Charity Manager

We are seeking an inspiring leader to build on the success of our award-winning charity. Are you an experienced manager, confident communicator and empathetic team leader looking to make a difference for wildlife and nature-based learning?

The Bird of Prey Project is a registered charity and multiple award-winning visitor centre and zoo working to conserve birds of prey, restore habitats and make wildlife education accessible. At this exciting time for the organisation, we are looking to recruit a new Charity Manager who can manage the visitor centre whilst working alongside the Board of Trustees to develop strategy and objectives for the charity. You will have the incredible opportunity to lead a team working to inspire the public about wildlife, develop the highest standards of bird welfare and restore populations of wild raptors.

What is the role about?

The Charity Manager works directly with the Board of Trustees to manage the charity and visitor centre.

The visitor centre receives over 10,000 visitors per year who provide the majority of the charity’s income. The senior bird team provide a high standard of ethical raptor care to over 20 species, using restraint free management and free-flight techniques, and also deliver experiences and displays to the public. The Charity Manager works to ensure that the site is safe and compliant with law & best practice, the senior bird team are provided with adequate resources and that the visitor centre is meeting goals for income generation.

The charity’s mission is to Conserve birds of prey, restore habitats and make wildlife education accessible. The Charity Manager over-sees the staff team delivering the charity activities, ensuring work is recorded and reported correctly.

You would also be responsible for line managing both Deputy Centre Managers. You should be confident in making decisions and able to balance opportunity and risk. An ability to operate within and develop governance, finance and risk frameworks is also a key part of the role, and whilst a background with working with birds of prey or in wildlife conservation is not necessary, you should be passionate about The Bird of Prey Project’s mission.

Key responsibilities

• Line manage and lead personal development of the Deputy Centre Managers.
• Overseeing income generation through visitor experience, including social media and marketing
• Develop new streams of income generation – including fundraising
• Act as company secretary and ensure our compliance with our licensing requirements, Charity Commission guidance, financial regulations, the law, and other relevant regulations/guidance/best practice.
• Maintaining, updating and creating policies, procedures and risk assessments as required
• Reporting charity impact and activities
• Work with the charity finance specialist trustee to:
• accurately record finances
• ensure key payments are made and collected on time
• deliver payroll for employees
• reconcile cash payments
• review monthly forecast vs actuals reports
• forecast and budget for the charity.
• Manage any relationships with any external bodies.
• Lead the strategic development of the organisation alongside the Board of Trustees.
• Attend, contribute to, and act as Secretary for board meetings.

About you

You’ll have experience and confidence to manage a team and the smooth operation of the day-day running of the organisation, and be passionate about the objectives of The Project.

Experience, skills and knowledge

Essential

• Education to A-level, college level or equivalent workplace experience.
• Knowledge of The Bird of Prey Project and its mission.
• Visible, inspiring and empathetic leadership of employees and volunteers.
• Proven leadership and project management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to represent the organisation to external groups and bodies.
• Business management and financial skills to understand budgets, forecasting, income generation, business function and strategy.
• Confidence in developing policies and procedures for legal accountability.
• Collaboration skills to work cohesively in a team and build new relationships on behalf of the charity.
• Confident using a variety of IT software including all major Microsoft programmes and accounting software such as xero.
• Ability to create and manage a marketing strategy.

Desirable

• Confidence in maintaining adequate policies and procedures for licensing / legal requirement
• Experience in the successful use of social media, website development, mailing lists and other forms of digital media.
• Some experience in fundraising or appealing for individual giving.

This is a permanent, part-time role for 21 hours per week. We will screen and interview applicants as applications come in, so we’d advise you to apply as soon as possible. We reserve the right to close the post early in the event of appointing a candidate.

The Bird of Prey Project is an equal opportunities employer.

To apply for this post, you must have the right to live and work in the UK. We’d advise that you read the job description and candidate guidance notes before applying.