Charity chief officer jobs

Join the award winning Independent Society of Musicians

Central London  - Assistant to the Chief Executive and Assistant Company Secretary

28 hours per week – Circa £45K pro rata

The award-winning ISM is the dynamic, change making professional body  representing musicians. With a current membership of over 11,000, the ISM is known for its wide range of services to its members from legal to health and wellbeing. We are also known for our campaigning work on issues from music education to AI and Brexit.

The ISM is now looking for a highly experienced Administrator and Secretary to work alongside the Chief Executive. You will have very strong administrative skills as well as advanced knowledge of using Microsoft office packages such as Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint. You must have experience of ensuring good governance at Board level including  preparing Board papers and drafting and circulating Board minutes. This is a critical part of the role as well as drafting a wide variety of correspondence.

You will also be responsible for aspects of risk management such as health and safety. The Chief Executive is a senior leader in the music sector so you will need to be able to demonstrate absolute loyalty, discretion and confidentiality as well as excellent common sense and good judgement.

If possible you should have a music background.

You will have at least 5 years’ experience working  in Governance/ Administration or as a PA/ Secretary and will be used to working to competing deadlines with high levels of accuracy. You will be joining a professional staff team who are based in Bayswater, London. The role is 28 hours per week.

For a full job description for this role please visit the ISM website.

To apply please send a CV and covering letter saying why you are right the person for the job to membership team email address.

Closing date is Monday 20th July at 9.30am. Interviews will take place face-to-face and applications generated by AI will not be considered

The People Matter Trust is a Christian Charity based in Eastbourne helping jobseekers reach their full potential.  The organisation gained the Queens Award for Voluntary Service in 2022 and is Matrix accredited. The Board of Trustees are seeking to recruit a Chief Executive Officer for a position that will become vacant due to retirement during the autumn of 2026. The post will be fulltime (35 hours per week).

We are looking for someone who can:

• Lead strategically while maintaining a strong operational awareness
• Build financial sustainability through diverse income streams
• Develop and manage partnerships across sectors, including Churches and para-Church organisations
• Ensure strong governance, safeguarding and risk management
• Lead with integrity, emotional intelligence and sound judgement

This role is about building on strong foundations to strengthen what works, creating stability and enabling the organisation to grow safely and sustainably.

If you are a thoughtful, values-led leader who can balance ambition with realism and are motivated by the opportunity to lead an organisation where the work is both professional and person-centred, we would love to hear from you. 

Under the 2010 Equality Act, schedule 9, there is a Genuine Occupational Requirement for the Senior Management Team (CEO and Director of Operations), and Board of Trustees to be practising Christians, to ensure the protection of our strong Christian ethos and values.

People Matter is an inclusive employer.  However potential applicants should be aware that our office premises are located on 2nd floor of a multi-occupancy building with no lift and we are unable to accommodate wheelchair users.

The salary for this post is £41,000 per annum.

Closing date for receipt of applications is midnight on Friday 3rd July 2026

Interviews will be held during the period 20th to 21st July 2026.

Registered Charity number: 1062467 

Cerebra is the national charity dedicated to improving the lives of children with neurological conditions and their families. We provide vital research, support, and practical solutions that empower families facing complex challenges.

With an annual income of £3 million and a headcount of 68 employees, we have ambitious plans to double our income between 2025 and 2027, ensuring we can extend our impact, reach more families, and drive real change. To achieve this, we are investing in fundraising innovation, income generating ventures, and strategic partnerships, alongside enhancing our brand to increase our national recognition.

Our work is underpinned by our values ensuring that everything we do aligns with our mission to create a better world for children with neurological conditions.

This is an incredibly exciting time to join Cerebra, as we are preparing to launch our new strategy and brand. The COO is a vital leadership role that will support the drive towards even greater impact for children and families across the UK.

Our Services

Sleep Advice Service

Cerebra understands that if you have a child that doesn’t sleep, the whole family suffers. Many children with neurological conditions suffer from disrupted sleep. Our sleep advice service provides bespoke advice and support so that everyone can get a good night’s sleep.

Legal Rights Service

Our Legal Rights Service provides help and support to families of children with neurological conditions when they are faced with barriers and difficulties in accessing statutory support services they are entitled to. The service provides information on their legal entitlements.

Book and Toy Library Service

Our specialist postal lending library contains a wide range of books for both adults and children, plus a selection of sensory toys specifically chosen for children with a neurological condition.

Innovation and Product Design Service

Our Innovation Service designs and builds bespoke products that cater to the specific needs of children with neurological conditions. The aim of the service is to make products that are desirable and exciting, therefore promoting social inclusion, peer acceptance and enabling children to participate in everyday activities that are so often close to them.

Information Products

Cerebra publishes different information products to help families with a child with a neurological condition. Our information products offer comprehensive, up-to-date support and research-driven strategies to assist families with a wide range of issues.

Buzgi and Toy Adaptation Service

Cerebra designs and builds bespoke assistive equipment for disabled children, this includes creating custom mobility aids, switch‑adapted toys, and other innovative solutions to help children access play, learning, and independence.

The Bugzi - a mini powered wheelchair for children offers many children their first experience of independent mobility. It uses either a joystick or switches and adaptable seating for complex needs, and helps develop spatial awareness, confidence, and early mobility skills. The Bugzi is available through a national loan scheme.

Additionally, we operate commercial services (including a web shop) to supplement our income to support children and their families.

Our services are provided to families free of charge.

Job Title:

Chief Operating Officer

Reports To:

Chief Executive Officer

Direct reports:

3 senior managers (Finance (headcount of 3), HR (headcount of 1), IT (headcount of 5))

Purpose of the Role:

The Chief Operating Officer will play a vital role in supporting the Chief Executive Officer, Board and Leadership Team to deliver Cerebra’s vision and ambitious strategic aims. The Chief Operating Officer will provide strategic leadership and operational management across key areas within Cerebra including:

• Operational Systems
• Governance
• Compliance
• Finance and Growth

This is a pivotal executive leadership role, responsible for driving organisational performance, sustainability and growth. The COO will translate Cerebra’s strategic ambitions into effective operational delivery, ensuring robust governance, financial stewardship and a high-performing, values-led culture.

As a trusted advisor to the CEO and Board, the COO will lead core operational services and commercial activity, enabling the charity to maximise impact and generate sustainable income in support of its charitable objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Executive Leadership

• Partner with the CEO and Board to deliver strategic priorities, growth and long-term sustainability
• Collaboration with the Director’s Group to ensure strategic alignment across the charity. The Director’s Group consists of:

            Chief Executive Officer

            Chief Operating Officer

            Director of Fundraising, Marketing and Communications

            Director of Research and Support Services

• Provide expert advice on finance, operations, commercial performance and organisational risk
• Lead organisational planning, business continuity, and operational resilience
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability and inclusion

Finance, Commercial & Sustainability

• Lead financial strategy, planning and performance, ensuring long-term sustainability
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, cashflow and financial controls
• Lead and develop Cerebra’s strategy for commercial income , ensuring alignment with charitable objectives
• Support funding growth through strong financial insight and business case development
• Ensure robust financial governance, audit and compliance

Operations & Infrastructure

• Lead and strengthen operational functions including HR, IT, governance and administration
• Ensure effective systems, processes and infrastructure that enable growth, efficiency and impact
• Oversee procurement, contracts, facilities, and organisational compliance
• Drive innovation and value for money across operations

People & Culture

• Champion a positive, inclusive and high-performing organisational culture
• Oversee HR strategy, workforce planning and leadership development
• Ensure compliance with employment law and best practice
• Promote wellbeing, engagement and organisational effectiveness

Digital & Technology

• Provide strategic oversight of IT, data and digital development
• Ensure systems are secure, resilient and aligned to organisational needs
• Leverage data and technology to improve insight, decision-making and organisational impact

Governance, Risk & Compliance

• Ensure effective governance frameworks, risk management and regulatory compliance
• Support the CEO and Board with high-quality reporting and strategic insight
• Lead safeguarding, data protection and organisational risk strategy
• Drive a strong culture of accountability and ethical practice

Leadership & Management

• Lead and develop a small senior team across finance, HR and IT
• Build capability, strengthen performance, and embed a collaborative culture
• Model Cerebra’s values and leadership behaviours

Key Attributes

• Strategic and commercially minded leader with strong operational delivery experience
• Strong financial leadership and business acumen
• Proven track record of driving income growth, sustainability and organisational performance
• Skilled in governance, risk and stakeholder engagement

Please see attached job description for the Person Specification.

Chief Executive - King George and Queen's Hospitals Charity (KGQHC)

Location: Hybrid, with strong on-site presence
Salary: £80,000 - £100,000
Type: Full-time

About King George and Queen's Hospitals Charity

King George and Queen's Hospitals Charity plays a vital role in supporting patients, staff and communities across Barking & Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge. The charity funds projects that go beyond NHS provision - investing in equipment, innovation, environments, research and staff wellbeing to enhance patient care and experience.

Now operating as an independent organisation, the charity is entering a pivotal phase - with the opportunity to build on strong foundations, deepen community connections and significantly expand its impact. This is an opportunity to shape a growing NHS charity at a defining moment in its journey - building a confident, sustainable organisation that will improve health outcomes and experiences for thousands of people every year.

What You Can Look Forward To

As Chief Executive, you will lead the charity through its next phase of development - balancing immediate delivery with long-term strategic ambition.

You will:

• Shape Strategy and Build for the Future
• Strengthen Fundraising and Income Generation
• Lead and Develop a High-Performing Team
• Enhance Grant-Making and Impact
• Build Trusted Partnerships and Profile
• Strengthen Governance and Operations

Why This Role Matters

• Your work will have a direct and visible impact on patient care and community health
• You will build an organisation that is values-led, inclusive and sustainable
• You will operate at the heart of a complex and rewarding NHS environment
• Your leadership will leave a lasting legacy across local communities and healthcare services

About You

We are looking for a values-driven leader who combines strategic vision with a hands-on, practical approach.

Skills and Experience

• Significant senior leadership experience (CEO, Director or equivalent) in a charity, public service or similarly complex environment
• A track record of leading organisations through growth, transition or transformation
• Strong understanding of fundraising and income generation strategy
• Experience of working with Boards and governance structures
• Credibility in stakeholder management and external representation
• Financial and operational acumen, with the ability to build effective systems and infrastructure

Personal Attributes

• Strategic, thoughtful and future-focused
• Empathetic, resilient and emotionally intelligent
• Collaborative and inclusive in leadership style
• Comfortable operating at both strategic and operational levels
• A strong communicator with credibility across diverse audiences
• Passionate about improving health outcomes and community wellbeing

Recruitment Timeline

To ensure equitable access to information and uphold KGQHC's commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, the charity will be hosting a Q&A webinar in place of individual informal calls with the Chair/Outgoing CEO. We encourage all interested candidates to submit questions in advance, which will be addressed during the session. Please register your interest in attending this webinar on Thursday 9th July 2026 6.30-7.30pm and we will send you a link.

Application Deadline: 5pm Monday 22nd July 2026

First Interviews: w/c 17th August 2026

Final Interviews: w/c 24th August 2026

How to Apply

Charity People Ltd is acting as a recruitment agency advisor to KGQHC on this appointment. Interested candidates are invited to submit a CV to Senior Appointments at Charity Peopl and request a candidate pack in the first instance.

For an informal conversation about the role or if you have further questions prior to applying, please contact Fabrice Yala at Charity People

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability, and potential; please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so we can help make the application process work for you.

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.

We are looking for someone who is a qualified or part-qualified accountant (including qualified by experience) to take responsibiity for the full day-to-day running of the finance function, ensuring accurate financial records, strong controls and timely reporting.

You will have experience in a hands-on finance role and in producing management accounts and charity statutory returns. You'll have a strong accounting knowledge and good excel and accounting systems capability. Ideally, you'll have experience in small organisations in the charity or social impact sector and of business partnering.

Very importantly, you'll be collaborative and team oriented, able to manage competing priorities effectively and be adaptable and comfortable working in a fast paced and entrepreneurial environment.

You'll work closely with our part-time Finance Director to:

• deliver all core financial operations
• produce high quality management information
• maintain compliance with charity regulations
• support financial planning and decision making
• manage and analyse the financial performance of the charity's trading arm

Key responsibilities:

• day to day financial management 
• management accounts and reporting
• support of budgeting and forecasting processes
• financial control and compliance
• year end audit preparation and liaison
• compliance with fund and grant accounting requirements
• payroll 
• HMRC compliance including gift aid returns
• trading financial management and analysis
• system and process improvements
• stakeholder suport
• support to Finance Director

About Us

Slade Gardens Community Play Association is a small registered charity that operates a 1.25-acre staffed adventure playground in the heart of Lambeth. Our open-access service welcomes children and young people aged 0-21, providing them with the freedom to come and go independently while enjoying a diverse and stimulating play environment designed to support exploration, creativity and development.

About the Role

This is a genuinely hands-on, hybrid role. In this small organisation, one person will carry operational playwork leadership alongside fundraising, safeguarding, finance, governance, line management and community partnership. If you’d love being out in the playground itself as much as building the plans and partnerships that keep it thriving, we would like to hear from you.

Please get in touch for the full job description, or if you have any questions. We look forward to hearing from you!

Last year, 124,000 young people approached their council for help because they were homeless or at risk of homelessness. The figure has risen year-on-year for eight consecutive years, highlighting the scale of a challenge that continues to affect young people across the UK. Yet we believe the resources, expertise and influence already exist within the built environment sector to help tackle youth homelessness. That is where LandAid comes in.

We bring together the UK property industry, harnessing its capital, assets, skills and networks to help end youth homelessness. We do this by awarding grants to frontline charities, providing financial support, brokering free professional advice and expertise, and creating opportunities for our partners to make a meaningful difference to the lives of young people.

The Chief Financial and Operating Officer plays a critical role in helping us achieve our ambitions. A key member of the Leadership Team, you will ensure we have the financial insight, operational effectiveness and governance frameworks needed to deliver our strategy successfully. A key priority will be to provide high-quality management information, analysis and forecasting that supports confident decision-making across the organisation.

You will also help us continue to strengthen our internal operations, driving continuous improvement and ensuring our systems, processes and technology support a more efficient, evidence-led organisation. Working closely with our Board committees, you will oversee financial stewardship, risk management and governance, helping to ensure LandAid remains resilient and well positioned for future growth and impact. Beyond finance, you will oversee our outsourced HR and IT functions, ensuring we receive high-quality and cost-effective support and have robust systems and policies in place, while also helping us continue our commitment to being an excellent place to work.

We are looking for a qualified accountant who brings senior finance leadership experience, either at executive director level within an organisation of similar scale or at deputy director level within a larger organisation. Experience within the charity sector would be valuable, as would knowledge of the built environment, capital investment or social investment. Most importantly, we are looking for someone who combines technical expertise with a collaborative leadership style; someone colleagues trust, learn from and enjoy working with.

Diversity in all its forms matters to us, and we especially welcome applications from qualified women, people who are from black and minority communities, who are LGBTQ+, who live with a disability, and/or haven’t been privately educated.

Our people are our greatest asset and you would be joining an exceptional team united by a shared commitment to ending youth homelessness. If that mission resonates with you, we would love to hear from you.

To download a full copy of the candidate brief and learn more about the role, please click the ‘Apply’ button, where you will be redirected to the website of our recruitment partner, Tall Roots. 

Applications should include a CV and cover letter (no more than two pages), explaining your motivation for applying for the role, along with how you meet the Knowledge & Experience section of the Person Specification.

Managing Director – YMCA Cornwall

Lead Change. Inspire Futures. Make a Difference.

YMCA Cornwall, a respected and growing local charity, is seeking a visionary Managing Director to drive our mission: ensuring every young person has the foundation for a safe, healthy, and fulfilling life. Based in Penzance, we support young people aged 16–24 at risk of homelessness, providing supported accommodation, life skills, and mentoring, as well as vital services for the wider community.

About the Role:

• Provide strategic and operational leadership to a financially robust, values-driven organisation.
• Oversee and innovate youth services and supported housing, ensuring person-centred, safe, and effective delivery.
• Lead a talented team, foster a culture of inclusion and inspiration, and champion our values: seeking out, serving others, inspiring, speaking out, and welcoming all.
• Build strong partnerships with local authorities, funders, and community organisations, and represent YMCA Cornwall as a visible ambassador.
• Drive sustainable growth, manage budgets, and secure diverse funding streams.

What We Offer:

• Salary: £60,000–£65,000 + benefits
• 37.5 hours/week (flexible, some evenings/weekends)
• 34 days annual leave (including bank holidays)
• Pension, wellbeing support, and more
• Immediate start, permanent contract

Who We’re Looking For:

• Senior leadership experience in charity, public sector, or community settings
• Proven ability to lead teams, manage budgets, and deliver diverse services
• Strong strategic, communication, and relationship-building skills
• Values-driven, with a passion for empowering young people

Ready to lead the next chapter? Closing date:  midday, Friday 26th June 2026

YMCA Cornwall – Transforming our community so all young people can belong, contribute, and thrive.

An exceptional opportunity to lead an established, trusted & values-led organisation with a committed team and meaningful mission to champion unpaid carers and shape its next chapter. 

Chief Executive Officer 

Hours – 37.5 hours per week

Salary - £60-65,000 per annum FTE

About Us 

Carers Support Centre is a values-led charity working across Bristol and South Gloucestershire to support unpaid carers—people providing vital care to family and friends at home. We are widely recognised locally, regionally and nationally as a trusted and respected organisation. 

The Opportunity 

We are seeking a dynamic and inspiring Chief Executive Officer to lead the organisation into its next phase. Working closely with our Board of Trustees and staff team, you will shape our future direction at a pivotal time—when demand for support is rising and the voluntary sector faces increasing financial and operational pressures. 

This is a rare opportunity to build on a strong legacy and lead an organisation that makes a real and lasting difference every day. Unpaid carers are under growing pressure, and we are looking for a CEO who will: 

• Champion their rights and voices 

• Strengthen partnerships and influence across the system 

• Secure sustainable funding to support future growth 

Carers Support Centre is in a strong position—with a committed and talented team, a respected reputation, and a solid platform for development. This is an exciting moment for a new CEO to help shape what comes next. 

Main Duties 

The Chief Executive Officer will: 

• Lead the strategic direction, performance and day-to-day running of the organisation 

• Build and sustain strong partnerships and income streams across the health, care and voluntary sector 

• Ensure robust governance, financial management and safeguarding arrangements 

• Work closely with the Board to support effective leadership, decision-making and accountability 

• Inspire, lead and develop staff and volunteers to deliver high-quality, impactful services for carers 

• Act as a visible ambassador for the organisation, promoting its work and influence locally and beyond 

There’s lots more we could tell you, but why not apply and come and see for yourself.If you’d like any further information, please email Jen Tomkinson; Trustee  or our current CEO, Mike Coe  to arrange a mutually convenient time for a phone call. 

Are you a visionary leader ready to shape the future of a national charity supporting people with hearing and sight loss, as they look for their next Chief Executive Officer?

Location: Hybrid, working from Birmingham office 3 days per week
Salary: £90k
Contract: Permanent, full time 37 hours per week

BID Services is looking for its next Chief Executive Officer.

BID Services is a leading national charity supporting people who are deaf, hard of hearing, sight impaired, severely sight impaired, and those with dual sensory loss. They work alongside clients, their families, and carers to ensure they can access the opportunities, services, and information that matter most.

We are seeking a strategic, values driven CEO to lead the organisation into its next chapter. This is a hands-on leadership role and you will shape strategy, drive operational excellence, and ensure BID Services continues to grow its impact, reputation, and financial sustainability.

View this page in BSL by copying this link into your browser: https://youtu.be/99HS1GFOnQg?si=VYOnjxvzh8Ee_GEa

What you will do

• Provide visible leadership to the organisation, inspiring and motivating a multi-disciplinary team while fostering a high performing, inclusive, and collaborative culture.
• Translate strategy into action, delivering operational priorities and ensuring services meet the highest standards.
• Take responsibility for financial stability, new business, fundraising, and income generation, and embedding a sustainable funding model
• Act as the public face of BID Services, influencing the national conversation on sensory impairments, building partnerships, and engaging stakeholders across sectors
• Lead governance, risk management, compliance, safeguarding, and data protection, reporting to the Board and supporting trustees in their responsibilities.

Who we're looking for

• Proven senior leadership experience in the not-for-proit, social, or private sectors, with a track record of delivering strategy, growth, and change
• Commercial acumen, with experience securing funding, generating income growth, and managing budgets
• Skilled at partnership building, stakeholder engagement, and influencing policy or national agendas
• Experienced at Board level and able to lead and motivate teams while fostering a strong organisational culture
• Familiarity with working with people with a sensory impairment, those with disabilities or vulnerable adults
• Credible, confident, and collaborative, with the courage to make bold decisions and the energy to drive innovation

Additional Considerations

• Full time role, requirement to be Midlands-based (Birmingham) typically 3 days per week
• Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, wellbeing, and sustainable practices

This is an opportunity to lead a respected, impactful organisation where your leadership, vision, and energy will make a real difference in people's lives.

How to apply

Please send a copy of your profile or CV to Amelia Lee at Charity People, as the first step.

If your experience matches what we're looking for, we'll be in touch with further information on how to make your formal application.

Deadline: 9am on Thursday 25th June

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.

�� Could you be the next Chief Officer of Just Drop-In?

We're looking for an inspiring, values-driven leader to guide our much-loved charity in Macclesfield into its next chapter.

For 25 years, Just Drop-In has been a lifeline for young people 11–24yrs old across the north of Cheshire East. Every year, we support more than 1,000 children and young people through our Counselling, Mentoring, Wellbeing, and Parent Support Services — and the need has never been greater.

We're looking for someone who brings:

✅ Strong leadership experience

✅ Business awareness

✅ Safeguarding knowledge and experience

✅ Experience of working with children and young people and a genuine passion for helping them thrive

This is a rare opportunity to lead an organisation with deep roots in its community and a team that truly believes in its mission.

If this sounds like you — or someone you know — we'd love to hear from you.

�� Please see further information and how to apply by downloading the attached document or clicking redirect to recruiter. 

#Hiring #ChiefOfficer #Charity #YouthWork #Macclesfield #NonProfit #Leadership #JobOpportunity

Are you an experienced charity leader ready to drive strategy, sustainability and frontline impact for an organisation supporting vulnerable young people experiencing social/emotional/domestic difficulties in school?

Mentor link is seeking an exceptional Chief Executive Officer to lead our Stourport based charity into its next phase due to the retirement of the Founder and CEO. Strengthening financial resilience, governance, partnerships and service impact whilst delivering high-quality, mentoring support.

This is a pivotal senior leadership role with full strategic and operational accountability.

About Mentor link

Mentor link supports vulnerable young people experiencing social/emotional or domestic difficulties in schools across the West Midlands. Based in Stourport on Severn Worcestershire the position is full time  circa £60k per annum and permanent subject to 3 months’ probation.

Please see the full job description attached

At United for Global Mental Health, we are working towards a world where mental health support is accessible to everyone, everywhere – free from stigma and without restriction.

We are a small but highly influential organisation of around 20 passionate, diverse and expert individuals, and have a culture of creating the space and opportunities for them to lead their areas of expertise. Our strength lies in collaboration, internally and externally, and in our ability to turn insight into action. Kindness is our unofficial ethos.

The CEO is responsible for the overall leadership, management and performance of UnitedGMH. Reporting to the boards of UnitedGMH and the American Friends of United for Global Mental Health (AFUGMH), the CEO will set strategic direction, oversee delivery, and act as the organisation’s primary ambassador.

Key responsibilities include:

Strategic Leadership

• Lead in conjunction with the organisation’s senior staff the refinement and delivery of our global organisational strategy 2027-2030.
• Guide the organisation through periods of change, including strategy refresh and transformation.
• Draw on sector insight to ensure UnitedGMH remains at the forefront of global mental health advocacy.

Governance & Board Relationship

• Work closely with the boards of UnitedGMH and AFUGMH to ensure effective governance and decision-making.
• Oversee the preparation and sign-off of board papers; present regularly to the boards. 
• Identify, recommend and support the recruitment of new members of both boards. 
• Advise the boards on significant strategic decisions, including potential partnerships and organisational change.

Organisational Leadership

• Lead, support and inspire a high-performing and global team of approximately 20 staff.
• Where needed, oversee and support the delivery of multiple projects and programmes aligned with strategic priorities, in conjunction with the project leads.
• Foster a collaborative, kind, inclusive and values-driven culture that walks the talk on mental health.

External Engagement & Influence

• Represent the organisation with external partners, funders, policymakers and the wider sector. 
• Build and manage relationships with key donors.
• Strengthen and expand strategic partnerships globally.
• Champion the organisation’s mission and influence key stakeholders in different regions across the world.
• Act as the organisation’s global spokesperson and support staff in building their profile as spokespeople for the organisation.

Finance & Organisational Planning

• Identify and agree organisational objectives, develop strategic and operational plans, and lead their implementation with a high level of autonomy, while reporting to the boards. 
• Oversee organisational planning, budgeting, prioritisation and resource allocation to ensure delivery against strategic goals. 
• Ensure the organisation has sufficient and sustainable funding to deliver against agreed budgets and strategic priorities. 
• Maintain strong financial oversight and accountability, ensuring the organisation operates within budget and delivers across all agreed objectives. 
• Monitor organisational performance against agreed deliverables, evaluating outcomes and adjusting plans where necessary to mitigate risk or adverse consequences. 
• Ensure robust financial management, operational planning, and effective use of organisational resources across multiple programmes and projects. 
• Bring together and oversee complex, cross-organisational initiatives, ensuring projects are delivered effectively and on time. 
• Delegate effectively through senior leadership and management structures, maintaining a medium- and long-term strategic focus. 

Fundraising & External Income Generation

• Lead and support organisational fundraising strategy to secure sustainable and diversified income streams. 
• Build and maintain strong relationships with funders, donors, strategic partners and philanthropic stakeholders. 
• Successfully secure and oversee fundraising contributions to meet a target set annually with the boards. 
• Work with the boards and senior leadership team to identify new funding opportunities and strengthen long-term financial sustainability. 
• Ensure fundraising activities align with the organisation’s mission, values and strategic priorities. 
• Represent the organisation externally to enhance visibility, influence and support for UnitedGMH’s work globally. 

Risk, Compliance & Accountability

• Ensure strong organisational governance, compliance and risk management. 
• Proactively identify and escalate policy breaches or serious incidents. 
• Oversee finance, HR and operations functions in accordance with UK employment policies, and UK and US charity regulations.
• Act as the primary point of accountability to the boards and relevant regulatory bodies (including the Charity Commission and US authorities). 
• Take responsibility for organisational risks, decisions and outcomes.

Our Dream CEO

As a team, we came together to discuss what qualities we are hoping for in a new CEO and leader. We’d love applications from candidates who see themselves in the team’s descriptions below.

Our dream CEO…

• shows kindness towards all partners regardless of seniority, institution or country.

• continues to uphold and protect the organisational transparency the team values.

• is a heart- and mind-led fundraiser – treating donors like people and not merely a source of income.

• provides space for team members to lead in their areas, but also supports / acts as a sounding board when needed.

• knows how to strategically place mental health in uncommon spaces.

• is happy to be approached by, and communicate with, team members from all seniority levels across the team.

• is someone who understands what it is to manage a remote organisation, and is interested in making UnitedGMH the best workplace it can be.

• is someone who can think a few steps ahead, identify trends, and interpret these for what this means for the organisation.

• has a solid understanding of, and proven experience in, managing the ´backbone´ functions of an organisation (budgeting, risk management, governance etc).

• has an understanding of UN systems, global health and international development.

• appreciates and champions the value that lived experience and people from the global majority bring to the mental health advocacy space.

Please download and review the Job Pack for full details of the role. 

Unfortunately, we are not able to recruit team members in the following countries/regions: Afghanistan, Belarus, Central African Republic, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Myanmar (Burma), North Korea, Russia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine (specifically the occupied regions of Crimea, Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhya), Venezuela, Yemen, and Zimbabwe.

For non-UK candidates: Please note that you would be hired via Deel as an Employer of Record.

How to apply:

To apply, please submit your cover letter, outlining how you meet the responsibilities and candidate profile, and a CV, via the Charity Job site. Please note, we can only accept applications via Charity Job.

Interviews:

Interviews will take place remotely. There will be 2 interview rounds, and candidates shortlisted for the second interview will be invited to meet members of our wider team.

Manchester Central Foodbank is a busy Trussell Trust-affiliated food bank, with centres in Central, North, and East Manchester. We were established in Ardwick in 2013 by students at the Manchester Universities’ Catholic Chaplaincy, making us the first student-led food bank in the country. Since then we have grown significantly, expanding our weekly sessions into Harpurhey and Openshaw.

Our core aims are to deliver the best quality support that we can to the largest number of our neighbours in need, while working with partners and influencing and organising at a neighbourhood and citywide level to reduce and end the need for food banks in Manchester.

We currently support 16,000 people per year with nutritionally balanced 3-day food parcels. This is double the number of people we supported in the first year following the Covid-19 pandemic, and four times the number supported in 2019. We also provide financial inclusion support with advice workers in public sessions, access to energy vouchers, SIM cards, and other voucher or material support. We coordinate across a network of 200 active front-line referral agencies with the aim of ensuring everyone who accesses our service has appropriate, specialised, and ongoing support alongside the material provision that we provide.

We are active leaders in anti-poverty organising and community development, as convenors of the citywide Building an Anti-Poverty Community collective and aim to be key shapers and influencers of new strategies and policies, working closely to support and influence local government, NHS, education and research agendas in Manchester and more widely building upon our track record of successful anti-poverty partnership work, social value impact and Parliamentary influencing. Our core values are: care, partnership, dignity, partnership, anti-stigma and rights-based.

Key responsibilities
As Chief Executive Officer you will be the key senior staff leader for the charity. You will lead the team to ensure they have the resources, frameworks, and support to effect smooth day-to-day running of our frontline support service. You will provide a strong business management focus, through supporting the financial process, overall metrics and reporting, day to day HR and input for the external Payroll Team, Health and Safety, appropriate working conditions, and strategic planning and communications. 

As the senior lead you will also facilitate and support the Board of Trustees to develop and lead strategic development objectives and plans for transformation, and ensure the delivery and implementation of the charity’s overall strategy and specific focused strategies. You will develop and manage strategic relationships with stakeholders including Council, NHS, and other statutory partners and funders, corporate and social value funders and partners, and high-value and donors. You will also plan and lead fundraising strategies. 

You will be a key external interface for our community and partners.  You will do this by:

Staff/Board Leadership and Governance:

• Line managing a current team of operations staff, including those supporting the recruitment, training, and management of a large team of volunteers. 

• Building team spirit and employee engagement and offer.

• Leading and delivering regular staff performance and development reviews.

• Developing and delivering robust metrics and reporting to the board and staff team, through consistent monthly and quarterly reporting packs to the board of trustees.

• Ensuring all staff and volunteers are familiar and engaged with the charity’s long-term goals and objectives, and know how their work helps to implement these on the ground. Leading the development of induction packages and ongoing offers for staff and volunteers. You will be responsible for writing, implementation, and update of institutional policies as needed to staff and volunteers.

• Leading targeted volunteer recruitment strategies to maximise core delivery capacity through volunteer roles and prioritise staffing capacity to core charity operations.

• Ensure policies are kept current.

• Ensure recording and management of absence/leave.

• Ensure Health and Safety aspects of all organisational operations are compliant, in collaboration with the Board sponsor.

• Manage day to day financial input, through the Xero app, and ensure accurate and up-to-date financial reporting for the Board/Treasurer. This includes administering monthly payroll requests.

• Oversee training and personal development plans for staff and volunteers, as appropriate.

• Working with the Chair of Trustees to implement the charity’s strategic plan and structural development objectives.

• Develop and implement ongoing plans and actions to ensure operationally-appropriate and safe office, warehouse, and working spaces.

• Lead on development, modelling, and maintenance of service delivery standards, quality control, and ensuring frontline teams have the appropriate resources, support, and frameworks to deliver high quality and consistent support offers.

Foodbank Management:

• Support the Operations and Project Lead to deliver the smooth running of food bank sessions across multiple centres, ensuring an excellent standard of service across all centres, and seeking to continually develop our service in line with our goals to support the largest number of people with the best support we can while working to reduce and end the need for food banks in Manchester.

• Develop and build a new Delivery Strategy with the Chair of Trustees and Operations and Project Lead.

• Support the Operations and Project Lead and Warehouse and Logistics Coordinator to safely store and maintain optimal stock levels, maximise food donation levels and reduce food spend, develop and maintain relationships with community donors, and record incoming and outgoing stock, with the aim of ensuring that all centres are well stocked to provide as many varied, balanced, and nutritious and culturally-appropriate food parcels as necessary.

• Ensure compliance with the procedures set out in Manchester Central Foodbank’s policies, the Trussell Trust’s Operating Manual, and relevant statutory requirements at all times.

• Ensure our food bank centres provide a safe and dignified environment for clients, free from discrimination, judgement, and stigma.

Strategy and External Relationships:

• Working with the Chair of Trustees on development, monitoring, and implementation of the core charity strategy and sub-strategies. Ensuring the involvement and participation of the food bank’s staff, volunteers, external partners, and service users in all strategic planning and decision making, where appropriate.

• Support the Operations and Project Lead to work build strong relationships with referral partners and wider community and statutory networks of collaborators and support to ensure that our service users are able to access the maximum amount of support before, during, and after accessing our service to minimise the length and severity of financial crisis, maximise their incomes, and provide pathways to ongoing and longer-term support.

• Play an active role in strategic and convening spaces around our city and neighbourhoods to present the foodbank’s approach, bring more partners into our network, and influence policy and funding frameworks.

• Develop and manage a Corporate Relationships and Social Value strategy, including communications, networking, and relationship management.

• Lead on directing the charity’s external communications, including social media, in person, newsletters, company visits, and other content.

• Manage internal communications, including developing and delivering two-way team briefings with the board and staff/volunteers, biannual town halls or away days with board members and staff/volunteers, newsletters, and an open and collaborative, person-focused, and developmental culture within the organisation.

About you

Essential Experience and Knowledge:

• 5 years’ experience of leading a similar profiled charity or organisation and successful Board interaction.

• Experience of leading successful transformation and change for a charity and a strong developmental mindset and focus.

• Have led a team of 5 or more staff members to successful performance, demonstrating experience of coaching and individual development skills.

• Experience in developing and leading successful and engaged volunteering programmes and support.

• Full valid driving licence. 

• Proven experience of leading the development and delivery of strategy and sub-strategies to successful conclusion and fashioning evidenced business cases for current and new development projects.

• Leading multiple complex projects or services, balancing the needs and interests of a range of stakeholders.

• Experience of implementing rigorous reporting and evaluation practices on operations.

• Experience of managing day-to-day financial administration and reporting.

• Evidence of delivering clear metric dashboards and reports.

• Experience of high-quality implementation of Health and Safety and Safeguarding policies and a leadership practice that centres care for staff, volunteers, and service users. Safeguarding lead qualification is desirable but will provide training if not.

• Demonstrable knowledge and experience in HR processes and management.

• Experience in building and delivering strategic plans.

• Proven experience of effective problem solving and responding to crisis situations.

• A good working knowledge of the social welfare and political landscape in Manchester – or demonstrable experience in similar expertise and networking and an openness to learn and develop sector-specific knowledge.

• A nuanced and sensitive understanding of the complex reasons people attend food banks.

Desirable Experience and Knowledge:

• Partnering with and building relationships with Council, NHS, and other statutory partners and funders, corporate and social value partners and funders, high net worth donors, and fundraising through grant applications and individual/community donors.

• Experience of working collaboratively with stakeholders from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, faiths, and views. 

• Experience of handling safeguarding incidents, follow-ups, and debriefs with staff, volunteers, and service users.

• Demonstrated success in delivering communications strategies for internal and external stakeholders, including social media and press content and campaigns.

Personal Skills and Attributes:

• An individual who embodies the values of Manchester Central Foodbank in their core professional practice and personal approach to their work.

• An empathetic and care-centred approach and the ability to centre the experience and outcomes of people from marginalised or socially-excluded backgrounds in core decision-making and prioritisation.

• A leader who takes ownership, accountability, and responsibility to drive an organisation and team forward with a developmental mindset.

• A highly self-motivated and proactive person who centres collaboration and consensus with the staff team, volunteers and Board of Trustees in their approach.

• Able to develop strategy and plans and translate strategy to actionable delivery and developmental projects.

• A high level of literacy and communication.

• A high level of numeracy and ability to analyse data.

• Strong leadership attributes to build engagement and performance with the team.

• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to motivate, persuade, and coach staff and volunteers.

• Excellent personal organisation skills and the ability to manage multiple conflicting priorities and deadlines.