Chief executive officer jobs in Brighton and hove

The People Matter Trust is a Christian Charity based in Eastbourne helping jobseekers reach their full potential.  The organisation gained the Queens Award for Voluntary Service in 2022 and is Matrix accredited. The Board of Trustees are seeking to recruit a Chief Executive Officer for a position that will become vacant due to retirement during the autumn of 2026. The post will be fulltime (35 hours per week).

We are looking for someone who can:

• Lead strategically while maintaining a strong operational awareness
• Build financial sustainability through diverse income streams
• Develop and manage partnerships across sectors, including Churches and para-Church organisations
• Ensure strong governance, safeguarding and risk management
• Lead with integrity, emotional intelligence and sound judgement

This role is about building on strong foundations to strengthen what works, creating stability and enabling the organisation to grow safely and sustainably.

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 person-centred, we would love to hear from you. 

Under the 2010 Equality Act, schedule 9, there is a Genuine Occupational Requirement for the Senior Management Team (CEO and Director of Operations), and Board of Trustees to be practising Christians, to ensure the protection of our strong Christian ethos and values.

People Matter is an inclusive employer.  However potential applicants should be aware that our office premises are located on 2nd floor of a multi-occupancy building with no lift and we are unable to accommodate wheelchair users.

The salary for this post is £41,000 per annum.

Closing date for receipt of applications is midnight on Friday 3rd July 2026

Interviews will be held during the period 20th to 21st July 2026.

Registered Charity number: 1062467 

Director / Chief Executive – CPRE Sussex

Location: Sussex-based or genuinely Sussex-commutable, with flexible / hybrid working and regular travel across the county

Salary: £60,000 – £70,000 FTE, pro rata

Contract: Permanent, 3–4 days per week

A rare chance to shape the future of Sussex’s countryside.

About CPRE Sussex

CPRE Sussex is the countryside charity for Sussex. An independent county charity and part of the wider CPRE network, we have a respected county-wide voice and strong local roots, alongside the support of national CPRE.

Our work brings together planning influence, campaigning, membership, volunteering, events and practical countryside projects. From responding to major developments and local plans to building public support through communications and community activity, CPRE Sussex plays a visible role in shaping the future of place across the county.

This is a significant moment for the organisation. Following a period of change, new staff capacity and recent investment, CPRE Sussex is building on growing confidence, a stable financial platform and renewed momentum. The next Director / Chief Executive will help translate that foundation into greater influence, stronger cohesion and more sustained impact.

As our next Director / Chief Executive, you will:

• Strategy & Impact: Work with trustees to turn CPRE Sussex’s mission into clear priorities, practical plans and measurable outcomes.

• Governance & Finance: Provide confident oversight of governance, compliance and reporting, while ensuring resources are directed to the greatest effect.

• Operational Leadership: Lead a small, part-time and distributed team with clarity, pace and good judgement.

• Income Generation: Strengthen membership, supporter engagement and fundraising to build a more resilient, diversified income base.

• Community & Partnerships: Build trusted relationships with communities, partners, local authorities, public bodies, elected representatives and volunteers.

• Brand & Profile: Act as a visible and credible public voice for CPRE Sussex on planning, countryside and environmental issues, and position us as the leading countryside charity for Sussex.

• People & Culture: Maintain alignment and focused, constructive working relationships across trustees, staff, volunteers and external supporters.

• Change & Development: Help shape the next phase of organisational development following a period of transition and growth.

Who you are

• A seasoned senior leader with strong commitment to CPRE Sussex’s mission and purpose.

• A credible external representative, comfortable engaging with media, decision makers, partners and supporters.

• Experienced in leading people, projects or organisations through change and transition.

• A thoughtful communicator with sound judgement, diplomacy and strong interpersonal skills.

• Confident working with boards or trustees and supporting robust governance.

• Commercially aware, with an instinct for membership, supporter development and financial sustainability.

• Organised, practical and able to direct finite resources to where they will have greatest impact.

• Experience of campaigning, planning, environmental or public policy work would be highly desirable, alongside strong digital confidence and/or charity fundraising exposure.

Why CPRE Sussex?

• You will be joining a respected Sussex charity with genuine relevance to planning, land use and countryside protection.

• There is strong momentum to build on, including a stable membership base, recent public profile growth and visible practical projects.

• The organisation has substantial reserves and recent investment in capacity, providing a strong platform for the next phase.

• You will work with a committed board, engaged staff and active volunteers who care deeply about the charity’s future.

• This is a rare opportunity to shape both an organisation and the wider countryside debate across Sussex.

Closing date for applications: 9am, Monday 13th July 2026

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.

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.

Rainforest Trust UK

Rainforest Trust UK (RTUK) (Charity No. 1169111) is a high-impact conservation charity dedicated to protecting the world’s most threatened tropical forests.

This is a pivotal moment for global conservation and for our organisation. As one of the most effective rainforest conservation charities globally, Rainforest Trust has helped protect over 60 million acres of tropical rainforest across more than 67 countries, delivering permanent protection for some of the world’s most threatened ecosystems.

Rainforest Trust UK is one of the charity’s fastest-growing affiliates, now generating £2m+ annually and supporting a global organisation with $55m+ in revenue with significant ambition for further growth and impact.

The role
We are seeking a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead the next phase of our strategic plan driving growth in income, strengthening the organisational capability, and positioning the UK as a leading philanthropic engine within the global organisation.
The CEO will provide overall leadership of Rainforest Trust UK, with a primary focus on fundraising, external engagement, and partnering.
This is a hands-on leadership role, requiring both strategic clarity and operational execution. The CEO will lead a small team, work closely with the Board of Trustees, while partnering with the global CEO and senior leadership based in the USA.

Key responsibilities

Strategy and organisational leadership

• Lead the delivery of the 2026–2030 strategy, aligning UK priorities with global objectives
• Translate strategy into clear plans, targets, and performance metrics
• Drive organisational focus on outcomes, impact, and growth

Fundraising and external leadership

• Act as a senior ambassador for the organisation in the UK and internationally
• Build Rainforest Trust UK’s visibility and influence within philanthropic networks
• Personally cultivate and manage a portfolio of high-value donor relationships

Financial Stewardship

• Oversee financial planning, budgeting, and performance including annual audit
• Ensure strong financial controls and effective use of resources
• Support the growth of sustainable income to maximise conservation impact

Governance and Board engagement

• Ensure compliance with UK charity regulation and best practice
• Provide clear, rigorous reporting on performance, risk, and finances
• Work in close partnership with the Board to support effective governance and decision-making

Global partnerships and collaboration

• Build strong, effective relationships with global Rainforest Trust leadership
• Align UK fundraising with global conservation priorities
• Act as a key interface between UK donors and global programmes

Leadership and culture

• Lead and develop a small, high-performing team
• Create a culture of accountability, clarity, and delivery
• Ensure effective organisational structure and use of resources

Purpose & Alignment

• Deep commitment to environmental conservation and climate impact
• Motivated by the opportunity to deliver measurable, lasting global outcomes
• Alignment with Rainforest Trust’s values of effectiveness, integrity, and partnership

Why Join Rainforest Trust UK
This is a rare opportunity to lead an organisation where:

• Impact is clear, measurable, and permanent
• There is significant opportunity to scale income and influence
• You can play a direct role in protecting some of the world’s most critical ecosystems

At a time when the protection of tropical forests is more urgent than ever, this role offers the chance to combine purpose with performance delivering meaningful impact at global scale.

Candidate profile
We are seeking a credible, externally focused leader with:

• A strong track record in fundraising, particularly major donors and high-value relationships
• The ability to operate with credibility, influence, and judgement at senior levels
• Experience leading organisations or teams through growth and change
• Experience working with Boards and an understanding of UK charity governance

Above all, candidates will bring a clear alignment to the mission and is motivated by the opportunity to deliver measurable, lasting conservation impact at global scale.

As Chief Executive, you will provide visible, compassionate and credible leadership across the organisation. Working closely with the Board, Senior Leadership team, staff, volunteers and supporters, you will set strategic direction, drive financial sustainability and champion exceptional care for those who need us most!

You will be the primary ambassador for St Catherine’s, developing and managing key NHS and system wide partnerships, influencing locally and regionally, and ensuring the hospice remains a trusted, valued partner within an evolving health and social care landscape.

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Key priorities

• Values‑led leadership – living and breathing our core values every day, fostering a culture of energy, courage, expertise, connection, and not forgetting Human!
• Strategic delivery – translating our vision into clear priorities that keep St Catherine’s relevant, responsive and impactful
• Financial sustainability – navigating ongoing financial challenges faced by the hospice sector, strengthening income generation and ensuring long‑term resilience
• Partnership & influence – building strong, constructive relationships with NHS partners, other hospices and third sector organisations, commissioners and system leaders
• Modern and digitally savvy – ensuring the organisation continues to evolve, embracing digital innovation and using data and technology to improve care, efficiency and reach
• People & culture – empowering staff and volunteers, developing talent and leading change with clarity and empathy

About you

You will be an experienced, credible leader with a strong strategic mindset and a track record of leading complex organisations through change. You may come from the hospice, health, public, voluntary or related sectors, but you will bring clear understanding of partnership working, financial stewardship and the realities of operating in a constrained funding environment.

Above all, you will share our values, believe deeply in our mission and be motivated by the opportunity to lead St Catherine’s confidently into a modern, sustainable future.

This post is offered on a permanent, full-time basis, working 37.5 hours per week, (flexible working patterns would be considered for the successful candidate). At St Catherine’s we offer work from home opportunities, however this is adaptable depending on business need and regular onsite attendance is required.

Please note, the successful candidate will be an essential car user, therefore candidates must have a full driving licence and access to a vehicle.

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The recruitment process will be a four-stage process:

• Application process closes 17 July 2026
• Shortlisting and testing 20 August 2026
• Presentations to our stakeholders 4 September 2026
• Interview Panel 7 September 2026

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Please visit our website to view Giles Tomsett's retirement announcment video, to view our draft Finance information and to see a covering letter from our Chair of Trustees.

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​Employees at St Catherine’s Hospice can enjoy a variety of benefits including:

• Generous annual leave starting at 27 days, (rising to 32 days after completion of probation) and 36 days with length of service, plus Bank Holidays, and an opportunity to buy / sell annual leave days. Plus we offer a day off for volunteering & moving house.
• Generous Pension scheme with up to 9% employer contributions or honour of NHS pension.
• Life Assurance Scheme, Counselling Offering, and a range of discounts.
• Enhanced maternity and adoption pay.

How to Apply:

If you join St Catherine’s, you’ll be joining a supportive team all working towards a big ambition: a future where everyone approaching death and those who love and care for them can access compassionate, specialist palliative and end of live care. If that sounds like something you’d find fulfilling, please apply today​.

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We want our recruitment process to be accessible to everyone, and we are proud to be a Disability Confident Level 2 Employer, committed to creating an inclusive, supportive workplace, if you need any help completing your application form please contact our HR team.

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Terms & Conditions:

• This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check. By applying you are confirming you have read the Enhanced Check Privacy Policy for applicants and understand how DBS will process my personal data and the options available to me for submitting an application.

• Please ensure you have read our employee and recruitment privacy statement prior to applying for this role.

• Must be authorised to work in the United Kingdom, please note we are unable to offer visa sponsorships.

• Please note a requirement of all roles at St Catherine’s is to complete mandatory E-learning training and remain compliant with this throughout your employment.

• We understand that Artificial Intelligence (AI) may be used to support some applications, whilst we do not discourage this, please ensure any documentation and applications submitted accurately and truthfully reflect your own experience and suitability for this role.​

We are located in Grace Holland Avenue, Pease Pottage, Crawley, West Sussex RH11 9SL. You can access the Hospice by car, bus, bike or walking, with full transport details on our website.

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If you require any additional information or would like an informal discussion with our current Chief Executive, please visit our website for contact information and we will arrange this.