Chief executive jobs

Job Title: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Contract: Permanent, 0.8-1.0 FTE

Location: Office (Stirling) or Hybrid

Salary:£55,000-62,000k FTE

Benefits: Generous Pension (up to 12% Employer + 6% Employee) & Holiday (full time holiday allowance starting at 28 days plus six bank holidays)

Closing Date:Thursday 30 April 2026

Interview Dates: Online – Friday 15 May 2026. In person, Stirling – Thursday 28 May 2026.

Circular Communities Scotland is a small but rapidly growing national charity, with a staff team of 12 and income of £527k last year. We are a membership network with a vision for a thriving circular economy in Scotland with local communities benefiting from the social, environmental, and economic outcomes. With a growing membership of over 270 charities, social enterprises and community groups we are always looking for new ways to support the reuse, repair and recycling Third Sector and see our vision become a reality.

Our outgoing CEO has taken Circular Communities Scotland to a strong position as a thriving charity with a strong track record of delivery. Are you the inspirational leader who can take forward our vitally important work in member support and representation in a challenging external environment?

We are determined to get the right person to join our strong team which is why we are open to exploring different options regarding place of work (office or hybrid) within Scotland. Post holders should be able to travel to our Stirling Office and central belt-based stakeholders about two days per week. At all levels of the organisation, we are strongly committed to staff wellbeing, equality, diversity and inclusion and we welcome and encourage candidates from underrepresented groups.

Full details about the role can be found in the job description and person specification which can be found on our website.

We ask applicants to submit a tailored 2-page CV and a 1-2 page covering letter setting out how you meet the requirements for this role. We want to hear your authentic voice in the application and would therefore discourage use of any AI generated content.

Applications should be uploaded to our recruitment portal before the closing date Thursday 30 April 2026. We would also appreciate the completion of our Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form and submitting it as detailed in the portal.

This is a rare opportunity to lead a nationally recognised suicide prevention charity at a pivotal moment in its development. We are not looking to become bigger, but stronger — building the leadership, systems and sustainability needed to protect and grow our impact.

Olly’s Future is a charity born from lived experience, working to prevent young people losing their lives to suicide. Over the past five years, we have trained more than 10,000 people in suicide prevention and built trusted partnerships across healthcare, education and communities. We are part of national conversations on how to better support young people and intervene earlier.

We are now seeking a Chief Executive Officer to lead the organisation into its next phase.

This is a significant leadership role, responsible for the overall direction, performance and sustainability of the charity. The CEO will work closely with the Board of Trustees and in partnership with our Founder, ensuring that Olly’s Future remains values-led, well-governed and financially resilient, while continuing to deliver high-quality, compassionate work.

We are looking for someone who can:

• Lead strategically while maintaining a strong operational grip
• Build financial sustainability through a diverse income mix
• Develop and manage partnerships across sectors
• Ensure strong governance, safeguarding and risk management
• Lead with integrity, emotional intelligence and sound judgement

This is not about changing everything or making it your own. It is about building on strong foundations with confidence and care — strengthening what works, creating stability, and enabling the organisation to grow safely and sustainably.

The role is part-time (2.5 days per week) and offers the opportunity to shape a charity operating in a critical area of national importance, contributing meaningfully to suicide prevention across the UK.

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 deeply human, we would love to hear from you. 

Friends of the Dales is seeking an outstanding Executive Director to lead our next chapter. We are an independent, dynamic and resilient charity working to protect and enhance the special landscapes, biodiversity and cultural heritage of the Yorkshire Dales, while supporting the wellbeing of local communities and encouraging people from all backgrounds to value, enjoy and protect this remarkable place.

This is an exciting opportunity for a values-driven leader to build on our strong reputation, recent strategic review and ambitious campaigning work. We are looking for someone who can combine strategic vision with hands-on leadership, bringing energy, credibility and expertise to a charity with a proud history and a growing future.

About Friends of the Dales

Friends of the Dales is an independent membership and campaigning charity dedicated to the Yorkshire Dales. We campaign on issues including nature recovery, wildlife, farming, access, housing, transport, climate resilience, landscape management and sustainable rural communities.

Founded in 1981, we are known for our critical and supportive local voice and our collaborative approach to campaigning and influencing policy. We work with partner organisations, local communities, trustees, volunteers and supporters to protect and improve the Dales for future generations.

We also work with the network of National Park Societies and Campaign for National Parks, and we have a strong commitment to widening diversity and inclusion across our charity and the communities we serve.

The Role

The Executive Director will provide strategic leadership, operational management and external representation for the charity. Reporting to the Chair of Trustees, you will be responsible for delivering the Board’s strategic direction and business plan, growing the supporter base, strengthening financial resilience and ensuring our campaigning remains impactful and aligned with our mission and values.

This is a varied and influential role requiring a confident, collaborative and hands-on leader who can balance strategic oversight with day-to-day delivery. You will work closely with trustees, staff, volunteers, members, supporters and external partners to help shape the future of the charity.

What We’re Looking For

We are seeking a candidate with:

● Senior leadership experience or aligned and transferable experience and skills in a charity, membership organisation or similar environment.

● Direct experience or transferable experience of campaigning, influencing, advocacy or policy work.

● Strong organisational leadership and operational management skills.

● Knowledge and experience of fundraising, membership growth, partnership working and charity operations.

● The ability to inspire staff, trustees, volunteers, members and supporters.

● A values-driven approach and a strong understanding of, or connection to, the Yorkshire Dales and the issues affecting it.

Experience in a similar setting may be transferable, and we welcome candidates who can demonstrate the skills, insight and leadership needed to succeed in the role.

Working Arrangements

This is a permanent role, offered as either:

● Part-time: 4 days per week, or.

● Full-time: 37 hours per week.

The salary is £50,000 per annum FTE, with part-time hours paid pro rata.

The role is based at Canal Wharf, Eshton Road, Gargrave, BD23 3PN, with some flexibility around working hours and location by agreement. Regular travel across the Yorkshire Dales and occasional evening and weekend working will be required. Ideally, the successful candidate will live in, or within approximately 30 miles of, the perimeter of the Yorkshire Dales.

We offer:

● 22 days annual leave, rising to 27 days after five years’ service, plus English bank holidays, pro rata for part-time hours.

● Additional paid leave over the Christmas and New Year office closure.

● An enhanced employer pension contribution of 5% via NEST.

Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK, as we are unable to offer sponsorship.

How to Apply

To apply please read the full candidate briefing - available on the Friends of the Dales website - and submit:

● A current CV, including any gaps in employment.

● A supporting statement of no more than 2,000 words, explaining why you wish to apply and how you meet the criteria in the person specification.

● Details of two referees, including one from your current or most recent senior leadership role, with confirmation that you are happy for us to contact them if shortlisted.

● Any dates when you may be unavailable or difficult to contact.

● Any adjustments or accommodations you may require at the interview or presentation stage.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a one-day selection event in the Yorkshire Dales, including a short presentation and panel interview. Full details of the presentation topic and interview questions will be shared in advance.

Recruitment Timetable

● Monday 18 May 2026, 5pm: Closing date.

● Week commencing 25 May 2026: Review of applications and shortlisting.

● Week commencing 15 June 2026: Shortlisted candidates invited to the Yorkshire Dales selection day.

● Week commencing 29 June 2026: Candidates informed of outcome.

Equal Opportunities

Friends of the Dales is committed to building a workforce that reflects the community it serves. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and all sections of the community, and we will respect the privacy of any initial approach or expression of interest, whether formal or informal.

Informal Discussion

For an informal and confidential conversation about the role, please contact Jonathan Riley, Chair of Trustees after reviewing the appointment brief.

We are looking for a proactive and highly organised Executive Assistant to provide comprehensive support to our CEO and Board of Trustees. This is a multi-faceted role that combines executive support with office management, ensuring our staff team has the administrative capacity to thrive.

About Prison Fellowship

Our mission is to show Christ’s love to people in prison by coming alongside and supporting them. Through programmes like Angel Tree, Letter Link, and Pastoral Care, we seek to transform lives. We are looking for an individual who shares this passion and vision.

The Details

· Contract: 9-month maternity cover (potential for extension up to 12 months).

· Start Date: June 2026.

· Location: Hybrid (minimum 3 days per week in our London office).

Equality & Diversity

We work with people from all walks of life and aim to reflect the diversity of our volunteers and the people we serve. We particularly welcome applications from underrepresented minoritised groups.

Are you an outstanding leader, fundraiser and a natural networker? Do you want to help local communities to take practical action to make a difference to UK seas and shores? 

Sea-Changers is looking for a motivated leader to make a step change at a key point in the organisation’s journey. Sea-Changers’ vision is a future where the UK’s seas and shores are clean and healthy and marine species and habitats are protected. Our grants seek to support communities of Sea-Changers – people who care about the seas and want to take practical action to make a difference. Through our grants we enable diverse, grassroots and community-led marine conservation across the UK.

Doubling our income to over £300,000 in 2025 has catalysed Sea-Changers to move from a volunteer-led charity to a sustainable organisation with a dedicated staff team. To enable this, we are seeking to appoint our first Executive Director. This new role will work alongside the Co-Founders and our Board of Trustees and lead the transition from a volunteer-led operation to a staff-led organisation.

As a driven individual, you will build on our success — strengthen partnerships, expand our impact, and help more communities to protect the ocean. Supported by a strong group of volunteers and an impressive Board, the Executive Director will be comfortable working at both a strategic and operation level, and ‘hands on’. By the end of 2027 it is our expectation you will take full responsibility for the strategic leadership and overall operational delivery of Sea-Changers.

This is an extraordinary opportunity for the right individual. It is a chance to build on our success to date, to forge new partnerships with our funders, to motivate and inspire our inspiring volunteer team and to engage with our wide community of applicants. Through Sea-Changers, the Executive Director has the rare chance to deliver a lasting legacy for UK marine conservation.

Strategic leadership, increasing organisational income and managing a motivated team of volunteers are essential aspects to the role. A passion for the marine environment is key, as is a working understanding of UK marine policy. We want someone who passionately advocates for Sea-Changers, who can communicate confidently and credibly at all levels. You will champion our oceans and galvanise others. 

Chief Executive Officer

We are seeking an inspiring, values driven Chief Executive Officer to lead a trusted women’s charity into its next chapter, strengthening impact, income and community influence.

Salary: £55,000–£60,000 FTE (pro rata, DOE)
Location: Holloway, London (hybrid working)
Hours: 0.8 (some flexibility)
Contract: Permanent
Closing date: 29th April 2026
Interview dates: Teams Interview – 1st May 2026 / 2nd Interview 5th May on site

About the role

This is a unique opportunity to lead a well established, community rooted women’s organisation with over 40 years of history. As Chief Executive Officer, you will provide strategic leadership, operational oversight and external representation, working closely with a committed Board of Trustees.

You will balance long term strategic thinking with hands on delivery, ensuring the organisation remains financially sustainable, well governed and responsive to the women it supports.

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing and delivering a clear organisational strategy aligned to the charity’s mission and values
• Leading, motivating and supporting a small, dedicated team
• Ensuring strong governance, safeguarding, compliance and operational systems
• Support high quality, person centred service delivery and impact through strategic oversight and delegation. 
• Leading income generation across trusts, foundations, corporates, earned income and individual giving also including pitching to major donors and relationship building with communities
• Managing budgets, financial planning and organisational resources
• Acting as an ambassador and advocate, building partnerships across local VCS and local authorities
• Raising the organisation’s profile, influence and reach locally and beyond

About you

You will be a confident, emotionally intelligent leader with senior level experience in the charity, community or related sectors. You are values led, collaborative and motivated by social justice, with the ability to inspire others and lead effectively through complexity.

You will bring:

• Proven experience of strategic leadership, organisational development and growth
• A strong track record of fundraising and financial management
• Experience of working effectively with a Board of Trustees
• Excellent communication, influencing and partnership building skills
• A genuine commitment to equality, inclusion and supporting marginalised communities
• The ability to thrive in a small organisation, balancing strategy with delivery

Experience in community services, welfare advice or working with women facing multiple disadvantage is welcomed but not essential.

About the organisation

The charity is a women only organisation based in North London with more than 40 years of history. It was established by women supporting one another through hardship and isolation and has since evolved to serve a diverse range of communities across London.

Today, the organisation supports women facing poverty, insecure immigration status, domestic abuse, ill health and social exclusion. It provides a safe, welcoming space where women are listened to, supported and empowered to improve their wellbeing and independence.

Please note: This is a women only role under Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010.
DBS and right to work checks will apply.

Other roles you may have experience of could include:
Director, Managing Director, Executive Director, Charity Director, Head of Operations, Head of Services, Director of Communities, Director of Programmes, Deputy CEO, Strategic Lead.

Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client – Not For Profit People. 

Use your leadership abilities to strengthen and encourage the persecuted church around the world.

Today 388 million Christians experience high levels of violence and oppression for their faith. And the shocking thing is that most people in the UK don’t know about it. Open Doors UK and Ireland raises awareness about the growing levels of persecution and enables people to join a huge underground global network which is keeping the church alive in the most dangerous and difficult contexts - despite the determined efforts of extremists to eradicate Christianity.

As we identify with people suffering for their faith, through prayer, giving and taking action, we see our faith grow. We see the church here become the mature body that we are called, in Scripture, to be.

We are now seeking a Chief Executive Officer to lead this work through a season of missional growth, opportunity and ambition. The CEO will be pivotal in raising the profile of the persecuted church, deepening connections with the church in the UK and Ireland and influencing Government to protect Christians around the world.

To that end, the CEO will be a strategic leader, highly relational in approach, agile and nimble in mindset, delivery-oriented and passionate about strengthening the church.

If that sounds like you please see the job pack attached and prayerfully consider applying. You can expect to have your own faith, reading of Scripture and prayer-life, transformed!

Closing date for applications is 8th May 2026.

We are looking for a dynamic, values-led, strategic leader to drive our mission for migration justice and social work solidarity. The role entails oversight of the operations and strategy of the organisation, responsibility for financial management and fundraising, maintaining the health of the organisation and embedding anti-racist and anti-opressive values into every aspect of the organisation. 

Lead one of the most successful social change movements of the 21st century

This organisation is the UK’s leading movement tackling in‑work poverty by raising standards of good work, so everyone can achieve a decent standard of living now and in the future. Established through community organising in East London, the movement has grown from a grassroots campaign led by cleaners, parents and faith leaders into a nationally and globally recognised benchmark for responsible business.

The organisation operates within a larger, nationally significant membership and community‑based organisation, benefiting from being part of a broader movement while retaining a distinct public identity, strategy and leadership.

Today, more than 16,000 accredited employers have lifted nearly half a million workers out of in‑work poverty, putting £4.2 billion back into people’s pockets. One in seven UK workers is now employed by an accredited employer within the movement.

Prospectus is supporting this organisation in the appointment of an exceptional Executive Director to lead the next chapter of this high‑profile, mission‑driven movement.

Executive Director
UK‑based, with two days per week in London, plus national and some international travel
Salary: £92,000 – £95,472 (including London weighting)

The Executive Director will provide strategic, external and organisational leadership, ensuring the organisation continues to deliver powerful, nationwide impact for low‑paid workers while working effectively within its parent organisation.

Building on a period of growth and a rising public profile, the Executive Director will lead the next phase of evolution — sharpening strategic focus, strengthening financial sustainability, and deepening influence with employers, policymakers and communities.

Person Specification

• Significant track record leading large‑scale, nationwide campaigns or programmes, including direct work with employers
• Substantial public leadership experience, with confidence engaging senior business leaders, civil society, media and political stakeholders
• Strong understanding of corporate environments, including ESG and corporate responsibility agendas, gained through direct experience working in, or closely with, private‑sector organisations
• Proven experience of strategic planning, organisational leadership and cross‑sector collaboration
• Ability to work effectively within a wider organisational ecosystem, balancing autonomy with alignment
• Deep commitment to social justice, community‑led change and broad‑based organising

How to Apply
For further information, please view the appointment pack via Prospectus' website.

Recruitment Timetable
Deadline for applications: 13th May
Interviews with the search consultancy: 21–25th May
Final interviews with the organisation: Week commencing 1st June

Lead a Grassroots Organisation Powering Community Change in South London

Chief Executive - Loughborough Junction Action Group (LJAG)

Location: Community-embedded, Lambeth (with flexibility)
Salary: £60,000 full-time equivalent (pro-rata for part-time)
Contract: Permanent
Hours: 4 days per week

About Loughborough Junction Action Group

Loughborough Junction Action Group (LJAG) is a deeply rooted, community-led charity working to improve lives in one of Lambeth's most diverse and unequal neighbourhoods. Since its inception in 2012, LJAG has grown from a volunteer-led grassroots group into a trusted local organisation delivering impactful projects across play, food, environment, employability and community connection.

LJAG exists to empower and unite local people through bold social action. The work is grounded in participation, lived experience and inclusion - ensuring that those most affected by inequality are central to shaping solutions. With an annual income of c.£600k, a committed staff team, and strong local partnerships, LJAG punches well above its weight and plays a vital role in the social fabric of Loughborough Junction.

The organisation is now entering a pivotal new phase. Core systems and structures have recently been stabilised, and the Board is seeking its first permanent Chief Executive to help embed this transition, reconnect people and projects, and lead LJAG confidently into its next chapter.

What You Can Look Forward To

As Chief Executive, you will shape the future of a grassroots organisation with deep local trust and ambitious social purpose.

You will:

• Lead LJAG through its next stage of organisational maturity, embedding new systems while safeguarding culture, warmth and humanity
• Set a clear, optimistic strategic direction that reconnects teams, strengthens collaboration and builds shared purpose
• Champion community empowerment and equity, ensuring LJAG remains rooted in lived experience and local voice
• Strengthen financial sustainability, diversifying income and building confidence with funders, partners and commissioners
• Build and nurture a healthy, inclusive organisational culture, where people feel safe, valued and supported to do their best work

Why This Role Matters

• LJAG is a trusted, visible force in a neighbourhood facing deep structural inequality
• The organisation has reached a critical transition point - this role shapes what comes next
• You will lead with real proximity to community
• The Board is committed, reflective and supportive
• Your leadership will have tangible, everyday impact on people's lives

About You

LJAG is seeking a CEO who leads with clarity and humanity. This role requires emotional intelligence, presence and trust-building alongside strategic and operational capability.

Skills and Experience

• Senior leadership experience, ideally as a CEO or in a comparable role within a charity, community organisation or values-led environment
• A strong track record of leading change, embedding new ways of working alongside trustees and staff.
• Confidence operating at Board level and managing governance relationships
• Sound operational knowledge, including safeguarding, people management, compliance and systems development
• Experience of fundraising and income diversification (grants, partnerships, trading or commissioning)
• Ability to communicate impact clearly and compellingly to funders, partners and stakeholders

Sector background is less important than values alignment, judgement and transferable leadership skill.

Personal Attributes

• Emotionally intelligent - and self-aware
• Approachable and visible across our projects and sites,
• Grounded and authentic
• Clear and confident, able to set boundaries, delegate and make decisions
• Resilient and adaptable, comfortable holding complexity and navigating challenge
• Deep commitment to equity, inclusion and community-led practice

Recruitment Timeline

To ensure fairness, transparency and equitable access to information, LJAG will host a candidate Q&A webinar in place of individual informal conversations with the Chair or Trustees. 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 Tuesday 21st April 2026 and we will send you a link.

Application Deadline: 5pm Wednesday 6th May
First Interviews: w/c 18th May
Final Interviews: w/c 25th May

How to Apply

Charity People Ltd is acting as recruitment adviser to Loughborough Junction Action Group on this appointment. To apply, please submit a CV and supporting statement (or alternative format) to Senior Appointments at Charity People 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 are committed to making this process inclusive and welcoming. If you require any adjustments or would like to apply in a different format, please let us know so we can support you fully.

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.

Worcester Students' Union 

Chief Executive Officer 

Salary: £62,000 - £64,000 per annum 

Working Pattern: Full-time

Location: Worcester

Contract: Permanent 

Atkinson HR is pleased to be supporting Worcester Students' Union in the recruitment of their next Chief Executive Officer. 

Worcester Students' Union (WSU) exists to represent, support, and enrich the lives of students at the University of Worcester. As a charity, everything they do is guided by a commitment to members, ensuring they have a voice, access to outstanding services, and a community they are proud to be part of. 

This is a genuinely exciting moment for the organisation. WSU has a fantastic opportunity to reshape its strategy and culture, supported by a dedicated and talented staff and officer team, and is determined to deepen its reach across a diverse student body, strengthen partnerships, and build on the energy and momentum that defines life at Worcester. 

About the Role 

As CEO, you'll provide overall leadership and management of WSU, taking responsibility for delivering its charitable objectives and ensuring excellent services for students. You will develop a sustainable, strategically focused organisation that is ready to meet the opportunities and challenges ahead. 

Working in close partnership with elected student leaders and the Board of Trustees, you will bring professional expertise to support governance, operational delivery, and long-term planning. You will lead a committed staff team, model the values of the organisation, and ensure that WSU continues to grow in reach, relevance, and impact across the student community. 

About You 

WSU are looking for a strategic and inspirational leader with significant senior leadership experience in a complex organisation, and a demonstrable track record of developing and delivering successful organisational strategy. You'll be financially and commercially astute, able to interpret data to inform sound decisions, and experienced in working constructively with Boards and senior external stakeholders. Experience within the higher education, students' union, charity, or membership sectors is desirable, though not essential. 

You'll be an empowering and energetic leader, someone who builds inclusive, high-performing teams, encourages creativity, and is willing to engage with operational delivery as well as strategic direction. You'll bring the ability to balance challenge and support, fostering a culture of collaboration and accountability across the organisation. 

Above all, WSU are looking for someone with a genuine commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, and a real passion for working in a democratic, student-led environment. You'll believe in the importance of student voice, be able to communicate a compelling shared vision to a wide range of stakeholders, and demonstrate a lasting commitment to WSU's charitable objectives and long-term development. 

How to Apply 

Please click 'Apply' to be redirected to the Atkinson HR website, where you can download the Candidate Information Pack and find details of how to apply. 

For an informal conversation about the role and application process, please contact Atkinson HR via. the information in the candidate pack. 

Key Dates 

Closing date: Midday, Tuesday 5th May 2026 

Longlist Interviews (Remote): Tuesday 26th May 2026 

Final Stage Interviews (In-person, Worcester): Monday 1st June 2026 

Science matters more than ever. At a moment of real opportunity, this is a chance to lead an organisation that sits at the heart of the scientific community.

Location: Hybrid - home and central London office.

Closing date: 9 a.m. Monday 11th May 2026

Who we are

The Science Council is a Royal Charter body and registered charity, connecting over 30 professional bodies and learned societies across science. Together, this community represents scientists, technicians and educators working across disciplines and sectors.

We connect the science professions and provide professional recognition that supports individuals, strengthens employers and benefits society. Through our registers, our partnerships and our convening role, we help raise standards, encourage innovation and support a workforce that is increasingly vital to public life.

About the role

With a new strategy in its early stages, growing policy engagement and a clear ambition to strengthen long term sustainability, this is a pivotal moment for the Science Council, as we seek our next Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Working closely with the Chair and Board, you will lead the organisation to deliver its strategy with clarity and momentum. You will bring together and work with more than 30 diverse member organisations, each with different sizes, structures and scientific focuses, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs understood. You will also help to align priorities and deepen collaboration across the wider science ecosystem, building strong relationships with partners and stakeholders.

The role balances strategic leadership with a hands-on approach. You will lead a skilled and committed team, ensuring the organisation is well run, financially sustainable and able to respond to opportunities as they emerge. At the same time, you will be an external voice for the Science Council, building relationships with government, employers and opinion formers, and strengthening the organisation’s visibility and influence.

Central to the role is a focus on growth and relevance. This includes expanding professional registration, developing new partnerships and identifying opportunities to diversify income while staying true to the organisation’s purpose.

What we are looking for

We are looking for a leader who is motivated by public benefit and the role science plays in society. You may come from within the science community, a professional or membership body, or a related sector. What matters most is your ability to lead in a complex, multi stakeholder environment and to bring people together around a shared purpose.

You will bring experience of leading an organisation or significant function through a period of growth or change and have the credibility to engage with senior stakeholders across policy, industry and the professions. We need someone with a strong understanding of governance and the ability to work closely with a Board and the ability to balance strategic thinking with delivery, in a relatively small and agile organisation.

A commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, and to creating environments where people can contribute and belong is crucial and we are particularly interested in leaders who listen carefully, build trust and are comfortable working across boundaries. Above all, you will be thoughtful and collaborative, with the confidence to make decisions and guide the organisation through its next phase.

Closing date: 9 a.m. Monday 11th May 2026.

For further information and details of how to apply, please click the link to be directed to the Peridot Partners page. 

Lead a National Voice Driving Cardiovascular Health in the UK
Chief Executive - HEART UK
Location: Hybrid, with regular national engagement
Salary: Up to £90,000 dependent on experience
Type: Full time

About HEART UK
HEART UK is the nation's leading cholesterol charity - an organisation with a powerful voice, a bold mission, and the potential to transform millions of lives. With high cholesterol affecting up to half of the UK population, our work spans patients, clinicians, policymakers and the general public. The organisation is known and respected for its expertise, evidence based advocacy, and the ability to convene national conversations on cardiovascular health at the highest levels.

HEART UK is a dynamic, values driven charity with a turnover of c.£2m and a deeply committed team. Its influence rivals organisations many times its size, and they are poised for significant strategic growth. This is an extraordinary opportunity to lead a national health charity that is respected across clinical, policy and patient communities, and ready to scale its impact further.

What You Can Look Forward To
As CEO, you will shape the future direction of a charity with profound purpose and national significance.

You will:
* Drive Strategic Growth and Innovation
* Influence National Policy
* Strengthen Income and Build Long Term Sustainability
* Lead and Inspire a Dedicated Team

Why This Role Matters:
* The cause is vast and urgent
* HEART UK's voice is powerful and its influence is national
* The organisational culture is exceptional
* Your impact will be visible and immediate
* You will be leading at a pivotal moment

About You
HEART UK seek a leader who combines emotional intelligence, commercial strength and strategic vision.

Skills and Experience
* Strong track record in charity leadership, senior operational roles, or income generation leadership
* Skilled relationship builder comfortable with high level external representation
* Ability to oversee marketing/comms development (specialist knowledge not essential)
* Experience leading organisations through growth or transformation
* Health sector knowledge helpful but not required - learning will be supported in house

Personal Attributes
* Visionary and strategic, with a passion for public health
* Empathetic, people centred and values driven
* Adaptable, resilient and skilled at navigating complexity
* Confident communicator with natural presence and credibility
* Hands on, practical and comfortable working at pace in a small, high achieving charity

Recruitment Timeline
To ensure equitable access to information and uphold HEART UK'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 Tuesday 14th April 2026 and we will send you a link.

Application Deadline: 5pm Friday 1st May 2026
First Interviews: w/c 1st June 2026
Final Interviews: w/c 8th June 2026

How to Apply
Charity People Ltd is acting as a recruitment agency advisor HEART UK on this appointment. Interested candidates are invited to submit a CV to Senior Appointments at Charity People 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.

Chief Executive Officer at Newcastle University Students' Union 

Salary: £86,892 – £97,973 per annum. In line with NUSU's Pay Policy, new starters are typically placed at the bottom of the scale, with annual increments applied thereafter.

Hours: Full-time

Location: Newcastle upon Tyne

Contract: Permanent 

About Newcastle University Students' Union 

Atkinson HR are pleased to be supporting Newcastle University Students' Union (NUSU) in the search for their next CEO. NUSU is a dynamic, student-led organisation at the heart of one of the UK's leading research universities. They exist to represent, support, and enrich the lives of students, providing outstanding services, championing student welfare, and creating a vibrant community in which every student can thrive. 

This is a genuinely exciting moment to join NUSU. 

About the Role 

As Chief Executive Officer, you will provide overall leadership and management of NUSU, setting and delivering the organisation's strategic direction in close partnership with elected Student Officers and the Board of Trustees. 

You will empower student leaders to fulfil their democratic mandate, lead a high-performing Senior Leadership Team, and ensure that everything you do is anchored in the needs and aspirations of the student membership. Maintaining a collaborative and constructive relationship with Newcastle University will be central to your success. 

NUSU operates a diverse range of services, including a well-established commercial offer that plays an important role in supporting the organisation’s wider aims. You will provide strategic oversight of this activity, ensuring it remains sustainable, values-driven, and responsive to student needs. 

We are looking for an innovative and forward-thinking leader who is open to new ideas and approaches. You will be an engaging and approachable people-person, able to build strong relationships, inspire confidence, and create an environment where colleagues and student leaders feel empowered to contribute and thrive. 

You will hold overall accountability for the financial performance, legal compliance, and reputation of the organisation, ensuring NUSU remains sustainable, credible, and responsive to the evolving demands of the higher education sector,

About You 

NUSU are looking for a strategic and inspirational leader with a genuine passion for student experience and higher education. You will bring a proven track record of leading complex organisations, managing diverse teams, and driving meaningful change, alongside the emotional intelligence to work effectively with a democratically elected student leadership. 

You will be financially astute, commercially aware, and confident navigating governance and compliance responsibilities. Equally, you will be a skilled relationship builder with the ability to work in genuine partnership with the University, external stakeholders, and the wider Students' Union sector. 

A commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion is non-negotiable. You will champion a culture in which every student and staff member feels valued, heard, and able to contribute. 

How to Apply 

Please click 'Apply' to be redirected to Atkinson HR’s website, where you can download the Candidate Information Pack and find details of how to apply. 

For an informal conversation about the role and application process, please contact Atkinson HR via. the information in the candidate pack. 

Key Dates 

Closing date: Midday, 5th May 2026

Longlist Interviews (Remote): Tuesday 19th May 2026 

Final Stage Interviews (In-person, Newcastle upon Tyne): Tuesday 2nd June 2026