About the Richard Whitehead Foundation
At the Foundation, we believe in the impact of sport: the increased mental well-being; the confidence; the self-esteem; the social inclusion and employability which come from it. We want the disability community to be able to thrive and benefit from all these opportunities, and we have big ambitions for the future. We are listening to the disability community, learning from our projects, and are focused on our vision and purpose.
After an exciting first 4 years we are now looking for a dynamic and driven Chief Executive to take us on the next stage in our journey, updating our strategy and growing our reach. We are looking for someone who is self-driven and committed to our values; someone able to demonstrate their ability to grow a charity through fundraising, which they will have extensive experience and previous success in.
We are also looking for a dynamic individual who is confident communicating with people at all levels from volunteers to senior leaders, beneficiaries to funders, in order to build relationships and partnerships to take the charity forward.
If you want to make a real difference to the lives of disabled people, are inspired by the impact sport can have on people’s lives and can help us in building the relationships and partnerships we need to move forward, we would love to hear from you.
Role Details
Location: Home based, with regular UK wide travel where required. Although the charity has national reach there is a particular focus on activity in Nottingham, Richard’s home town.
Reports to: Board of trustees Responsible for: Project Managers x 2, Communications Officer, Fundraising Consultant, Volunteers
Hours: Part time – 22.5 hours per week
Flexibility: Flexible working is available; the role will require some evenings and weekends work.
Length of contract: Permanent
Salary range: c. £55,000 (FTE - 33,000 pro rata)
Job Summary
The CEO will be responsible for leading the strategic direction and overall management of the Richard Whitehead Foundation. They will ensure it has a positive impact on enabling disabled people’s ambitions by removing barriers to give disabled people access to the life-changing power of sport. The ideal candidate will be a driven and visionary leader with a strong passion for making a difference.
Key Responsibilities
- Work with the board to review and develop the strategic plan for the Richard Whitehead Foundation.
- Develop lead and manage an operational plan and budget to deliver the strategy
- Proactively build, develop and manage relationships with key stakeholders, including funders, beneficiaries, disability organisations, volunteers, and staff ensuring that the Richard Whitehead Foundation is able to deliver on its objectives.
- To be bold in our ambition to empower disabled people through the power of sport.
- Lead, motivate and inspire the Richard Whitehead Foundation to achieve its goals and objectives, ensuring that the organisation has the right talent and resources to achieve its strategic objectives.
- Develop and implement fundraising strategies to ensure the sustainability, development and delivery of the Richard Whitehead Foundation and future projects, diversifying our income streams and growing overall income. This will include supporter acquisition, funding applications, event management and donor stewardship.
- Develop and oversee a marketing and communications plans
- To have a hands-on approach to progressing the Richard Whitehead Foundation
- Regular contact with trustees most notably the Chair, and President.
- Ensure that the Richard Whitehead Foundation is compliant with all relevant regulations, including those related to fundraising, governance, and charity law.
Application
Valued Recruitment is working exclusively with The Richard Whitehead Foundation to recruit this pivotal position. We are an ethical recruitment company, intent on hiring inclusively and transparently.
To apply, we welcome a CV and a 2 page (maximum) covering letter addressing your motivation for applying and your experience that is relevant to the role.
Accessibility is incredibly important to us at Valued Recruitment and at The Richard Whitehead Foundation. If you would like any accessibility amendments or support throughout the application and interview stage, please don’t hesitate to let us know.
No question or request is too big or too small. We want this process to be comfortable and enjoyable and a chance for you to bring your best self to the process.
Thank you for your interest in the position of Chief Executive at the Richard Whitehead Foundation.
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Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Sense has a fantastic opportunity for someone to join our Fundraising team as our Statutory Fundraising Manager. This is a 6 month fixed term, full-time position working 37.5 hours per week, based between home and our offices in Kings Cross, London.
The successful candidate will be responsible for leading statutory fundraising at Sense. This includes both new business work and managing relationships with existing supporters. You will be working closely with the Head of High Value Partnerships, the CEO, and senior operational colleagues, the post holder will create a strategy in this area and collaborate with operational teams to develop new programme models and processes to drive growth.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and implement a fundraising strategy to maximise income from statutory and lottery bodies such as NHS England, the Arts Council and National Lottery Community Fund. Statutory funding has been identified as a growth area at Sense Work with senior stakeholders, including the CEO, Directors of Operations and Finance teams, to develop and deliver compelling funding bids for statutory and public sector funders
- Manage relationships with statutory and public sector funders, including taking responsibility for narrative and financial reporting, and coordinating all stakeholder contact
- Specific responsibility for managing and reporting against statutory income and expenditure budgets
- Financial and programme reporting and database management
- Ensure compliance with the Data Protection Act, the Chartered Institute of Fundraising’s Code of Practice, and any other regulatory frameworks that may be introduced
Key skills and experience
- A track record of securing income from a range of statutory sources, including six figure grants (essential) - success at the seven figure+ grant level (desirable)
- Experience of working with teams to develop proposals in line with organizational priorities, including developing robust project monitoring and evaluation plans.
- Experience of leading relationships with external funders, in particular government departments and lottery bodies
- Experience of compiling narrative and financial reports for statutory funders
- Experience of setting and managing budgets in line with organizational priorities.
- Understanding of tendering and contracting processes
- Excellent standard of literacy and numeracy and IT fluency
- Evidence of own continuing professional development
- Commitment to comply with the principles of GDPR and maintain confidentiality at all times
- Knowledge of the issues Sense works on, or a willingness to develop an understanding of complex disabilities
For a full job description and person specification, please see the link below
About Sense
For everyone living with complex disabilities. For everyone who is deafblind. Sense is here to help people communicate and experience the world. We believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Sense are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer.
Working at Sense can be incredibly rewarding; we offer the opportunity to work in a large, diverse and successful charity where people can develop their skills, knowledge and careers in a supportive and flexible environment. In addition, we have excellent training and development, the opportunity for you to join our Group Personal Pension scheme and a generous annual leave entitlement.
To apply
Please use the link below to complete your application. Managers will use your application to shortlist candidates for interview; in relation to the Personal Specification. Therefore, it is very important you complete this section thoroughly. We would recommend that you read the job description and person specification before applying.
Please note to avoid disappointment, we advise you to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close posts at any time.
No agency submissions please: any submissions without prior authorisation from the Sense Recruitment Team will be treated as our own and as such no fee will be payable.
Sense is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable children and adults and expects all employees to share this commitment. Therefore, all offers of employment, where appropriate, are subject to a DBS check; level dependent on the nature of the role.
For this role we particularly welcome applications from candidates from underrepresented ethnic minority backgrounds and candidates with disabilities. Sense is committed to equality of opportunity, and to promoting and celebrating the diversity of staff, volunteers and the people we work with. Everyone's contribution is valued and we ensure they're given the opportunity to realise their potential. We welcome applications from talented people from all sections of the community who share our values and belief that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential.
The Opportunity:
Nigel Wright Group are proud to be partnering with a transformative and growing social impact organisation in their search for a Business Development Manager. Our client is a passionate, values-led charity and their mission is to bridge the gap between talented individuals and employers offering rewarding job opportunities, creating a thriving community where everyone has the chance to succeed. They deliver on skills shortages, push back on regional unemployment and contribute to a national reduction in reoffending. Following a significant inward investment, our client is positioning itself to embark on an ambitious nationwide scaling-up programme. The newly created Business Development Manager role can be based anywhere in the UK and carries the responsibility of contributing to the organisation’s overarching strategic plan, while also leading the development and implementation of the accompanying income generation strategy.
Role Profile:
- Lead and coordinate activities to position the charity for successful public sector contracts and tenders.
- Identify and pursue new and repeat business opportunities; attend market engagement events and monitor sector trends.
- Develop strategic partnerships to enhance reach and impact.
- Maintain a comprehensive and up-to-date pipeline of business development and grant opportunities.
- Prepare and submit high-quality, competitive tenders as a lead or subcontractor.
- Develop proposals aligned with service specifications, incorporating input from operational teams.
- Collaborate with the CEO and Finance Director to ensure accurate, fully costed and competitive bid pricing.
- Write and submit persuasive bids via relevant online platforms.
- Line manage a Grant Writer, overseeing the submission of high-value and multi-year trust and foundation applications.
- Support the CEO in cultivating relationships with major donors and securing significant contributions.
- Manage public donations, lead fundraising initiatives, and ensure compliance with fundraising regulations.
- Produce compelling quarterly impact reports to communicate the charity’s outcomes to funders.
Person Specification:
- Demonstrated success in writing and securing competitive tenders, particularly within the criminal justice or related sectors.
- Proven ability to develop high-quality bids for statutory funding.
- Extensive experience in generating significant income from charitable trusts and foundations.
- Strong background in designing or contributing to effective income generation strategies.
- Experience in leveraging social value commitments—especially through government procurement and Section 106 obligations—is highly desirable.
- Skilled in building and maintaining relationships with high-net-worth individuals.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence, network, and engage diverse audiences.
- Knowledge of the criminal justice system or related fields is a strong advantage.
- Awareness of the employment challenges faced by people with convictions is desirable.
Behaviours:
- Maintains a non-judgemental approach when working with individuals with lived experience of the criminal justice system.
- Committed to inclusive, anti-discriminatory practices.
- Demonstrates alignment with and respect for the organisation’s Christian ethos and values.
Other Information:
- This is a full-time role offered on a hybrid/remote working pattern
- Occasional visits to the Newcastle head office plus business travel around the UK
- Nigel Wright Group is retained on this search and as such, any direct third party supplied or referred applicants/CVs will be forwarded to Nigel Wright for consideration as part of our process.