​​Since 1971, when we opened the world’s first safe house for women and children in West London, Refuge has led the campaign against domestic abuse. Today, Refuge is the largest specialist domestic abuse organisation in the UK, and the country’s largest single provider of specialist domestic and gender-based violence services. Each and every day, we help thousands of survivors to overcome the physical, emotional, financial and logistical impacts of abuse and rebuild their lives – free from fear. Yet 50 years on, we’re still facing a national challenge. We must recognise violence against women and girls as one of the UK’s biggest domestic crises.

We’ve made a commitment to ensuring that all our central operations support the most effective, transformative service delivery. This has created an exceptional opportunity for a similarly outstanding person. Reporting to the CEO, you’ll oversee three key operational areas: Finance, Property & Facilities (we are the only domestic abuse provider who is also a Registered Social Landlord) and Governance. In all of these areas, there’s plenty of potential to raise our game, and we’re looking for an experienced, inspiring leader who can show us how to do just that.

Candidates must be qualified accountants and will have extensive leadership experience in the charity sector, ideally in social housing. This will include experience of managing supported housing income and restricted funds, and a practical understanding of social impact investment would be a distinct advantage. If you’ve also worked in other sectors – whether commercial or public, local government, social care etc. – we’d be very interested to meet you. The strongest candidates will have managed a good-sized property portfolio, and will understand the relationship between the provision of outstanding care and good stewardship of assets. Your leadership toolkit will be comprehensive, with a far-sighted understanding of how newly-established teams grow their confidence and capacity, and eventually lead themselves. An enthusiastic doer, as well as leader, thinker and planner, you’ll show you understand that change takes sustained effort and adaptability. Your track record will show consistent achievement through challenge, managing both the unexpected and the unwelcome with equal poise and optimism.

We believe that greater diversity in our senior management team will only increase our effectiveness. Candidates who bring life experience, perspectives and / or minoritised ethnic backgrounds that will enhance our team are warmly encouraged to apply.

To find out more, visit http://www.refuge-dcs.co.uk/

For an informal discussion please contact Deborah Thomas or Aino Betts at Cadence Partners at refuge-dcs@cadencepartners.co.uk 

If you require the candidate materials in an alternative format, please request it in your initial contact.