Chief Executive

Design Commission for Wales; Wales; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A national design organization in Wales is seeking a Chief Executive to lead their efforts in championing high design standards across the built environment. The ideal candidate should possess a strong vision, excellent communication skills, and an ability to manage relationships with various stakeholders. This role involves strategic leadership, operational management, and advocacy for effective design practices.

Qualifications

• Clear and compelling vision for the future of the Design Commission.
• High degree of energy, enthusiasm and self-motivation.
• Good external communication skills.
• Knowledge of funding mechanisms and public policy.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership and support a highly skilled team.
• Maintain effective relationships with partners and stakeholders.
• Act as an advocate for the work of the DCFW.

Skills

Visionary leadership

Team communication

External advocacy

Knowledge of design disciplines

IT management skills

Job description

Our Chief Executive, Carole-Anne Davies, has decided to step away from her role at the end of this year, and we have begun the search for her successor.

Carole-Anne has led the Design Commission for Wales (DCFW) since it was set up by the Welsh Government in 2003. She will leave her post in December and continue to pursue her other interests, including her role as Chair of Gregynog Trust, which owns and manages Gregynog Hall and its 750-acre estate in mid-Wales.

We are now actively recruiting Carole-Anne's successor to lead our work with all organisations involved in shaping the countryside, cities, towns and villages of Wales, supporting local authorities and the private sector to deliver long-term value through lasting quality. Our next chief executive will also spearhead our work supporting policy development, research and project delivery across all built environment professions, from urban and landscape design and architecture to planning, civil engineering and construction.

The search is being led by our chair, Ewan Jones, regional Managing Principal at global architecture practice 10 Design, who has worked with DCFW since 2005, including a 10-year term as a Commissioner prior to becoming Chair.

“Carole-Anne has achieved an enormous amount, establishing then leading DCFW as a lean, effective body that works strategically and seamlessly across the built environment,” he said.

“We're fortunate in Wales to have a national body charged with promoting and supporting best-practice, sustainable design, and DCFW is uniquely placed to convene the many parties involved in creating our places.

“So, as well as a deep understanding of place design and a passion for the difference it makes to people's lives, we're looking for someone with the drive, influence and diplomacy to bring our many and varied stakeholders together to make Wales a better place for everyone.”

General

The Chief Executive leads the Design Commission for Wales and will be comfortable with significant profile, genuine partnerships and delivery of its work as a national public body established to champion high standards of design in Wales. They will be a key leadership figure for the organisation, and a powerful advocate for high quality design across the whole of Wales.

The Chief Executive is an important employee that leads the operational, day to day management of the Design Commission for Wales, deriving their authority from parameters set by the Board of Directors, within their delegated authority. Full terms and conditions are set out in the Chief Executive contract of employment. The Chief Executive reports to the Chair and to the Board of Directors, who collectively provide strategic direction and oversight, and carry the collective governance responsibility as per their duties under the Companies Act.

Responsibilities

• To provide executive, strategic, creative and practical organisational leadership whilst developing and supporting a highly skilled team and board.
• To ensure and maintain sound financial and operational processes and systems upon which to build DCFW's reputation and develop and deliver its core activities as agreed by the Board of Directors and Welsh Government.
• To identify, develop and maintain effective relationships with the Welsh Government and public and private sector partners and:

• To support the organisation's development by maintaining effective contact with DCfW's partners and with design and built environment professionals and clients in the built environment sectors.
• To attend meetings as required and to represent DCFW at conferences and associated events.
• To act as an effective advocate for the work of the DCFW

Person Specification

The successful candidate will demonstrate the following essential qualities:

• A clear and compelling vision for the future of the Design Commission for Wales
• A high degree of energy, enthusiasm and self-motivation
• Good team communication skills and the ability to shape, lead and support a team structure
• Good external communication skills and the ability to present, advocate, persuade and influence external parties across public and private sectors
• Knowledge and awareness of design disciplines and the wider built environment
• The ability to work calmly, efficiently and effectively under pressure
• Familiarity with national funding mechanisms as they apply to the work of DCFW
• Familiarity with public sector policy and practice at a national level would be advantageous along with experience of working within cross sector partnerships.
• IT skills appropriate to managing a small independent organisation
• Flexibility in relation to the demand of the role is essential as is a full, clean current driving licence.

DCFW is committed to equality of opportunity in all aspects of its work and all personnel carry out their duties in accordance with this commitment and our Policy.