The Orpheus Centre is a vibrant Independent Specialist college based in Godstone, Surrey and was founded by Sir Richard Stilgoe. Through a focus on the arts, it seeks to inspire and empower young disabled adults to live fulfilling and independent lives. Under our current CEO, our success has recently been recognised by Ofsted which, in Spring 2024, assessed us as Outstanding on every criterion.
We are now looking for a visionary, charismatic and inspiring new CEO to take the Orpheus Centre to the next level – and to lead the centre’s bid to create new, state-of-the-art, college buildings to allow us to expand student numbers and equip us to remain at the forefront of special education for 18–25-year-olds in the decades ahead.
This is a post which requires a rare combination of skills, such as understanding the needs, aspirations and potential of our wonderful students, leading a diverse and talented staff team, and acting as an ambassador to a wide range of external audiences. For the right candidate it will be a post both challenging and immensely rewarding.
The role
The CEO will provide leadership for the Orpheus Centre, overseeing its operations, growth and long-term sustainability, and leading a team of more than 100 staff and 50 volunteers which serves a community of nearly 70 students, 20 of whom live on site. There are two major elements to the CEO’s role, though with obvious overlap between them.
On the one hand, the postholder will drive initiatives to enhance the college’s academic offering, building on our excellence in education, care and safeguarding, and taking responsibility for leading all aspects of internal operations. On the other, the postholder will lead a major capital appeal to fund the construction of state-of-the-art buildings in which, in the future, a larger student intake, perhaps with higher dependency, will learn, create, rehearse and perform. This latter role will combine oversight of the capital appeal and a major building project, positioning the organisation for long-term sustainability and impact locally, regionally and nationally.
Leadership and strategic oversight

• Strategy
• Operational plan implementation
• Collaboration and innovation
• Leadership and development

Compliance oversight for the college
Capital appeal leadership
Building project oversight
External relations and advocacy
Financial Management
Key details:
Role: Chief Executive Officer
Hours: Full time; the role requires some flexibility, depending on college and external events and the needs of the curriculum
Salary: Around £100,000 per annum
Location: Godstone, Surrey
Essential qualifications, knowledge skills and experience:

• Relevant qualifications are valuable, but more important is a successful and extensive track record at a senior level in an organisation analogous to the Orpheus Centre in its aims and client group.
• Extensive experience in a senior leadership role, preferably at CEO level, within the non-profit and/or higher education sectors.
• Experience and involvement in successful capital campaigns and major fundraising initiatives.
• Experience and demonstrated ability in translating vision into action across multiple departments.
• Experience of working with a Board of Trustees.
• A track record of organisational growth and development, with a focus on sustainability and impact.
• Strong financial acumen, with experience in budget management and financial reporting.
• Strong understanding of regulatory requirements such as those of Ofsted and/or CQC.
• Understanding of governance requirements and best practice in the charity/not for profit sector.
• Proficiency in budgeting, financial analysis, and managing financial resources to ensure the organisation’s sustainability and growth.
• Strategic thinking: Ability to develop long-term goals, vision, and strategy for the organisation, aligning all activities toward achieving these objectives.
• Decision-making: Strong decision-making skills, especially under pressure, with the ability to balance risk and opportunity and to build and maintain consensus.
• Operational excellence: Ability to oversee the day-to-day operations of the organisation, ensuring efficiency, effectiveness, and the achievement of operational goals.
• Performance management: Ability to set performance targets, monitor progress and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Sector expertise: In-depth understanding of the sector in which Orpheus operates, including trends, challenges, and opportunities.

Personal qualities

• Visionary leadership: Ability to inspire and guide the organisation and all who work there toward growth and innovation, while remaining committed to its core mission and values, and to get the best out of a team of disparate and talented individuals.
• Passion and commitment: A passion for education and community service, a deep commitment to making a difference, and appreciation of the role that the arts can play in this.
• Empathy: Ability to understand the aspirations, needs and motivations of Orpheus students, and to work with them empathetically.
• Persuasiveness and effective communication: Ability to persuade and motivate stakeholders, including employees, Board members, donors, and external partners, and to convey complex ideas persuasively and clearly orally and in writing.
• Emotional intelligence: Ability to understand and manage own emotions, as well as those of others, and to foster strong relationships and a positive organisational culture.
• Dealing with conflict: Ability to navigate and resolve conflicts within the organisation effectively, ensuring a collaborative and productive work environment.
• Adaptability and resilience: Ability to adapt to changing circumstances and unexpected challenges while remaining focused on long-term goals, and to remain focused, motivated, and effective in the face of adversity or setbacks.
• Integrity: Unwavering commitment to ethical leadership, transparency, and accountability in all actions and decisions.
• Networking: Ability to build and maintain a strong network of relationships with key stakeholders, including donors, partners, regulators, and community leaders.

Orpheus is committed to safeguarding and promotes the welfare of all service users. As part of our safer recruitment process and in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024, online searches will form part of this process. We are committed to the promotion of equal opportunities.
This post is classed as having a high degree of contact with vulnerable adults and is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. It is therefore subject to an Enhanced disclosure through the Disclosure Barring Service.
In order to be considered you must be eligible to work in the UK.
Click the below link for a full job description and person specification.
https://tinyurl.com/3nd566kn
The Orpheus Centre is proud to be a disability confident employer.
We have made a positive commitment to employing disabled people. Reasonable adjustments will be made to the recruitment procedure as required in consultation with the applicant to ensure no-one is disadvantaged because of their disability. If a disabled person is selected for a position, reasonable adjustments will be made to the workplace, including premises and equipment, work duties and practices or policies, as appropriate. All disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role as set out in the role profile and person specification will be guaranteed an interview.
As a Disability Confident Employer, we are:

• Challenging attitudes towards disability
• Increasing understanding of disability
• Removing barriers to disabled people and those with long-term health conditions
• Ensuring that disabled people have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspiration

How to apply:
Please submit your CV and a personal statement to HR@orpheus.org.uk no later than Thursday 26 September 2024.
Please note that interviews will be taking place in person in Surrey on Tuesday 15 October 2024.
Should you need any reasonable adjustments to make the application process more accessible, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £100,000.00 per year
Benefits:

• Additional leave
• Bereavement leave
• Casual dress
• Company events
• Company pension
• Discounted or free food
• Enhanced maternity leave
• Enhanced paternity leave
• Free parking
• Health & wellbeing programme
• On-site gym
• On-site parking
• Work from home

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Godstone: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)

Experience:

• Chief Executive Officer: 1 year (preferred)
• Leadership: 1 year (preferred)
• Management: 1 year (preferred)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: In person
Application deadline: 26/09/2024
Reference ID: CEO2024