Chief executive officer jobs in central london, greater london

Who are we?

Part business, part charity, part membership body – students’ unions are all seriously fun places to work. They are organisations in their own right. Professionally run, but different. Professional teams support Elected student leaders so as they make change, improve lives and fulfil potential, we help make it happen.

The Union of Brunel Students has a small but impactful staff team dedicated to serving the needs and interests of our members. Our size allows us to work closely together and make decisions quickly, while our passion for creating positive change means that every member of our team has an impact on helping us deliver our Vision to ensure that every student thrives at Brunel.

We are one of more than 600 students’ unions across the country. And with more than 15,000 members, 150 clubs and societies, a huge range of services and a bold strategy, we’re one of the most exciting.

What’s the job?

This maternity cover role will have a significant and stabilising impact, ensuring co-ordination in governance, HR, and compliance for the Union of Brunel Students. The postholder will act as a key operational anchor, supporting legal integrity, staff wellbeing, and organisational continuity.

We are seeking an experienced and proactive individual to step into a vital fixed-term position during the maternity leave of our Head of People and Compliance. This role ensures continuity and excellence across governance, HR coordination and legal compliance.

You will work closely with the Trustee Board, Senior Leadership Team, and Union staff to uphold high standards in documentation, policy, and people management.

From servicing board meetings to managing recruitment and GDPR processes, your work will be central to our success, promote a positive workplace culture and supporting the Union’s mission to be a trusted and effective organisation for students, staff, and trustees.

This is a Fixed term role, completing on the 22nd May 2026.

Who you are:

You are a highly organised, empathetic, and values-driven professional with a passion for good governance and inclusive practice.

With excellent literacy and numeracy skills, you bring an understanding of charity, education, or similar sectors, alongside a working knowledge of key legal frameworks like GDPR, charity law, and equality legislation.

You will have experience of co-ordinating governance processes, supporting recruitment, and managing sensitive information with discretion and care. Whether you are preparing agendas, taking minutes, or liaising with trustees and senior leaders, you do so with clarity, professionalism, and integrity.

Your attention to detail is second to none, and you thrive in busy environments—juggling deadlines, solving problems independently, and adapting to meet the needs of diverse stakeholders.

Above all, you’re a team player who champions equality, diversity, and inclusion. You’re proactive, resilient, and committed to the ethos of a student-led charity and are content to pitch in where needed.

Why apply?

Because you're inspired by the opportunity to make a real difference in students’ lives.

As a Students’ Union and registered charity, our mission is simple but powerful: “To ensure every student thrives at Brunel”. We’re anything but corporate – a dynamic, values-driven team of passionate individuals committed to positive change. We work in an unconventional, energetic environment where creativity and purpose go hand in hand.

In return for your passion and commitment we offer a flexible and supportive workplace, and an excellent holiday allowance – all designed to help you thrive too.

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, age, gender, or disability. We’re building a diverse, inclusive team that reflects and champions the diversity of our student community.

And just so you know – your application will be read by a real person. We don’t use AI to screen candidates, because we genuinely care about getting to know you. So, when you apply, write your personal statement as if you're speaking directly to us. We’re looking forward to hearing your story.

BENEFITS

We offer a generous benefits package to reward our staff's hard work and commitment:

• Pension Scheme – statutory workplace pension scheme ‘NEST’.
• Generous holiday allowance - 25 days a year plus bank holidays. Additional days are usually given at Easter and Christmas in line with the University closure dates (usually about 5 additional days a year).
• Long service - 2 additional days leave will be given after 5 years continuous service
• TOTUM Card - All Union career staff are entitled to receive a TOTUM student discount card free of charge.
• Free Union sport membership - Allowing access to 35+ sports clubs, and our Active@Brunel social sport programme.
• On-site parking – Parking on campus at a low-cost rate.
• Flexible Working - The Union adopts a flexible working environment.
• Hybrid working – The Union allows for the ability to occasionally work from home, based on business need.
• Personal Development - The Union is fully committed to investing in your future. If you are interested in a training programme which you feel would benefit you within your current position you can submit a training request via your line manager.
• Employee assistance programme
• Enhanced Maternity and Paternity leave

KEY DATES

Application Deadline: Monday 6th October 2025

Interviews: Week Commencing 13th October 2025

Start Date: To be discussed with the successful applicant, but ideally in November 2025.

OUR VALUES

At the Union of Brunel Students, our values are at the heart of everything we do. They guide our decisions, shape our culture, and define how we support our student community. We’re proud to stand by these principles:

• Driven by You
• Open to All 
• Passionately positive
• Integrity

These values are more than just words, they’re the foundation of our work and the reason we exist: “To ensure every student thrives at Brunel”.

To find out more about our values and how they influence life at the Union, visit our website.

Group Financial Controller | London | Permanent | £97,166 - £109,699 + Benefits

For a complex global organisation undergoing significant change and transformation, we are recruiting a permanent Group Financial Controller. This role will lead all global financial accounting and statutory reporting. It will support the CFO and Global FD in the leadership and management of all financial accounting, including corporate statutory reporting across the Charity group and 40+ subsidiaries, month-end close and financial compliance, consolidation and balance sheet reporting, audit, short-term cash flow forecasting and working capital management including inter-company. Leading a large multi-disciplined team via 6 direct reports, the Group Financial Controller will also manage the performance of the offshore Managed Service Provider and SAP finance processes.

Main Duties:

• As part of the Finance Leadership Team, direct and manage finance staff globally
• Lead the improvement of the quality of the financial close processes in SAP and the accuracy of data
• Lead and deliver monthly reporting and insight on balance sheet for inclusion in MI
• Lead delivery of embedding and improving a new weekly 13-week cash-flow forecasts model
• Lead improvements to cash forecasting at entity level to the direct method short term 13-week cash flow forecast
• Lead and deliver year-end reporting process in accordance with UK GAAP and Charities SORP
• Coordinate preparation and audit of statutory accounts for all entities globally
• Ensure financial policy framework is robust and clears all accounting and reporting standards
• Oversee establishing of new subsidiaries, branches and legal entities globally, working with global colleagues across Tax and Legal
• Work with the shared services offshore MSP (TCS) and Head of Global Processes to ensure continuous improvement of delivery
• Work with the Director of FP&A to ensure framework is robust to meet all monthly MI and statutory reporting
• Act as key change agent for all finance change projects
• Develop the Group and Global Finance Team, and ensure duplication of activities across the SSC, regions and countries are reduced

Person Specification:

• CCAB Qualified with experience working in complex global companies
• UK GAAP and statutory reporting both local and group
• Group consolidations
• Substantial experience of delivering large-scale change
• Previous experience of leading multi-location finance teams
• Management of short-term cash-flow models and forecasting
• Strong intercompany experience and experience of big data
• Experience of leading a geographically dispersed and culturally diverse team
• SAP experience
• Shared Services experience
• Treasury Operations and Direct and Indirect Tax experience would be desirable
• Charities SORP would be desirable

________

As an employer, we are committed to ensuring the representation of people from all backgrounds regardless of their gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, disability status, or any other aspect which makes them unique. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds to apply and would encourage you to let us know if there are steps, we can take to ensure that your recruitment process enables you to present yourself in a way that makes you comfortable.

Together, the charities Sands and Tommy’s have formed a Joint Policy Unit (JPU) focussed on achieving policy change that will save more babies’ lives during pregnancy and the neonatal period and on tackling inequalities in loss, so that everyone can benefit from the best possible outcomes.

The JPU’s mission is to secure policy change that will reduce rates of miscarriage, stillbirth, pre-term birth and neonatal death, and to work to eliminate inequalities in these outcomes.

While there is widespread agreement on the need for change to improve the safety of maternity and neonatal services, what that change looks like is not clear.  To save more babies’ lives we believe that a continued focus is required, and that governments should set new commitments to reduce perinatal mortality and preterm births, focused on matching the best-performing countries in Europe.

This role will be crucial to the continued success of the JPU unit; leading, shaping and coordinating all the unit’s work. 

We are looking for an independent and assertive problem-solver, a policy expert who can manage multiple priorities, take the initiative, lead the national conversation and is as excited as we are about taking the helm of this venture for both of our organisations.

The successful candidate will need to have a substantial track record of effectively leading and implementing national policy and influencing programmes, driving change and achieving the desired impact.

You will have considerable experience across research, data analysis, policy development, public affairs and communications.  Additionally, you will be well-versed in research and data management, including analysing complex data and evaluating policy developments.

Experience of being a member of a senior management team with successful, significant and relevant management and leadership experience is also essential.

About Us

The City of London Corporation manages 11,000 acres of land in and around London, welcoming millions of visitors annually.  The North London Open Spaces (NLOS) section oversees c. 1,000 acres of that portfolio and includes some of the UK's most iconic urban greenspaces, including:

• Hampstead Heath (including Golders Hill Park, Parliament Hill Fields, and Heath Extension)
• Highgate Wood
• Queen’s Park
• West Ham Park

These beloved green spaces boast spectacular landscapes and vistas, ancient woodland, diverse wildlife, world class sporting and athletics facilities, and heritage assets.  We work closely with local communities and stakeholders to preserve and enhance these natural assets, helping to make London one of the most liveable large cities in the world.

About the Role

This is a rare opportunity to take a senior leadership role at North London Open Spaces, and directly contribute to and make a meaningful impact in the conservation and protection of these cherished green spaces. 

As a member of the senior management team, the successful candidate will serve as the primary subject matter expert at NLOS for nature conservation, conceiving and leading on initiatives, advising colleagues, and working collaboratively both internally and externally.  They will have responsibility for overseeing the day-to-day management of most of Hampstead Heath and all of Highgate Wood, and will also oversee a number of services that function across and support the four open spaces (eg, arboriculture and tree management, waste and recycling, conservation, and ecology).  

For the better performance of their duties, the Head of Conservation will be required to reside in accommodation that is provided on site and will be scheduled onto an on-call and duty manager rota with other colleagues.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary subject matter expert for nature conservation at Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood, Queen’s Park, and West Ham Park
• Oversee the day-to-day management of Highgate Wood and most of Hampstead Heath
• Oversee arboriculture / tree management, waste management, conservation, habitat creation/restoration and management, wildlife management, water body management, and climate change adaptation across North London Open Spaces
• Lead and motivate a team of 25-30 multi-skilled professionals committed to the conservation of these four sites
• Ensure compliance with all applicable legislation, including environmental protection, climate change, nature recovery, wildlife protection, flood risk management, and health and safety.

About You

We are looking for a high-energy and innovative leader with a strong background in nature conservation, open space management, and team leadership. 

The successful candidate will bring:

• Demonstrable experience in managing complex public open spaces.
• Comprehensive experience developing and delivering biodiversity and land management programmes and projects in a range of habitats, ideally within an urban setting.

• Significant experience managing complex conservation work and projects across varied landscapes
• Significant knowledge of biodiversity and wildlife management, including land and water management.

• Strong experience managing a diverse team of professionals in an operational environment. 

• Experience of implementing legislation and policy relevant to biodiversity conservation, planning guidance, and site designation for wildlife conservation and species status designations.
• A highly creative, entrepreneurial and ‘can do’ approach to problem solving, with the ability to remain resilient in the face of challenges. 
• Strong quantitative skills and comfort interrogating and analysing data and budgets.

Why Join Us?

• Opportunity to join a prestigious organisation that protects some of London’s most treasured landscapes.
• Lead through a high-impact role with the opportunity to shape the future of these iconic spaces.
• Work within a supportive and collaborative team that is committed to conservation and community engagement.
• Work across multiple iconic sites.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
  

How to Apply

If you are excited about the opportunity to play a pivotal role in preserving and enhancing London’s most cherished green spaces, we’d love to hear from you.

Provisional Interview dates: W/C 6th October & 13th October 2025

Closing date: 12 Noon on Monday 22nd September 2025

To apply please click the Apply button.

The City of London Corporation is committed to Equal Opportunities and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. 

We reserve the right to close the advert earlier should we receive a high number of applications. 

Because our roles are so varied, we don’t have a ‘one size fits all’ policy for workplace attendance. How many days a week you’ll be required to attend your workplace will depend on the requirements of your role. It’s important that you understand the requirements before applying to ensure you are able to meet them. We are committed to considering requests to work flexibly and job share. Requests will be considered by the recruiting manager in line with our policies and business needs. 

For more information on our categories for workplace attendance, please view our guide.

We will be reviewing this policy and approach at regular intervals to ensure we’re meeting our attendance needs. 

The postholder will develop and lead fundraising and partnerships, raising crucial funds to support MumsAid’s growth. We are looking for an experienced, versatile fundraiser who can hit the ground running, bring a holistic approach and work with a range of donors and funders to help MumsAid develop a sustainable income pipeline. 

This role has strategic accountability for fundraising and managing funder relationships. You will lead our competitive tendering and grant application work, and develop our corporate partnerships.

This is a part-time post, flexible on location, although some travel within the UK may be required. The role will provide support at fundraising events, requiring some occasional evening and weekend commitments (for which time in lieu will be granted).

Main Duties 

Leadership and Management: 

· Work alongside the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and Board (particularly the Fundraising and Marketing Subgroup) to proactively identify potential sources of funding and realise opportunities for growth. 

· Devise and develop appropriate strategies, produce and deliver strong proposals and pitches. 

· Provide knowledge of current fundraising practice and develop a consistent working strategy that is sustainable.

· Assist in informing long-term financial/business planning and clarifying priorities. 

· Support the SLT and Board in developing a comprehensive framework for reporting on the charity’s impact, including to funders. 

Oversee and support monitoring submissions.

Fundraising:

· Develop, implement and evaluate a fundraising strategy in line with MumsAid’s priorities, to include key areas of focus – fundraising from trusts and foundations, statutory fundraising, corporate fundraising, to secure c. £500k over the next 2 years.

· Research, formulate and write applications, bids and tenders, including to statutory funders and trusts and foundations, coordinating with other team members for input as necessary.

· Build strong relationships with existing and potential funders, partners and stakeholders.

· Write reports for funders to meet deadlines and submit further applications for existing funders where appropriate.

· Work with the SLT and Board to develop and maintain strong relationships with commissioners, funders, partners and corporate organisations to ensure good communication about organisational/project progress, address any issues that arise, and identify new income streams. 

Organisational and General Duties: 

· Maximise fundraising efficiency by using and developing our CRM to ensure there is a clear process for recording and managing fundraising activity. 

· Contribute to the financial planning, budgeting and management accounts process. 

· Contribute to the development of MumsAid’s understanding and communication of our Return on Investment (ROI).

· Report regularly on KPIs, monitoring and evaluating against social impact and ROI. 

· Develop and manage a reporting schedule for the Board and funders to ensure monitoring and reporting is in done in an effective manner in line with organisational priorities, tracking restricted and unrestricted income, project development and targets. 

· Maintain awareness of fundraising and charity law and ensure that activity adheres to relevant legislation and guidance. 

Communications and Marketing: 

Liaise with colleagues to help shape and implement our marketing and communications plan, ensuring our reputation is upheld and our knowledge is shared through positive, consistent and accurate communications and messaging. 

Diversity and Inclusion: 

Promote and support equality, diversity and inclusion, e.g., ensuring that the views and voices of MumsAid’s service users are considered in all aspects of fundraising initiatives, including in the discussions of need and impact.

About You 

· You will be passionate about our mission and see yourself as part of a highly motivated team helping MumsAid exceed its goals.

· You will be the face of our organisation in many ways, so you will have experience of, and enjoy, representing an organisation externally at events, conferences and more.

· You’ll be driven to maximise income from funding/partnership opportunities through your proven negotiation and influencing abilities, with a natural confidence and enthusiasm.

· You’ll be goal orientated and not defeated by rejection, deadlines or pressure to move in a fast-paced environment.

· You’ll value excellence in relationship management and bring energy and motivation to inspire others to support our charity. 

· You’ll be proactive and versatile in your approach and value the opportunity to grow and shape a new role.

Key Experience and Skills:

· Proven track record of working with trusts and foundations, corporate and statutory funders, including expertise in writing applications and stewarding grants.

· Experience of major donor fundraising.

· Ability to bring creative ideas to the table that mirror our strategic direction.

· Financial literacy and management experience, confidence in working with budgets, creating a financial narrative, and working with databases.

· Demonstrably outstanding written communication skills with the ability to write compelling copy, tailored to a range of audiences and platforms. 

· Proven track record of building positive relationships with funders, partners, volunteers, and supporters; you may already have a network of relationships this role could benefit from.

· Articulate speaker, able to present and repackage complex information in succinct and digestible format.

· Microsoft Office proficient, Proficient with Word, Excel and able to put together PowerPoint presentations.

· Ability to develop strategies, operational plans and KPIs in collaboration with colleagues and stakeholders. 

· Excellent working knowledge of voluntary sector funding streams.

· Excellent teamwork skills but with the ability to work independently. 

· Proactive and confident in using own initiative and prioritising workloads.

Desirable Experience and Skills: 

· Experience of representing an organisation externally, e.g., through presentations, events, conferences. 

· Experience of working closely with communications and/or marketing to optimise fundraising and profile-raising opportunities.

· Experience in using a CRM system to support relationship management and reporting.

As the leading specialist mental health charity for women who have experienced domestic abuse, Woman’s Trust’s mission is to help survivors to overcome the devastating mental health impact of domestic abuse.

We are seeking a Counselling Manager to lead our clinical services. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced therapeutic professional to combine clinical practice with leadership, safeguarding, and project management.

If you are looking to make a real impact on women and children’s lives in your fundraising career, supported by a committed and evidence-led fundraising team, then please do get in touch.

About Woman's Trust

The charity, established almost thirty years ago to meet the gap in specialist mental health services, is led by and for women and aims to ensure that women affected by domestic abuse can live a life free from further harm and abuse. Our approach is trauma-informed and person-centred, empowering survivors on their journey to recovery from trauma. We supported 833 women and children last year, with a current income target of £1.25m (growing to £1.4m in 2026-2027) and 36 staff. We are committed to a positive, inclusive and equitable environment for our staff, service users and volunteers.

You will be joining the Woman’s Trust Fundraising team as we work towards our strategy 2022-2027, to double our income and the number of women we support each year. Alongside delivering our existing 1-1 counselling, self-development workshops and therapeutic support groups for women who have experienced domestic abuse, we are focused on developing our innovative mental health services for young women and girls, delivering new peer-led support groups and providing therapeutic groups to children and their mothers. We are also committed to developing further awareness-raising workshops and training for professionals, building on our research and policy to improve systems nationally.

About you and how to apply

As a skilled and compassionate counselling manager, aligned with our feminist ethos and the needs of our service users, you will bring experience in leading counselling services, with a proven ability to deliver high-quality, trauma-informed support for women affected by domestic abuse. You will have experience in managing counsellors and/or volunteers, providing clinical supervision, and ensuring best practice across service delivery. You will be able to oversee the full cycle of service management, including monitoring outcomes, safeguarding, and compliance, while also contributing to service development and innovation in line with our strategic priorities.

If you are looking at the next step in your career into management, whilst making a real impact on women's and children’s lives, we want to hear from you!

To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter of no more than 2 pages outlining your experience, skills, and knowledge relevant to this post.

Closing date: 30 September 2025.

Interview date: w/c 6 October 2025.

This post is open to female applicants only, in line with the Equality Act 100 pursuant to Schedule, 9 Part 1 applies. We particularly welcome applications from women from black and minoritised, and disability communities.