Interim Chief Executive

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About Wikimedia UK

Wikimedia UK is the national charity for the global Wikimedia movement. We work with the Wikimedia Projects such as Wikipedia to enable people and organisations to contribute to a shared understanding of the world through the democratic creation, distribution and consumption of knowledge. Wikimedia UK has a strong track record of delivery and works in partnership with leading organisations from the cultural and education sectors and beyond in order to unlock content, develop new ways of engaging with the public, remove barriers to knowledge and enable learners to benefit fully from the educational potential of the Wikimedia projects. The team is currently working with over 50 organisations including Bodleian Libraries, British Library, House of Commons, National Library of Scotland, National Library of Wales, Scottish Libraries and Information Council, Tate, University of Edinburgh and Wellcome Library.

Interim Chief Executive

We are looking for an experienced leader and an excellent communicator with strong staff and financial management skills to lead Wikimedia UK as interim Chief Executive, covering a period of maternity leave from March to October 2018. Senior management experience with an understanding of the voluntary sector is essential, with the post involving considerable liaison with our board of trustees as well as staff, partners and volunteers.

We will consider either a fixed term post or a freelance contract for the right candidate, with the salary expected to be in the region of £70,000 pro rata. This is a part time post with significant flexibility in terms of working pattern, to be discussed and negotiated with the Chair of the Board.

The closing date for applications is midnight on Thursday 1st February and interviews are expected to take place on Thursday 8th February at our London offices. See below for details of how to apply.

Job Description

Job Title: Interim Chief Executive (Maternity Cover)

Hours: Part time, 3 days a week (flexible)

Location: London (Southwark), with occasional travel

Reports To: Chair and Wikimedia UK Board

Responsible For: All staff, with direct line management of Head of Programmes and Evaluation, Director of Finance and Operations, Communications Co-ordinator and Membership, Fundraising and Operations Assistant

Salary: circa £70,000 per annum, pro rata, or freelance rate (to be negotiated)

Length of Contract: From mid March to mid October 2017

Benefits: 25 days annual leave plus public holidays (pro rata), generous pension scheme

Purpose of the Role: To lead Wikimedia UK during the current Chief Executive’s maternity leave, ensuring continuity of programme delivery and stable management and leadership. The post will also need to provide cover for some of the responsibilities of the Director of Finance and Operations, who be on leave for a period of up to 12 weeks between April and July.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership and Management
  • Provide management and leadership to the Wikimedia UK staff team
  • Manage personal development objectives, appraisals and training and support
  • Manage all personnel issues including recruitment, payroll, training, absence, disciplinary and grievance processes
  • Support the work of the Programmes Team by acting as a sounding board and participating in events and meetings as required
  • Ensure appropriate consultation and engagement with volunteers and the Wikimedia community in the development of the charity's work
Governance and Membership
  • Act as the key point of contact for the board of trustees
  • Attend all meetings of the Board, Governance Committee and Audit & Risk Committee and ensure high-quality reports are provided to them on a timely basis
  • Support the continuing development of the Charity's board and governance
  • Take lead responsibility for the successful delivery of the Annual General Meeting
  • Ensure that the Charity acts at all times in compliance with its governing documents, all relevant legislation, regulatory codes and partnership agreements
  • Take overall responsibility for individual and organisational membership of Wikimedia UK, with support from the Membership, Fundraising and Operations Assistant (MFO)
Financial Management and Risk
  • Take responsibility for the financial health of the charity, reporting to the Board and mitigating financial and operational risks facing the charity as they arise
  • Identify and mitigate reputational risks, ensuring the charity is an effective steward of the reputation of the Wikimedia movement
  • Liaise with the Auditors, the Treasurer and other members of the staff and board as necessary to finalise the annual accounts for sign off at the June board meeting
  • Line manage the part time Finance Assistant while the Director of Finance and Operations is on leave and support the preparation of the Quarterly Financial Management Report for Q1, in particular providing a commentary for the Audit and Risk Committee and Board
  • Ensure that the organisation’s finances are run in accordance with agreed policies and procedures and that bank and payroll payments are properly authorised
Operational Management
  • Take overall responsibility for IT issues, including liaison with our IT contractors
  • Take overall responsibility for the successful implementation and delivery of new procedures in line with the new data protection legislation (GDPR)
  • Take overall responsibility for any HR matters arising
  • Ensure the smooth running of the office, with support from the MFO
Fundraising and External Relations
  • Lead on individual fundraising, in particular working with the MFO to plan and craft messages to regular donors and acknowledge/solicit major donations
  • Support the MFO in developing applications to trusts and foundations
  • Oversee the creation and distribution of the Annual Review for 2017/18
  • Oversee all external relations activities, line-managing the Communications Co-ordinator and supporting/directing this work

Person Specification

Essential Experience, Skills and Knowledge
  • Experience of working at a senior management level, preferably as a Chief Executive
  • Experience of working with a board, including preparing papers and reports
  • Highly articulate with strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Track record of building effective working relationships internally and externally
  • Strong leadership, interpersonal and people management skills
  • Good financial management skills with experience of managing budgets
  • The ability to operate at a strategic level whilst also able to be ‘hands on’ in delivery
  • Highly organised with the ability to manage own time and juggle competing priorities
Desirable Experience, Skills and Knowledge
  • Experience of working in a similar sized organisation within the not for profit sector
  • Experience of working within a membership organisation
  • Event planning and management skills and experience
  • Knowledge and understanding of the open knowledge or open source movements

How to apply

To apply for this position please send a cover letter and CV to katie.crampton@wikimedia.org.uk with Interim Chief Executive in the subject line. All communications relating to this vacancy will be dealt with in confidence.

In your cover letter, please give details of how you meet the person specification, drawing on your relevant experience and giving examples.

Deadline for applications: Midnight on Thursday 1st of February. Interviews will be held on the 8th of February at our office in London.

Background information

Equal Opportunities: Wikimedia UK has a commitment to achieving equality of opportunity in both services to our members and clients, and in the employment of people, and expects all employees and volunteers to understand and promote its policies in their own work.

Fire, Health and Safety: Wikimedia UK is committed to a healthy and safe working environment and expects all its employees to consider and integrate health and safety in all work activities.

Sustainable Development: Wikimedia UK is committed to the principles of sustainable development and all employees are expected, in so far as possible, to maintain work practices in line with the principles of sustainable development.

Continuing Professional Development: Wikimedia UK is committed to the continuing professional development of all its staff and volunteers. Employees are expected to develop learning plans in conjunction with their line manager in order to undertake training or other career development opportunities that they feel would develop their work and the operation of the Charity.

Data Protection: Wikimedia UK holds sensitive data on its members, volunteers, donors and those using its services. All employees are required to maintain an awareness of data protection responsibilities, and to execute all relevant duties with tact, discretion and due respect to confidentiality of clients, members and staff.

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