Job Description

An exciting opportunity has arisen to lead an independent charity, based in Nottingham, working for the benefit of deaf and hard of hearing people across the East Midlands.  We are looking for a Chief Executive to lead the organisation with a focus on both internal and external challenges.

The purpose of Nottinghamshire Deaf Society is to empower deaf people so that their lives are enriched.  Our vision is for a society in which all deaf people participate.

In the next 5 years we want to increase our work with people of all ages with different types of deafness. We want to increase the number of partnerships we have with other organisations and groups. We will be known as a provider of services and involved and engaged with the wider deaf community.

Our 2 year strategy (2021-22) focuses on strengthening and consolidating our current services and activities while preparing to develop and expand through partnerships. We are aiming to strengthen and develop all of our activities over this period so that we are in a stronger and more sustainable position for the future.

At the core of its work is a large British Sign Language interpreting service providing a mixture of commissioned and non-commissioned services for health, education, employment, social services and many other contexts.  This complements our other services, including a specialist Deaf Welfare Rights service and an expanding programme of BSL training courses.

Our community centre operates from our wholly owned grade two listed building in Nottingham. It provides a base for deaf people to come together to meet and celebrate their distinctive culture through a range of accessible social activities.

Our externally facing activities involve representing the views and needs of deaf people throughout our region and facilitating their wider participation in decision making forums.

The external focus will be on new and creative thinking to develop NDS’s strategic plan to promote the well-being of deaf people; to meeting the challenges of identifying and securing funding to support the strategic plan and maximise self-generated income; and to maintaining and developing effective networks with stakeholders and supporters to influence local policies and decisions.

The internal focus will be on managing efficient office and financial systems and controls; supervising and managing our 22 staff members and volunteers; maintaining culturally accessible community facilities; and ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation and with best practice in work with deaf people.

The Chief Executive will work closely and collaboratively with the existing staff management team and report in a timely and appropriate way to the Board of Trustees.

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Friday, 17 December 2021.

Interviews are planned for week commencing Monday, 10 January 2022, subject to availability.