Smart Works is a dynamic, high profile and fast-growing UK charity that dresses and coaches unemployed women for success at job interviews. We empower each woman by giving her the clothes and the confidence she needs to succeed. We are currently delivering our ambitious three-year plan to double the number of women helped from 5,000 to 10,000 women a year and are on track to help 10,000 in 2025.

More information can be found here: https://smartworks.org.uk/

Our staff, volunteers and trustees are passionate about the work we do. We are looking for someone to develop and create a culture that ensures all our people love working at Smart Works, and which puts Smart Works on the map as a leading employer in the UK charity sector.

Our team is made up of 70 employed staff, 700 volunteers and 50 trustees. Each works within Group functions and teams, or embedded in local centres. Each of our centres has its own board of volunteer trustees, coaches, dressers and staff. As Director of People & Culture, you will be empowered to create a culture and suite of people activities, policies and ways of working to ensure our people love working with us.

With a focus on creativity and progressive people principles, you will oversee the strategic thinking and review of our benefits offering, policies, learning and development opportunities and outline the plan to evolve these into something leading. You will have a co-creative approach, with the ability to be inquisitive, thought provoking and bold.

Working closely with the CEO and senior leadership team, you will create a transformational people and culture change plan that align with Smart Works values and overall objectives.

You will be responsible for:

• The attraction, onboarding, progress and development of our people, ensuring all have the skills and support to deliver the charity’s three year plan.
• The implementation of our ED&I strategy.
• The annual performance management cycle for all staff with appraisals and OKRs.
• Supporting and collaborating with all local centres through the Group function.
• Recruiting, managing and looking after the wellbeing of our volunteer community.
• Cultivating a culture that is driven by the Smart Works values.
• Ensuring appropriate People policies and systems are in place as the charity grows.
• Ensuring that Smart Works People activities are evidenced-based and data-driven
• Oversee employee relations issues ensuring a fair, ethical and consistent approach is taken.

Your key attributes will be:

• Ability to think strategically and creatively.
• Curiosity to seek insights on best practice/trends/case studies from other organisations, coupled with pragmatism to distil this into what will work for Smart Works.
• Strong written and verbal communications – able to draft decks and documents suitable for use at Board level.
• Strong impact and influence skills, with experience of influencing up to Director level.
• Comfort with ambiguity – you will see this role and the culture change plan as an exciting opportunity.
• Good understanding of what culture is and how culture change happens. Previous experience of managing culture change programmes.
• Up to date ED&I knowledge and experience working with leaders to embed ED&I into their working practices.

You’ll be a successful Director of People & Culture if…

• The women we support are at the heart of everything we do. We’re looking for people who are motivated to work in a purpose led setting, who are willing to go above and beyond to support our clients and keep our people engaged.
• You are a People professional, with a deep understanding of the end to end employment lifecycle.
• You are somebody who isn’t afraid to roll up their sleeves when there is a need.
• You understand the role plays a critical role in broad organisational leadership and strategic development, partnering with the senior leadership team in organisational decision-making.
• You have outstanding interpersonal skills with an adaptable style to suit seniority levels and stakeholders in a variety of situations.

What we offer:

• 25 days annual leave, excluding bank holidays
• Pension
• Positive, supportive working environment with opportunities for practical training and progression
• VIP access at Smart Works sales, events and pop-up shops
• Salary £60,000-£82,000 per annum

How to apply:

If you require any adjustments or alterations for the application and recruitment processes, please contact jo@thelittlehrdepartment.com

At Smart Works we apply suitable measures to keep your information secure in accordance with our Privacy Policy (available on our website).

Smart Works promotes equity, diversity, and inclusion in our workplace. We particularly welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, disabled candidates, and candidates with lived experience of unemployment as we would like to increase the representation of these groups at Smart Works.

All successful applicants must provide two satisfactory references and complete a Basic DBS check.

Smart Works is committed to best practice employment practices, including reducing the burden for those seeking work. Smart Works will therefore reimburse reasonable costs of travel to interviews if required.

A bit more about us:

Our team is made up of 70 employed staff, 700 volunteers and 50 trustees. Each works within Group functions and teams, or embedded in local centres. Each of our centres has its own board of volunteer trustees, coaches, dressers and staff.

Our service is carefully designed and beautifully simple, powered by volunteers and donated clothing. After visiting Smart Works, our data shows that 63% of our clients secure a job within a month, gaining financial independence and transforming their lives. We put kindness and respect at the heart of everything we do, believing in fashion as a force for good. We are proud of the joy and magic our service brings to the women we serve, enabling them to see hope and possibility for a better future.

More information about who we are can be found here: https://smartworks.org.uk/

Closing date for applications: 14th July 2024