Service Description and Personal Specification
General Manager: ISKCON Educational Services (Bhaktivedanta Manor)
Reports to: The IES Regional Director and the IES National Team
Start Date: October, 2013
Hours: 25-40 hours/week (negotiable)
Salary: Negotiable
The Role:
The General Manager will ensure that ISKCON Educational Services, Bhaktivedanta Manor is firmly established to flourish and expand as the most credible and authentic UK-based supplier of educational resources on Hinduism.
Since 1990, IES has specialised in organising temple visits, providing guest speakers to schools, supplying high-quality teaching support and selling authentic educational materials.
ISKCON Educational Services, Bhaktivedanta Manor is the largest representative of ISKCON Educational Services and as the flagship centre is expected to set exemplary standards for all other IES centres.
Key Responsibilities:
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To lead IES in achieving the highest standards of (a) hospitality, (b) learning and teaching, (c) all-round positive client experience.
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To manage staff, including their recruitment, training and professional development, in order to maintain a stable, happy and creative team.
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To nurture and market the organisation, manage its legal and financial affairs, and create a firm, scalable economic base for future expansion.
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To responsibly maintain all IES property, equipment and other assets, and to oversee all operational sales and purchases.
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To consolidate, enhance and coordinate existing administrative and ICT systems in order to maintain an efficient and effective support structure.
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To support the IES leadership in fulfilling its long-term vision, meeting strategic targets and promoting its reputation both externally (in the RE world) and internally (within ISKCON).
Outcomes and activities:
1. Vision and Mission
Work with the regional and national directors to regularly set and review strategic targets.
Implement strategic plans and meet targets.
Nurture an ethos of high-quality educational experience for all visitors.
Instil a sense of pride, commitment and responsibility in all staff members.
Ensure that all features of the programme are aligned with the aims and ethos of IES.
Implement and develop policies, procedures and systems that ensure the continuity of IES.
Ensure all staff are familiar with the ethos and purposes of IES.
Model ideal behaviour – personally, devotionally and professionally.
2. Learning and Teaching
Ensure that standards of learning and teaching are consistently high by taking, evaluating and responding to customer feedback.
Oversee the review and systematic improvement of lesson plans and other curriculum materials.
Maintain staff awareness and understanding of the Religious Education field and its particular ethos (including its needs, interests, concerns and latest developments).
Ensure that all learning and teaching respects the autonomy of the individual.
Invest in continuous professional development for all teaching and support staff, backed by corresponding policies, procedures and manuals.
Guarantee the wellbeing, health and safety of all visitors, especially children and young people.
Market resources suitable to both students and teachers so as to consolidate learning and promote authentic and consistent messages about ISKCON; also its broader and associated traditions.
Maintain and expand the wide range of services, including the provision of temple visits, guest speakers to schools and INSET.
Foster links with the RE world, its members and local communities, by such means as working with the Hertfordshire SACRE and securing links from appropriate Internet sites to our own website.
As needed, liaise with the regional and national directors of IES, and other experts, to ensure that all the above are fulfilled.
3. Administration
(a) Human Resources:
Directly oversee the Hosting Manager, Finance Officer and Bookings Officer.
Ensure all staff are appropriately and clearly engaged, employing as many staff on steady contracts (with effective off-peak duties) as is financially viable.
Support staff and boost standards by publishing operational manuals.
Manage and facilitate training, coaching, assessment and personal and professional development.
Recruit, train and, as necessary, discipline and/or dismiss staff.
(b) Financial and Legal:
Ensure that financially IES breaks even every year.
Procure school/client visits, and other service provision, at off-peak times in order to produce a more consistent workflow.
Produce and submit annual budgets and monthly and yearly financial reports.
Ensure alignment with legal requirements in child protection, HR, health and safety, and all other relevant areas.
Develop the commercial aspect of IES, particularly the publishing and marketing of books and the provision of authentic artefacts.
(c) Promotion and Marketing
Ensure that all services are adequately promoted, and that the credibility and reputation of IES is protected and enhanced.
Maintain the IES website, ensuring that it meets customer needs, fosters practical results and features high up on search engine lists.
Safeguard and expand IES’s representation in relevant public forums, as linked to education, the media and the Hindu community.
(d) Administrative Support
Ensure all systems (including bookings and finances) run smoothly, efficiently and effectively, and that they are cost and time effective, adequately pushing forward IES’s core functions.
Use space and other resources to their full capacity.
Maintain in good repair and working order all IES property, equipment and other assets, including rooms, computers, telecommunications equipment and teaching resources.
Protect and maintain all IES assets, overseeing repairs, sales and operational purchases.
Make certain that the physical environment for all staff and visitors is clean, tidy and uplifting.
Required skills:
Sound leadership and management skills.
A passion for education, and a sound understanding of it.
Teaching skills would be preferred.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills – oral, aural and written.
Ability to coach and motivate staff within a performance management framework.
Taking personal responsibility for own actions.
Foundational knowledge of how to manage human resources and legal matters.
Excellent organisational skills and ability to delegate.
Motivation to continually improve standards and achieve excellence.
A keen business sense, with ability to create and analyse financial reports.
Computer, software and other general office-based skills
Good personal moral standards.
Ability to be reflective, considerate, resourceful, inventive, courageous and self-motivated.
Experience:
In management, preferably within an educational or similar setting.
Preferably an award in teaching and/or education.
Educational Qualifications:
A Higher Education qualification in management, or equivalent.
Preference will be given to candidates also holding a teaching qualification, or demonstrating commensurate work experience.
Selection Process:
ISKCON Educational Services is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates are required to have an enhanced CRB check.
References will be taken up for all short-listed candidates prior to interview.
We welcome applications from both men and women of all ages from any background and from candidates with disabilities. This position is not suitable for a job share.
The closing date for applications is 23rd September, 2013
An application form can be obtained from Brijlata, Human Resources department, Temple Manager’s Office, Bhaktivedanta Manor, or by emailing Brijlata at brijlata@krishnatemple.com.
Initial enquiries or completed, signed applications should be submitted to Brijlata, either by email, or by post at the following address: Brijlata Dasi, Human Resources, Bhaktivedanta Manor, Hilfield Lane, Aldenham, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD25 8EZ.
It is anticipated that shortlisted candidates will be contacted by 27th September, 2013.
The interviews will take place in the week commencing 30th September. In addition to the selection panel interview, you will also be asked to respond to an unseen task.
Following the selection process, the panel will make a recommendation to the IES board as to the candidate who should be offered the appointment. All candidates should be advised of the outcome by 7th October, 2013.
Any appointment will be subject to the receipt of satisfactory references and pre-employment checks.