ORGANISATIONAL BACKGROUND
For over 175 years, YMCA Dublin has been building safer, stronger, and more inclusive communities. Through affordable childcare, youth and family programmes, and community support services, we empower young people, support individuals and families, and create safe spaces where everyone can thrive
CONTEXT FOR APPOINTMEMT
YMCA are seeking to recruit a Head of Children's Services who ideally has experience of working at a senior management level in Childcare and can bring excellent analytical and business expansion skills to join the team at a time of change. This is an exciting time to join us as we work toward our ambitious strategic plan to grow and scale the organisations reach and impact.
Title: Head of Children's Services
Reporting To: CEO
Direct Reports: 4 direct reports (More as organisation grows)
Place of Work: Hybrid working (at least 3 days a week across centre locations)
Working Hours: Full-time – 37.5 hours per week
Nature of Post: Permanent (following 6-month probationary period)
Application: Email CV and cover letter to Elaine Barry Deadline: December 7th.
ROLE SUMMARY
Under the supervision of the CEO, the Head Of Children's Services will be responsible for managing Childcare and School-aged services.
The HOCS will be responsible for embedding the highest standards of early years practice in all YMCA Childcare settings by creating a standardised approach for delivery of high quality services. In partnership with the Childcare Management team, Childcare Business Manager & other colleagues you will achieve the strategic goal of YMCA Dublin becoming the charity of choice for early years childcare. This role will provide guidance and oversight regarding budgeting, business plans, risk management, and compliance for childcare and family services.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
The Head of Children's Services will:
* Play a lead role in opening of new Childcare settings
* Enhance and develop the quality of early years provision and carry out focused visits to current and future settings
* Lead, organise, motivate & direct staff to function effectively in times of rapid change
* Communicate ideas, vision and information clearly and convincingly and in a manner that is sensitive to wider issues
* Surface unspoken concerns and take action to resolve them, leading to greater acceptance of proposals of change
* Embed Family Support as a key function in current and future settings. This includes ensuring that our model is rolled out effectively
* Act as Designated Liaison Person for Child Protection Concerns
* Set high standards for the team and put their work and the work of YMCA Dublin into meaningful context
* Track the current and future government led childcare interventions, analyse the impact and opportunity for YMCA Childcare
* Track grants, CSR opportunities and income opportunities for YMCA Childcare and Family Support and to work on these with Grant Writer
* Hold budgetary responsibility, be accountable for ensuring that services operate with agreed service levels
* Ensure budgets are delivered, demonstrably providing value for money & to ensure YMCA Childcare centres generate an annual surplus
* Continuously review operational processes with a view to ensuring efficiency and effectiveness while benchmarking against best practice across the sector
* Be responsible and accountable for the efficient, effective and safe delivery of services
* Ensure processes and procedures are in place to make certain that children, young people and their families are cared for in a child and person centered environment
* Ensure that a play based curriculum and approach is in place in all centres
* Ensure that centres are ready for Tusla inspections and take the lead on correspondence to Tusla re compliance
* Lead and implement staff development programmes to include management performance evaluation schemes
* Contribute significantly and commit to the development and implementation of the strategic development of Children & Families Services
* Be responsible for promoting a culture of excellence in the delivery of services
* Contribute to the preparation of business cases to secure corporate sponsorships
* Be fully aware and up to date with Core Funding requirements, ensuring that we are fully compliant. Work with the Childcare Business Manager on Core Funding returns.
* Provide support to the CEO, Board of Directors and committees as needed and perform such other duties as may be required to ensure success of the organisation
Critical Analysis & Decision Making
* The ability to analyse complex information / evidence from a variety of sources to reach conclusions and present opinions based on evidence
* Demonstrates excellent problem solving, analytical and decision making skills
* Challenges policy, practice and the traditional service boundaries when necessary in the interest of the right solution or decision
* IT literate and capacity to use the various cloud based applications relevant to childcare. Both YMCA and statutory
Administration
* Meeting and evidencing compliance with Childcare sector compliance
* Act as a keyholder and primary contact for all operations issues, responding to emergencies or urgent issues as they arise and dealing with the consequences. This will include responding to out of hours calls and contact where required (part of the on-call team for YMCA out of hours emergencies)
* As part of the Senior Management Team ensure that all facilities comply with current and applicable Health & Safety legislation and best practice minimum standards
* As part of the Senior Management Team ensure that all premises are compliant with relevant waste, recycling and environmental legislation and regulations.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
YMCA Dublin are seeking an experienced leader and manager with a track record of success in a previous role of managing childcare or related field. The successful candidate will ensure operational outcomes are achieved as well as strategic outcomes. The postholder will possess the ability to develop highly effective services strategies and to ensure their successful implementation across Children & Family Services.
They will also be an innovative and strategic individual, possessing a strong people management skill set and a deep understanding of best practices in working with Families and Children.
ESSENTIAL Criteria:
At least three-five years of progressive and measurable proven experience in a childcare management role.
Excellent management and organisational skills with a proven ability to work in an organised, proactive, flexible and self-directed manner.
Ability to analyse complex organisational challenges and present innovative solutions to these challenges
Outstanding written and oral communication skills, with an ability to communicate with and facilitate different target audiences.
Ability to evaluate complex information resulting in actionable recommendations to senior leadership.
Strong attention to detail, excellent problem solving skills and the ability to be tactful and diplomatic.
Ability to build and sustain close working relationships with multiple internal and external stakeholders
Ability to handle multiple priorities and tight deadlines.
Excellent business acumen.
A good working knowledge of the Google Docs or other cloud based platforms ,
Well organised, disciplined and outcome driven, with a 'can do' attitude.
A strong team player.
DESIRABLE Criteria:
A good working knowledge of Charitable governance code
Application: Email CV and cover letter to Elaine Barry Deadline: December 7th.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Benefits:
* Bike to work scheme
* Childcare
* Gym membership
* On-site gym
* Work from home
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Rathmines West, Dublin, CO. Dublin