Chief Operating Officer & Director of Regions Full Time

The RNLI is a unique and much-loved organisation founded 200 years ago by Sir William Hillary to enable communities to save lives at sea. Today, the skills and bravery of our lifesavers remain true to Hillary’s initial Appeal to the Nation in 1823 for volunteers to “risk their own lives for those whom they have never known or seen”. Good people responded then, and have continued to do so in present times, through the delivery of our core frontline services.

Since 1824, more than 146,000 people have owed their lives to the courage and professionalism of our volunteers and staff. The delivery of all this lifesaving work across the UK, Ireland, and further afield is only made possible by the support, dedication and commitment of our volunteers and staff – c. 27,000 people in total, all pulling together as one crew.

As we embark on our third century of lifesaving, we must be receptive to progressive ideas and how we can better the quality of our service, the safety of our people, and the way we operate. The way people are using the coast and the water is changing; we need to be operating in the most efficient and cost-effective way; we need to explore innovative ways to raise the required funds; and we need to work with partners nationally and internationally to maximise our reach and impact. We know that we need to adapt and rise to the challenges ahead of us, with courage and integrity.

We are seeking an outstanding leader who can make a wide-ranging and significant impact across the Lifesaving Operations’ Directorate and the wider organisation as Chief Operating Officer & Director of Regions. The postholder will ensure the efficient delivery of UK and Irish frontline services via a regional operational model and provision of the RNLI’s International programme of water safety training, education and advocacy.

We particularly envisage a person who has:

• a credible affinity with the work of the RNLI and the environment in which it operates
• successful senior leadership experience in a dynamic commercial environment
• the ability to win hearts and minds across a very broad demographic of volunteers, staff, supporters and donors
• strong leadership in communications, advocacy and interaction with stakeholders
• resilience, and an ability to make tough decisions as well as master the detail required to support them
• the aptitude to create a vision and lead towards it.

Other essential qualifications and experience required from the successful candidate are:

• An accomplished maritime practitioner with senior business management experience, preferably at director level
• Significant experience of leading, managing and developing multi-disciplinary teams
• Senior leadership experience in a complex operational environment
• Significant experience of driving organisational effectiveness through continuous improvement and innovation
• Significant experience of change leadership and delivering complex programmes / projects
• Experience of setting and controlling large budgets.

For much more detail about the role and for information on how to apply, please download the full candidate brief at: www.odgers.com/92164

Clicking on the ‘Apply’ button below will take you to the website of Odgers Berndtson, who have been retained as an Executive Search partner for this vacancy with the RNLI and will handle all applications on behalf of the RNLI.

Safeguarding

The RNLI is committed to safeguarding; protecting a person’s health, wellbeing, and human rights, enabling them to live free from harm, abuse, and neglect. We expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment and have a zero-tolerance approach. The suitability of all prospective employees and volunteers will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment. This will include relevant criminal record checks being carried out dependent on the eligibility of the role. (England & Wales; DBS check, Scotland; Disclosure Scotland PVG, Northern Ireland; Access NI, Republic of Ireland; Garda Vetting; International, International Child Protection Certificate process).

Diversity at the RNLI

Our staff and volunteers have been saving lives at sea without prejudice for nearly 200 years. We respect and value diversity of background, skills and perspectives within our teams, and consider it essential to help us deliver a world-class lifesaving service. We are an inclusive organisation and welcome applications from everyone. In addition to having the skills needed for the role, we also look for applicants who share our commitment to living our RNLI values (trustworthy, courageous, selfless, and dependable), and helping us work towards Our Vision: To save Every One.

C1OO