Chair - Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas)

London

£120,000 - £130,000 pro rata for two to three days per week

Acas is an independent Non-Departmental Public Body which is sponsored and largely funded by BEIS.  It has a statutory responsibility to promote the improvement of employment relations and to provide conciliation services to people who have made or may make a claim to an Employment Tribunal, though its entire work remit is much wider. Acas not only produces statutory Codes of Practice and advice and guidance to help employers, it also provides impartial and expert advice through its helpline and online services and offers conciliation and training services. It facilitates a hugely important role in influencing employment policy and debate on work place issues.

Acas plays a key role ensuring both large and small businesses are effective and productive; a critical service to ensure Great Britain’s ongoing economic prosperity and success. Acas has evolved to diversify its service offering by opening new channels through which employers and employees can access support and guidance to resolve work place issues. A significant transformation programme aimed at delivering a broader range of services to businesses and employees at the lowest cost to the taxpayer is underway.

Acas is seeking to appoint a new Chair to provide leadership to the council and drive the organisation through the next stage of its evolution. The Chair must stay true to the body’s values, whilst delivering services in an efficient and customer-focused way.

Role:

• Leading the Council in setting the strategic direction for the organisation, and supporting the Chief Executive to deliver Acas’ strategic and business plans and effectively discharge its statutory responsibilities, taking account of the Government’s wider strategic priorities
• Leading the Council in addressing key employment relations issues and promoting good practice in Britain’s workplaces
• Representing Acas in discussions with Ministers and forging strong relations with Whitehall, Parliament and social partners, including the business community, unions and wider stakeholders

Person:

• Strong employment relations experience from either a private or public sector background; a level of expertise in their sector and a proven track record of leadership at senior level securing strategic change
• Communications and relationship building skills and the authority to inspire confidence and credibility across Acas’ many complex and varied stakeholders
• Sound judgement to be able to maintain Acas’ statutory independence and impartiality while maintaining the confidence of ministers and maximising the organisation’s impact on driving GB growth and productivity

For further information and to view the full Job Description and Person Specification, please visit:

www.odgers.com/73119

Closing date: 22 August 2019

Board members are subject to the Cabinet Office’s code of conduct for board members of public bodies which also requires us to understand and comply with these principles. 

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/409604/code-of-conduct_tcm6-38901.pdf