Charity chief officer jobs

Role purpose

The Head of Finance is a key member of the Charity’s senior management team, working closely with the chief executive, directors, and trustees. The head of finance will lead the day-to-day financial operations of the Charity, including budgeting, reporting, audit, payroll, and pensions. Managing the finance manager and management accountant, the Head of Finance will ensure the effective running of the finance department and smooth day-to-day processes. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, you will be a key advisor on strategic financial decisions, balancing meticulous operational control with strategic planning.

As the Head of Finance, you will:

• Proactively contribute to the development and delivery of the Charity’s strategy through developing long-term financial planning to underpin our objectives.
• Act as senior finance business partner to the senior leadership team, supporting strategic and operational decision-making.
• Lead on the annual audit and production of statutory accounts, ensuring effective management of the audit process.
• Support the rest of the Charity team to become financially informed and comfortable understanding financial performance, control, and accountability.

Main responsibilities

Financial controls, reporting, and operational finance

• Lead the finance function of the Charity, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant financial management and reporting.
• Ensure that appropriately robust internal financial and operational controls are in place.
• Ensure that our unrestricted and restricted funds and accounting records are maintained in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements and best practice.
• Ensure timely and accurate monthly management accounts and other reports are produced by the finance team and distributed to members of the senior management team, encouraging ownership of departmental budgets.
• Manage and oversee accounts receivable and payable, ensuring strong cash management.
• Ensure all banking facilities, financial systems, and internal processes function to a high standard and enable the Charity to carry out its transactional and operational financial functions.
• Lead financial risk identification and mitigation, working closely with the chief executive and leadership team, and reporting to the board of trustees.

Financial administration and governance

• Manage the production of statutory accounts in line with the Charity SORP and lead the annual external audit process.
• Oversee our tax affairs, including PAYE, national insurance, corporation tax, VAT, and gift aid.
• Responsible for our payroll and pensions functions.
• Maintain and continuously improve financial policies, procedures, and controls, working closely with the fundraising and operations teams to ensure organisational efficiency.
• Identify and escalate financial risks to the chief executive and board
• Line manage and support the management accountant and finance manager, ensuring professional development and high-quality output.

Person specification

Knowledge and experience

We are looking for candidates with demonstrable strategic financial leadership spanning organisational planning, budgeting, risk, and reporting. You will have:

• You must be a fully qualified accountant (ACCA, ACA, OR CIMA)
• Excellent knowledge of charity financial management, SORP, and audit is essential.
• Experience of effective budget setting and implementing controls and processes to manage and monitoring budgets
• Firm understanding of risk management
• Experience of improving policies and processes in comparable organisations
• Success in delivering increased cost effectiveness
• Evidence of building financial impact and performance metrics and reporting
• Understanding of the requirements of legislation, Charity Commission and professional body guidance on a being a well-run and financially accountable Charity
• Considerable experience of management and development of staff

Skills, abilities, and behaviours

• A strategic thinker with the ability to see the bigger picture and make decisions in line with the charity’s needs as part of a team
• Strong change management skills with experience of managing teams through change
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to interpret and communicate financial information to a non-specialist audience
• Strong organisational development skills, able to identify and act on opportunities to drive performance in business
• Experience of the charity or not-for-profit environment (this could be gained as a trustee) preferably with some understanding of charity funding and investment management
• Collaborative working style with excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Resilient with a flexible, creative and solutions-focused approach to problem-solving

We’re looking for a senior leader to join our Senior Management Team and take overall responsibility for the organisation’s operational core.

This is an exceptional opportunity to join a high-impact organisation as a key member of the Senior Management Team, working in close partnership with the Chief Executive to drive organisational excellence, sustainability, and transformation.

As Executive Director, Operations, you will sit at the heart of the organisation leading critical  services and ensuring everything we do is underpinned by strong governance, robust finances, effective systems and an engaged, high-performing workforce. You’ll play a pivotal role in shaping strategy, enabling delivery, and ensuring we remain fit for the future.

This role requires a strategic leader who thrives on complexity, brings clarity to challenge, and is motivated by delivering meaningful impact.

What you’ll do

• Lead core corporate functions including Finance, HR, IT, Governance and Facilities 
• Contribute to organisational strategy and decision-making as a member of the SMT 
• Ensure strong financial oversight, planning and risk management 
• Drive continuous improvement across systems, processes and services 
• Support and develop high-performing teams and a positive organisational culture 

What you’ll need

• Significant senior leadership experience in a complex organisation
• Expertise in one or more corporate service areas, with the ability to lead across a broad portfolio 
• Strong financial understanding and confidence overseeing organisational performance 
• A collaborative and inclusive leadership style, with the ability to influence at senior level 
• Sound judgement, resilience, and the ability to manage complexity and competing priorities 

You’ll join a collaborative and purpose-led leadership team, with the opportunity to shape how the organisation operates and grows. This is a role with real influence, where your leadership will directly enable delivery, improvement and long-term success. Please find out more from the candidate pack. 

Why join us

• Make a difference to the lives of Doctors and medical specialties
• Hybrid working – up to 60% remote
• Modern working environment with home‑working equipment provided
• Generous annual leave, plus the option to buy up to 5 extra days
• Enhanced family‑friendly leave (maternity, paternity and adoption) for those with 2+ years continuous service 
• Excellent pension scheme
• Sabbaticals (5+ years’ service) and secondment opportunities
• Interest‑free season ticket loan and cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Long service recognition awards

We are looking for an experienced, motivated and values‑driven Fundraising and Partnerships Officer to grow our income from trusts, foundations, corporates and individuals. 

Working closely with the CEO, you will play a key role in enabling WSF’s strategic goals by securing sustainable funding, building strong external relationships, and demonstrating the impact of our work. This is a pivotal role for someone who combines strong fundraising expertise with a passion for community development.

About Bipolar UK

Bipolar UK is the only national charity dedicated to supporting people affected by bipolar — including individuals, carers, families and loved ones. Over one million people in the UK live with bipolar disorder, yet many experience symptoms for years before receiving an accurate diagnosis.

We are entering an exciting new phase following the launch of our co-produced three-year strategy (2026–2029). Over the coming years, we will reach more people than ever before, expand access to self-management support, and build understanding of bipolar across workplaces, services and communities.

At the heart of our work is the belief that people affected by bipolar are the experts in their own lives. We are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion, and to ensuring our services are accessible, culturally responsive and shaped by lived experience.

 Purpose:  The Peer Support Officer role will work within Bipolar UK’s Peer Support Line team to support our community through telephone and email support across the UK.

The role involves using your skills and knowledge to support people affected by bipolar disorder with support requests and providing information and signposting to people via email and telephone. The successful applicant will also manage service reports in Salesforce, report back regularly to the management team, as well as developing links with other mental health services or appropriate agencies.

Though Bipolar UK does not offer Crisis Support, the successful applicant may have to direct members of our community experiencing a crisis to relevant services and will also be responsible for recognising and reporting Safeguarding incidents within the bounds of Bipolar UK’s Safeguarding Policies.

The position requires good personal interaction and the ability to empathise with service users while remaining calm and considered in sometimes difficult situations.  This is a varied and hands on role and we are looking for someone with good communication (verbal and written) along with good organisational skills. Bipolar UK will offer the successful applicant regular support and engagement with the team, as well as reflective practice sessions throughout their service with the charity.

The Peer Support Officer reports to the Services Manager who manages this service. This will be a home-based role with occasional travel, such as team days/meetings/training.

Why join us?

This is an opportunity to provide practical, non-clinical information and peer support to our community, including family and loved ones. Our Peer Support Line is often a first point of contact, offering a listening ear, helping to reduce isolation, and signposting people to relevant information, services, research and campaigns.

You will join a team of highly skilled colleagues who share the same passion to support our community in a safe and appropriate way.

Specific Responsibilities

• Act as an initial point of contact with the charity for all enquiries about our services
• Act as an initial point of contact for all people affected by bipolar disorder seeking support, information and signposting
• Direct enquiries for Bipolar UK’s additional services, including understanding Bipolar UK’s specific resources and training opportunities for workplaces and connections for research
• Build and maintain relationships with existing volunteers and with volunteers expressing interest in supporting Bipolar UK
• Ensure that all service provided by both the postholder complies operationally with Bipolar UK policies and procedures, including safeguarding and data protection postholder must handle personal/special category data confidentially and in line with policy/UK GDPR
• Contribute to the development and delivery of new formats of peer support in a spirit of co-production
• Ability to work flexibly and responsively, responding to urgent requirements
• To ensure that all support information and signposting options are kept up to date
• To complete all support records in a timely manner
• Reporting all Safeguarding concerns and crisis incidents in line with Bipolar UK’s relevant policies
• To work with community mental health teams and other interested stakeholders to promote the services of the charity
• To act as an advocate for Bipolar UK within your work
• Willing to travel within the UK as deemed appropriate by the organisation, reasonable adjustments are available.
• Other duties deemed appropriate by the Chief Executive to assist in achieving the aims and objectives of the charity

 Person Specification

The successful candidate will have:

• Understanding of lived experience and peer support
• Ability to work as part of a team and individually using own initiative
• An understanding and awareness of safeguarding
• Ability to work autonomously and at times remotely from line manager
• Experience of data collection and monitoring
• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent organisational skills
• Be competent in the use of Microsoft 365 products including Outlook and other Microsoft Office programmes
• Experience of delivering peer support in paid employment or as a volunteer

Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Bipolar UK is an equal opportunities organisation. We warmly welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and particularly encourage applications from people with lived experience of bipolar or other mental health conditions, people from under‑represented communities, and those whose voices are less often heard in mental health spaces.

All recruitment decisions are based solely on skills, experience and suitability for the role.

Data Protection

Any personal information you provide will be handled securely and used only for recruitment purposes, in line with UK data protection legislation.

Safeguarding

All employees are expected to work in line with Bipolar UK’s safeguarding policies, ensuring safe, respectful and empowering environments for everyone we work with.

The successful candidate will likely have:

• Experience of partnership working with statutory and third sector organisations
• Lived or professional experience supporting people affected by bipolar, or severe mental health conditions.

How to Apply

Bipolar UK operate a blind recruitment practice and advertise our roles via CharityJob.

Please submit your CV online to CharityJob with a covering letter (maximum two A4 pages). Your cover letter should clearly demonstrate how your experience meets the person specification and explains your motivation for working with Bipolar UK

Closing date is 9am on Monday 25 May 2026.

At Endometriosis UK, we are passionate about driving political change for the 1 in 10 women and those assigned female at birth living with endometriosis in the UK. This role will play an instrumental role in supporting the campaigns and policy function within the wider Communications Team.

This will be a busy, varied and important role working closely with the Policy and Campaigns Manager and Head of Campaigns and Communications to provide administration and wider support for the charity’s growing policy and campaigns function. This will include contributing to the production of government consultation responses, writing letters to politicians, producing background briefings ahead of parliamentary meetings and taking responsibility for political monitoring and informing the team of any engagement opportunities. A key part of the role will also be providing administration support for the policy function of the charity and the Head of Communications and Campaigns, including administrative support for the All-Party-Parliamentary Group on Endometriosis which Endometriosis UK provides secretariat support for. Tasks will include writing minutes, helping produce briefing papers, and booking events and meeting rooms.

You will also be the first point of call for our campaign supporters and will be aiding our supporters to take campaign actions through the drafting and creation of e-actions using Engaging Networks. You will be an exciting opportunity to help build our campaigning work and work towards the goals of our new 2025 organisational strategy.

Closing date for applications is Monday 25th May at 5pm. Interview date will be Tuesday 2nd June 2026 at our offices in London Bridge.

Please note that for capacity reasons, we are only able to get back to successful candidates on the status of their application.

Support Pure Insight as Interim Chief Executive, providing stability, handover support and income generation leadership for a vital care-experienced young people’s charity.

Location: Hybrid, primarily remote with regular travel across Greater Manchester

Applications close: 9 a.m. Thursday 21st May 2026.

About Pure Insight

Pure Insight is a charity dedicated to supporting young people leaving care to build positive, fulfilling and connected lives. Founded and shaped by people with lived experience, the charity understands the realities many care-experienced young people face and provides long-term, trauma-informed support that helps them feel valued, supported and not alone.

Our work spans mentoring, emotional well-being and mental health support, peer and group activity, support for care leaver parents, employment support and close work with local authorities and other partners.

At the heart of Pure Insight is a belief in belonging, long-term support and community. The charity is ambitious for the future and is looking for a CEO who can help shape that future with care, clarity and courage.

About the role

This is an important interim role for a well-regarded charity supporting care-experienced young people across the North West. Following dedicated leadership from the founder CEO, who will be leaving the organisation in July, Pure Insight is looking for an interim leader who can provide stability, support a strong handover and help the charity maintain momentum while the permanent CEO recruitment process progresses.

The interim CEO will join at a critical point for the organisation. Ideally starting in early to mid-June, you will work closely with the founder CEO ahead of her departure, helping to capture knowledge, strengthen continuity and ensure the organisation is well placed for the months ahead.

Reporting to the Chair and working closely with the Board, the Interim CEO will provide strategic and operational leadership across the charity for an initial period expected to run until at least the end of September.

The immediate priorities for the interim CEO will include supporting operational leadership, ensuring a smooth handover, maintaining organisational focus and bringing additional capacity around fundraising, bid writing and income generation — you will ensure the charity can continue to build financial resilience during the interim period.

This is likely to be a part-time interim role, anticipated to be around three days per week. The organisation is looking for someone who can start as soon as possible, ideally in early to mid-June, to allow for a meaningful handover period with the outgoing founder CEO.

The successful candidate will help ensure that Pure Insight remains stable, focused and well supported during this leadership transition. You will work closely with the senior team, trustees and outgoing CEO to capture key organisational knowledge, maintain service quality, support operational decision-making and provide confidence to staff, funders and partners.

Key responsibilities

• Provide calm, values-led interim leadership during a period of transition.
• Work closely with the outgoing founder CEO to support an effective handover.
• Provide operational oversight and support to the senior team.
• Maintain focus on service quality, safeguarding and trauma-informed practice.
• Support fundraising, bid writing and income generation activity.
• Work with the Chair and Board to ensure organisational stability and continuity.
• Help prepare the charity for the arrival of a permanent CEO.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for an experienced interim or senior charity leader who can quickly build trust, bring structure and provide steady leadership.

You will be comfortable working in a small, emotionally sensitive and mission-led organisation. You will understand the importance of continuity, communication and judgement during a leadership transition.

The ideal candidate will bring:

• Senior leadership experience in a charity or mission-driven organisation.
• Experience as a CEO, Interim CEO, Director or senior operational leader.
• Strong operational and people leadership skills.
• Experience in fundraising, bid writing or income generation.
• The ability to support a founder-led handover with care and sensitivity.
• Good judgement, emotional intelligence and a calm leadership style.
• An understanding of trauma-informed practice, safeguarding or working with vulnerable young people.

Why join Pure Insight?

This is a meaningful opportunity to support a well-regarded charity at an important moment in its development.

You will help provide continuity for a committed team, an engaged Board and the young people Pure Insight supports, while contributing practical leadership, fundraising insight and transition support.

For an experienced interim leader, this is a chance to make a tangible difference quickly, helping Pure Insight move through change with confidence, care and stability.

Please click on the link to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website where you will find full details of the role and how to apply.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Thursday 21st May 2026.

Release Counselling and Therapy for Women is entering an exciting new chapter. 

Founded in Brighton and Hove in 2013, Release has grown from a small local charity into a financially robust organisation with a growing national reach. Under the leadership of our outgoing CEO, the charity has been transformed—moving from a challenging financial position to one with strong reserves, clear sustainability, and ambitious plans for growth. 

We now provide affordable 1:1 online counselling to women across the UK, alongside specialist group programmes supporting maternal mental health and key life transitions. One-to-one counselling is a core offer and a vital income stream, enabling us to extend our reach while staying true to our values. 

This period has also seen Release grow from having no volunteers to working with over 20 dedicated volunteer counsellors, strengthening our capacity and community impact. 

As our CEO steps down, Release is ready for its next phase—building on strong foundations, amplifying our national impact, and remaining firmly rooted in our purpose: being a charity that supports women’s mental health, run by women, for women.

Chief Executive Officer – Resolve West

Resolve West is recruiting a Chief Executive Officer to lead our respected charity supporting people and communities to resolve conflict and repair harm.

This part‑time role offers strategic leadership at a pivotal moment, following the retirement of our long‑standing CEO. Working with a committed Board, staff team and volunteers, the CEO will strengthen financial sustainability, partnerships and organisational culture.

Key details

• Part‑time: 24–28 hours
• Location: Bristol / Hybrid
• Salary: from £45,000 FTE (pro rata)
• Closing date: 15 May 2026

We are seeking an experienced HR Manager to work with staff and volunteers at our established Christian recovery charity in Berkshire. You will provide direction, support and oversight on all aspects of HR management, including: recruitment; staff supervisions and appraisals; compliance with employment regulations; training; performance and talent management; grievance, disciplinary, and capability procedures; salary structure and employee benefits; and organisational personnel planning.

We do not currently have HR software, so reviewing our requirements in this area would be one of your responsibilities.

​As a small charity (c. 43 salaried staff and casual workers, plus volunteers), the role will require balancing practical tasks with management responsibilities. For the majority of the working week, you'll be based in the office (a lovely rural setting near Twyford, Reading) and, being situated within the rehabilitation centre, you will have daily contact with those men whom you are helping. They inspire and motivate us just as much as we seek to encourage and support them. (Some remote working might also be possible.)

This is a permanent position, full-time or part-time considered. As this is a strategic post within an actively Christian setting, applications should be from committed Christians. Schedule 9, Part 1:3(a) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

To apply, please submit your CV and covering letter, outlining how you meet the requirements of the job description and person specification provided.

The Finance Director is responsible for all aspects of the group's finances (National Federation of Music Societies, trading as Making Music and its trading subsidiary), to ensure accurate and complete recording of all financial transactions, adherence to internal controls and procedures, and timely and effective analysis and reporting to the Chief Executive, Senior Management Team and other budget holders, the Finance & Compliance Committee and the Board of Trustees.

The Finance Director post is an integral part of the charity's senior management team, working closely with the Chief Executive, the Deputy CEO Advocacy and Lobbying and the Marketing Director, setting the strategic direction of the organisation and ensuring it has the financial systems and resources to implement its strategy.

The role line-manages and oversees the work of the Finance Manager who runs the day-to-day financial accounting processes, with the help of two Finance Administrators.

The role also leads on supporting members with finances, e.g. leading Treasurers' events, relevant website resources and responding to finance-related consultations.

The 2.5 days (18.75 hours) per week can be worked flexibly, and at least some of them from home, by agreement with your line manager. We would expect you to spend at least 1 days each week in our London office in Moorgate.

This is a friendly team, and our bright and lively office is located in one of the buzziest areas of London, with excellent transport links and nice places to spend your lunchtimes or meet friends after work.

YMCA Derbyshire - Chief Executive - £105k pa | Derby (travel across our operating areas is expected)

Founded in 1847, YMCA Derbyshire is a charity that supports children, young people and communities across Derby and Derbyshire through a wide range of integrated services. We provide housing and supported accommodation for around 270 people each night, alongside pathways that help individuals move toward independent living.

Our work spans lifelong learning provision including our vocational college, employability programmes, school based childcare, early years provision, youth and community programmes, health and wellbeing activities, and vital services through our poverty relief programmes.

Together, these services create the essential building blocks for a safe home, improved wellbeing, skills development and real opportunities for children, young people and adults to thrive. We are a strong, stable and well-led organisation with a clear sense of purpose, and an equally clear belief that we can do so much more for the young people and communities we serve. We’re now looking for a Chief Executive who can help us continue to unlock that potential.

This is a role for a leader with real drive. You’ll join an ambitious team that is ready for fresh thinking, new ideas and creativity as we think about how to best to serve our communities and deliver our services to an even greater number. We expect that you will bring senior experience in one of the core areas of our services - housing, education, or the charity sector. You may not have experience in every facet of our delivery, and we don’t expect you to, but you will need an appetite to learn quickly, ask the right questions, and embrace the breadth of this role, as well as a strategic mindset and the confidence to explore different opportunities and shape a future where YMCA Derbyshire can grow and deepen our impact.

YMCA Derbyshire is a Christian-founded charity, and while we are very clear that we welcome, serve and work with people of all religious faiths, and of none, the CE role includes a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) to be held by a practicing Christian, under Part 1 of Schedule 9 to the Equality Act 2010.

This is a significant opportunity to lead an organisation with strong foundations, committed colleagues, an excellent reputation and excellent networks in Derby and Derbyshire. If you’re energised by possibility, motivated by purpose, and ready to help us take bold steps forward, we’d love to hear from you. Join us - and help lead the next chapter of YMCA Derbyshire’s story. 

Our Room is a values-driven, creative support community working with male, trans and non-binary people who do sex work: an often-hidden population experiencing some of the highest levels of homelessness, trauma, poor mental health and social exclusion in Manchester. For twenty years, we have been a trusted, specialist service providing intensive advocacy alongside creative, developmental programmes that help participants stabilise their lives and imagine new futures.

As a Manchester-based organisation, we are the only organisation in the UK whose core mission is to support male, trans and non-binary people who do sex work. We believe that everyone who sex works deserves dignity, respect and safety.

We are seeking someone who can bring together clear strategic thinking and hands-on-leadership to inspire our staff team and represent the charity externally across key sectors and partnerships. This is an opportunity to lead a unique and vital organisation supporting male, trans and non-binary people who sex work.

The CEO acts as the primary external ambassador for the organisation, maintaining partnerships across housing and homelessness, sex work and VCSE sectors. The role is responsible for establishing our inclusive, values-led culture and is accountable for ensuring the charity delivers impact for male, trans and non-binary people who sex work. 

Transport for All has a strong reputation for leading the debate and advocating for change to improve the journeys made by disabled people. This role presents an opportunity for a strong leader with the commitment, enthusiasm and expertise to build on our success.

Our Chief Executive will be responsible for continuing to delivering the remainder of our 5-year strategy, whilst horizon-scanning to work with the team and wider DPO community to engage in the opportunities and changes ahead. We’re a small team and this is a wide-ranging role which includes:

• Representing the voice of the 16 million+ people in the disabled community by influencing policy and infrastructure decision-makers through our campaigns.

• Overseeing a highly regarded policy and public affairs function with associated communications and stakeholder engagement, maintaining our high profile and reputation with national and local governments.

• Ensuring the charity’s funding is robust and sustainable, looking at how we can diversify our income and direct it towards what matters through continuing to deliver our strategy and planning for our future.

• Overall responsibility for our successful training, research and consultancy business, building partnerships and further growth. This includes the National Accessible Transport Survey.

• Championing our award-winning support services for disabled people.

• Leading our expert teams through a period of growth and consolidation, embedding a strong organisational culture and matching our structure and systems to our upcoming challenges and increasing size.

You will report to and be supported by a well-functioning and committed Board of Trustees who are professionals with experience of working in the charity and transport sectors, as well as finance, legal and government backgrounds.

The Kids Network is looking for an Executive Director to support the Fundraising, Finance and Operations of the charity for an interim period. 

• Contract: Fixed 12-14-month contract depending on availability for start date – Full time 35 hours per week 

• Salary: £60,000 per annum 

• Location: London Victoria/ Hybrid 

• Some evening and weekend work may be required, which can be claimed as TOIL 

• Reporting to the CEO 

• Line Management of 3x staff

About the Charity 

A rare opportunity to lead a values-driven children's charity through an exciting chapter of its story. 

The Kids Network is a growing charity with an ambitious five-year strategy and a decade of impact behind us. We connect children facing adversity with caring mentors from their own communities, creating relationships that change trajectories. In 2027 we celebrate our 10th anniversary and this role sits right at the heart of that milestone. 

We're a small, high-performing team of 16 who care deeply about the children and families we serve. We work hard, we learn constantly, and we look after each other. Now, while our Managing Director is on maternity leave, we're looking for an exceptional interim leader to hold the organisation steady and help it thrive. 

About the role: 

As Interim Executive Director, you'll be deputy to the CEO and a core member of our Senior Leadership Team. You'll hold the big picture: strategy, governance, finance, and fundraising, whilst also being across our operations and being present and part of the day-to-day. From Board engagement and risk management to leading our impact report and driving our plans for our 10th anniversary event, no two weeks will look the same. 

You'll lead and line-manage talented team members across fundraising, school partnerships, and operations. You'll be the steady hand that keeps our income pipeline strong and our systems running smoothly. 

This role would suit you if, you're a leader who balances strategic thinking with being genuinely hands-on. You stay calm under pressure, make clear decisions when they're needed, and take people with you rather than leaving them behind. 

Mission matters to you. Working to improve the lives of underserved children is something you care about, not just a role you're filling. You'll champion our values, model our culture and behaviours, and bring the team with you in doing the same. 

You're well-suited to the interim context. You’re able to build trust quickly, make an impact from day one, and build on what's already working well. You're comfortable with a varied workload and have the experience to make good decisions for the benefit of the children we work with. 

Benefits: 

• Flexible working arrangements (mostly working from home, with approximately one-two days a week working from the office)   

• Option for 2 Me days   

• 25 days annual leave entitlement

• Option to swap bank holidays for other religious holidays  

• Team Socials  

• Birthdays off  

• Working in a value led organisation, where we see and share the impact we have on children every day 

Responsibilities 

Strategy & Leadership 

• Provide executive leadership to the organisation, fostering a high-performance, inclusive and values-led culture aligned with the charity’s mission. 

• Lead, support, and develop the Senior Leadership Team and Fundraising and Schools Partnership leaders, ensuring consistent performance and accountability. 

• Inspire and motivate staff, promoting engagement, foster a learning culture, create ownership, and commitment to organisational goals. 

• Work with the CEO, Board, and Senior Leadership Team to shape and deliver the charity’s third year of its five-year strategy, ensuring alignment with the funding landscape and the evolving needs of children and communities. 

• Deputise for the CEO when required, including Board engagement, strategic decision-making, and external representation. 

• Act as an ambassador for TKN, promoting its work and campaigns to engage, influence, and collaborate with key stakeholders. 

Governance & Operations:

• Lead the Operations function. Manage the Systems and Operations Officer to ensure our robust systems and operations continue to run effectively at a high quality and enable the charity to achieve its stated goals. 

• Provide executive oversight of HR, demonstrating knowledge of HR compliance and law, supporting with serious HR matters and providing leadership support on people matters, performance management and staff development.

• Oversee the use of key technology platforms, ensuring that the charity is operating in the most efficient way, in accordance with UK GDPR and promoting data hygiene and security and supporting the Operations officer to develop guides and standard operating procedures 

• Hold executive accountability for organisational compliance, risk management, and operational integrity. Act as the lead for the charity in the event of a serious data or H&S incident. 

• Lead the organisational risk register and risk management, ensuring risks are proactively identified, mitigated, managed and communicated to our board of Trustees and the CEO 

• Maintain awareness of relevant policy, legislative, regulatory, and sector developments, ensuring organisational readiness and compliance. 

• Work closely with the CEO and chair of the Resource Committee to set the agenda and plan for papers for this committee (3 times a year). 

• Act as the key contact with the landlord and the charity’s IT contractors, as and when required 

Income Generation, Partnerships and Communication:

• Oversee the coordination and delivery of key fundraising activities, supporting the organisation’s income generation through strategic oversight and targeted input where required. Lead and line manage the Fundraising and Development Lead.

• Play a key role in planning and delivering the 10-year anniversary event in May 2027. 

• Develop, manage, and strengthen high-level strategic funder relationships and networks, building a strong pipeline of partnerships to support income targets.

• Lead and line manage the Schools and Partnerships Lead to achieve ambitious school targets and secure positive partnerships with schools

• Utilise the organisation’s data systems to identify relevant insights and stories, leading the development of the 2026 Impact Report. 

• Work with the external Marketing Provider and Schools and Partnerships Lead to deliver the organisation’s communications strategy to maintain a strong digital and online presence 

Finance & Sustainability 

• Hold accountability for the operational delivery and financial sustainability of the charity. 

• Work closely with the CEO and external Financial Service Provider to develop organisational budgets, support with the annual independent examiner and ensure effective financial planning, management, and oversight. 

• Ensure financial performance, risks, and forecasts are clearly and appropriately communicated to the CEO, Board. 

• Support income sustainability by aligning delivery with funding strategy and identifying opportunities for growth and partnership. 

• Act as main liaison between the charity and the Financial Service Provider, ensuring that both the charity and contractor adhere to the organisation's financial procedures 

Personal Specification 

Strategic Leadership & Drive 

• Proven senior leadership experience at director level or equivalent in the charity, public, or social sector, including leading teams and engaging boards. 

Organisational governance 

• Financial acumen; comfortable owning budgets, managing forecasts, approving payments and communicating financial health clearly to the board. 

• Sound knowledge of charity governance, HR, GDPR, risk management, and regulatory compliance. 

• Excellent organisational & project management skills 

Vision, stakeholder engagement and influence 

• Experience cultivating strategic partnerships with schools, funders, and external stakeholders. 

• A track record of building funder relationships and driving income generation, with confidence overseeing fundraising strategy and pipelines. 

• Advanced communication skills, someone who can represent the organisation externally with credibility and warmth. 

Change Management & Adaptability 

• Experience in an interim/ short term role 

• Strong people management skills, with a warm and accountable approach to developing and supporting others. 

Desirable:  

• Experience working directly with school and corporate partnerships 

• Experience using Salesforce.  

• Experience working with trustees

How to apply & Dates 

To apply please submit a CV and a covering letter through Charity Jobs, ensuring the cover letter is no more than 2 pages.

The ideal start date is August 2026 

The interview process and dates will be: 

• Rolling initial conversations as and when suitable candidates apply 

• First formal interviews (online) 27th May 

• Final interviews & presentation (in person) 2nd June

Due to the size of the Charity, we are unable to respond to all applications, therefore if you do not hear from us to arrange an interview you have not been successful with your application.  

The Kids Network is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be required to apply for an enhanced DBS check.  

Safeguarding commitment   

The Kids Network is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be required to go through our safer recruitment processes, including an enhanced DBS check.   

Equity commitment      

The Kids Network values diversity and inclusion and we have worked to create an application process that is as accessible as possible, however we still recognise that there is maybe more we can do especially for applicants who are minoritised in society, have specific accessibility needs and/or experience discrimination.    

 If this is the case we are both happy and open to discussing better ways to support your candidacy and make this application process as equitable as possible for you.    

 We are a diverse organisation and welcome everyone but it is important to note that the intersections of your identity will not increase or affect the amount of labour you are asked to do. If you wish to draw on your own lived experiences that will be both encouraged and supported but it is not nor ever will be a prerequisite of this role.   

You can find out more about our commitment to anti-oppression on our website.