ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE:

· Experience of strategic development and partnership management within the VCSE or public sector.
· Track record of community engagement and place-based working.
· Understanding of infrastructure support needs of VCSE organisations.
· Experience facilitating co-production, consultation, or participatory events.
· Familiarity with diversity, equality, and youth inclusion approaches.

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE::

· Knowledge of Hartlepool’s communities and the wider Tees Valley context.
· Experience with policy development or strategy creation within a community setting.
· Experience working with cross-sector advisory forums or networks.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

· Strong interpersonal skills, able to build trust across a wide range of stakeholders.
· Excellent facilitation, presentation, and communication skills.
· Project management and organisational planning experience.
· Ability to work flexibly, independently, and with emotional intelligence.

QUALIFICATIONS:

· Educated to degree level or equivalent relevant experience in community development, social policy, public administration, or related fields.

To lead the development of the Hartlepool Opportunity Partnership (HOP) as the trusted Local Infrastructure Organisation (LIO) that champions the voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) sector within Hartlepool.
The role will be responsible for overseeing HOP’s commissioned work through Hartlepool Borough Council and Hartlepool Board on the “Plan for Neighbourhoods”. A key aspect of the role will be to lead the development of HOP as the Local Infrastructure Organisation in alignment with NACVA (National Association for Community and Voluntary Action) principles. This will involve meaningful consultation with the VCSE sector - actively listening to and engaging with organisations to understand their needs, challenges, and opportunities across Hartlepool.
Additionally, the postholder will drive the creation of a borough-wide VCSE Strategy. This strategy will be shaped by insight gathered from communities and through engagement with youth forums, diversity and inclusion networks, business forums, and thematic VCSE groups. The strategy will be designed to strengthen and develop the VCSE sector in Hartlepool, ensuring it is resilient, representative, and equipped to meet future demands.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Organisational and Strategic Development of HOP
· Lead the continued development of HOP’s governance, vision, and strategy.
· Position HOP as Hartlepool’s Local Infrastructure Organisation (LIO), trusted by communities and partner agencies across the town.
· Strengthen relationships across the VCSE sector and with local authority, health, business, and other stakeholders.
2. Plans for Neighbourhoods – Commission Oversight
· Coordinate the delivery of HOP’s commissioned work through the “Hartlepool Plan for Neighbourhoods”.
· Enable inclusive and effective community engagement to understand the priorities of neighbourhoods.
· Align local intelligence and priorities with local, regional and national strategies and policies.
3. VCSE Strategy for Hartlepool
· Coordinate the development of a long-term, community-informed and collaborative VCSE Strategy for Hartlepool.
· Lead and support with consultation, engagement, and listening exercises with VCSEs and other key stakeholders.
· Design and deliver visioning events to shape a shared direction for the VCSE’s role within Hartlepool.
· Ensure the strategy reflects the voices and aspirations of all of our communities across Hartlepool.
4. Advisory and Engagement Networks
· Work with HOP’s advisory structures to strengthen sector collaboration and ensure inclusion.
· Engage and support thematic VCSE groups, including:
o Youth voice groups
o Diversity networks and representatives
o Business Networks
o VCSE themed and locality-based groups
· Facilitate communication, shared learning, and co-production so it is embedded within HOP and across Hartlepool.
5. Operational and Team Leadership
· Manage and/or oversee partnerships, staff and associates engaged in delivering HOP’s core and commissioned work.
· Oversee project planning, budgets, monitoring, and evaluation in line with the requirements of funders and HOP
· Ensure HOP’s work is underpinned by our core values of inclusion, collaboration, and integrity.