Chief executive jobs

Liverpool Arab Arts Festival (LAAF) is the UK’s leading celebration of Arab arts and cultures. We are a small team that delivers huge impact - rooted in Liverpool’s communities yet connected to artists and audiences across the world. Our work is grounded in representation, collaboration, and exchange, bringing Arab creativity and perspectives to the heart of the UK’s cultural landscape.

As Chief Executive Officer, you will lead this unique organisation through a pivotal period of transition and renewal. Working closely with the Board, staff team, freelance workers, artists, communities and partners, you will provide strategic, financial, artistic and cultural leadership - ensuring that LAAF continues to thrive in an increasingly complex political, social, and financial climate. This is a deeply rewarding role that calls for someone who is rigorous, transparent, and community-minded; someone who understands both the practical challenges of running an arts organisation and a live festival, year-round events and engagement projects, and the responsibility of representing communities whose stories matter.

The ideal candidate will be ready to immerse themselves in the relationships and networks that keep LAAF alive, and to lead with creativity, care, and conviction.

We are supporting an impactful national charity, helping marginalised young people to make and monetise music.

At a time of reduced public funding, mental health challenges, climate change, and the growth of AI, we believe their mission has never been more urgent. Music builds confidence, creativity and community and it can transform how young people understand themselves and their place in the world.

This is a rare and exciting opportunity for a strategic, inclusive leader who shares this belief to join the UK’s largest and leading young people’s music charity. We are searching for a Chief Executive who will boldly campaign for the charity’s mission, inspire colleagues, and play a key strategic role in shaping their next chapter.

Chief Executive

Salary: £100,000 - £110,000 + benefits

Location: London, Southwark office- Hybrid working

We’re seeking a senior leader with a proven track record in securing major partnerships, grants, or donations, ideally from a charity, foundation, or similar organisation. You’ll have experience across the creative, youth, education, or cultural sectors, with expertise in funding strategy, impact measurement, and working confidently with government. A key priority will be accelerating income growth by building strong, strategic relationships with funders, policymakers, and philanthropists.

Key responsibilities include:

· Lead and evolve the charity’s strategy, ensuring it reflects the organisation’s vision and values.

· Act as principal ambassador, advocating their mission with authority and authenticity.

· Model inclusive, values-driven leadership, promoting equity, wellbeing, creativity, and youth participation.

· Oversee long-term financial planning and budgeting with the COO and board.

· Drive digital transformation through strategic adoption of digital tools and technologies.

As Chief Executive, you’ll be an effective spokesperson, progressive thinker, and committed advocate for grassroots youth music, able to connect with people from all backgrounds. If you bring energy, belief in young people, and a passion for music, we’d love to hear from you.

How to Apply
To apply for the role, please upload your CV together with a supporting statement (of no more than 1000 words) onto the Prospectus website.

Please ensure that you have included a telephone number, as well as any dates when you will not be available or might have difficulty with the recruitment timetable.   

If you would like to have an informal conversation about the role, please contact us for more information. 
 
At Prospectus we believe passionately that a truly inclusive workplace leads to increased social impact. We are committed to supporting our clients build more inclusive teams. To understand how we are performing, we ask that you kindly complete the brief equal opportunities questionnaire when you submit your application via our website. Please be assured that your responses are kept confidential, separate from your candidate record, are not part of any application you make, and that the consultants never see individual responses to the questionnaire.

Recruitment Timetable

Deadline for applications: Sunday 4th January (midnight) 2026

Interviews with Prospectus: 12-23 January

Interviews with the charity: 2-13 February

Interim CEO

Mental health charity | 3–6 Months | Hertfordshire - Hybrid
Salary: £55,000–£65,000 (pro rata)

I am excited to be working with an established mental health charity at a pivotal moment of change, seeking an experienced Interim CEO to provide steady, credible leadership during a period of transition.

Reporting to the Board, you will stabilise day-to-day operations while delivering a focused organisational review covering governance, safeguarding, culture, skills, and sustainability. This is a hands-on assignment starting early January 2026 requiring clarity, sensitivity, and pace.

Key Focus

• Lead and support staff and volunteers, ensuring service continuity

• Conduct an organisational and governance review

• Deliver a full safeguarding audit

• Assess skills and capacity across staff, volunteers, and trustees

• Facilitate sensitive conversations and help rebuild trust

• Advise on future leadership recruitment

About You

• Senior leadership experience in the charity sector

• Proven interim or turnaround experience

• Strong safeguarding knowledge and audit experience

• Excellent board-level communication and reporting skills

Practicalities

• Contract: 3–6 months

• Hours: Full-time (part-time considered)

• Location: Hybrid with regional travel

If you have the above skills and experience and are available from early January 2026, please apply online today, I would love to have a conversation with you!

Our client see a Britain where refugees find safety and have a fair chance to rebuild purposeful, happy lives, contributing to our communities. It is a vision rooted in dignity and shaped by the belief that everyone deserves the chance to live in stability and to thrive. Now, the organisation will appoint a new Executive Director of Fundraising & Digital and Prospectus is proud to lead the search.

Executive Director of Fundraising & Digital
£90,000
Permanent
Hybrid from the Stratford, London office, with travel to services as and when needed
Interviews beginning w/c 2nd February

The Executive Director of Fundraising & Digital is a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, responsible for ensuring the organisation's financial growth, supporter engagement, and digital transformation. This role provides strategic leadership across fundraising, digital platforms, brand, and supporter experience, ensuring these functions deliver ambitious income targets, expand public reach, and align with the organisation’s mission and values. The Executive Director builds and leads a high performing Fundraising and Digital directorate, fostering a culture of empowerment, innovation, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

The selected candidate will have extensive senior leadership experience in fundraising and income generation, with a proven track record of delivering significant income growth across multiple fundraising streams. You will also have significant experience of brand development and/or guardianship, ensuring consistency and impact across channels. The selected candidate will also need to demonstrate considerable evidence of driving innovation in fundraising and digital campaigns.

At Prospectus we invest in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you with your application. We welcome candidates from a diverse range of backgrounds. Please let us know if we can help you with the application process in any way. We are more than happy to make any reasonable adjustments to enable all interested candidates to apply. If you have any disability and would like assistance with completing an application then please contact Ryan Burdock at Prospectus.

If you are interested in applying to this Executive Director of Fundraising & Digital position, please submit your CV in the first instance. Should your experience be suitable, we will send you the full job description and will arrange for a call and/or meeting to brief you on the role. You’ll then have all the information you need to formally apply. We are looking forward to connecting with you soon.

Chief Executive Officer

Salary: £49, 282 - £54,495 per annum

Location: Gorse Hill Studios, Trafford, Manchester (Some remote working will be considered)

Contract Type: Full time, permanent

About Gorse Hill Studios

Gorse Hill Studios is a dynamic and ambitious youth and community arts charity. At the heart of our organisation is a belief that all young people deserve to feel valued, supported and inspired. We work with young people to build confidence, creativity and community connections, ensuring they have the opportunities and encouragement they need to thrive.

We believe that creativity can transform lives, and we are committed to placing young people at the centre of everything we do. Their voices, ideas and experiences help shape our programmes, partnerships and strategic direction.

We are entering an exciting phase of growth and development. Our team currently includes 20 core staff and a wider network of volunteers and creative practitioners, delivering a diverse portfolio of youth arts sessions, community engagement projects, creative wellbeing initiatives and partnership-led activity with local schools and organisations. The CEO will play a pivotal role in leading this portfolio, strengthening our impact, championing youth voice and ensuring young people continue to shape our future direction as we move into the next chapter of our development.

About the Role

As CEO, you will provide strategic, compassionate and visionary leadership, ensuring Gorse Hill Studios delivers its mission to empower and inspire young people. Reporting to the Board of Trustees, you will hold overall responsibility for the organisation’s performance, culture, operations and long-term sustainability. This role calls for someone who demonstrates strong strategic insight with the ability to influence and inspire others, using emotional intelligence and collaborative leadership to build positive internal and external relationships.

A fundamental part of this role is your commitment to embedding young people’s voice in decision making. You will champion their perspectives, ensuring programme development, strategy and organisational culture reflect the needs and aspirations of the young people we serve.

You will also be an ambassador for the charity, building trusted relationships with young people, partners, funders and the wider community. This role requires a leader who is values led, resilient and passionate about supporting young people through the arts and creative engagement.

Roles and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Governance

• Lead on the development and delivery of the charity’s long-term strategy, with young people meaningfully involved
• Ensure compliance with all statutory, regulatory and governance requirements, including Charity Commission expectations and safeguarding duties
• Provide clear, timely reporting to the Board
• Support the Board to operate effectively

Financial Management and Income Generation

• Oversee budgeting, financial planning and responsible management of all funds
• Lead a diverse income generation strategy
• Identify sustainable opportunities for organisational growth

Operational Management and Programme Delivery

• Oversee day to day operations and ensure systems are effective
• Ensure programmes are high quality, inclusive and reflective of young people’s needs and feedback
• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead, or ensure robust safeguarding practices across the organisation

People Leadership and Culture

• Inspire, support and lead a dedicated staff and volunteer team
• Champion a positive, inclusive and collaborative working culture
• Oversee recruitment, wellbeing and performance management

External Relations and Advocacy

• Act as the primary spokesperson and ambassador for Gorse Hill Studios
• Build strong relationships with partners, funders and stakeholders
• Advocate for and with young people locally and nationally
• Represent the charity confidently at events and in the media

Skills and Experience

Essential:

• Senior leadership experience in the charity, youth, arts or wider non-profit sector
• Strong financial management skills
• Proven success in fundraising or income generation
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement
• Knowledge of safeguarding practices in youth settings
• Experience leading teams and developing positive organisational cultures
• Strategic leadership experience

Desirable

• Experience in the youth arts or creative community sector
• Understanding of the Trafford community landscape

Values and Commitment

We are committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from individuals who share these values and are passionate about empowering young people.

An enhanced DBS check will be required.

Application Details

To apply, please submit your CV and covering letter.

Closing date: 19 January

Interview date: 23 January at Gorse Hill Studios

Interviews will include a stakeholder panel and a formal interview.

REF-225 658

This role supports Kate Varah, as Executive Assistant to the Executive Director and Co-Chief Executive (EAED), providing proactive, discreet, senior-level support within a busy office and theatre environment.

The EAED will support Kate in delivering their role efficiently and effectively, focusing on significant and complex diary management to ensure smart and strategic prioritisation. They will source and / or draft correspondence, research notes, speeches and briefings as needed; develop, implement, and maintain systems as necessary; arrange local, national and international travel; co-ordinate the sector-wide leadership network that the NT provides administration support to; support a collaborative and values-driven working atmosphere within a dynamic environment.

As an engaged and diplomatic communicator, they would act as first point of contact for all matters relating to the ED, working in partnership with colleagues in the Directors’ Office, Senior Leadership Team, and more widely across the organisation, as well as with artists and external parties. The EAED would be trusted to support or lead on projects as required, and act as an effective bridge for all relevant communications to ensure Executive awareness and involvement as necessary.

The successful candidates will have the following:  

• Experience in an assistant role within an Executive-level environment (corporate or charity sector)
• Exceptional written and administrative skills, with a focus complex and strategic diary management
• Excellent communication (in all mediums), interpersonal, and organisational skills, including building and maintaining key relationships in a senior space
• Proven experience in safeguarding sensitive and confidential information accordingly, with a core understanding of prioritisation
• Experience in minuting and report drafting

If that sounds like you, then we would love to hear from you!

The closing date for the receipt of a completed application is Monday 19th January 2026 at 12 noon

About the Refugee Council 

The Refugee Council is the nation’s refugee charity. Together with community groups, partners and volunteers, we help people who have escaped war and persecution to rebuild their lives, integrate into communities, and play their part in Britain. Born in the aftermath of World War II, our frontline services support over 14,000 refugees each year to find safety, get to know their neighbours, and enter education, training or work. We share our evidence and expertise with policymakers to help build integrated communities where everyone can contribute.

We have offices across the UK where our Services teams provide support to refugees at local level. 

Inclusion and accessibility 

Ensuring that the Refugee Council is an inclusive and accessible place to work is important to us. We want to enable people from different backgrounds to apply and thrive with us. We believe our recruitment process enables that and are also happy to make adjustments on request.

Our Values 

Our values underpin everything we do:

• Inclusive: We are inclusive. We work with - not for - refugees and people seeking asylum, so they have an equal voice, co-producing projects and ensuring their expertise and experiences are at the heart of what we do. 
• Collaborative: We are collaborative. Working with others is a priority in order to have the collective impact that is vital to achieve policy and practice reform.
• Courageous: We speak out when we see injustice, cruelty and unfairness. We always stand up for what we believe is the right thing to do to transform the experiences of those seeking protection in our country.
• Respectful: We are respectful of all those we interact with. We treat everyone – our staff, volunteers, beneficiaries, partners and people we disagree with – with the same respect, professionalism and understanding. 

About the role

The Executive Director of Fundraising & Digital is a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, accountable for ensuring the Refugee Council’s financial growth, supporter engagement, and digital transformation. The role provides strategic leadership across fundraising, digital platforms, brand guardianship, and supporter experience, ensuring these functions deliver ambitious income targets, expand public reach, and align with the organisation’s mission and values.

As the executive lead for income generation and digital innovation, the postholder drives improvements in fundraising strategy, supporter acquisition, donor stewardship, and digital content delivery. They embed a culture of creativity, accountability, and continuous improvement, ensuring fundraising and digital activity is ethical, compliant, and maximises long-term sustainability. They provide authoritative advice to the Chief Executive, Board, and Committees, ensuring robust income planning, brand positioning, and digital resilience.

The Executive Director builds and leads a high performing Fundraising & Digital directorate, fostering a culture of empowerment, innovation, equity, diversity, and inclusion. They act as joint guardian of the Refugee Council brand, ensuring consistency and impact across all channels, and model the organisation’s values, enabling staff and volunteers to deliver outstanding fundraising performance and dynamic digital engagement that strengthens public support for refugees and people seeking asylum.

Staff benefits

To reward our staff for the value they bring, we offer a variety of enhanced terms and conditions and a wide range of benefits, including:

• Training & Development
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Pension Scheme
• Work Life Balance Policies
• Employer-Sponsored Volunteering
• And more.

Let’s work together to improve the lives of refugees in the UK - apply on our website today.

Closing date: 26 January 2026.

Ensuring that the Refugee Council is an inclusive and accessible place to work is important to us. We want to enable people from different backgrounds to apply and thrive with us. We believe our recruitment process enables that and are also happy to make adjustments on request.

Join Quartet Community Foundation’s small, supportive finance team to provide additional capacity as our Head of Finance returns from absence. You’ll work closely with the Head of Finance and CEO to deliver accurate, timely financial reporting and help modernize our systems.

Key Responsibilities:

· Produce monthly management accounts and board reports.

· Ensure investment income is integrated into financial updates.

· Support improvements to financial systems and reporting for clarity.

· Collaborate on efficiencies and make data accessible to non-finance stakeholders.

About You:

· Qualified accountant with charity finance experience.

· Skilled in fund accounting, Excel, and financial systems.

· Able to present complex information clearly and meet deadlines.

Benefits:

Pension (6% employer), health benefits, EAP, Cycle to Work, 29 days holiday + public holidays, flexible working.

Join Society of St James (SSJ) as Executive Director of People & Culture and help shape a culture that never gives up on people.

Applications close at 9 a.m. Wednesday 14th January.

The Society of St James exists to end homelessness in Hampshire, person by person. For over 50 years, we’ve supported people whose lives have been shaped by hardship, trauma and systems that haven’t worked for them. Today, we work across Southampton, Portsmouth and the wider region, offering safe accommodation, recovery support and opportunities that help people regain stability and hope.

We are now seeking an Executive Director of People & Culture who shares our belief in dignity, compassion and second chances. As a key member of our executive leadership team, you will create the conditions where our staff feel equipped, encouraged and confident in the work they do.

If you want to bring your expertise to a charity that stands firmly beside people and never gives up on potential, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference.

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. Wednesday 14th January.

Senior Executive Assistant - Start date 5 Jan 2026
FTC 6–9 months | c.£45k | Full-time, Hybrid - 1 day per week remote - Central London (with some travel)

I am delighted to be supporting a leading national arts organisation in the search for a superb Senior Executive Assistant to work closely with the Chief Executive. This is a high-profile role requiring exceptional organisation, judgment and discretion.

The role
• Complex diary and inbox management
• Preparing briefings, agendas and meeting packs
• Coordinating UK and international travel
• Supporting Board meetings and governance administration
• Event and hospitality coordination
• Managing enquiries and maintaining accurate records

You will have
• Significant experience supporting senior leaders
• Excellent communication, relationship-building and attention to detail
• Confidence handling confidential information and competing priorities
• Experience within the arts or creative sector

Desirable
• Charity governance and GDPR knowledge
• International travel coordination experience
• Strong Microsoft 365 skills

A fantastic opportunity for a polished, proactive EA who thrives in fast-paced creative environments.

Interested? If you have the above skills and experience and are immediately available, please apply online today, I would love to have a conversation with you!

 Harris Hill is supporting a leading London charity to recruit a new Director of Services and Deputy CEO.

Salary: £65,000 + pension · Full time · Kensington & Chelsea (hybrid)

In this pivotal role, you’ll work closely with the CEO to drive organisational strategy, lead high-quality Health, Wellbeing and Community Services, and ensure the charity continues to grow, innovate and deliver real impact for older people.

You’ll oversee service delivery, impact and quality, lead business development and income generation, and build strong partnerships across the NHS, local authority and voluntary sectors. You’ll also provide compassionate leadership to managers and teams, champion co-production, and deputise for the CEO when required.

We’re looking for:

• A senior leader from the charity, public or community sector
• Experience delivering health, wellbeing or community services
• Strong track record in business development and securing income
• Excellent partnership-building, strategic and communication skills
• A values-led, collaborative leader with commercial acumen

Why apply?
A unique chance to shape the future of a respected local charity, drive innovation and impact, and develop as a future CEO — with a supportive culture, ambitious team and competitive package.

For more information, please send your CV to

Deadline: Wednesday 7th January  at 9am

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.

We are looking for a dynamic and experienced programme manager who will oversee The Advice Workforce Development Fund (AWDF). AWDF is a collaborative programme dedicated to strengthening and sustaining the social welfare advice sector in London. The role will coordinate and run steering and advisory groups, and ‘task and finish’ groups, working with cross-sector stakeholders to enable the implementation of recent recommendations generated by research commissioned by the programme, and help with monitoring and evaluating the project and funded projects under this programme. The successful candidate will have strong project management skills, a commitment to social justice, and a track record of delivering impactful support to external partners.

The workforce development programme was created after working closely with a group of funders and advice sector representatives who are now steering group members. The programme has reached an exciting stage, as it transitions from a foundation-laying and research phase into more of a focus on influencing and implementation of the learning generated to date, while also maintaining and strengthening new and existing relationships. This role, with support from the Head of Sector Support and Grants and the CEO, will oversee the continued development and delivery of this exciting partnership into the longer-term. This role will also work closely with the Propel initiative under London Funders to ensure effective coordination of work is done at all levels.  

Full-time 35 hours per week. 2 year's fixed term

For the right candidate we are open to flexible working terms. Hybrid working is available, office based in Gloucester

Salary Band 5 (£30,961 – 33,682) per annum depending on experience

We are looking for a highly organised, experienced and exceptional administrator to work as a trusted partner to The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Church Development Agency (CDA). The CDA is a national organisation dedicated to supporting the Church in serving its communities through the delivery of affordable housing and community development projects, established in response to the Church of England’s “Coming Home” report.  

This key role within the CDA requires a thinker who can anticipate needs, manage priorities, and support The CEO in his leadership function and ensuring effective governance. The Executive Assistant (EA) will play a pivotal role in enabling the CEO to oversee a diverse portfolio of approximately 50 affordable housing projects. Most of the work is funded by the Oak Foundation, with a focus on achieving long-term sustainability.

The ideal candidate will have:

· Demonstrable experience of working as a high-level EA support to a CEO/Senior leader or equivalent

· Excellent time management and the ability to balance numerous priorities and deadlines

· A high degree of confidentiality and flexibility

Crucially, you will love to organise and drive forward actions while building meaningful relationships and enabling social impact.  If you are looking for a stimulating role where no day is the same, this could be the perfect job for you.

Closing date is 10 am on Monday 12th January 2026

Interviews in Gloucester on Thursday 22nd January 2026

This is a unique opportunity to lead a high-impact voluntary sector charity at the heart of the Bexley community. You’ll be supported by a passionate and dedicated staff team committed to inclusion, collaboration and strengthening the local VCS. If you are a resilient, adaptable and empathetic leader with a strategic mindset and a deep belief in the power of communities, we would love to hear from you.

About the role

As the Chief Executive Officer, you will: 

• Lead strategy, vision, and organisational direction.
• Represent BVSC across local, regional, and national partnerships.
• Ensure governance, compliance, and financial oversight.
• Lead staff and senior leadership team; fostering an inclusive and supportive culture.
• Promote continuous improvement, service quality, and impact.
• Strengthen relationships with statutory partners, funders, VCS organisations, and communities.
  
  About you

We’d love to hear from you if you are:

• Experienced voluntary/public sector leader with strategic, operational, and financial expertise.
• Collaborative, resilient, inclusive, and adaptable.
• Skilled in partnership working, stakeholder engagement, and system leadership.
• Committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and organisational values.
  
  Why join BVSC?

BVSC is a supportive, friendly team committed to strengthening the voluntary and community sector in Bexley. We offer:

• 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays).
• An extra day off for your birthday.
• 6% employer pension contribution.
• Flexible working: one day working from home each week, with flexible start and finish times (8am–6pm, core hours 10am–4pm).
• Access to the Blue Light Card.
• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities.
• A positive, inclusive team culture where your ideas are valued.