Ricky Aaron Murray
Newcastle
Summary
Accomplished professional with expertise in leadership and staff management, project management, and strategic planning. Demonstrates proficiency in securing funding bids, stakeholder engagement, and relationship building. Skilled in risk management, safeguarding, and data analysis using QLIK and CRM systems. Advocates for equality, diversity, and inclusion while ensuring compliance with GDPR regulations. Committed to organisational development through effective strategy implementation and performance monitoring. Career goals include advancing IT infrastructure awareness to enhance operational efficiency.
An experienced and results-driven professional with over 20 years of experience in leadership, project management, and youth work, committed to driving positive social change and delivering high impact programs. A proven track record in overseeing diverse teams, developing effective strategies, and securing funding. Experience ranges from managing youth services to implementing customer relationship management systems, creating and leading successful campaigns, and providing guidance in complex environments. Passionate about fostering inclusive environments, developing talent, and implementing change to improve community well-being.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
16072
16072
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Young Peoples Service Manager
YMCA Northumberland
Ashington, Northumberland
05.2024 - Current
- Fostered strong relationships with clients through excellent customer service skills.
- Liaised with suppliers for smooth operation of daily activities without interruption or delay due to lack of resources.
- Established clear lines of communication, fostering harmonious working environments.
- Coordinated staff development training of NVQ Level 2/3 to Improve overall service delivery.
- Designed and implemented CRM system to replace outdated Upshot system
- Improve data collection/efficiency
- Identified trends in data to help inform decision-making processes for funding and marketing
- Used data visualisation tool, Qliksense, for insightful reporting/data analysis communication.
Expansion Joint Fitter
Radflex Contract Services
05.2023 - 05.2024
- Developed NVQ Level 2 program for expansion joint fitting sector, ensuring industry standards are met.
- Performed labor-intensive work alongside developing new training procedures for company.
- Managed client expectations and delivered projects on time and within budget.
- Collaborated with various stakeholders to enhance training and ensure adherence to safety standards
Head of Families and Parenting Service
Children North East
10.2021 - 05.2023
- Overseen successful planning, delivery and monitoring of 12 different projects and funding streams with a staff team of 30
- Implemented improvements to CiviCRM and retrained/refocused staff focus
- Managed and developed Families and Parenting service in line with Children North Easts strategic plan, contractual agreements
- Joint Locality Lead for Newcastle Council Inner West
- Led the service in compliance with Children North East policies, procedures, and quality standards
- Improved monitoring and evaluation activities for programs to ensure agreed outcomes were met
- Contributed to the annual review of the service and budget
- Prepared and provided regular reports to Children North East, partners, and external agencies
- Led the recruitment and selection process for the team
- Implemented quality assurance systems to maintain service excellence
- Served as a designated safeguarding lead and provided training to staff
- Continued management of CiviCRM system
Young Peoples Service Manager
Children North East
01.2020 - 10.2021
- Improved response times, resulting in higher client satisfaction rates.
- Strengthened stakeholder relationships through regular updates with clear communication.
- Guided development of project objectives, established clear performance expectations.
- Fostered positive work environment, enhanced team productivity substantially.
- Integrated new technologies into existing systems for improved functionality.
- Steered teams through complex project phases
- Navigated through COVID, digitized all services within 3 weeks to successful completion.
- Continuous overview/maintenance of CiviCRM system
Data Information and Knowledge lead
Children North East
04.2019 - 01.2020
- Liaised with service Leads to identify data collection needs and develop tailored solutions for each service.
- Led the implementation of CiviCRM, transitioning from the previous spreadsheet systems, to streamline data management and reporting processes.
- Created standardised data collection templates and reporting formats to ensure consistency across departments.
- Developed and maintained data dashboards and reports, enabling real-time insights and supporting program evaluation.
- Managed the organisation’s annual impact report, automating processes for data collection and reporting.
- Designed and provided organisation wide training and support to staff on effective data entry and CRM functionality.
- Identified gaps in data collection and worked with teams to ensure comprehensive data capture across all services.
- Collaborated with IT and compliance teams to ensure data governance and adherence to GDPR (acting as the DPO).
- Regularly reviewed and refined processes, implementing continuous improvements based on feedback and emerging needs.
- Worked closely with GMCVO who offered yearly support packages
Lead Practitioner Volunteers
Children North East
01.2017 - 04.2019
Project Coordinator National Citizen Service
Catch 22
10.2012 - 01.2017
Youth project Manager (Full time)
City of Sunderland Council
05.2009 - 09.2012
Education
Acumen social leadership fellowship - Social Leadership
Acumen
United Kingdom 06.2021 - 05.2022
Level 5 diploma in Management & Leadership - Management
NVQ
Newcastle upon TyneMA - Youth and Community Work
Durham University
DurhamCommunity And Youth Work -
Durham University
Durham06.2010
A1 NVQ Assessors award -
Sunderland Youth Development Group
Sunderland03.2010
NVQ Level 3 Youth And Community Work - Social Sciences
Sunderland Youth Development Group
03.2010
NVQ Level 2 Youth And Community Work -
Sunderland Youth Development Group
2009
BTEC National Diploma Popular Music -
Sunderland College
06.2001
BTEC 1st Diploma Performing Arts -
Sunderland College
06.1999
Skills
Leadership and Staff Management
Project Management
Funding Bids & Securing Resources
Stakeholder Engagement & Relationship Building
Risk Management & Safeguarding
Data Analysis & Reporting (QLIK, CRM Systems)
Mentoring & Training (NVQ Level 2 & 3 Youth Work)
Excellent Communication Skills (Written and Verbal)
Organisational Development and Strategy Implementation
Strategic Planning & Performance Monitoring
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Advocacy
- Knowledge of CRM systems
- Data analysis proficiency
- Understanding of GDPR regulations
- IT infrastructure awareness
Affiliations
- Musician
- Attending Concerts
- Hedera Hashgraph
- Football
- Movies
- Wrestling
Languages
German
Intermediate
Timeline
Young Peoples Service Manager
YMCA Northumberland
05.2024 - Current
Expansion Joint Fitter
Radflex Contract Services
05.2023 - 05.2024
Head of Families and Parenting Service
Children North East
10.2021 - 05.2023
Acumen social leadership fellowship - Social Leadership
Acumen
06.2021 - 05.2022
Young Peoples Service Manager
Children North East
01.2020 - 10.2021
Data Information and Knowledge lead
Children North East
04.2019 - 01.2020
Lead Practitioner Volunteers
Children North East
01.2017 - 04.2019
Project Coordinator National Citizen Service
Catch 22
10.2012 - 01.2017
Youth project Manager (Full time)
City of Sunderland Council
05.2009 - 09.2012
Level 5 diploma in Management & Leadership - Management
NVQ
MA - Youth and Community Work
Durham University
Community And Youth Work -
Durham University
A1 NVQ Assessors award -
Sunderland Youth Development Group
NVQ Level 3 Youth And Community Work - Social Sciences
Sunderland Youth Development Group
NVQ Level 2 Youth And Community Work -
Sunderland Youth Development Group
BTEC National Diploma Popular Music -
Sunderland College
BTEC 1st Diploma Performing Arts -
Sunderland College