Chief executive officer jobs in Liverpool, merseyside

Responsible To: Chief Executive
Location: Remote, but with flexibility to travel for in person meetings
Salary: £38,336 - £44,427 pro rata, per annum (dependent on experience) plus 8% pension contribution
Duration: Permanent established role
Hours: 0.8 FTE (29 hours 36 minutes per week), flexible
 
The Head of the CEO Office will provide leadership to the CEO Office team and serve as a key advisor to the CEO and Senior Leadership Team (SLT). This role will be responsible for the three specialist areas which form the CEO Office: People Services, Governance and Executive Support.
 
This role is responsible for delivering the People Services function for the organisation, including the development and implementation of People Services strategies, plans, policies and processes. You will lead the People Services team in delivering high quality support and advisory services.
 
This post requires the individual to understand, anticipate and react to the organisation’s changing needs, to think critically, make decisions, and offer solutions to problems with expert professionalism, sensitivity, and confidentiality. To implement Butterfly Conservation’s (BC) objectives through leadership of the CEO Office team, setting and managing budgets, targets and workplans while inspiring and enabling staff to achieve their best.
 
Specific Tasks:
 
Delivering the People Services function
 
Responsible for delivering a high-performing People Services function ensuring all interactions adhere to BC’s inclusion and organisational values. To lead, manage and be accountable for the function, including:

• Aligning workload with BC’s Strategy and annual business plans.
• Advising, coaching, and enabling the People Services team to deliver effectively and create an engaging, supportive, and empowering environment.
• Ensure monthly workforce reporting systems are in place and actions followed up where required.
• Lead on Employee Health and Wellbeing initiatives, promoting a culture of engagement and self-responsibility.
• Implement, monitor and evaluate performance management systems and processes.
• In conjunction with the CEO and SLT, procuring external specialist support and/or legal advice as needed to minimise risk to the organisation.
• Act as the escalation point for complex employee casework, including dispute resolutions, disciplinaries, grievances, absence, retirement and redundancy, ensuring that the SLT members’ roles remain objective and that safe formal processes can occur if required.
• Account management for providers of BC’s People Services Workforce Systems, ensuring Service Level Agreements are met and partnership opportunities are maximised including Occupational Health, EAP services, Hireful and BreatheHR.
• Oversee and manage ‘Charity Learn’ BC’s online learning management system, to include setting up annual statutory training for all staff and creating bookable in-house training sessions as required.
• In conjunction with the CEO and SLT, develop and implement a People Strategy to include areas of succession planning, talent management, change management, and staff engagement.

 
Governance, Risk and Management Information & Reporting
 
Accountable for the smooth running of BC’s core governance activities and trustee meetings, including:

• Overseeing the risk and audit process for the CEO Office, bridging as needed between the Finance Directorate and the CEO Office Directorate.
• Ensuring all core legal requirements are met and that the trustees comply with their duties in accordance with the Articles of Association.
• Ensuring relevant statutory returns are submitted to Charity Commission and Companies House.

 
Executive Support

• Ensure the support function to the CEO and SLT is delivered efficiently and effectively, including direct line management of the Executive Assistant to the CEO and SLT PA’s.

 
Management and Development of Team members
 
Responsible for managing a team of five direct reports and undertaking all People Manager duties, including:

• Setting objectives, workload planning, holding 121 meetings and regular reviews.
• Conducting Performance Development Reviews and giving timely direction and feedback.
• Building engagement within the team and creating an environment of trust and wellbeing.
• Coaching and developing team members to ensure professional and personal growth and career development and supporting any training needs.
• Role modelling people management in line with BC’s values and competency framework, setting a good example from the CEO Office.

 
Strategy, Planning and Budgeting
 
Working with the CEO and SLT on the annual and long-term business cycles, including:

• Supporting with the creation of BC’s Strategy as required.
• Creating annual Directorate work plans to deliver actions and outcomes in line with BC’s strategic priorities ensuring teams within your responsibility have clarity and direction.
• Working with Finance to ensure that the function has adequate budget to match the work plans and supporting with budget refresh and reforecasting.
• Supporting the Directorate with workforce planning and resource management as required.
• Responsible for the CEO Office budget.

 
Relationship building, partnering and culture development,
 
Operating as a strong ambassador for BC and the CEO by:

• Cultivating and nurturing excellent working relationships both internally with all colleagues and trustees, and externally with branches, volunteers, partners, suppliers, funders, and sector networks.

 
General:

• Promoting and exemplifying BC’s values (Excellence, Passionate, Inspiring, Collaborative) ensuring they are adopted in all aspects of the role.
• Aligning with the mission and strategic goals of BC; commitment to species conservation, the environment and nature recovery.
• Undertaking any other reasonable duties as required and commensurate with the grade of post.
• Undertaking all duties and responsibilities in compliance with BC policies, processes and code of conduct, role modelling inclusive behaviour to enable a diverse workforce.
• Be cost conscious and respectful of funders’ money. Make good financial decisions to minimise cost and maximise impact by the charity.
• Actively participating in on-going professional development activities, committing to personal and professional growth and development.

 
Candidates must have the right to work and be resident in the UK.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early before the advertised closing date and time.

Closing date: Sunday, 1 February 2026 at 23:59.
Interviews will be held 9 February and 12 February 2026.
 
REF-226 149

The opportunity

We are seeking an experienced and values-led Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead East London Waterworks Park in this next phase of our development. This is a rare opportunity to shape the first paid executive leadership role in a pioneering environmental charity.

The CEO role is wide-ranging and dynamic, and will evolve as East London Waterworks Park grows. The CEO will provide strategic leadership to help realise our ambition to purchase the Thames Water depot site in East London, while strengthening our capacity to deliver community-led rewilding and nature-recovery projects across London in partnership with landowners, local authorities and other stakeholders.

An important aspect of the role will involve introducing a sustainable staffing model that complements and develops East London Waterworks Park’s existing volunteer ecosystem, and strengthens our culture, vision and values. The CEO will be supported in this work by long-standing volunteers at both trustee board and operational level, who believe in the benefits this organisational change will bring.

About East London Waterworks Park

East London Waterworks Park is a community-led charity working to reconnect people and nature. Starting from nature-first principles, and with inclusivity at the heart of everything we do, we work with communities to co-design spaces to unlock a chain of positive changes that culminate in the long-term transformation of people and place.

Our work includes:

• co-designing East London Waterworks Park with the East London community, working towards purchasing a 14-acre Thames Water depot in Waltham Forest and transforming it into a biodiverse urban park with free, accessible wild swimming and welcoming community spaces

• co-designing other nature-first spaces on disused or brownfield land in London, returning land to nature in collaboration with local communities to encourage long–term community stewardship

• hosting engagement, education, and empowerment activities that build skills, confidence and deeper connections to nature.

East London Waterworks Park is a sociocratic organisation, with a decentralised organisational structure and a transparent and collaborative approach to decision making. We have grown organically since 2019, responding flexibly to the challenges we have encountered but always committed to our core vision: creating a new kind of urban green and blue space: one that is ecologically rich, inclusive, and shaped by the people and wildlife who use it.

East London Waterworks Park is currently entirely run by volunteers but we recognise the need to transition to a more sustainable structure. We want to introduce paid employees to ensure we can deliver the exciting projects planned in 2026 and beyond, while retaining our strong community-led ethos.

More information

If this sounds exciting, please review the attached recruitment package.

Location: Ormskirk, Lancashire (minimum 3 days per week on campus)
Contract: Permanent, full-time
Salary: £58,000
Closing date: 9th February 2026 (10am)
 
About Edge Hill University Students' Union
 
Edge Hill University Students' Union (EHSU) is the representative body for students at Edge Hill University, one of the largest providers of teacher training in the country. They are a charity dedicated to enriching student life through representation, support, activities and services that help every student make the most of their university experience.
 
About the Role
 
This is a pivotal leadership opportunity as EHSU enters an exciting new chapter. Following the opening of their new building, they are seeking an exceptional Chief Executive Officer to drive the next phase of their development, ensuring financial sustainability, strategic growth and excellent student outcomes.
 
As CEO, you will provide visible, collaborative leadership across the organisation, working in close partnership with elected student officers and the Board of Trustees. You will be responsible for delivering on charitable objectives, developing and implementing a new strategic plan, and building a resilient, forward-thinking organisation that responds effectively to the needs of their unique student demographic.
 
About You
 
EHSU are looking for a resilient, emotionally intelligent leader who combines strategic thinking with practical delivery. You will have demonstrable experience in senior leadership, ideally within the students' union sector, though they welcome exceptional candidates from outside the sector who bring strong commercial acumen, excellent stakeholder management skills, and an understanding of membership organisations.
 
How to Apply
 
To apply, please submit your CV and complete the application form, where you will be asked to answer three questions:
 
Why are you interested in applying and how do you feel your personal values align with EHSU’s mission?

What are the key achievements and outcomes within your career that make you a strong candidate for the role?

How does your leadership style support others in their growth and create a positive environment for empowerment?
 
Key Dates
 
Application Deadline: 9th February 2026 (10am)
First Interviews: 24th February 2026
Final Interviews: 3rd March 2026
 
REF-226 068

Are you up for a new and exciting challenge, leading one of the most effective and nimble NGOs in the transport and environment sectors in England and Wales?

Transport Action Network (TAN) is seeking a dynamic and knowledgeable CEO to lead its remote team of six.

Since it was set up in 2019, TAN has established itself as a thought leader on planning and transport matters, while providing hands-on support and advice to local communities seeking better transport solutions. It has successfully challenged government decisions and helped local communities fight off damaging road schemes. Some examples include schames that would have harmed Stonehenge World Heritage Site, South Downs National Park and Rimrose Valley Country Park in Liverpool.

TAN is currently supporting the Queensbury Tunnel Society, trying to stop the government blocking up an old railway tunnel so that it can be repurposed for a new greenway. It is also opposing the Lower Thames Crossing 'smart' motorway.

Fancy, getting involved and making a difference?

We look forward to hearing from you.

Deadline for returning completed applications is 23:59 (GMT), Sunday 1st February, 2026

First interviews: 27th February and 4/5th March

At S.A.L.V.E. we believe:

- No young person should have to live or work on the streets

- Young people who have lived and worked on the streets deserve the chance to fulfil their potential

- Young people on the streets should have trustworthy, supportive adults around them

With the generous help of our supporters, S.A.L.V.E. works with children on the streets of Jinja, Uganda, so they have the opportunity to leave their difficult pasts behind them and move forward, towards a brighter future.

We have Drop in Centres and Street Outreach services for children currently living on the streets. We offer short term residential care in our Halfway Homes or Drug Rehabilitation Centre to help children to transition off the streets, and follow up care and support for when a child has been resettled home to their family. We also offer educational support, and/ or business skills start up and training where assessed to be needed to help a child to settle home successfully and to ensure their family can thrive in the long term.

We are looking to recruit a new CEO who believes in our vision that there should be “No Street Called Home” for children living on the streets in Uganda and who wants to help us to grow this impact and further change children’s lives.

Our Journey

S.A.L.V.E. International was founded in 2008 by Helen Huthwaite and Nicola Sansom. Since then, we have gone on to resettle 978 street connected children with their families. We have also supported 378 young people through education, rehabilitated over 1000 street connected children at our Residential Centre and initiated 495 small businesses to support families. Over the years, our advocacy work has included being part of Small Charity Week in the UK parliament, and being part of a delegation to the UN with the Consortium for Street Children.

Today we employ 4 staff in the UK and 27 in Uganda. Our annual turnover is approximately £300k. New developments in our work include sports programming and a very promising tailoring course. We are well on track to achieve our 2022-27 strategic goals - reaching more children, expanding support for girls, strengthening families and improving our funding sustainability.

Looking forward, the demand for our services continues to grow, whilst charities in general are facing a very difficult financial position. We are looking for a Chief Executive Officer who will consolidate and develop existing initiatives and continue to diversify our provision. They must be able to enhance our efforts to improve our long-term financial sustainability. Working in collaboration with the Board, they will develop our next strategic plan in line with our vision and values.

Job Purpose

● To be a visionary who drives forwards and maximises the impact of the organisation. Working with the Board of Trustees to ensure that a strong vision with clear strategic planning is in place for the organisation to best benefit our service users.

● To work with the Ugandan and UK team to develop and improve our existing programmes of work for the organisation to best benefit our service users.

● To oversee the budget, finance and risk management of the organisation.

● To oversee our fundraising strategy and grow relationships with new and existing funders to a high standard ensuring that maximum potential support is achieved.

● To proactively identify prospects, approaching and winning resources from new partnerships in the wider community to best meet S.A.L.V.E.’s aims and objectives.

● To raise awareness of the work of S.A.L.V.E. International and oversee our advocacy and communications strategy and implementation.

Key Activities

The following activities are intended as a guide to the main responsibilities of the post and are not an exhaustive list of duties and tasks.  The post-holder may be required to undertake other duties that are not listed below, at the direction of the Board.  The job description may be amended from time to time after consultation with the post holder.

STRATEGY

• Lead the organisation by working collaboratively with our global team of staff, volunteers, and board members to ensure a strong strategic plan is in place, which is reviewed and improved over time to maximise the organisation’s impact.

FUNDRAISING

• Leading and championing our fundraising strategy. Helping to develop our one off and regular financial supporters through finding new opportunities and networks, giving talks, ensuring quality timely communications, and reporting to existing supporters.
• Supporting and co-working with our Development Manager to research new application prospects, and helping to maintain and develop the income from our existing network of corporate, organisational and Trust and Foundation partnerships and donors. This includes writing and reviewing funding applications and reports as needed.
• Lead on the drafting of larger or multi-year funding applications, with support from the Development Manager to finalise.

FINANCE

• Overseeing the budget and financial management of the organisation to ensure the organisation’s long term sustainability and sound financial management, including creating the annual budget for approval by the UK Board.
• Collaboratively reviewing the charity’s financial controls and performance, including a final review of the monthly accounts (UK and Uganda), and overseeing the internal audit of our accounts with the finance committee.
• Ensuring the organisation is financially compliant according to the Charities Commission and meets all statutory requirements.

HR

• Recruiting, training, developing and managing staff and volunteers in the UK to help to build the capacity of the organisation as needed. This currently includes line managing: Ugandan Country Director, Development Manager, Communications Manager
• Support the Country Director with recruitment in Uganda.
• Creating a strong sense of team spirit and a culture of appreciation and reliability within the team by reinforcing organisation values and ensuring accountability.

GOVERNANCE

• Working closely with and supporting our UK and Ugandan boards to ensure that the governance of the organisation is strong.
• Lead on creating, reviewing, and developing policies, procedures and systems, including but not limited to ensuring quality safeguarding and risk management for the organisation.
• Ensure the organisation is appropriately prepared for potential risks
• Ensuring the organisation is compliant according to the Charities Commission and meets all statutory requirements.

COMMUNICATION

• Overseeing the communications strategy of the organisation, ensuring the website, social media, newsletters, annual report and mailings out to supporters are kept up to date by supporting our Communications Manager. This includes drafting and checking copy and promoting and marketing events and campaigns for the organisation to raise funds and awareness.
• Being an advocate for the organisation, by seeking and maximising opportunities to represent the organisation, to help raise awareness and support for the work we do and the needs of street connected children generally.

PROGRAMMES and OPERATIONS

• Leading and collaborating with the wider team to develop and improve our programmes through regular evaluation and learning reviews.
• Support the Country Director to ensure the organisation operations function smoothy, and that the strategic plan can be implemented.

PARTNERSHIPS

• Representing S.A.L.V.E. in partnerships and networks such as the Consortium for Street Children to ensure that we are making the most of funding, partnership and advocacy opportunities.
• Manage relationships with key partners in the UK and internationally, to ensure we are collaborating to achieve the greatest impact.

SAFEGUARDING

• To be the Safeguarding Lead within the organisation, and continually strengthen safeguarding as a priority in all our work.

MONITORING AND EVALUATION

• Support the Development Manager with the effective functioning of the organisations M&E system, Upshot. Ensure all team members are meeting their monitoring, evaluation and learning obligations and objectives.

SKILLS REQUIRED

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

Fundraising and External Relations

• Proven and demonstrable track record of securing income from multiple sources, including Trusts and Foundations, corporate partners or institutional donors.
• Direct experience of preparing, writing, and managing significant funding applications, including multi-year or high-value proposals.
• Ability to represent an organisation confidently to donors, partners and external stakeholders, including through public speaking and networking.

Leadership and Management

• Senior leadership or management experience within the charity or social purpose sector, with evidence of leading teams, managing performance and developing organisational capacity.
• Demonstrable ability to build and maintain positive working relationships across teams and stakeholder groups.

Strategic and Operational Capability

• Proven ability to develop, review and implement strategies, organisational systems, policies and procedures that support growth, quality and compliance.
• Strong understanding of budgeting and financial oversight, with experience of interpreting financial information to inform decision-making.

Governance, Compliance and Safeguarding

• Knowledge of charity governance expectations and safeguarding responsibilities, ideally within organisations working with children or vulnerable groups.
• Commitment to good practice, ethical leadership and accountability.

Personal Attributes

• Highly proactive, solution-focused and resilient, with evidence of managing challenges constructively.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Friendly, approachable and values-driven, with clear alignment to S.A.L.V.E.’s mission and work.
• Willingness to be ‘hands on’.

DESIRED CRITERIA

Fundraising

• Experience of cultivating and stewarding significant individual donors or corporate sponsors over time.
• Experience of delivering presentations, talks or fundraising-driven events to external audiences.

International and Cross-Cultural Experience

• Experience working in an African context or supporting programmes delivered within Africa.
• Previously lived or worked in Uganda, or having strong personal ties or lived experience relevant to the Ugandan context.

Leadership and Governance

• Experience of working collaboratively with a Board of Trustees or equivalent governance body.
• Experience of leading organisational change or growth phases.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning

• Experience using programme data or M&E systems to inform fundraising proposals, impact reports or strategic decision-making.

Qualifications

• Relevant academic, management or professional qualification (e.g., international development, charity management, safeguarding, finance, leadership).

FURTHER INFORMATION

Reporting to: UK Board

Location: Remote, with travel in the UK and to Uganda

Working Hours: Full Time, 37.5 hours per week

How to Apply:

Please send your CV and a one page covering letter.

Your cover letter should clearly demonstrate how you meet the job specification above, and why this role is suitable for you.

Applications without a covering letter will not be considered.

Please note: You must already have the right to live and work in the UK to apply for this role.

Closing Date: Sunday 25th January 2026, 6pm

Note: Shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete a written task during the week commencing 2nd February.

Expected Interviews Dates:

- First Round (virtual): 10th and 11th February

- Second Round (in-person): Week commencing 23rd February

Anticipated Start Date: As soon as possible

CEO

We are seeking an experienced and motivated leader to guide a purposeful organisation through its next chapter.

Location: Fully remote within the UK with occasional national travel
Salary: £55,000 to £65,000
Contract: Full time, permanent
Benefits: Pension, generous annual leave, Christmas closure, family leave and sickness policies available on request
Closing date: Monday 9th February

THE OPPORTUNITY

We are looking for a new CEO! Can you uphold the thoughtful shaping and delivery of an impactful charity? Do you have senior experience in a purpose-led organisation with financial and business skills you can bring? Then you might be the right person to guide this team.

This is a great opportunity to make a life-changing difference to people living with disability!

If this is something you are passionate about, then a CEO role is a great way to use your professional experience to be a nationwide change-maker.

ABOUT THE ORGANISATION

Whether it’s mobility, daily living, or hobbies and sports, the charity creates solutions that change lives. At the heart of their work is designing and building custom made equipment, tailored to each person’s unique needs.

Volunteers bring together creativity, technical skills, and problem-solving expertise, including metalwork, carpentry, electronics, computer programming, and 3D printing, to deliver solutions that can’t be found anywhere else.

IF YOU JOIN THE TEAM…

You’ll have the rare chance to take the helm of a charity with a powerful social mission and build on their proud 60-year history, stewarding them into a new era of growth. A vibrant, passionate community of innovators and problem solvers will be right there with you.

You’ll join the vision for the charity to be a place where people of all ethnicities and backgrounds feel welcomed to work, volunteer or seek help. The organisation encourages flexible working and a culture that prioritises people, wellbeing, and collaboration.

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR

We are searching for a CEO who can help ensure REMAP remains resilient, relevant, and well-prepared to respond to emerging pressures and opportunities.

We are particularly seeking someone:

• Who will strengthen financial sustainability and income generation
• Has a proven track record of senior responsibility
• Energise and support a nationwide volunteer community – strengthening relationships between central staff and locally rooted branches

You do not need to meet every requirement to be considered. If you can demonstrate the experience, passion, and capability to lead with purpose, we encourage you to apply.

WHAT’S NEXT

If you are excited by this opportunity and ready to bring energy and expertise to a mission-driven organisation, we would love to hear from you.

Other roles you may have experience of could include: Chief Executive, Executive Director, Managing Director, Head of Operations, Director of Services, Director of Strategy, Director of Programmes, Operations Director, Charity Director, Social Impact Director, Senior Leader, Development Director, Leadership Consultant, Transformation Lead, Governance and Strategy Lead  #INDNFP

PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation.