General Manager

Every day, people in our community face hardship, homelessness, poverty, poor health, social isolation, and life-changing challenges. The difference between struggling and thriving often comes down to having the right support at the right time.

We're looking for an inspiring leader who wants to make that difference.

As our General Manager, you'll have the opportunity to shape services, empower teams, build partnerships, and influence the future direction of our charity. This is a role for someone who enjoys balancing strategy with action and who believes that strong leadership can transform lives.

HILS is a charitable social enterprise established in 2007. HILS employs around 400 people and supports approximately 18,000 older and disabled people each year across Hertfordshire, Hampshire, and West Sussex. HILS delivers preventative, community based services that enable people to remain healthy, independent, and living well in their own homes.

The role will involve being employed by HILS, but working exclusively for St Albans Old People's Trust (the Trust), a Hertfordshire charity that is too small to employ its own staff.

The Trust is a friendly, grant-giving charity. Each year it awards grants of around £200,000 a year to individuals living in the District of St Albans and makes group grants to local charities and community organisations of a further £200,000 per year. Its mission is to improve the lives of the district's older residents who are on a low income and have limited savings. The Trust gives grants to individuals to fund items, such as appliances, furniture, and mobility items.

Role summary

The General Manager is responsible for the day-to-day running of the Trust, leading its grant programmes and supporting the Trustee Board.

The role ensures appropriate and compassionate support for older people while maintaining strong governance, operational efficiency, effective partnerships and clear reporting to inform the Trust's future direction.

Role outcomes and values

Every role and individual in HILS contributes to making a meaningful difference to older and vulnerable people. The General Manager supports the Trust's mission to improve the lives of older people in the District.

Outcomes

Efficient and effective operational processes that support the timely and accurate delivery of the Trust's grants and other activities.

Effective delivery of the Trust's grants programmes within budget.

High levels of client satisfaction and positive impact for beneficiaries.

Strong partnerships with referral agencies and community organisations.

A motivated and high-performing grants team.

Increased awareness of the Trust and its services.

Robust safeguarding, governance and compliance standards.

Strategic insights that support the Trust's long-term development.

Values

• We are caring and compassionate
• We act with integrity
• We go above and beyond

Responsibilities

Operational Delivery

• Develop, maintain and improve efficient processes for the timely and accurate delivery of the Trust's grants and related activities.

Ensure applicants are treated with dignity, empathy and respect throughout the grants process.

• Oversee the individual grants process from enquiry to grant approval, payment, monitoring and issue resolution.

Oversee the group grants programme for local charities and community organisations.

• Ensure all grant funding is delivered in line with agreed policies, guidelines and budgets.
• Develop simple and effective impact measurement and client feedback systems.

Monitor trends affecting older people and provide insights and recommendations to Trustees.

Take an enquiring and compassionate approach to understanding applicants' circumstances and identifying appropriate support.

Ensure safeguarding procedures are followed and staff maintain required training standards.

People Leadership

• Provide leadership, support and supervision to the grants team.
• Recruit, induct, train and develop team members and contractors.
• Manage workloads and resources so delivery targets are achieved.
• Promote a positive, collaborative and high-performing team culture.
• Ensure staff remain informed about welfare benefits, safeguarding requirements and relevant good practice.

Service Development and Partnerships

• Build and maintain relationships with referral agencies, charities, local authorities and community organisations.
• Represent the Trust at meetings, conferences, events and partnership forums.
• Organise and facilitate partnership meetings and collaborative initiatives.
• Develop opportunities for joint working that maximise support for older people and reduce duplication.
• Raise the profile of the Trust amongst potential beneficiaries, referrers and stakeholders.
• Develop and deliver marketing and outreach activities through community events, presentations, traditional media and social media.
• Produce and maintain information resources and promotional materials.

Financial and Performance Management

• Manage the Trust's budgets and resources, working with the Treasurer to monitor financial performance and produce reports.

Identify opportunities for cost savings, resource sharing and sustainable practices.

Support the reuse and redistribution of donated equipment and resources where appropriate.

Oversee the Trust's investment property, liaising with the appointed managing agent and coordinating repairs, maintenance and other property matters as required.

Governance and Trust Administration

• Ensure Trust transactions are recorded accurately, completely and promptly, with appropriate supporting documentation, liaising with the external bookkeeper and Treasurer as required.
• Maintain effective arrangements for the management, retention, secure storage and retrieval of the Trust's records
• Support Trustees to ensure the Trust operates in accordance with applicable laws, regulations and internal policies, escalating compliance issues where required.
• Organise and support Trustee Board meetings, including preparing papers and minutes.
• Submit required returns, reports and documentation to the Charity Commission.
• Provide the Treasurer and the Trust's external accountants with the information and support required to prepare the Trust's annual accounts
• Undertake other reasonable administrative duties required to support the effective operation of the Trust.

Location, expectations, and commitments

Permanent, part-time role (4 days per week)

Location - Jubilee Centre St Albans

Salary - £43,750-£46,875 per annum FTE (Pro Rata £35,000-£37,500) depending on relevant experience

Hours - 28 hours per week

Additional requirements:

o Weekend/evening working - The role may occasionally require evening or weekend working. This will be supported with TOIL.

Reports to St Albans Old People's Trust Board, through Chair of Trustees

Line management responsibility for Grants Officer and Grants Assistant

Candidate requirements

Essential

At least 3 years' experience working with vulnerable individuals, e.g. in grant-giving, welfare support, community programmes or similar services, within the charitable sector.

Experience in a management or senior operational role, overseeing day-to-day service delivery and administrative processes.

Strong people management and leadership skills.

Excellent stakeholder engagement and partnership-building abilities.

Experience managing budgets and producing reports.

Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.

Excellent communication, presentation and influencing skills.

Commitment to safeguarding and supporting vulnerable people.

Desirable

Knowledge of issues affecting older people on low incomes, e.g. understanding of relevant benefits.

Experience of CRM systems, accounting systems, AI tools and service improvement projects.

Experience running a group grants programme for Charities/ community groups.

Proficient in the use of the Lightening Reach platform.

Strong local knowledge of the St Albans District.

Important note

This job description is not an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities. The General Manager may be required to undertake additional responsibilities appropriate to the role, as agreed with the Chair of Trustees.

Equal Opportunities Statement

We do not discriminate against staff on the basis of their gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partner status, gender reassignment, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, disability, or age (protected characteristics). The principle of non-discrimination and equality of opportunity applies equally to the treatment of former staff, visitors, clients, customers, and suppliers by members of our current workforce.