Business Support Manager - Northern Ireland

We are looking for a new Business Support Manager to support the Country Director with the achievement of our key strategic and business objectives.

The vacancy

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) is a world leading youth charity which gives young people the chance to develop skills for work and life.

Our structured programmes of volunteering, physical and skills-based challenges inspire, guide, and encourage young people to widen their experiences and learn new skills.

Through a licensing process, we partner with youth organisations and support them in their delivery of our programmes to their young people. These organisations range from schools and colleges to local authorities, charities, secure units, and community organisations.

In Northern Ireland we have a Joint Award Agreement (JAI) with Gaisce – The President’s Award which enables young people to have a choice of certification – a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, a Gaisce – The President’s Award or a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award International Certificate.

We have recently launched our new strategy for the next five years, Youth Without Limits, which will ensure the DofE is open to all young people aged 14-24 across the UK, and that our participants reflect the most diverse generation of young people ever.                                                                           

What is the role?

We are looking for a new Business Support Manager to support the Country Director with the achievement of our key strategic and business objectives.

You will be responsible for effective management of the business support team and all business support functions to ensure an excellent level of support for all of the Award’s operations across the Northern Ireland. With experience of leading high performing teams, you will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

You will have line management responsibility for a Business Support Assistant.

What are we looking for?

• Experience managing projects including developing and implementing project plans.
• Financial management experience.
• Excellent internal and external stakeholder management skills – ability to work well at all levels.
• Experience managing disbursed and remote teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including ability to communicate well at all levels and with different audiences.
• Ability to review, analyse and interpret data and act upon the findings.
• Experience of recruiting to, and managing, a high-performing team.
• Extremely well organised and able to work well under pressure, balancing priorities to achieve deadlines and targets.
• Proficient using Microsoft applications and CRM systems.
• Experience of external stakeholder communications, including the management of social media accounts.
• Experience of planning and delivering high profile and high-quality events.
• Experience of providing high level and strategic support to Senior Leadership Teams.

What will you get in return?

The opportunity to work for a successful and dynamic charity that has the development of young people at its heart and the wellbeing and development of its people constantly in focus.

You will be joining a team of empowered colleagues working together.

From day one you’ll have access to a generous pension scheme and an employee assistance programme, flexible working, volunteering leave, a healthcare cash plan, and an employee assistance programme.

Through our Flexible Working policy, the DofE provides an opportunity to work flexibly to meet yours and our business needs.  You will be office based in Belfast with the option to work from home when business need allows.

How to apply

If you feel excited by this role and believe you have the necessary skills and experience to become a valued team member please apply here.  

The deadline for applying for this role is:  Thursday 16 May 2024 at 5pm

There may be two interviews for this role with successful applicants being invited to attend the first interview on:

First interview: 28 May 2024 which will be held in person at Stranmillis University College, Belfast.

The DofE are commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people.   All successful applicants will be required to undergo an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. (e.g. DBS/PVG or similar), including references covering any gaps of employment, confirm eligibility to work in the UK and complete a health check.

If you would like to access the application form in a different format or if you would like any assistance that might help improve your experience while completing the application, please contact us by email recruitment@dofe.org