Director

DIRECTOR OF THE INSPIRE FOUNDATION

Director of The INSPIRE Foundation ('INSPIRE'), a charity whose objective is 'to promote research into the development of practical systems for people with damage to the spinal cord by the use of the latest advances in electronic, mechanical, and medical technology.' At present we are funding five major projects at universities and hospitals across the UK with a total value of £826k.

Location: Duke of Cornwall Spinal Treatment Centre, Salisbury District Hospital Wiltshire SP2 8BJ

Responsible to: INSPIRE's Board of Trustees

JOB PURPOSE

The Director is involved in every aspect of the running of INSPIRE, which includes raising funding from a variety of sources, formulating a winning strategy to grow INSPIRE, husbanding resources in the most effective and efficient manner and leading a small staff in their support roles.

SCOPE OF THE JOB

As Director, you will have a large amount of freedom to drive change, grow the charity, set the strategic vision going forwards and use your talents and leadership to ensure INSPIRE thrives. You are to ensure the charity has sufficient funds to cover all routine day-to-day expenses, to pay invoices quarterly for current projects and to plan for taking on medical research projects which are vetted by the National Science Committee (NSC) and agreed by the Board of Trustees. You will be actively supported by a Board of Trustees, to whom you report in your role as Director.

DIMENSIONS

Salary: £49k - £58k pa for a 40hr week

Budget: Currently, the running costs for INSPIRE are £90k pa. The Director will be expected to raise an income well in excess of £250k pa, in order to fund medical research projects.

Salaried: Staff Numbers Finance Manager (15hrs per week). Grant Making Trust (GMT) Researcher (5hrs per week)

Non-salaried Staff: Freelance fund-raiser who receives 10% of any monies raised via GMTs or Funds

Income generation: Around 95% of INSPIRE's income comes from GMTs, the balance from private donations, legacies or subscriptions.

QUALIFICATION, SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

Qualification:

• Qualified to degree level.
• Ideally an MBA or equivalent business qualification.

Knowledge:

• Ideally, some knowledge of spinal cord injury and its effects on an individual or of disability more broadly
• Business acumen
• Ideally, proven Fundraising background and experience.

Skills:

• Financial management or accountancy knowledge
• A high level of written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent inter-personal skills and the ability to interact with people from all backgrounds
• Standard keyboard skills including the ability to summarise meetings succinctly and clearly

Experience

The Director represents INSPIRE as a charity. He/she interacts with the widest range of individuals and must be at ease when addressing meetings or events, so this role is likely to suit someone with gravitas and diplomatic skills.

KEY TASKS:

• Oversee and update INSPIRE's National Research Programme, consisting of medical research projects at Spinal Units, hospitals and Universities
• Represent INSPIRE at national (and international) symposia and events, liaising with other
• Heads of SCI charities in the UK and overseas.
• Lead and direct the small, energetic INSPIRE team.
• In consultation with the Chair of the NSC and the Chair of The Board of Trustees, arrange meetings of the NSC (twice per year) and of the Trustees (up to 4 times per year).
• Write up these meetings accurately and promptly, with great attention to detail.
• Raise funds for INSPIRE from GMTs and other funding sources through letters and representation, a task which requires constant attention, drive and energy. Funding is the lifeblood of INSPIRE, without it we cannot exist.
• Liaise with the Patrons and make sure they are on-board with INSPIRE's aims and principles
• Co-ordinate the annual INSPIRE Reception at the House of Lords.
• Keep in regular contact with project Principal Investigators, to ensure they are aware of their responsibilities regarding Report submission for review by the members of the NSC.
• Maintain a database of GMTs, other funders and find new funding sources.
• Arrange any event agreed by the Board of Trustees.
• Support those individuals who are setting up events of their own to raise funds for INSPIRE and find new ways of maximising funds for INSPIRE.
• Balance often conflicting priorities on a daily basis, to ensure INSPIRE runs smoothly.

COMMUNICATIONS AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

The Director must have excellent communication skills and be capable of representing INSPIRE nationally and internationally. He or she must be diplomatic in dealings with others, with outstanding inter-personal skills, as well as being task-focused and energetic.

MOST CHALLENGING PART OF THE JOB:

• To balance the often complex and sometimes conflicting requirements of the various bodies and committees with which you will interact.
• To use personal initiative to solve problems and to make sure tasks are prioritised on a daily and weekly basis.

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE:

• Hours: To work the hours necessary to do the job.
• Holiday: 33 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays per annum.
• Salary scale: Up to £58k pa for the right candidate.