ABOUT THE ORGANISATION:

The mission of Dress for Success is to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women.

Dress for Success Sydney is an affiliate of Dress for Success Worldwide.

Dress for Success Sydney is a registered Australian charity with a primary service to outfit women in need, free of charge, in high quality professional attire, ready for employment interviews. Our client services extend to practical job training including resume writing, interview skills, personal presentation skills, and career coaching, to support a successful transition into today’s workforce. Through its innovative, volunteer driven and operated program, Dress for Success Sydney improves the employability of disadvantaged women by increasing confidence, restoring dignity and enabling financial independence.

Please visit our website.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

As CEO reporting to the board your role encompasses both strategic and operational elements. It’s a rewarding leadership role with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders. You will oversee day to day operations, maintain and develop quality services, and play a key role in developing the strategic plan. You will take the lead in regular liaison with corporates, government, the employment services community, and other key stakeholders.

You will bring demonstrated expertise and capability in leading a successful organisation. There is a key ‘success factor’ in sourcing long term sustainable income to support the organisation's strategic plan.

It will be important to demonstrate an ability to develop strategic connections and productive relationships primarily through increasing awareness of our service in the community, and the employment industry, with a strong focus on building our regional and rural presence across NSW.

ABOUT YOU

You will:

• Have a proven track record as a successful leader of a complex organisation or large department
• Drive operational excellence and embed a culture of exceptional customer service
• Have a reputation for excellent stakeholder management and strong negotiation and influencing skills
• Be a strategic and innovative thinker, not afraid to promote changes to enhance service offerings and impact
• Be a financially astute and a commercially pragmatic leader
• Be an empathetic, person-centred leader who has a demonstrable track record of enabling your team (both employee and volunteers) to thrive, inspiring excellence in individuals and teams
• Have prior experience leading and managing change processes to achieve exceptional outcomes, both operationally and financially
• You will have exceptional written and verbal communication skills and the ability to develop highly effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Be a passionate and talented individual who is committed to supporting and enhancing the lives of women and marginalised individuals
• Hold a business/management qualification and/or 10+ years’ experience as a leader and manager of teams

To be successful in this role the following attributes are also important:

• The ability to authentically engage and interact with people from all walks of life: corporate executives, media, staff, board, volunteers, and clients
• Proven track record of initiating, fostering and maintaining multiple mutually beneficial corporate partnerships and sponsorship relationships
• Experience in leading an organisation through change and growth
• Experience of successful working relationships with a Board of Directors, and experience in good governance and financial management
• An energetic and authentic management style, flexible and adaptable with the ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders
• A purpose and values driven leader who aligns to the mission and vision of DFSS of supporting women to become economically independent and to thrive in work and life

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Lead, motivate and promote a volunteer-driven, client focussed service delivery organisation
• Lead the development and implementation of the strategic plan and budget
• Initiate, expand and increase long term financial sustainability to support the future growth and direction of Dress for Success Sydney
• Represent Dress for Success Sydney professionally to the community, employment industry sector, sponsors and potential benefactors.
• Be a Brand Ambassador

OUR CORE VALUES: OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES

• Empowerment – We exist to empower women by giving them the courage and confidence to change their lives for the better
• Trust – Trust underpins everything we do at Dress for Success Sydney. We operate with integrity; we do what we say we will do; you are in good hands no matter how you interact with our organisation
• Respect – we aim to discover and honour what is special in every individual. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and we promise to do just that
• Equality – Inclusiveness and fairness are not just buzz words to us. At Dress for Success Sydney you will be treated as an equal no matter your background, lifestyle of circumstance
• Professionalism – We help women in need get a fair go at employment. We aim to set the standard for professionalism. This mean our attire, the way we conduct ourselves and the way we communicate with other exemplifies professionalism
• Collaboration – When we work together, we achieve so much more, we know the value and importance of partnerships, that’s why we work collaboratively with our staff, volunteers, supporters, clients, referral partners, national affiliates and other charities to deliver on our mission
• Excellence – social and environmental impact is at the heart of everything we do. We perform to the highest level to achieve the best outcomes for our clients and the environment to ensure the sustainable and environmental responsibility of our organisation

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program delivery & operations

• Lead the development of existing and new program activity, including tender and funding submissions
• Remain up-to-date on government policy, changes within the sector and program issues that may impact the achievement of the organisation’s mission
• Ensure that all programs, services and operations are delivered to a high standard, within budget
• Oversee the management of all core program/operations teams (inclusive of staff and volunteers) in a variety of functions to ensure smooth operation of the service for clients, volunteers, supporters and other stakeholders
• Ensure that all clients have an outstanding experience –Ensure that feedback is received and actioned as appropriate
• Ensure Impact measurements and success measured are collected, recorded and analysed with an objective of minimum targets/standards and continual improvement/in accordance with the strategy. Prepare annual presentations of impact measurement to the Board
• Ensure all programs/operations functions have a comprehensive annual operations/ business plan, are being achieved and are updated quarterly
• Drive innovation within the operations of Dress for Success Sydney
• Ensure that all operations are consistent with the core values of Dress for Success Sydney
• Advocate for women, workplace equality and employment-related matters

People management (employees & volunteers)

• Provide leadership and development for the organisation and upholding its mission, values, policies and strategic objectives
• Build and enhance an organisational culture of innovation, performance, effectiveness and empowerment. Maintain a climate which attracts, keeps and motivates a diverse staff of top-quality people including but not limited to volunteers and staff
• Provide supervision, support and performance leadership and monitoring to staff to facilitate the achievement of individual and organisational objectives and adhere to policies and procedures
• Be a professional role model to all by demonstrating positive leadership qualities
• Oversee the recruitment, induction, training and appraisals of our employees
• Ensure compliance of all legal and governance instruments such as WHS legislation and industrial awards to ensure good workplace practices are upheld
• Manage human resources effectively and where applicable provide reporting to Board level of people performance and engagement.
• Ensure that all employees are aware of and trained in the WH&S policies and procedures of the organisation, and that the organisation’s policies and practice comply with legislation

Stakeholder management, fundraising & business development

• Take the lead to establish new, and sustain existing sources of, long-term funding opportunities for the organisation.
• Build and maintain ethical and effective relationships and partnerships with a range of key stakeholders e.g. Referral partners, retail partners, suppliers, external storage, government, corporate partners, volunteers
• Develop, deploy and maintain a high-quality and engaging communications strategy with the organisation’s members, supporters and other key stakeholders
• Ensure that all funded programs are consistent with the requirements of the respective funding bodies
• Compliance of all legal and governance instruments such as WHS legislation and industrial awards to ensure good workplace practices are upheld.
• Maintain a high level of integrity, transparency and cooperation
• Promote Dress for Success Sydney through liaison with relevant community partners, Foundations, corporate partners, community agencies, networks, peak bodies, departments and individuals, including speaking engagements and conferences
• Investigate and pursue opportunities for further regional programs and expansion of the DFSS services

Financial management

• Oversee organisation’s administration, investments, revenues and expenditure, within the parameters of the Board of Directors approved budget and delegations, bringing to the attention of the Board the need for special or exceptional expenditures not included in the budget.
• Ensure the development of annual board approved organisational and program budgets.
• Oversee the creation of and monitoring of organisation's financial performance against budget, financial and operational goals.
• Ensure all grant contracts, income and acquittals against contractual obligations within grant calendar are achieved.
• Manage and forecast revenue and expenditure within approved budgetary constraints and delegations, notifying the Board of significant variations, and preparing explanations and recommended strategies for the management/correction of significant budgetary variations, as required.
• Ensure all financial and accounting policies, procedures and practices are adhered to
• Maintain and annually review insurances and ensure appropriate levels and policies are held and current

Strategy & governance:

• Support and assist the Board in the development of long-term strategies and take ownership and leadership of preparing operating/business plans and budgets to achieve the strategic plan.
• Effectively monitor the overall performance of DFSS in line with the approved strategic plans and deliver performance goals and objectives within these plans. Provide the Board in a timely and succinct manner with the information it requires to govern effectively, to make informed decisions in support of achievement of the strategic objectives. Assist the Board in its administrative and financial management duties including the preparation and presentation of budgets, quarterly reviews, financial and service reports for AGM and to funding bodies.
• Oversee the organisation of the AGM and other meetings as requested by the Board in consultation with the Company Secretary
• Oversee the preparation of the Annual Report and the lodgement of annual accountability requirements to ACNC, Fair Trading and DFSWW.
• Participation in Board of Directors meeting and supporting Sub Committees as required.
• Ensure governance standards and activities of Dress for Success Sydney are in line with all relevant legislation and policies including ensuring financials statements are prepared and audited in accordance with the accounting standards
• Identify and mitigate risk and in consultation with or defer to the Risk & Audit committee to develop risk management strategies
• Oversee development and update of policies and procedures as required
• Monitor and report to the Board any and all matters of compliance.
• Act as spokesperson for the organisation. Develop and maintain ethical working relationships with media for interviews and media releases as necessary within delegation authorised by the Board.

Other:

• Unrestricted rights to work in Australia
• You must hold or obtain a current NSW Working with Children Check in accordance with the Commission for Children and Young People Act 1998 or successfully apply prior to commencing in the role. From time to time this role interacts with clients and their families.
• Supply a National Police Check – no more than 6 months old
• Driving licence preferred