MS SOCIETY JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title:

Planning and performance manager

Location:

MS National Centre, London

Reports to:

Programme Director – Strategy and impact

Introduction to MS Society The MS Society is the UK’s leading MS charity. Since 1953, we’ve been providing information and support, funding research and fighting for change. We fund research, give grants, campaign for change, provide information and support, invest in MS specialists and lend a listening ear to those who need it. The MS Society is a democratic organisation. Every one of our 38,000 members has an equal say in what we do. We are also supported by 9000 volunteers and 260 staff members. Our Mission Our mission is to enable everyone affected by MS to live life to their full potential and secure the care and support they need, until we ultimately find a cure. Our aim is to beat MS. Context of Work More than 100,000 people in the UK have MS, more than 2 million worldwide. We offer hope for the future by investing in research, and help for today through our information, support and campaigning. People with MS guide our work. Our volunteers and supporters shape our research programme through our Research Network, help us provide support locally through our branches and groups and help us write our publications. Our paid staff also provide information and support services to people affected by MS, work with scientists and healthcare professionals and raise funds in four national offices and communities across the UK. With branches in every part of the UK the Society’s work has inspired thousands of volunteers, supporters and staff members to make a difference to the lives people affected by MS. Purpose To lead business planning and performance reporting systems across the MS Society As a key member of the strategy and impact management team, to contribute to the leadership, planning and policy formulation of the department as a whole As a member of the management community to influence and implement the Society’s direction of travel to meet our organisational objectives

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MS SOCIETY JOB DESCRIPTION Key Relationships: Internal The post holder works closely with the finance team, and with managers, heads of departments and directors throughout the organisation Key Accountabilities: The MS Society Planning and Performance Manager will support delivery of the Society’s strategy by: 1. Leading business planning, project management and performance reporting 1a Establishing effective and appropriate business planning, project management and performance reporting systems 1b Overseeing business planning, project management and performance reporting systems, ensuring that agreed processes are followed and key outputs produced on time 2. Supporting the Executive Group to oversee the organisational business plan 3. Teamwork 4. Financial management 5. Monitoring and reporting on performance 6. General Key competencies The post holder is expected to model and promote the MS Society’s values and leadership behaviours:  Understands and commits to the MS Society Vision: Places people affected by MS at the heart of what we do; seeks ways to improve and have a greater impact and acts as an ambassador for the MS Society.  Enables others to act: Trusts, empowers and develops staff, respecting and valuing diversity, skills and contributions from others. Maintains and develops own competences and engenders trust and respect from colleagues.  Inspires and motivates: Maintains motivation creates energy and momentum; is positive and solution focused; and drives excellence and improvement.  Analyses and Evaluates: Analyses information from a range of sources in order to make effective decisions; weighs up risks and challenges; applies critical thinking; is outcomes focussed and measures impact.  Plans and prioritises: Works efficiently and plans ahead; prioritises effectively; is mindful of fundability; and is able to balance urgent and important activity.  Communicates Effectively: Influences others, flexes to suit different audiences, builds rapport and is open and approachable

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MS SOCIETY JOB DESCRIPTION 

Demonstrates professional competence: Maintains own area of technical or professional competence, shares and distributes knowledge and expertise, balances professional competence with effective interpersonal skills.

Detailed Responsibilities: 1. Leading business planning, project management and performance reporting 60%  Planning work to ensure the achievement of deadlines.  Focussing work to implement business plans and contribute to the achievement of the Society’s strategic aims and priorities  Ensuring a clear focus on driving improvements in quality, impact and performance  To provide professional leadership throughout the organisation on business planning, project management and performance reporting. 1a 

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Establishing effective and appropriate business planning, project management and performance reporting systems 30% Working collaboratively with colleagues to develop planning, project management and reporting processes that o support the implementation of the MS Society strategy o enable effective decision making o provide clarity on planned work o ensure rigorous and objective reporting and scrutiny of progress and performance o are scalable such that they can be applied at the activity, team, programme or organisational level o are not unnecessarily onerous, and do not require effort that is disproportionate to the scale and complexity of work being planned Ensuring systems meet the requirements of key stakeholders – including the Board of Trustees and its committees, and the Executive Group Working with the Finance Team to ensure that systems collect required financial information (e.g. proposed budget for activity) and support its analysis and scrutiny Ensuring systems are supported through appropriate templates and electronic systems, and clear and concise written guidance Promoting the use of systems throughout the organisation, including working with teams or staff groups to encourage their use Supporting the planning and delivery of appropriate learning and development in business planning, project management and performance reporting Reviewing systems and processes on an ongoing basis and making appropriate changes

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MS SOCIETY JOB DESCRIPTION 1b

Overseeing business planning and performance reporting systems, ensuring that agreed processes are followed and key outputs produced on time 30%  Working with senior members of staff to ensure that key business processes adhere to the above systems, including organisational and programme business plans and performance reports  Work with the Finance Team to lead the development of the organisational business plan  Coordinating performance reporting to the Executive Group and Board level – ensuring that reports are accurate, complete and produced on time and to agreed process. Including collating information from responsible individuals, and obtaining appropriate sign-off on content  Acting on decisions of the Executive Group or the Board or its committees on the format or content of reports, including making necessary changes or cascading requested changes or comments to colleagues

2. Supporting the Executive Group to oversee the organisational business plan 20%   

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Providing the Executive Group with appropriate summaries of business plans, progress and performance Advising the Executive Group on appropriate measures of organisational performance Advising the Executive Group on the content of performance reports and business plans, including identifying areas where the structure of reports or plans (such as definitions of performance indicators) mean that actual planning or performance issues are not adequately highlighted Supporting the Executive Group to manage its own collective work-plan, including identifying agreed actions, and following up and reporting on progress On the request of the Executive Group, to provide additional project management or planning support to individual heads of department, managers or teams.

3. Team work 10%  Contribute to the work of the broader team  Developing and maintaining effective working relationships across the department, directorate and Society. 4. Budget Management 5%  Accountable for the efficient management of team expenditure including supporting the Director of Strategy and Impact in effective budget preparation, planning, monitoring and review  Ensure effective financial and resource management

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MS SOCIETY JOB DESCRIPTION 5. Monitoring and Reporting on Performance 5%  Accountable for the analysis and evaluation of the team’s performance information, monitoring and reporting against objectives, outcomes and KPIs.  Ensuring action is taken in a timely manner to enable corrective action to be taken  Ensuring the impact of the teams work is measured in accordance with the MS Society’s outcomes framework 6. General  Compliance with MSS’s governance procedures, MSS policies and guidelines.  Contribute to a positive working environment in which equality and diversity are valued and staff are enabled to do their best.  Acting as project manager as required and contributing to relevant programmes and projects  Providing advice to Heads of Department and members of the Executive Group on matters relating to your functional areas Other Duties  To be prepared to travel to meetings across the UK and be away from home overnight, as the job reasonably demands  To undertake any other works as could be expected of a Planning and Performance Manager

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MS SOCIETY JOB DESCRIPTION

Person Specification Qualifications  A levels/equivalent qualification or  Relevant professional experience, which demonstrates equivalent academic skills  A relevant, recognised professional qualification such as PRINCE2 or Managing Successful Programmes (MSP)  Evidence of continuous professional development Experience  Substantial experience of developing, communicating and implementing business plans  Experience of coordinating business planning and reporting processes across a complex organisation  Experience of developing processes and systems to support business planning, project management and progress reporting.  Experience of dealing with complex demands from a range of stakeholders, and negotiating outcomes to ensure that organisational needs are met  Proven planning and project management experience to control effective use of resources  Demonstrable experience of applying effective problem solving techniques when the situation demands  Experience of financial and budgetary management Knowledge and skills  In-depth understanding of project and programme management in relation to a complex not for profit organisation  Understanding of appropriate techniques to meaningfully measure performance within a charity  The ability to manage change effectively  The ability to focus on impact and deliver outstanding results in a team environment  Demonstrable commitment to collaborative team work  Demonstrable commitment to inclusive working, ensuring equality and valuing diversity  Excellent interpersonal skills, and able to influence/persuade a wide range of stakeholders  Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively in a wide range of media and audiences  Excellent organisational and workload management skills  Advanced IT skills, in particular proficiency in MS Excel to an advanced level

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MS SOCIETY JOB DESCRIPTION

Employment terms Grade:

Band F, Level 2

Salary scale:

£35.151 - £40,073

Signed by postholder

Date

Signed by Executive Director

Date

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