Chief executive jobs

The Highlands and Islands Students’ Association (HISA) is the democratic voice for student across the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), representing learners at every level of study—from further education and apprenticeships through to undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Our representation spans the full breadth of the UHI partnership, working closely with ten Academic Partners to ensure students are supported, included, and empowered wherever
and however they study.

The role of the Chief Executive Officer is to provide strategic support to the student officers within our student-led organisation, and to provide support and leadership to the senior leadership team and our Board of Trustees.

The post-holder is required to provide an interface between the Trustee Board and the leadership team, and between other key decision-making bodies within the Students’ Association, converting policy and strategy into action.

Our CEO will be a source of continuity within the Students’ Association, providing vision and expertise to drive the Association forward towards organisational goals whilst ensuring that the Association is structured to facilitate Student Officers’ work towards organisational objectives.
As a key contact and partner with UHI stakeholders, the CEO is required to work towards aligning the Students’ Associations' progression into the UHI’s strategy. The CEO should also ensure that all aspects of organisational risk are identified, monitored and managed.

Primary Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership
2. Senior Leadership Team (SLT) Management
3. Operational Management 
4. Student Leadership and Governance
 

Please download the Recruitment Pack to see the full Job Description & Person Specification

Our ideal candidate is an idividual who has a strong background in commercial and operational activities, proven experience in strategic leadership and organisational management, strong financial acumen and excellent comminication skills.

About RSPCA Llys Nini

RSPCA Llys Nini (Carmarthenshire to Cardiff Branch) is affiliated with the national RSPCA but operates as an independent, self-funding charity. Over the past 25 years, thanks to the vision of its leaders and the dedication of its staff and volunteers, Llys Nini has become one of the UK’s leading animal welfare charities.

Our core mission is animal welfare, and we are proud to have rehomed more than 22,500 cats, dogs and other animals. Beyond this, we also recognise the importance of our role in the community, local economy, and environment. This wider perspective has shaped projects such as our community café, woodland trails, and low-carbon community hub.

Our Impact and Operations

• Rehoming hundreds of animals every year in South Wales.
• Generating an annual income of over £2.5m, with expenditure of around £2m.
• Operating 10 shops across the branch area, which provide a vital income stream.
• Fundraising team, rental income, external grants, café and event facilities contribute significantly to sustainability.
• Managing a dedicated team of staff and volunteers who are central to our success.

The Opportunity

The Board of Trustees is seeking to appoint a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead Llys Nini into the next phase of its development. This is an unique opportunity to make a lasting difference for animals, people, and the environment across South Wales.

We face the same challenges as the wider charity sector: increasing demand for services, economic uncertainty, and the need to develop sustainable income streams. We are looking for a leader who can turn these challenges into opportunities.

The Role

The new CEO will:

• Lead, manage, and inspire our staff and volunteers to deliver the charity’s vision and strategy.
• Ensure that Llys Nini remains resilient, sustainable, and fit for the future, both structurally and financially.
• Oversee all aspects of the charity’s operations, ensuring efficiency and compliance.
• Strengthen existing partnerships and forge new ones across local communities, businesses, and stakeholders.
• Support and develop current income streams while identifying and securing new funding opportunities.

What We’re Looking For

We are seeking an individual who can demonstrate:

• Proven experience in strategic leadership and organisational management.
• Strong financial acumen.
• Excellent communication and partnership-building skills.
• A strong background in commercial and operational activities.
• The ability to inspire, empower, and unite staff, volunteers, and supporters.

Job Title

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Responsible to

The Chair and to the Board of Trustees

Reporting line

Line Manager to all senior team - Finance Manager, Animal Centre Manager, Area Shop Manager, Fundraising Manager, Ysgubor Manager

Hours of Work

35 hours per week, flexible working pattern considered

Location

Based at Animal Centre, Penllergaer, Swansea, Hybrid working can be considered.

Remuneration and conditions of service

The salary scale is between £50,000 to £60,000 full time pro rata. (Dependent on experience)

Holiday entitlement is 35 days inclusive of Statutory Holidays.

Pension.

Candidates must be eligible to work in the UK.

Must abide with the ethics of the RSPCA.

Job purpose Summary:

To be the organisation’s lead professional, leading on strategy development and delivering the objectives of the Charity. To lead, manage and develop the staff teams in order to meet the organisation’s strategic objectives and ensure its sustainability.

Accountable to the Board of Trustees and acting as the interface between employees, volunteers, and other partners with the shared aim of delivering upon the Branch’s charitable objectives.

Main responsibilities:

1. Strategic Leadership

• Provide vision, leadership, direction and management in collaboration with the Board of Trustees, employees, RSPCA, and relevant stakeholders.
• Lead on strategy development, business planning and financial planning in partnership with the Board of Trustees and Finance Manager.
• Develop and monitor strategies and policies to ensure the long term viability of the organisation, including care and maintenance of the land and buildings.

2. Governance

• Support the Board of Trustees in the responsibilities to ensure robust governance structures.
• Alongside the board, taking responsibility for the legal obligations of the organisations in accordance with the RSPCA and Charity Commission rules.

3. Financial & Resource management

• Develop a funding strategy that explores implements and maintains short- and long-term funding options.
• Develop appropriate partnerships with other local charities and organisations.
• Working with the Finance Manager, preparation and oversight of resources and investments.
• Identify and manage risks within the organisation, ensuring appropriate controls are in place.

4. Partnership relationships and management

• Build strong and strategic relationships and alliances with the RSPCA and local organisations within the community.

5. Operation Management

• Provide value driven leadership, support and professional development across the organisation, including performance review processes.
• Monitor and review the organisational structure, performance and quality of the services provided to the public in all areas.
• Ensure all policies are up to date and relevant.
• Acting as on the safeguarding leads for the Charity, manage the concerns from staff, customers and visitors, in line with the policy and procedures.
• Promote the importance of the Welsh Language and culture, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and acting as a role model for the inclusive values of the Branch.

6. People Management

• Effectively line manage the senior staff.
• Encourage a culture and ethos of consultative and collaborative working throughout the organisation.
• Position the Branch as an employer of choice.
• Maintain effective relationship with Trustees.

7. Other

• Promote the work of Llys Nini where appropriate.
• Carry out any other work or duties that are reasonably requested

Person Specification

Knowledge/Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent relevant experience (Essential)

Experience

• A proven record of strategic leadership and operation management (Essential)
• Experience of working with people of a wide range of backgrounds.(Essential)
• Experience in running commercial operations, managing budgets and resources, income generation. (Essential)
• An understanding of Charity Law and expectations from the Charity Commission.(Desirable)
• Experience in grant applications and funding (Desirable)
• Experience in HR (Desirable)

Essential skills:

• Financial and commercial business acumen including devising and managing income streams.
• Ability to innovate.
• Ability to lead and manage staff.
• Good communication skills to be able to work with and report to the Board of Trustees, staff and partnerships.
• A strong sense of responsibility and accountability.
• Ability to negotiate.

Desirable skills:

• Communicate through the medium of Welsh.

Values

• Compassionate – we care about the lives of animals and have empathy for people.
• Inspirational – we take the lead and speak up for others.
• Committed – we are committed to giving animals better lives and people better opportunities.
• Integrity – we are honest and trustworthy

How to apply:

Please forward your CV together with a covering letter, (no more than 2 pages of A4) highlighting your suitability for the job role.

We will interview people who can show in their covering letter that they meet the Essential qualities in the Person specification as well as considering the competencies. We will use the interview and assessment process to establish if the candidates have both the necessary essential qualities and competencies. References from suitable sources, including current employer, is essential prior to contract being issued.

The successful candidate will be dynamic, have a track record of achievements, be prepared to be hands on and be a self-starter, have a flexible approach, be passionate and ambitious for the positive impact of RSPCA Llys Nini in the local community.

Closing date for applications: 31 October 2025

Interview dates:

Online assessment via Teams - w/c 10 November 2025

In person interviews – w/c 17 November 2025

Stratford Town Trust plays a crucial role in supporting people who live, work or study in the town. Guided by our values, we do this through the grants that we award to charities and voluntary organisations, and also through our valuable community assets, including our Community Hub, the bandstand, Rother Street Arts House, Stratford upon Avon Local Nature Reserve, Rowley Fields, the Community Orchard and the Guild Chapel.

Our new Chief Executive will join at an exciting time where they will have the opportunity to shape and deliver our next five-year strategic plan. They will lead us forward into our next phase and deliver our vision of creating a vibrant and connected community in Stratford upon Avon.

We are looking for an experienced and visionary leader who recognises the importance of our work and can see clear potential and opportunity to elevate our impact for people and families who live, work and visit Stratford. You will bring a track record of strategic leadership gained in an organisation of at least our size and will be comfortable managing a multimillion-pound budget and diverse asset portfolio.

You will work with a dedicated Board and highly motivated team and will bring strategic leadership, negotiating and influencing skills, with the ability to be externally facing whilst actively leading, supporting and guiding a capable team internally. Your expert stakeholder skills will be invaluable in helping us to realise our ambitions.

You do not need to come from a grant making background, although an understanding of how to deliver social impact in a community such as ours would be particularly valuable in this role.  If you feel you bring the skills and experience, we are looking for and share, we very much look forward to hearing from you.

Closing date: Monday 3rd November 2025

Kerry Community Youth Services is now inviting applications from suitably qualified, motivated and experienced individuals with the vision and drive required to lead our organisation.

We currently wish to recruit a Chief Executive Officer.

The successful candidates will work closely with the Board of Kerry Community Youth Service to deliver our new strategic plan 2023 - 2026. The successful candidate will also work closely with key personnel across Kerry Community Youth Service to ensure our services, facilities and projects continue to be responsive to the needs of the families, communities, and young people that we work with.

The CEO will have responsibility for the management, finance, governance and compliance portfolio across the organisation as well as ensuring that all reporting and auditing requirements are fulfilled in a timely manner.

As well as leading a very committed staff team across Kerry Community Youth Service, the CEO will foster, develop, and promote the role of volunteers across the organization.

Working closely, collaboratively and effectively with a range of external strategic partners and funders (both statutory and non-statutory at a regional, national and European level), and in particular with Youth Work Ireland, the CEO will garner as many resources as possible to ensure that “youth work for all” is a reality for all young people in Kerry.

If you feel you have the experience, drive and passion for the work and ethos of Kerry Community Youth Service, we would love to hear from you.

Applicants must have:

• A recognised third level qualification relevant to the post.
• Minimum 5 years senior management experience in youth and community sector or the broader voluntary sector.
• Financial acumen and resource management experience.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and networking skills.
• High degree of integrity and leadership to lead a dynamic and committed staff team.
• An excellent level of IT, social media and administrative skills.
• Imaginative, flexible and can-do approach.
• A commitment to the ethos, values, history, and culture of Kerry Community Youth Service.

An 8-point Salary Scale (€80,668.03 - €100,530.23) is associated with the role. The point of entry will be negotiated with the selected candidate who has the skills, experience and vision required to lead this unique organisation.

Applications will only be accepted from candidates who submit the following:

1. Completed signed Application Form. 

2. Letter of application outlining your suitability for the position (250 words).

3. An UpToDate CV.

When you click apply you will be redirected to our website where you can find out more information and access all the supporting/required documents.

Closing date for receipt of applications by 5.00 pm, Friday, 31st of October 2025.

Youth Work Ireland and all its affiliated members including KCYS, are equal opportunities employers. Full Driving License and own transport are required.

1st interviews will take place on 28th of November 2025 in Killarney.

2nd interviews will take place on 12th of December 2025 in Killarney.

If you feel you have the experience, drive and passion for the work and ethos of Kerry Community Youth Service, we would love to hear from you.

We are delighted to be recruiting the first CEO for Young Southampton - a new partnership focused on making sure Southampton has the very best to offer all young people, and they can thrive in our city.

We’ll do that through collaboration - bringing together everyone with a passion for Southampton, and for children and young people. Together, we know we can make a huge difference.

As our first CEO, you’ll be shaping Young Southampton from the very start - working closely with our trustees, members and supporters to co-design and deliver an ambitious strategy.

We are seeking someone with passion, creativity and ambition - who can bring together the children and young people’s sector, our public sector partners, funders and businesses and children and young people themselves.

Location: Northmead House, Creekmoor, Poole, Dorset – CAN operates hybrid working

Hours: 37 hours per week

Salary £45,000 – £50,000 per annum

Contract length: 1 Year initially  

Closing date: 5th November midday

Interviews: 14th November ONLINE

The Role:
We are seeking a dynamic and strategic Deputy Chief Executive to join our Senior Leadership Team. This pivotal role will work closely with our Chief Executive to ensure our internal governance, planning, and systems are robust and future-ready.

About CAN (Community Action Network):
CAN is a respected local infrastructure charity proudly holding the NAVCA Quality Award. We are a membership-led organisation committed to strengthening Dorset’s voluntary and community sector. Our mission is to serve and champion local charities and community groups, helping to build strong, healthy, diverse, and thriving communities.

We hold two national quality assurance awards and our work is underpinned by NAVCA’s four functions of a Local Infrastructure Charity:

• Leadership and advocacy
• Partnerships and collaboration
• Capacity building
• Volunteering

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight across the organisation.
• Drive performance by setting clear expectations and evaluating outcomes.
• Contribute to the delivery of our strategic plan, Action With Heart, aligning with our vision, mission, and values.
• Act as a key ambassador and representative for CAN, deputising for the Chief Executive as required.
• Collaborate with the Senior Leadership Team to identify and secure new income streams, strengthening our financial sustainability.

About You:
You are an experienced leader with a passion for the voluntary and community sector. You bring:

• Proven experience in strategic planning, governance, and performance management.
• Strong financial acumen and a track record of income generation.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• A collaborative and values-driven approach to leadership.

Why Join Us?
At CAN, you’ll be part of a dynamic team making a real difference in Dorset. We offer a supportive and flexible working environment, opportunities for professional development, and the chance to shape the future of a vital local charity.

We offer a competitive salary and great benefits, including contributory pension scheme, 25 days holiday (pro-rata) plus all bank holidays, season train ticket loan, flexible working and much more.

Role: Chief Executive Officer

Salary: £60,000 - £65,000 (depending upon experience)
Location: Ealing, West London (Hybrid with min. 3 days on-site, 2 working from home)
 

Dementia Concern is at a pivotal moment in its journey. For over 30 years, we have been at the heart of our community, supporting people living with dementia and their families through dedicated care, guidance, and advocacy.

Now, we are embarking on a critical transformation to strengthen our financial sustainability, sharpen our operational efficiency, and safeguard our services for the future.

To lead this turnaround, we are seeking a visionary, strategic, and financially astute leader to serve as our new Chief Executive Officer who will:

• Provide engaging and inspiring leadership, that will shape the charity’s future direction and lead the team with an inclusive, authentic and engaging style.
• Deliver the financial strategy by manging all contracts in the best interest of the charity and its clients. Ensure costs are controlled and that efficiencies are identified and implemented.
• Ensure that all fundraising programmes and initiatives are planned and delivered.
• Identify ways in which we can do things better and be the leading provider of Dementia Care in the community.
• Forge powerful and productive relationships with our key stakeholders, the NHS, local authorities, partners, and supporters to enhance our impact for the community we serve.
• Be the external voice in the community for Dementia Concern and build upon the great work that we have done.
• Work in partnership with our Board of Trustees to ensure delivery of our stratergy and development of the charity.

About You

This role will be right for you if you really want to make a difference to the work that we do at Dementia Concern, being at the helm and leading the great team that we must accomplish more in the community is a great opportunity to embrace.

We would love to hear from you if you have a proven track record in leading teams, are able to build and maintain strong relationships with partners, are confident in being the external voice for the work that we do and be the person who is championing all things related to our purpose.

This role does require you to be agile and able to pivot from thinking strategically to understanding the core model and how we operate and explore how we could operate better, to being able to deliver results in an innovative way. 

Our final ask is that you are an excellent communicator, have strong planning, influencing, and analytical skills that you can bring to the team at Dementia Concern.

We welcome applications from all, be it those who have knowledge of the voluntary sector, health, social care, or issues affecting people with Dementia. But we are also keen to receive applications from experienced leaders outside of the sector, who can bring relevant and transferable skills who have a passion for the space we work in.

If you would like an exploratory conversation about the role, please do send an email to the above contact (email info visible when you click 'How to apply') and we will be happy to arrange a time to speak with you.

Closing date Friday 24th October 2025.

Dementia Concern is an inclusive organisation that actively promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We welcome applications from 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.

#Chief Executive Officer #CEO #Chief Executive

37.5 hours per week • Salary range £44,152 to £46,842 (pay review pending 04/26) plus 4% employer’s pension contribution • Reporting to and supervised by Trustee Board • Based at Citizens Advice Teignbridge with home working and travel as appropriate.

We’re looking for a new Chief Executive Officer to lead Citizens Advice Teignbridge into the next stage of our development. This is a unique opportunity to guide a well-established and respected local charity that is part of both the national Citizens Advice network and the Citizens Advice Devon Consortium.

As CEO, you’ll work closely with our Trustee Board and be responsible for overall strategy, business development, and day-to-day management. You’ll make sure we continue to deliver high quality advice and support to people in our community, while also building the organisation’s profile and ensuring we’re financially sustainable.

We’re looking for someone who:

• is a strong, values-driven leader who can motivate and inspire staff, volunteers, and partners
• has excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to represent the charity to funders, civic leaders, and partner organisations
• can demonstrate experience of generating income in the not-for-profit sector and developing strong external partnerships
• brings sound project management skills, including the ability to produce clear analysis and reports

If you share our commitment to making a real difference for people facing challenges in their lives, and you have the vision and skills to help us build on our success, we’d love to hear from you.

For further details or an informal discussion please contact CEO – Vincent Willson or Malcolm O’Dea, Chair of Trustee Board - contact details available on our website via the apply button.

Deadline for applications: 12 noon on November 3, 2025

Interviews: November 18, 2025

In post: by April 2026

The role 

We’re looking for a new Chief Executive Officer to lead Citizens Advice Bath & NE Somerset. As CEO, you’ll work closely with our Trustee Board and be responsible for overall strategy, business development, and day-to-day management of the charity. You’ll make sure we continue to deliver high quality advice and support to people in our community, while also ensuring that we’re financially sustainable in a challenging funding environment. 

About us 

We are a well-established and respected local charity, serving residents and communities across the Bath and NE Somerset area. We deliver a generalist advice service and a variety of specialist projects to meet identified need. We are members of the national Citizens Advice network and a founding partner of the local Community Wellbeing Hub. 

About you 

You will need a successful track record in a senior leadership role gained in a complex organisation. You must be committed to our values and the services we provide.

You may be an experienced Citizens Advice professional, a senior manager with experience in the other parts of the voluntary sector or someone with an outstanding track record who is looking for a career change. 

We strive to achieve diversity in everything we do and so welcome applications from all sections of the community. 

How to apply 

If you share our commitment to making a real difference to people’s lives, and you have the vision and skills to help us build on our success, we’d be delighted to hear from you. 

The recruitment pack, including role description, person specification and job description is on our website. 

Closing date for applications: Monday 3 November 2025; 10.00am 

First interview (online): Wednesday 12 November 2025 

Second interview (in person; central Bath): Wednesday 19 November 2025 

Are you a strategic leader with vision and a passion for children’s wellbeing?
Do you work well in a collaborative environment where leadership is shared and purpose-led?

AT The Bus is seeking a dynamic Co-CEO (Business & Strategy) to lead alongside our inspirational Founder and Co-CEO, Juli Beattie OBE. Together, you’ll guide the charity through its next phase of growth, ensuring more children and young people access our transformational, school-based art as therapy programmes. You will be jointly accountable for the charity’s impact, financial health, partnerships, fundraising, operations, and governance.

About Khulisa
Khulisa (meaning “to nurture” in Zulu) is an award-winning national charity. We work with young people aged 11–25 whose lives have been affected by trauma or adversity. Trauma can profoundly impact a young person’s development — limiting their self-confidence, resilience, and ability to thrive.

For more than 18 years, Khulisa has provided evidence-based programmes that build social and emotional skills, helping young people to overcome barriers and reach their potential. We also train professionals, parents and carers to create trauma-informed environments, ensuring that all young people are cared for by adults who understand and respond to their needs.

The Role
We are seeking an inspiring Chief Executive Officer to lead Khulisa into its next chapter. The CEO will provide strategic leadership, financial and operational oversight, and the vision to grow our impact — building on strong foundations and trusted partnerships.

We are looking for an individual with:

• Proven business development skills and the ability to diversify income.

• Significant experience in stakeholder engagement — including funders, statutory bodies and partners.

• A strong track record of leadership, with a commitment to collaboration, inclusivity, and professional development.

• The confidence to act as Khulisa’s primary spokesperson and ambassador, championing our trauma-informed, person-centred approach at every level.

Why Join Us?
This is a rare opportunity to lead a charity with deep, long-standing relationships and a growing national profile. The CEO will play a central role in shaping the future of Khulisa, ensuring we continue to nurture young people and the communities around them.

How to Apply
To apply, please read the last page of the Job Pack. If you have questions before applying you can send these to the email address listed in the Job Pack. Someone will then be in contact with you and arrange a time to speak. 

First-round interviews will start in the first week of November. 

Chief Executive Officer – St Luke’s Community Centre

Location: London EC1V (on-site presence required)

Salary: Between £95,000 - £105,000 per annum

Contract: Permanent, full-time (37.5 hours per week)

Are you ready to guide St Luke’s Community Centre - south Islington’s 500-year-old community hub - into its next era of intergenerational community impact?

About St Luke’s

St Luke’s Community Centre traces its roots back over 500 years, stewarding ancient parish endowments to relieve poverty in our defined area of benefit. In 1982 we opened our purpose-built home on Central Street. In 2019 we transformed from an over-55s’ welfare organisation into a vibrant, intergenerational hub. Our programme of over 100 weekly activities has grown year-on-year, and we’ve become the first organisation in Islington to achieve the trusted standard benchmark. Our already strong reputation was bolstered by our team’s incredible response to the challenges the Covid-19 pandemic, during which we never closed, but pivoted to preparing daily meals, running befriending calls and welfare checks, and welcoming the community back in as soon as it was safe to do so. Today, we are the beating heart of the community.

As our next CEO, you will:

• Shape Strategy & Impact: Lead development and delivery of our three-year rolling strategy, balancing service excellence with financial sustainability.
• Governance & Finance: Oversee robust governance frameworks and financial controls, stewarding our £20 million investment portfolio, trading income and grant programmes.
• Operational Leadership: Inspire and support a diverse team of 44 staff and hundreds of volunteers, embedding a culture of continuous improvement, inclusion and professionalism.
• Income Generation: Unlock new revenue streams - maximising room hire, cookery-school capacity, digital/social enterprises and corporate fundraising partnerships.
• Community & Partnerships: Forge and deepen relationships with local authorities, corporate sponsors, umbrella bodies and community groups.
• Brand & Profile: Be the public face of St Luke’s, elevating communications, safeguarding our reputation and ensuring our values of inclusion, equality, friendship, wellbeing and support shine through.

Who you are

• A seasoned senior leader (CEO or equivalent), ideally within the charity, membership or community-services sectors.
• Demonstrable expertise in strategic planning, P&L management and complex stakeholder governance.
• A persuasive communicator and boardroom presenter with the gravitas to inspire trustees, staff, volunteers and funders.
• Entrepreneurial and innovative, able to identify revenue opportunities and drive their delivery.
• Hands-on and approachable - a visible presence on the shop floor as well as the board table.
• (Desirable) Experience of trading-arm management, social-enterprise models or corporate fundraising.

Why St Luke’s?

• Lead a historic, 500-year-old charity with a modern purpose-built centre at its heart.
• Salary between £95,000 - £105,000 plus generous employee benefits (Benenden health membership, pension, season-ticket loans, cycle-to-work, subsidised lunches).
• Shape a charity whose community-shop, wellbeing hub, cookery school, employment hub, lunch club and gardening projects touch hundreds of lives each week.
• Join a committed Board, supportive Chair and passionate team determined to grow St Luke’s impact in challenging times.

Please see the attached Recruitment Brief with details on how to apply.

Closing date for applications: 9am, Monday 10th November 2025

As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.

Chief Executive Officer - The Brain Charity

Location: Liverpool-based - occasional travel across Merseyside and the UK

Salary: circa £65,000 (+ 10% company pension on successful completion of probation)

Contract: permanent, full-time

Are you ready to lead a values-driven charity that supports people affected by neurological conditions and their families across Merseyside and nationally?

The Brain Charity is a Liverpool-based national charity supporting adults, children and their families affected by any of more than 600 neurological and related conditions. Since our roots in Merseyside community neurology (1992) we have grown a centre-based offer, hospital liaison roles and a national information, training and support service - from practical welfare and legal advice, counselling and rehabilitation (Neuro Gym) to peer connection via The Brain Food Café and employer/school training. We put lived experience, co-production and neuro-inclusive practice at the heart of everything we do.

As our next Chief Executive, you will:

• Strategic leadership: Develop and deliver a 5-year strategy and an operational plan with clear priorities that secures the charity’s long-term impact and sustainable growth.
• Values leadership: Model and embed the charity’s person-centred, inclusive and co-productive values across services and culture.
• Growth & income diversification: Lead development of diverse income streams - fundraising, legacies and commercial activity - to strengthen financial resilience.
• Partnerships & advocacy: Strengthen senior relationships with NHS partners, local authorities, commissioners and wider stakeholders; amplify the charity’s voice in neuro-health and community settings.
• Service quality & impact: Embed rigorous outcome measurement, quality assurance and contract compliance so our impact drives commissioning and service development.
• People leadership: Stabilise staff morale, lead and develop a high-performing Senior Leadership Team, and promote wellbeing and inclusive working practices.
• Governance & financial stewardship: Provide timely, high-quality reporting to the Board; oversee budgeting, forecasting and risk management to safeguard financial sustainability.

Who you are:

• An experienced Chief Executive or senior director with a minimum of three years’ experience at CEO or equivalent level.
• Proven track record of winning and managing commissioned contracts and delivering against local authority or health contracts.
• Skilled at building strategic partnerships and commanding credibility with senior stakeholders across health, local government and the voluntary sector.
• Confident at leading turnaround and financial sustainability work - experienced in budgeting, forecasting and making difficult decisions when needed.
• A values-led, collaborative leader with high emotional intelligence, resilience and a commitment to co-production and inclusion.

Why The Brain Charity?

• Lead a respected, person-centred organisation with a unique, wide-ranging offer across advice, emotional support, rehabilitation, social connection and national training.
• A high-impact role where you can stabilise the organisation, professionalise fundraising and scale services strategically.
• Liverpool-based centre with hybrid working and national reach - a chance to influence neuro-health practice and commissioning across the UK.

Please see the attached Recruitment Brief with details on how to apply.

Closing date for applications: 9am, Monday 10th November 2025

As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.

Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin an independent local charity, and a member of the national Age UK network of charities. They are committed to delivering the networks shared strategy and to supporting our local older people to ‘Change the Way we Age’.

The organisation has a robust governance structure, overseen by and active, highly skilled Trustee Board who bring a range of expertise and knowledge to support their Chief Executive and Senior Management Team.

They are now seeking to appoint a new Chief Executive to lead the senior management team provide leadership, develop and implement our strategic and operational plans, lead on income generation, partnerships, influencing and business development, acting as an effective advocate for the charity and its beneficiaries.

Key responsibilities:

• To support and advise the Chair and Board of trustees in setting the vision, strategy and business planning and implanting agreed decisions
• Create an organisation able to support its communities with easily accessible support
• To create and sustain effective multi-channel, multi-purpose income generation.
• Lead on organisational change: identifying and responding to internal and external challenges and influencing organisational culture so the organisation is supportive, inclusive and cohesive.
• Be a key influencer, ensuring the voices of older people are heard, and shaping local strategy, policy and partnerships.
• Ensuring financial stability though financial planning and risk management
• Deliver an ambitious, aspirational and innovative strategy that has a clear measurable impact.

The new Chief Executive will be responsible for the day to day running of the Charity, providing effective leadership and direction for the organisation. The successful candidate will instil the positive culture of the organisation and motivate the team to achieve fantastic results. You will be a problem solver who understands the bigger picture, with a passion for supporting older people, and will be able to demonstrate this through your experiences. You will be able to develop highly effective partnerships, be an active listener, excellent communicator and be an influencer and ambassador for the charity.

If you feel you have the values and skills to succeed in this role, we very much look forward to hearing from you.

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, or other category protected by law.

Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin is an equal opportunities employer and actively supports human rights, diversity and inclusion as well as all equality legislation. Our ethos is to respect and value people’s differences and to help everyone achieve more at work, as well as in their personal lives, so that they feel proud of the part they play in our success.

Applications should be submitted via the Charisma Charity Recruitment website and include your CV and supporting statement. For more information, please contact Sandra Smith, Associate Director, Charisma Charity Recruitment.

Closing date for applications: 26 October 2025

Charisma interviews must be completed by: 30 October 2025

1st Interview date: Friday 14 November at the client’s office

2nd Interview date: Monday 24 November at the client's office