Continuous Improvement Manager

Today, 12 children and young people will be diagnosed with cancer. We’ll stop at nothing to make sure they get the right care and support at the right time.  

• Salary: in London: £47,304 / Out of London: £44,753
• Hours: up to 35 hours
• Contract type: fixed term - up to 24 months.
• Location:  we really don’t mind, working anywhere in the UK from home would be fine.  There will be occasional travel to meetings in the UK (mainly in London and Bristol so you need to be able to travel there.) Depending on your location you may be able to work in a hybrid way in our Bristol or London office
• Closing date: 20 October 2024
• Week commencing interview date: 4 November 2024

Change lives in a life-changing career

When a child or young person is diagnosed with cancer, their whole world can feel like it’s falling apart. Independence is taken and confidence is stolen. Stability no longer exists. The future suddenly feels uncertain.

The impact of cancer on young lives is more than medical. That’s why we exist. Our specialist social workers help children and young people with cancer and their families navigate the emotional and practical impact of cancer. We remove barriers, solve problems and prioritise wellbeing. And we stop at nothing to make sure they get the right care and support at the right time.

We challenge the systems and policies that surround children and young people, we highlight gaps and campaign for change. Because we know what a better future could look like. And we know what we need to do to make that future a reality. We need to push harder, reach further and work smarter. And we need the right people on our team to help us get there. People like you.

About the role

This is an awesome role focussed on improving our ways of working and processes when it comes to those who support us. We want all of our supporters to have a first class experience when they decide to donate their time and/or money to supporting children and young people with cancer and their families. However we know that as an organisation we have more to do to make this happen and the time is now.

Working in Income Generation, this role will take a recently conducted diagnostic carried out by a business improvement consultant and not only work through the next steps but make change happen, prioritising the areas with the biggest wins. This role really will have a lasting legacy in the organisation.

We're not just looking for someone to map change, this person will lead operational design and process re-engineering that transforms the Income Generation directorate and it's workforce into high achievers. 

You’ll be based within the Project Management Office (PMO), a supportive team of professionals that lead transformational change across the organisation as well as corporate planning. You’ll also have close relationship with the Head of Planning and Strategy in Income Generation as well as the Associate Director Supporter Engagement.

This role is subject to a criminal record check. In the event of a successful application a basic criminal record check will be completed.

What will I be doing?

No two days are the same at Young Lives vs Cancer. So, summarising your ‘day to day’ isn’t easy. Here are some of the main things you’ll be doing, but you’ll find more details in the job description.

• Building on the diagnostics carried out already within Income Generation directorate to optimise organisational design and scope improvements. 
• Using the diagnostics to identify pain areas, develop a sequenced plan to tackle these issues and then implement the plan to improve performance, processes and services i.e. “getting hands dirty”.
• Embedding a culture of improvement in the organisation and developing these capabilities within the workforce.
• All of these activities will involve facilitating workshops, engaging audiences with tailored communications, debating and negotiating ideas with leaders, managing governance, risks and dependencies, evaluating progress etc. 

What do I need? 

The key skills we’re looking for in this role are:

• Experience of delivering transformational change by using process improvement principles & methodologies such as TQM, Kaizen, Lean Six Sigma to design services and processes that deliver value, efficiency, higher quality, lower costs and better results
• Ability to do big picture thinking and drive the change that is needed, don’t sit back and react to the change that is happening.
• Challenging directly with assertive communication style balanced with caring deeply through consultative and listening skills. 
• Being curious,  looking beyond the obvious to get the real picture.
• Being proactive to get stuff done but in a flexible way, not being tied to a solution and having a healthy dose of pragmatism
• Strong analytical and evaluation skills.
• Creative thinker and ability to encourage innovation amongst colleagues
• Ability to deal with ambiguity and make smart decisions with limited information and changing priorities as well as support people to define issues.

What will I gain?

For people to reach their full potential, they need the right environment. As a member of Team Young Lives, you’ll be made to feel supported, valued and appreciated. Here’s how we do it:

• Flexible working: we’re open to working hours outside of 9 - 5 and we can talk through your flexibility requirements at interview stage
• Wellbeing days: four days a year to do what works for you – from catching up on training to going for a walk
• Generous annual leave allowance
• Great family/caring leave entitlements
• Enhanced pension
• Access to our employee savings scheme

To find out more about our benefits package, have a look on our website

Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

At Young Lives vs Cancer, we recognise that opportunities for too many people remain a condition of their sex, ethnicity, class, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation – or a combination. This has never been acceptable to us as an organisation. We don’t just accept difference, we value it, celebrate it, nurture it and we thrive because of it.

We’re on a journey to be reflective of the diverse children, young people and families we support. We know we aren’t there yet, and we’re passionately committed to taking actions and making changes to be a truly diverse, inclusive and equitable organisation. This includes taking anti-oppressive action and removing barriers in our recruitment practices. We particularly welcome applications from members of minoritised communities. Our Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging strategy will tell you more.

We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. CVs can be uploaded, but we won't be able to view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, we ask you to fully complete the work history sections of the online application form for us to be able to assess you quickly, fairly and objectively.

Accessibility

We’re committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we’ll always aim to be as accommodating as possible.  Please let us know in your application form of any adjustments or access requirements we could make to help you with the application process and interview.