanding of the Paralympic or other multisport environment and system.
Understanding of the wider development role sport can play.
Understanding and experience of operating in an international context.
Lived experience of disability issues.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
First degree or equivalent in recognised vocational qualification.
Desirable
Second degree or evidence of other forms of professional development.
How to Apply
SRi is a boutique global executive search and consulting firm focused on media, content, technology and sport.
We work as one partner-led team with staff based in key global markets across eleven offices on four continents. We offer dedicated and specific sector, function and region expertise. Our services include executive search, board assessment, succession planning, salary benchmarking, advising clients on their internal and external hiring strategy, new market entry and multivacancy projects.
For a confidential discussion about this role, please contact:
Alistair Milner
t: +44(0) 207 092 6950
This job description and person specification is not to be regarded as exclusive or exhaustive. It is intended as an outline indication of the areas of activity and may be amended from time to time in the light of the changing needs of the organisation through appropriate processes of consultation and the mutual agreement of both parties.
