Chief executive jobs

Royal Medical Benevolent Fund (RMBF) is a purpose-driven charity dedicated to supporting doctors, medical students and their families through financial hardship and wellbeing challenges. With a history dating back to 1836, RMBF provides vital grants, practical advice and emotional support to those facing illness, injury, bereavement or crisis ensuring no one in the medical profession faces difficulty alone.RMBF plays a critical role across the medical profession by offering financial assistance, wellbeing support and community connection during some of the most challenging periods of a clinician’s life. 

RMBF is a values-led organisation with a deep understanding of the pressures of medical life. Funded largely by donations from the medical community and its supporters, RMBF are united by one clear purpose: to care for those who care for others. 

We are seeking an experienced, strategic and values-driven Chief Executive to bring a collaborative, approachable and people-centred leadership style, whilst enabling RMBF to deliver the highest standards of support to hundreds of doctors and medical students in great need. 

Key priorities include extending RMBF’s reach and profile, ensuring a clear and accessible offer for beneficiaries, maintaining strong governance and regulatory compliance and sound financial management, and overseeing and supporting HR and operational functions. 

Chief Executive 

Royal Medical Benevolent Fund 

Salary: £85,000 – £90,000 

Location: Wimbledon, with 3 days in the office required 

About you 

We are seeking a highly collaborative and competent leader, with: 

• Proven experience as a CEO or similar executive leadership position. 

• Strong strategic and operational acumen. 

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. 

• Ability to build positive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders. 

• Track record of successfully leading teams and driving growth. 

• Strong financial acumen and financial management experience at senior level 

• A collaborative management style 

Crucially, you will be inspired by RMBF’s vital work supporting doctors, medical students and their families through times of serious need from financial hardship and ill health to isolation and bereavement and by their commitment to providing practical help, advice and a safety net that improves lives across the medical profession every year. 
 

How to Apply 

For further information, to access the appointment brief and to apply to this role, please visit the Prospectus website.

If you have any queries or wish to have an informal discussion about the opportunity, please contact our retained advisors Harjit Bola or Erica Ritchie via email with a copy of your CV. 

Recruitment Timetable  

Deadline for applications: Wednesday 21st January 2026 

Interviews with Prospectus:  w/c 26th January 2026 

First stage interviews with RMBF:   w/c 2nd February 2026 

Second stage interviews with RMBF: w/c 9th February 2026 

Barnet Mencap is a very well-established local charity which provides services and support for people with learning disabilities, autistic people, and their family carers, while also campaigning alongside them to improve their lives. The organisation aims to create a world where people with learning disabilities are valued equally, have their voices heard and are included in the community. 

We are looking to appoint a new CEO to lead the organisation and ensure it continues to provide its much-valued services.

The successful candidate will have: 

• Experience in a senior role in a relevant service i.e. Learning Disabilities, Children or Adult Services

• Experience of developing a strategy and monitoring framework in a similar environment 

• Experience of effective partnership working at a strategic and practical level 

• Proven track record of income generation and financial management 

• Knowledge of charity governance, regulation for a medium size charity, and working effectively with a board of trustees.

• Knowledge of the Health and Social Care environment, including key policies and legislation 

• Understanding of Health and Safety and Safeguarding in a service delivery environment 

• Understanding of the Social Model of Disability and how to apply it to deliver empowering person-centred projects and services 

Please read the full Job Description, Person Specification and Recruitment Pack for further information on the role. 

To apply, please send your CV alongside a covering letter explaining how you meet the criteria in the person specification. 

The successful candidate will be required to complete an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service application in line with Section 115 of The Police Act 1997.   

 Closing Date: 16th of January 2026 

Interview dates are planned for the 10th and 11th of February 2026.  

Goods For Good is seeking an inspiring Chief Executive Officer to lead the charity through its next chapter of growth, impact and sustainable change.

This is a rare opportunity to take the helm of a well-established, values-driven organisation at a pivotal moment in its journey, building on strong foundations to support people in need while reducing waste at scale.

After more than a decade of transformational leadership from our Founder and CEO, Goods For Good is entering a planned period of transition. We are now looking for a CEO who can provide confident strategic and operational leadership, strengthen partnerships, and guide the organisation through its next phase of development.

Founded in 2014, Goods For Good redistributes surplus, overstock and quality-seconds goods from businesses to vulnerable communities in the UK and overseas. Our unique model sits at the intersection of humanitarian aid and environmental responsibility, ensuring usable goods reach people who need them most rather than going to landfill.

Working with hundreds of corporate partners and a growing network of charity partners, we have delivered essential items to millions of people and prevented over 50,000 tonnes of goods from going to waste. Our work is practical, collaborative and impact-driven, rooted in dignity, sustainability and compassion.

As CEO, you will work closely with the Chair and Board of Trustees to shape strategy, grow income and partnerships, and ensure operational excellence across our UK and international work. You will act as Goods For Good’s lead ambassador, inspiring confidence among funders, partners and stakeholders, while empowering a committed team and volunteer network to deliver our mission.

This role will suit an experienced, values-led leader with a strong track record in partnership building, income generation and organisational growth, who is motivated by the opportunity to lead a charity that delivers tangible impact for people and planet.

At The Brilliant Club, we are mobilising the PhD community to create a society where every child has a fair chance to unlock their brilliance, regardless of where or how they grow up, and where positions of influence are open to everyone, not just the most advantaged. As we approach the end of our five-year strategy, Join the Club, we are seeking a bold, insightful, and committed CEO to guide us into our next strategic period as we look to significantly expand our reach and impact.

The Chief Executive will provide strategic and inspirational leadership to The Brilliant Club, guiding the organisation through the next phase of its strategy and ensuring that it continues to deliver meaningful impact for the students, parents, researchers and partners we serve. They will bring in new forms of philanthropic and place-focused partnerships to support the charity to reach areas that are currently underserved. They will work closely with the Board of Trustees, the Executive Leadership Team and colleagues across the charity to set direction, make sound decisions and foster a culture that is values-led, inclusive and ambitious. The role spans both strategic and operational leadership.

We are supported by Tall Roots for the search for our new CEO. For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Mark Crowley at Tall Roots.

Chief Executive Officer - FoodCycle
Location: Vauxhall, London (flexible working; regular travel to Projects and for meeting with key stakeholders required)
Salary: circa £75,000
Contract: Permanent, full-time (35–37.5 hours per week)

Are you ready to lead FoodCycle through a period of consolidation and sustainable growth, protecting its volunteer-led, guest-centred model while building reliable income streams and scaling proven pilots?

About FoodCycle
FoodCycle is a national charity running volunteer-powered community dining projects that combine rescued surplus food, spare kitchen space and local volunteers to deliver free, hot, sociable three-course meals. Our work sits at the intersection of food-waste reduction, food-poverty relief and loneliness prevention. Nationally scaled but locally delivered, FoodCycle has grown rapidly, enjoys strong volunteer goodwill and is developing promising trading and schools pilots to strengthen sustainability.

As our next CEO you will:

• Shape strategy & impact - co-create and implement a clear 3–5 year strategy and a focused 12-month operational plan with measurable milestones.

• Stabilise leadership & culture - provide visible, warm and practical leadership across Projects; develop the senior team and protect volunteer trust.

• Secure financial sustainability - own the income strategy, diversify revenue across trusts, individual giving, corporate partnerships and trading, and present credible cashflow plans to the board.

• Build commercial & trading capacity - drive Manor House and other trading pilots towards viable, repeatable income models.

• Safeguard quality & risk - ensure robust safeguarding, food-safety and operational thresholds for opening new Projects.

• Raise profile & partnerships - act as FoodCycle’s principal ambassador to corporates, funders, local authorities and policy audiences.

Who you are

• A senior leader with experience stabilising and growing people-facing, delivery-focused organisations.

• Proven at generating income from multiple streams, with commercial fluency to develop simple trading models and convert corporate engagement into lasting partnerships.

• Financially literate - comfortable owning budgets, forecasting and discussing risk with trustees.

• Excellent at people and change management - able to build and motivate small national teams and large volunteer cohorts.

• Data-driven, curious and pragmatic - tests pilots, embeds what works and sets clear go/no-go criteria for scale.

• Values-driven and visible - passionate about food justice, guest dignity and volunteer leadership.

• Right to work in the UK and satisfactory DBS checks required.

Why FoodCycle?

• Lead a nationally recognised, volunteer-led movement tackling food waste, food poverty and social isolation.

• Play a pivotal role growing promising trading and schools pilots to create sustainable income.

• Work with an engaged Chair and committed board, and a small, passionate national team.

• Be part of a friendly, non-hierarchical culture where leaders are visible in Projects.

For full details of the role including how to apply, please download the full appointment brief. For an informal and confidential conversation about this position, please contact Jenny Hills at Harris Hill at via the apply button with times to speak and (optional but appreciated) a CV or professional profile which will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Closing date for applications: 9am, Monday 19th January 2026

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.

Lead with compassion. Inspire through purpose. Shape the future of Hospiscare.

Hospiscare has been at the heart of our community for over 40 years, providing outstanding specialist end-of-life care and support to people and their families across Exeter, Mid and East Devon. As we look to the future, we are seeking an exceptional Chief Executive Officer to lead our charity with vision, empathy and strategic strength.

The opportunity

This is a pivotal leadership role — guiding a much-loved local charity through a period of challenge but also opportunity. You’ll work closely with a dedicated Board of Trustees and an experienced Leadership Teams to shape and deliver our strategic goals, ensuring Hospiscare remains resilient, sustainable, and true to our founding values of care, compassion, and dignity.

You’ll be the public face and voice of Hospiscare — inspiring confidence among our staff, volunteers, supporters, healthcare partners, and the wider community. Your leadership will ensure we continue to deliver the highest standards of specialist palliative care while innovating to meet the changing needs of our patients and our community.

About you

You are an accomplished and compassionate leader, able to inspire and unite people around a shared purpose. With substantial senior leadership experience — ideally gained in the charity or health and social care sectors — you bring a track record of shaping strategy, managing complex budgets, and achieving sustainable results.

You’ll understand the challenges facing healthcare and charitable organisations and bring creative, collaborative solutions. You are confident working with a Board, comfortable in the public eye, and driven by a genuine commitment to making a difference to people’s lives at the most profound of times.

Key strengths you’ll bring

• Strategic vision and proven experience leading organisational change and growth
• Strong understanding of governance, finance, and regulatory environments
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills — connecting easily and authentically with people from all walks of life
• A leadership style that combines compassion, clarity, and courage
• A deep alignment with Hospiscare’s mission and values

Why join Hospiscare?

At Hospiscare, you’ll find a community of extraordinary people — staff and volunteers dedicated to providing the very best care and support when it matters most. This is more than a leadership role; it’s an opportunity to make a lasting impact on a vital local charity and the lives of countless people in Devon.

We are working with Charity Recruitment Consultant, Jackie Dawkins of Shine Charity Recruitment,who is supporting our search.  For further details about Hospiscare, please read the Recruitment Pack 

Key Dates:

• Closing Date – 26th January 2026 at 5pm
• First Interview with Jackie Dawkins (via Zoom) – 2nd/3rd February 2026
• Shortlisted candidates informal meeting with Chair – 23rd February 2026
• Interview and Assessment Day at Hospiscare – 24th February 2026

The Brain & Spine Foundation is seeking a Fundraising-Focused CEO to take the helm of our charity at a moment of growth and opportunity. This is a rare chance to shape the future of a national charity, driving income, influence and impact for the 1 in 6 people in the UK affected by neurological conditions.

As Fundraising Focused CEO, you will combine leadership with personal fundraising delivery, building high-value relationships, diversifying income streams, and raising the charity’s profile. Working closely with a committed Board and a passionate team, you will lead a trusted organisation into its next chapter to ensure more people than ever can access vital information, support and hope when they need it most.

Deadline for applications

Sunday 11th January

Interviews with Brain & Spine Foundation

w/c 19th January

Driving Mobility seeks an inspiring, strategic leader to guide its UK network and champion independence for people with restricted mobility.

Applications close at 9 a.m. Monday 12th January.

Location: Work from home with significant travel

Driving Mobility is the national charity that coordinates a UK-wide network of driving and mobility assessment centres, supported by the Department for Transport. Together, these centres help thousands of people every year – including disabled, older and newly injured individuals – to drive safely, access suitable vehicles and maintain their independence.

We are now seeking an exceptional Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead the Charity into its next phase of growth and influence. This is a pivotal moment for Driving Mobility as it strengthens its national voice, expands digital and outreach services, and deepens collaboration across government, health and the voluntary sector.

The ideal candidate will be a strategic and inspirational leader, capable of balancing operational oversight with external advocacy.

You will bring experience of partnership working at a senior level, strong financial and organisational acumen, and a genuine commitment to improving mobility and inclusion for all.

If you are motivated by purpose, partnership and impact, this is a rare opportunity to shape the future of accessible transport and independent mobility across the UK.

Please click 'Redirect to recruiter’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the job description and register your interest to apply.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Monday 12th January.

Migrants Organise is seeking an experienced and values-driven Co-Director to join our leadership team and work closely with our CEO and the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to strengthen Migrants Organise’s organisational infrastructure, support growth and sustainability.

This is a pivotal leadership role that combines strategic vision, grassroots solidarity movement building with hands-on management. The Co-Director will contribute to key aspects of organisational development, including strategic leadership, fundraising and financial management, staff management and development, governance, and capacity building of our grassroots membership to ensure that our mission and movement values are reflected in our internal systems, culture and external impact.

 Job Description Deputy CEO

Help us to prevent self-harm and abuse so that every young person can lead a safe and fulfilled life free from the risk of serious harm from themselves or others.

Pay: £45,000 pro rata per year

Hours: Flexible working hours 3-4 days a week

Hybrid role 50:50 in the Harrow office and remote

Reporting to CEO

Benefits

· 28 days’ holiday rising to 30 after 1 year (including public holidays) 

· Pension scheme – Employer contributions 6% 

Professional development opportunities 

· Flexible Working – Right to request flexible hours or patterns 

· Hybrid Working – Balance between office and home working 

· Additional day of leave over the Festive period 

· Hot drinks provided on site

The wïsh centre is a Registered Charity in London Borough of Harrow that helps young people to stop self harming so that they can live a life free from the risk of serious harm. Every year we support over 150 children and young people ages 12-25 years through long term psychotherapy and peer support groups. We deliver our work in schools and colleges and at our Centre in Harrow. We have a twenty year evidenced track record of success and a small and dedicated team.

 We have a new three year strategy where we will focus on enhancing the capacity of wïsh Harrow so that we can support more young people and will continue to focus on partnership work with youth voice being central to, and informing, all that we do.

Purpose of the Role

The Deputy CEO is a new and exciting role that is pivotal in supporting the CEO in leading the charity, ensuring operational excellence, strategic growth, and sustainable impact. This role combines leadership, governance, income generation, stakeholder engagement, and quality assurance to help drive the charity’s mission forward.

The Deputy CEO will work closely with the CEO, enhancing capacity to recruit and retain staff and diversify sources of funding to ensure the sustainability of our service.

You will be responsible for creating new partnerships and commissioning opportunities and help us with income generation and the stewarding of funding relationships whilst keeping an overview of the quality of our services and how we communicate about our work.

You will be entrepreneurial and fast thinking, with skills of persuasion and strategy. Experience of working in the education, charity, mental health or social care field will be an advantage together with a genuine drive to improve life chances for young people.

Evidence of a track record in securing funding and commissioning is crucial.

Leadership & Governance

· Deputise for the CEO when required, ensuring continuity of leadership and decision-making.

· Contribute to strategic planning and the implementation of the charity’s vision and values.

· Prepare board papers, coordinate board meetings, and take accurate minutes to support effective governance.

· Act as a member of the senior leadership team, contributing to high-level decision-making.

Fundraising & Stakeholder Engagement

· Support the CEO in securing funding through high-quality bids and proposals to trusts, foundations, and corporate  partners.

· Secure leads for commissioning with local schools and colleges and potential partnerships.

· Develop and steward strong relationships with funders, sponsors, local authorities, and other key stakeholders.

· Represent the charity at external events and meetings.

Operational & Team Management

· Manage and support a small staff team, including recruitment, induction, supervision, performance management and annual appraisals.

· Act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) when required.

· Ensure all areas operate efficiently, meet compliance and safety standards, and support the charity’s purpose.

Policy and Monitoring and Evaluation

· Responsibility for Monitoring and Evaluation, including funder and impact reports

· Coordinate and manage policy development, risk management, and charity administration.

· Lead the creation and presentation of annual reports, impact evaluations, and other stakeholder funding reports and communications.

· Monitor KPIs and targets to ensure the charity meets its funding requirements and achieves positive outcomes.

· Support quality assurance processes

Data & Systems

· Maintain effective recording systems for both quantitative and qualitative data.

· Use management information systems to inform practice and identify trends.

· Ensure the website, social media and external communications are robust and effective.

Person Specification

Essential Skills & Experience

· Experience in a senior management role.

· Experience of writing successful funding bids and of commissioning.

· Track record of developing collaborative partnerships with other organisations.

· Understanding of, and commitment to the issues we work with and our values.

· Producing monitoring and evaluation and impact reports.

Desirable

· Strong leadership, influencing, and communication skills.

· Excellent organisational and problem-solving abilities.

· Financial expertise in budgeting and financial management.

· Thorough understanding of the charity sector and business functions (HR, IT, finance).

· Experience in strategic planning and stakeholder engagement.

· Knowledge of safeguarding and quality assurance frameworks.

· Familiarity with regulatory bodies and compliance standards.

· Knowledge of marketing and communications including websites and social media.

Be part of The Vegan Society’s journey as we begin delivering our new three-year strategic plan to drive meaningful change.

We are seeking an experienced Executive Assistant to provide high-level administrative support to the Chief Executive Officer. This role is central to ensuring the CEO’s time and priorities are managed effectively and that communication with internal and external stakeholders is clear and timely.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the CEO’s diary, travel arrangements, and correspondence.
• Prepare reports, presentations, and briefing materials for meetings, events and other public engagement activities.
• Provide administrative and minute-taking support for Board and committee meetings.
• Support the CEO with strategic projects as required.
• Handle confidential information with discretion and professionalism.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Proven experience supporting at CEO or Director level.
• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure.
• Competence in Microsoft 365 and familiarity with online meeting/event platforms.
• Professional, proactive, and adaptable approach.

Desirable: Experience in a not-for-profit or mission-driven organisation and knowledge of governance frameworks.

Benefits

• Flexible working hours.
• Ethical pension scheme (5–7% employer contribution).
• Health cashback scheme & Employee Assistance Programme.
• 25 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays and Christmas closure days.
• Death in service benefit.
• Climate perks (additional paid time off for sustainable travel).
• Animal companion compassionate leave.

How to Apply

If you are interested, please send your CV along with a personal statement (no longer than two sides of A4) demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the person specification.

Closing date for applications: Friday 30th January 2026.

Interviews will be held: Wednesday 11th/Thursday 12th February 2026.

Apply now and help shape the future of The Vegan Society.

Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) is a pioneering, purpose-driven charity at the forefront of Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS). For over 35 years, we’ve delivered world-class, pre-hospital emergency care across Kent, Surrey and Sussex—responding to over 3,000 incidents last year alone and saving countless lives. Operating 24/7, 365 days a year, our highly skilled, multi-disciplinary team uses cutting-edge technology and medical innovation to reach patients in under 30 minutes, wherever they are in our region.

KSS is a complex and ambitious people centred, and values led charity with a unique culture across clinical, aviation, fundraising, marketing and communications, and corporate services. With a daily operating cost of £57K and 91% of our total income raised through public generosity, we are proud to be one team with one purpose – saving lives and ensuring the best possible patient outcomes. Our headquarters at Rochester Airport and aircraft base at Redhill Aerodrome enable the delivery of the highest standards of pre-hospital emergency care across our communities, helping us reach more patients and save more lives.

We are now seeking a strategic, values-driven Executive Director of Corporate Services to join Team KSS—a highly collaborative, expert team united by our vision of an end of preventable loss of life from medical emergency. This is a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of one of the world’s leading air ambulance charities.

Executive Director of Corporate Services

Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS)

Across Rochester, Kent and Redhill, Surrey

Circa £110,000 full time equivalent

The role

It’s an exciting time for KSS as we refresh our strategy and take bold, collaborative action to reach more patients, improve more outcomes and save more lives. As Executive Director of Corporate Services, you’ll lead a broad portfolio of strategic and operational functions to support the delivery of the strategic plan and our lifesaving service. You’ll work closely with the Chief Executive and Board of Trustees, supported by a talented team and expert advisors, to ensure KSS remains a well-run, ethical, and innovative organisation. No matter the role at KSS, everyone is fearless and tireless in fighting to save even more lives.

About you

We are seeking a highly collaborative, financially competent leader, with:

·Commercial acumen with proven experience at a senior leadership level in treasury and finance management, budgeting and business planning

· A track record of working in innovative and ambitious environments, through a highly supportive and collaborative approach

· Experience of identifying, planning for and delivering new opportunities and efficiencies that maximise organisational-wide effectiveness.

Crucially you will be inspired by our critical work to save the lives of the thousands of people across our communities every year and our vision of an end to preventable loss of life from medical emergency.

Inclusion

KSS is committed to creating an equal, diverse and truly inclusive culture where everyone feels welcome and able to be their authentic selves. We believe that everyone has the right to live without fear or prejudice, and be treated fairly, and with respect and dignity regardless of sex, race, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, background or religion or belief and we welcome applications from those with protected characteristics.

How to Apply

For further information, to access the appointment brief and to apply to this role, please visit the Prospectus website.

If you have any queries or wish to have an informal discussion about the opportunity, please contact our retained advisors Anna Gardet or Erica Ritchie. 

Recruitment Timetable 

Deadline for applications:  Monday 19th January 2026

Interviews with Prospectus: 26th – 30th January 2026

Engagement meetings with KSS: 4th February 2026

Interviews with KSS: w/c 9th February 2026

We’re looking for an organised and person centred leader who can join our leadership team to support the quality, growth and sustainability of Stomping Grounds North East CIO.

The Deputy CEO will support the CEO by planning, overseeing, monitoring, reporting and taking appropriate action to deliver the service, business and financial strategies ofStomping Grounds North East CIO, with a focus on developing people, business and safeguarding and ensuring management capability across the organisation. It is key that the successful candidate can work at least some of the school holidays. 

Reports to: CEO

Hours of work :35 hours per week (1 FTE)

Remuneration: TBD

Main responsibilities 

• To ensure projects and delivery adheres to the Company’s vision, mission and values. 

• To oversee the development and implementation of new projects and sessions to meet the Company’s aims and objectives. Specifically, to ensure that:

  • Appropriate risk assessments are undertaken and documented in line with Stomping Grounds Risk Assessment procedure

  • Appropriate communications to and involvement of communities, parents and schools are delivered effectively

  • High quality Forest School provision is delivered, in line with the Stomping Grounds NE vision

• To proactively manage the financial performance of projects and the business overall, including overseeing the planning and delivery of fundraising and donations

• To oversee, monitor and report on all aspects of business governance including health and safety, safeguarding and employee wellbeing.

• To work with line managers to develop their managerial capabilities and performance, with a focus on team development. As part of this, to ensure that:

  • Regular meetings of the team leaders are organised to share information on business performance, plans and issues and to create action plans as appropriate

  • Appropriate observations are conducted, documented and shared

  • PDRs are completed in line with company policy

  • To ensure training is up to date and relevant

  • To ensure that company policies are up to date and relevant and are reviewed as required

• To be proactive and maintain requirements for governing bodies, associations and memberships

• To develop and support the implementation of effective evaluation and impact monitoring processes, including annual reporting of the impact of Stomping Grounds work. 

• To attend meetings of the Board of Trustees and report progress against the business plan

• To carry out other duties compatible with the role purpose as reasonably required or as directed by the CEO.

Person Specification 

Essential 

• Proven exceptional leadership skills

• Experience of leading and developing a diverse staff team

• Excellent communication skills 

• Excellent organisational skills 

• Extensive project management experience

• Excellent understanding of neurodivergence 

• Excellent business management skills 

• Flexibility to work during school holidays 

• Ability to travel to our multi region sites including but not restricted to: Prudhoe, Haltwhistle, Chopwell, Leadgate, Benwell and Gateshead Riverside Park

• Commitment to Stomping Grounds Mission and Values

Desirable 

• Experience with Ofsted

• Experience of working in the charity sector

• Experience of working with children and young people, particularly those with neurodivergence and/or who are not currently thriving in mainstream schools

• Experience as a Designated Safeguarding Lead

• Experience of leading teams through change and growth

We abide by Safer Recruitment guidelines and therefore we only accept application forms.

Chief Executive Officer – The Abbey Centre
Location: The Abbey Centre, Westminster, London (site-based role, flexible working available)
Salary: £90,000 – £95,000 per annum
Contract: Permanent (Full-time, 37.5 hours/week; regular evening attendance for events as required)

Could you lead a much-loved community hub through its next chapter of stability, growth and civic impact?

About The Abbey Centre

Our charity has served the community of south Westminster since 1948 and has occupied The Abbey Centre building, a converted Victorian public bath house a stone’s throw from Westminster Abbey, since 1991. We are a site-based community hub and social enterprise, combining community services, training and outreach with venue hire, an on-site café and catering to generate income that supports our charitable work.

We work across employability, health and wellbeing, volunteering and practical support for vulnerable residents; the Centre welcomes people of all ages and backgrounds, and sees over 1,000 visits each week. Our strong partnerships with Westminster City Council, statutory bodies and corporate donors underpin commissioned activity and solidify our position as a trusted local delivery partner.

This is an opportunity for a visionary but hands-on leader to preserve the Centre’s warm, inclusive culture and outstanding reputation while further professionalising systems, developing our income, and shaping a multi-year strategy that secures the building and grows impact.

As our next Chief Executive Officer, you will:

• Strategy & Impact: lead a collaborative listening phase and then develop and deliver a 3–5 year strategy and rolling business plan that defines the Centre’s core offer and impact targets.

• Governance & Finance: own the annual budget and medium-term financial modelling, deliver full-cost recovery across activity lines and present timely, accurate management information to trustees.

• Operational Leadership: ensure continuity of community services, venue trading and café operations and strengthen operational systems including safeguarding, H&S and business continuity.

• Income Generation: drive commercial performance of venue hire, events and catering, professionalise fundraising (major donors, legacies, corporate partnerships) and lead bids for multi-year statutory contracts.

• Community & Partnerships: sustain and deepen strategic relationships with Westminster City Council, commissioners, local partners and corporate supporters to secure commissioned work and philanthropic income.

• Estate Stewardship: manage day-to-day stewardship of the Centre’s significant ageing building, overseeing maintenance, lease/compliance obligations and contractor relationships.

• People & Culture: build a cohesive senior team, embed clear role accountabilities, performance management and development, and protect the Centre’s welcoming culture while managing change.

• Brand & Profile: act as a visible ambassador locally and with funders to raise the Centre’s profile and champion its social value.

Who you are:

• A seasoned senior leader with proven experience in a small/medium charity, community organisation or social enterprise that combines front-line delivery with significant premises/estate responsibility.

• Demonstrable track record of leading strategic development and delivering organisational growth while balancing hands-on operational leadership.

• Strong commercial and earned-income expertise, with experience of running successful commercial – ideally site-based - operations.

• Confident in winning and managing statutory contracts and multi-year grant programmes; credible with local authorities, commissioners and corporate partners.

• Financially literate with direct budget and cash-flow accountability and experience of full-cost recovery modelling.

• A collaborative, visible and warm ambassador who builds trust quickly, communicates clearly and can present concise management information to trustees.

Why The Abbey Centre?

• A powerful mission: deliver practical services, companionship and opportunity for south Westminster residents in a civic, high-impact setting.

• A prominent, historic central Westminster location and a cherished community building offering scope for strategic estate planning and growth.

• A warm, loyal staff team and an engaged board navigating a positive leadership transition.

• A social enterprise model where successful trading directly funds frontline services and creates a platform for entrepreneurial leadership.

• The opportunity to shape a multi-year strategy that secures the long-term future of the charity and grows its impact in the community.

For full details of the role including how to apply, please download the full appointment brief. For an informal and confidential conversation about this position, please contact Jenny Hills at Harris Hill via the apply button with times to speak and (optional but appreciated) a CV or professional profile which will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Closing date for applications: 9am, Monday 12th January 2026

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.