Job Description

We are looking for a Co-Director to lead the financial and strategic aspects of our small and successful charity. 

Hackney Playbus believes that all children under five living in East London should have the opportunity to grow, thrive, and reach their potential. Our mission is to provide play, learning, and support to socially excluded families in East London, to encourage children’s early years development, and to strengthen families and communities.

We do this by:

• Making play and learning opportunities accessible to children aged 0-4 years old - we bring play out into the community!

• Providing a welcoming and relaxed setting where families can come together in their local community 

• Supporting parents and carers to feel confident in their knowledge and skills as a parent or carer

• Connecting families to support services

• Dedicating time and resources to outreach and community engagement

All our services are delivered in a way that is inclusive, friendly and welcoming. All services are free to attend.

Our Services

We run stay and play sessions from a bright and beautiful double-decker bus that has been converted into a mobile early years community play space for families. Our sessions take place both inside and outside the Playbus in different locations across Hackney, providing a rich play and learning environment for children aged 0-4yrs old and a welcoming space for their parents and carers. We listen to the needs of parents and carers and help families to access support services where needed. 

As well as our Playbus sessions, we bring our informal, welcoming approach to baby groups that we run in community settings.

Our Team and Our Approach 

We value the positive impact of difference within our organisation and want our team to reflect the diverse cultures, ethnicities, languages and experiences of the families who participate in our activities. We particularly encourage applications from people from Global Majority backgrounds, those who speak a language spoken by local communities in Hackney, and those with lived experience of bringing up children in challenging circumstances. 

We work collaboratively at Hackney Playbus, recognising that every team member has valuable life experiences, skills and interests to contribute to the project. We learn from one another and value each other’s insights and opinions. We work collectively as far as possible to share decision-making as well as the workload, supporting each other to develop and grow within our roles, wherever our role sits within the organisation. 

Leadership Approach

At Hackney Playbus, we believe decisions should be driven by those closest to the issues we aim to address. This community-focused approach is central to our success. Children and families are integral to shaping our Theory of Change and Strategic Plan, and the involvement of staff and volunteers in planning, decision-making, and service delivery adds value, diversity and strength to our organisation. 

Our leadership structure reflects this collaborative approach. The Co-Directors share responsibility for the organisation,with the Co-Director for Operations taking responsibility for service delivery, the early years staff team, monitoring and evaluating the service and safeguarding, while the Co-Director for Strategy & Finance leads on strategy, partnerships, policies, asset management, and finances. We believe that both of these aspects of the organisation’s directorship are equally important and work together in co-operation and healthy tension to deliver the co-produced Strategic Plan alongside staff, volunteers, families and partners. Both Co-Directors report regularly and work collaboratively with the Board of Trustees.

Co-Director - Strategy & Finance

Job Purpose

To work closely with the Co-Director (Operations) to co-lead Hackney Playbus, implementing the charity’s Strategic Plan to ensure financial sustainability, strong governance, and operational success in delivering on Hackney Playbus’s vision and mission. To act as an ambassador in public forums, safeguard the charity’s assets, and ensure that families remain at the heart of everything the charity does. 

Key Responsibilities

Governance

• Ensure legal and regulatory compliance, including Charity Commission requirements

• Ensure systems are in place for the Board of Trustee to fulfil its statutory responsibilities

• Work together with the Board of Trustees in policy development, governance, and strategic planning

• Report on performance against strategic objectives 

• Support the process of Trustee selection and recruitment 

Strategic Leadership and Organisational Development

• Work with Trustees to ensure the charity’s vision, mission and strategic plans are reviewed in conjunction with key stakeholders including Hackney Playbus staff, volunteers and families

• Support and guide team members on the development and implementation of strategic plans to meet short and long term goals

• Take joint responsibility for achieving, monitoring and reporting on performance against targets in all areas of charity’s activities

• Be open to feedback and ideas for innovation and change while delivering consistent and reliable services

Financial Management

• Develop and oversee budgets, financial controls, and risk management

• Work with the bookkeeper to manage payments, invoicing, and financial records

• Oversee contracts, funding applications, and grant compliance

Income Generation

• Develop strategies to sustain and grow funding from existing sources and develop new funding streams

• Support the Fundraising Officer in securing grants and donations

• Ensure funder reports are completed as required

HR & Operations

• Recruit staff as required, ensuring HR policies and contracts are up to date

• Provide supervision for Administration and Fundraising Officers

• Oversee asset management, including vehicles, premises, and IT infrastructure

Stakeholder Engagement & Promotion

• Build partnerships and maintain relationships with key stakeholders to improve impact and sustainability

• Represent Hackney Playbus in public forums

Other

• Participate in internal/external meetings and training

• Participate in annual appraisal by appointed Trustee from the Board of Trustees

• To uphold Hackney Playbus safeguarding policies and procedures

Application Instructions

What happens next? Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend a Playbus session during the week beginning 10th March. This will be a chance to meet the team, interact with families, and experience the Playbus in action. Panel interviews will be held on Friday 14th March at the Hackney Playbus depot and office, so that candidates can see our base of operation. Shortlisted candidates will also need to complete a financial task on the day of the interview, which will form part of the assessment process.