Background

The Association of Chief Executives (ACE) and Public Chairs’ Forum (PCF) are membership organisations which provide support to chairs and non-executive directors, chief executives, executive directors and senior executive officers of public bodies.
The organisation exists to support executives and non-executives as they seek to strengthen UK public bodies by offering peer support, insight, inspiration, education and improvement towards the efficiency and effectiveness with which public services are delivered.
With over 300 public bodies in the UK operating at ‘arm’s-length’ from government, PCF and ACE provide the opportunity for leaders to discuss cross-cutting government issues, share good governance and leadership practice and engage with the centre of government on key aspects of public service delivery.

Organisational values

PCF and ACE are member-led organisations.
The organisation exists to provide support to members.
Funded by membership subscriptions, both PCF and ACE are independent organisations.
PCF and ACE are politically neutral and offer impartial advice.

The Team

The Director leads a small, dedicated Secretariat function for The Association of Chief Execuives and Public Chairs’ Forum (ACE-PCF). The Director line manages a Programme Officer.
The Secretariat is responsible for the providing an outstanding membership experience for ACE-PCF members.
The Secretariat for ACE-PCF is based at the Institute for Government, 2 Carlton Gardens, London, SW1Y 5AA. This is a hybrid role, the successful candidate will be required to split their time between the office and a remote location.
A fully independent organisation, ACE-PCF works closely with the Institute for Government. The Director is part of a small, dedicated team, benefiting from being linked to the wider Institute for Government community, an impartial policy think tank that provides advice to Government.

The Role

Role purpose
The Director leads the PCF and ACE Secretariat, responsible for the compelling membership experiences which attracts high levels of membership engagement and subscriptions.

Key responsibilities
1. Secure a sustainable future for ACE-PCF.
• Design and deliver a membership experience strategy and plan which is responsive to the needs of highly experienced leaders.

2. Shape and oversee delivery of a wide range of member activities.
• Secure an outstanding annual programme of events and member conversations reflecting the membership and political context.
• Develop member networking across physical, virtual and hybrid spaces.

3. Secure the reputation of ACE-PCF as a credible voice for public bodies.
• Lead relationships with key stakeholder relationships, including Cabinet Office, government departments and select committees, public bodies and Institute for Government.
• Ensure the effective use of communication channels (web, socials, trade press) to increase the profile of PCF and ACE.

4. Ensure smooth and effective operations of ACE-PCF.
• Provide regular reporting to the Chairs and governing body of ACE-PCF on the state of business, including financial reporting and membership updates.
• Oversee finances and manage ACE-PCF budgets.

Engagement touchpoints

• The Chair and members of the ACE-PCF Board.
• The Chairs of ACE-PCF special interest groups.
• ACE-PCF members.
• Civil Servants, including Permanent Secretaries, Chief Operating Officers, Directors, Deputy Directors, Heads, Advisors etc.
• CEOs, Consultants, Academics and subject matter experts.
• Private sector partners as relevant.

The Person

Behaviours

Need to have:
• Excellent delivery focus and self-starter with ability to work independently.
• Demonstrated diligence, attention to detail, and organisational skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively and pragmatically across Whitehall.
• Sensitive and adaptive to different audience needs.

Nice to have:
• Creative approach to problem solving.

Skills

Need to have:
• Excellent relationship building skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong event management skills.
• Strong research skills.
• Strong intellectual capacity.
• Budget management and commercial awareness.

Nice to have:
• Experience in product development.
• Experience briefing executive and non-executive leaders.
• People and/or organisational leadership

Experience
Need to have:
• Proven successful track record shaping membership, sector, industry, or stakeholder experience.
• Proven ability to handle senior stakeholder engagement.
• Experience of managing people, programmes and projects.
• Budgetary and financial management.
• Project and campaign planning and execution.
• Experience working in or understanding and empathy with public bodies and their contribution to public services.