Managing Director

• A unique opportunity to join a mission-led ecology and conservation company.
• An established online B2B and B2C business, with a global customer base.

About Our Client

NHBS is an entrepreneurial, product-led online B2B and B2C business dedicated to supporting the wildlife, ecology and conservation sectors through an extensive range of products. These currently include supplying, designing and manufacturing conservation equipment, the most comprehensive online catalogue of field guides and nature-related books in the world, and two widely respected magazines (British Wildlife, and Conservation Land Management). Founded in 1985 and based in Devon, NHBS has grown from a pioneering start-up into a £7 million revenue global leader with 45 colleagues. NHBS serves a diverse and international customer base that spans individual naturalists, NGOs, universities and research institutions, the construction industry, ecological consultancies and government agencies.

With an established reputation, NHBS is privately owned and well capitalised, allowing it to take a long term view of how the company can play its part in supporting work to protect and restore biodiversity and ecosystems in the UK, and globally.

Job Description

• Leading the management team in the day to day running of the business in line with the goals and vision set by the board
• Ensuring effective implementation of board decisions
• Regularly reviewing the operational and financial performance and strategic direction of the business, recommending to the board any changes or corrective actions as appropriate
• Preparing, with the management team, the commercial and operational strategy and strategic plan to recommend to the board
• Identifying and developing plans to recommend to the board which deliver sustainable, profitable sales growth whilst ensuring operational resilience and flexibility in the business model
• Creating a work environment and culture that focuses on fulfilling the company's mission, vision, and values, as set by the board
• Preparing, with the finance manager and involving the management team, the annual budget (including operating and capital expenditures) to recommend to the board, together with periodic budget re-forecasts or any other material changes to the budget
• Regularly reviewing the organisational structure and recommending to the board changes as appropriate
• Together with the Non-Executive Chair, developing the roles and responsibilities of the management team, including clear delegation of the MD's authorities
• Developing company policies, with the HR manager, for board approval, and ensuring they are implemented and operating effectively
• Maintaining awareness of, and reporting to the board on, the competitive market landscape, growth opportunities and industry developments
• Together with the Non-Executive Chair, providing coherent leadership of the company, including representing the company to customers, suppliers, government, shareholders, financial institutions, employees, the media, the community and the public
• Keeping the Non-Executive Chair informed on all important matters

The Successful Applicant

• Genuinely passionate about conservation and ecology. This may be demonstrated through either professional or personal activities
• Experience of working within an entrepreneurial private business and of working collaboratively with the board and shareholders
• Experience as a company director advantageous but not essential, ability to demonstrate understanding of governance best practices is important
• Exposure to low margin business models sourcing and selling finished goods on-line.
• Balance entrepreneurial, results-driven mindset with appropriate attention to, and need for, risk management, internal controls, policies and procedures
• Experience of developing the long-range strategy for a business to ensure sustainable, profitable top line growth with improving margins, supported by the commercial, operational and financial plans to implement and deliver the strategy
• Experience of developing and delivering sales growth in UK and international markets.
• Experience of building operational resilience in organisations and leading teams through cultural change
• Collaborative, with excellent communication skills and the ability to inspire and provide leadership to all colleagues and to motivate and empower senior managers
• Ability to work under pressure and flex from strategic to tactical as required
• Strong knowledge of financial concepts and appreciation of the implications of commercial and operational decision

What's on Offer

A unique opportunity for personal fulfilment and career development. The successful candidate will be able to combine a commercial leadership role with their passion for wildlife, ecology and conservation.

An opportunity to live and work in Totnes, Devon for a business with international reach.

 

Where specific UK qualifications are required we will take into account overseas equivalents. All third party applications will be forwarded to Michael Page.

 Ref Code: MPGO0720246475185Z