Executive director jobs

At Solent Academies Trust, we know that when strong relationships are nurtured, people thrive, and when people thrive, so do the children and young people we serve.

We are a values‑driven organisation, proud to support pupils with Special Educational Needs in environments where connection, respect and belonging sit at the heart of every decision we make. At an exciting and pivotal point in our journey, we are seeking an exceptional Director of Finance to join our senior leadership team.

More than a finance role

This is not a traditional Director of Finance post.

Yes, you will bring strong financial acumen, strategic insight and professional rigour, but what matters most to us is how you lead. We are looking for a thoughtful, relational leader who builds trust with ease, communicates with clarity and warmth, and understands that behind every financial decision are real lives, families and communities.

Working closely with the Chief Finance and Operating Officer, you will play a central role in shaping the Trust’s future. You will lead and develop our finance function with integrity and credibility, guiding a sustainable financial strategy across our academies while navigating the complexities of high‑needs provision. Your work will directly support our ability to deliver outstanding care, education and inclusion for our pupils.

About you

We are particularly keen to hear from people who:

• Are motivated by purpose and driven to make a meaningful difference in young people’s lives
• Bring a collaborative, relational leadership style and build high‑trust, high‑performing teams
• Combine strategic financial expertise with the ability to see the bigger picture
• Lead with professional rigour, empathy and a sense of humour
• Are as comfortable working with people as they are with numbers

You may already be working in education, or you may be looking to bring your expertise from another sector. What matters most is your alignment with our values and your commitment to creating lasting impact.

Why join Solent Academies Trust?

Because here, your work genuinely matters.

You will be part of a compassionate, ambitious community that values difference, prioritises wellbeing and invests in its people. This is a place where your voice is heard, your contribution is recognised and your professional growth is actively supported.

We offer:

• A strong organisational culture rooted in relational practice, belonging and wellbeing
• High‑quality professional development and leadership support
• Local Government Pension Scheme (including a 17.9% employer contribution and 50/50 option)
• Life assurance and confidential wellbeing support services
• A dedicated wellbeing inset day
• Generous annual leave, increasing with service
• A range of additional employee benefits and recognition schemes

This is a rare opportunity to step into a senior leadership role where your financial expertise will shape not only an organisation, but the futures of the children and young people we serve.

To find out more about the role, we encourage informal and confidential conversations with our recruitment partners, Propelo. Please click the apply link to arrange a discussion via our dedicated recruitment website.

In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance, all applicants are required to complete the application form, which is also available on the same website.

Closing date: Wednesday 3rd June, noon
Interviews: Tuesday 23rd June

Solent Academies Trust has a commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Successful applicants will be subject to relevant pre-employment checks, including references and enhanced DBS clearance.

Help shape financial decision-making at one of the UK’s leading universities

King’s is a large, complex and internationally engaged university with ambitious plans for the years ahead. We are looking for an experienced finance leader to join us as Deputy Director of Finance Business Partnering (Operations), playing a key role in strengthening financial performance, decision-making and long-term sustainability across our Professional Services directorates.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who wants to make a real impact. You will be part of our Financial Strategy, Planning and Performance function, helping King’s maintain the sustainable financial foundation needed to support our education, research and wider contribution to society.

The role

Reporting to the Director of Finance Business Partnering (Operations), you will lead high-quality finance business partnering services across a range of Professional Services areas, including Student Services, IT, Philanthropy and Alumni, Executive portfolios and other directorates.

You will directly line manage a team of Finance Business Partners and their Management Accountant teams, with overall responsibility for a team of around eight people, including three direct reports. You will also play a substantial leadership role across the wider Operations Finance Business Partnering team, supporting a team of around 19 colleagues.

This is a hands-on senior leadership role. You will work closely with senior stakeholders, providing expert advice, constructive challenge, analysis and timely decision support. You will help ensure financial plans are robust, risks and opportunities are understood, and resources are aligned with King’s strategic priorities.

What you will be doing

You will model excellent finance business partnering, using high-quality data and insight to support leaders across King’s Professional Services and Operations directorates. You will help stakeholders understand financial performance, make evidence-based decisions and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, value for money and long-term financial resilience.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading the delivery of finance business partnering across multiple Professional Services areas.
• Providing strategic financial advice, scenario modelling and long-term forecasting to support decision-making.
• Leading and supporting annual planning, monthly reporting, quarterly updates and forecasting processes.
• Developing clear, robust reporting and commentary for senior stakeholders, including Executive-level audiences.
• Supporting business cases, complex financial issues and cross-cutting initiatives.
• Ensuring income and expenditure are recorded correctly and that management accounts provide meaningful insight.
• Promoting compliance with financial policies, controls, data protection and secure use of financial information.
• Championing improvements to reporting, tools, dashboards, templates and processes.
• Supporting the Director in leading the Operations Finance Business Partnering team, including culture, priorities, development and ways of working.
• Deputising for the Director when required.

About you

We are looking for a qualified accountant with significant experience of leading financial advice, planning, forecasting and reporting services in a large, complex organisation.

You will bring strong leadership skills, a service-focused approach and the ability to develop high-performing teams. You will be comfortable operating in complex stakeholder environments, managing competing priorities and influencing senior leaders with clarity, confidence and credibility.

You will be someone who can combine technical financial expertise with sound judgement, strong relationship-building skills and a commitment to continuous improvement.

You will need to bring

• A professional accountancy qualification.
• Experience of leading financial support, advice or business partnering services relevant to this role.
• Strong leadership skills, including the ability to manage and develop professional staff.
• Experience of leading short- and long-term planning, forecasting and reporting processes.
• The ability to deliver change and financial improvement across a finance function and wider organisation.
• Resilience and the ability to manage multiple objectives across teams and complex stakeholder groups.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present clearly to senior stakeholders and committees.
• Strong numeracy and IT skills, including Excel and experience using corporate finance and reporting systems.

A degree-level qualification and experience of working in or with the university sector would be advantageous, but are not essential.

Why join King’s?

This role offers the chance to help shape a step change in finance business partnering at King’s. You will be joining at a time when the team is embedding a refreshed business partnering offer, improving reporting and forecasting tools, strengthening stakeholder support and building financial capability across the organisation.

You will have the opportunity to work on high-profile priorities, influence senior decision-making and contribute to financial sustainability across a university with a powerful mission in education, research and service to society.

How to apply

To apply, please send your CV by 25th May 2026. 

For an informal conversation about the role, please contact Phil Southern at Ivy Rock Partners. 

Support Pure Insight as Interim Chief Executive, providing stability, handover support and income generation leadership for a vital care-experienced young people’s charity.

Location: Hybrid, primarily remote with regular travel across Greater Manchester

Applications close: 9 a.m. Thursday 21st May 2026.

About Pure Insight

Pure Insight is a charity dedicated to supporting young people leaving care to build positive, fulfilling and connected lives. Founded and shaped by people with lived experience, the charity understands the realities many care-experienced young people face and provides long-term, trauma-informed support that helps them feel valued, supported and not alone.

Our work spans mentoring, emotional well-being and mental health support, peer and group activity, support for care leaver parents, employment support and close work with local authorities and other partners.

At the heart of Pure Insight is a belief in belonging, long-term support and community. The charity is ambitious for the future and is looking for a CEO who can help shape that future with care, clarity and courage.

About the role

This is an important interim role for a well-regarded charity supporting care-experienced young people across the North West. Following dedicated leadership from the founder CEO, who will be leaving the organisation in July, Pure Insight is looking for an interim leader who can provide stability, support a strong handover and help the charity maintain momentum while the permanent CEO recruitment process progresses.

The interim CEO will join at a critical point for the organisation. Ideally starting in early to mid-June, you will work closely with the founder CEO ahead of her departure, helping to capture knowledge, strengthen continuity and ensure the organisation is well placed for the months ahead.

Reporting to the Chair and working closely with the Board, the Interim CEO will provide strategic and operational leadership across the charity for an initial period expected to run until at least the end of September.

The immediate priorities for the interim CEO will include supporting operational leadership, ensuring a smooth handover, maintaining organisational focus and bringing additional capacity around fundraising, bid writing and income generation — you will ensure the charity can continue to build financial resilience during the interim period.

This is likely to be a part-time interim role, anticipated to be around three days per week. The organisation is looking for someone who can start as soon as possible, ideally in early to mid-June, to allow for a meaningful handover period with the outgoing founder CEO.

The successful candidate will help ensure that Pure Insight remains stable, focused and well supported during this leadership transition. You will work closely with the senior team, trustees and outgoing CEO to capture key organisational knowledge, maintain service quality, support operational decision-making and provide confidence to staff, funders and partners.

Key responsibilities

• Provide calm, values-led interim leadership during a period of transition.
• Work closely with the outgoing founder CEO to support an effective handover.
• Provide operational oversight and support to the senior team.
• Maintain focus on service quality, safeguarding and trauma-informed practice.
• Support fundraising, bid writing and income generation activity.
• Work with the Chair and Board to ensure organisational stability and continuity.
• Help prepare the charity for the arrival of a permanent CEO.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for an experienced interim or senior charity leader who can quickly build trust, bring structure and provide steady leadership.

You will be comfortable working in a small, emotionally sensitive and mission-led organisation. You will understand the importance of continuity, communication and judgement during a leadership transition.

The ideal candidate will bring:

• Senior leadership experience in a charity or mission-driven organisation.
• Experience as a CEO, Interim CEO, Director or senior operational leader.
• Strong operational and people leadership skills.
• Experience in fundraising, bid writing or income generation.
• The ability to support a founder-led handover with care and sensitivity.
• Good judgement, emotional intelligence and a calm leadership style.
• An understanding of trauma-informed practice, safeguarding or working with vulnerable young people.

Why join Pure Insight?

This is a meaningful opportunity to support a well-regarded charity at an important moment in its development.

You will help provide continuity for a committed team, an engaged Board and the young people Pure Insight supports, while contributing practical leadership, fundraising insight and transition support.

For an experienced interim leader, this is a chance to make a tangible difference quickly, helping Pure Insight move through change with confidence, care and stability.

Please click on the link to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website where you will find full details of the role and how to apply.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Thursday 21st May 2026.

Prospectus is delighted to be recruiting for a Director of Finance and IT to join a leading global health organisation. This is a permanent, full time vacancy with the organisation operating a hybrid working policy, remotely and from their London office one day per week.

The Director of Finance and IT will play a key role in the delivery of their ambitious 10-year strategy and provide sound financial stewardship, leading the finance function through a period of change, looking at new financial systems and ways of working, supporting new funding models and ensuring the function is fit for purpose. The post holder will oversee delivery of the IT strategy, strengthen digital maturity, improve operational efficiency, and enable innovation. You will also be responsible for monitoring the organisation’s performance against key performance indicators both locally and within the international network.

The successful candidate will be an experienced, senior level finance and IT professional having previously managing teams and supported an organisation through change and transition. You will be fully accountancy qualified, with excellent senior leadership and strategic experience, having worked successfully with senior stakeholders including a Board of Trustees.

Please submit your CV only in the first instance. Following your application you may be contacted by Prospectus for an informal discussion and may be asked to provide further information to assist with the recruitment process.  
As a specialist Recruitment Practice Prospectus are committed to building inclusive and diverse organisations, and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Prospectus invest in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you in your application.
 

The organisation

I am recruiting for a mission-led organisation with an income of c.£8m, operating across the UK as part of a wider international network. The organisation works within a complex, multi-stakeholder environment and is entering an exciting period of transformation. With an ambitious 10-year strategy in place, there is a clear focus on strengthening financial sustainability, evolving funding models and enhancing digital capability. The organisation also operates with a wholly owned commercial subsidiary, supporting a diversified income base and enabling growth through a range of revenue-generating activities.

The Job

This is a senior leadership role, sitting on the Senior Management Team and playing a key part in delivering long-term strategic objectives. You will lead both the Finance and IT functions (total team of 6 with 2 direct reports), ensuring the organisation is financially robust, operationally effective and supported by modern, secure technology.

• Leading the development and delivery of the long-term financial strategy
• Ensuring strong financial control, governance and risk management
• Overseeing budgeting, forecasting, reporting and audit processes
• Managing the relationship with the organisation's wholly owned trading subsidiary
• Supporting the development of new and sustainable funding models
• Leading the IT and digital strategy to improve systems, insight and operational efficiency
• Strengthening cyber security and organisational resilience
• Providing clear and insightful financial reporting to senior leadership and the Board
• Building effective relationships across an international network of stakeholders

The person

We are seeking a commercially minded and values-led finance leader who is comfortable operating in a complex and evolving environment.

• A recognised accounting qualification such as ACA, ACCA or CIMA
• Significant experience operating at a senior level within a finance function
• A track record of developing and delivering financial strategy
• Strong technical knowledge across financial control, reporting and compliance
• Experience of working within organisations with diverse income streams
• Understanding of trading subsidiaries and group structures
• Exposure to overseeing IT or digital functions at a strategic level
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence at Board level
• A collaborative leadership style and clear communication skills

What's in it for you

• Salary of £80,000 with some flexibility for the right candidate
• Matched pension contribution up to 4%, increasing to 5% after 2 years and 7% after 4 years
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• 35 hour working week with flexible working arrangements
• Hybrid working - minimum 1 day per week in the office
• The opportunity to play a key role in shaping strategy and driving change
• A collaborative and purpose driven working environment

Please apply ASAP if you would like to be considered! Interviews are currently being organised.

Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at hays.co.uk

Founded in 1865, and established by Royal Charter, the Royal Alfred is a much respected and widely known Maritime Charity based in Surrey providing a Nursing Care Home and affordable Housing for former seafarers and their dependents. Due to the impending retirement of the current Chief Executive Officer, they are seeking a dynamic individual to take on this exciting opportunity to build upon recent achievements and to meet the challenge of maintaining a first-class service to the Society's beneficiaries.

To £85 000 + bens

Surrey - Hybrid

The post requires a committed, well-motivated individual with excellent communication skills, able to absorb responsibility yet delegate to an established and talented team of senior managers. Training, where applicable, will be provided, particularly for registration as the Nominated Individual. The post also takes responsibility for Finance, and thus an understanding of financial procedures and budgetary control will be essential.

Reporting to the Chair, other duties will include;

● As the Nominated Individual, supervise the management of the Care Home (Belvedere House), together with Housing, ensuring the highest standards of delivery possible are being achieved.

● Representing the interests of the Society within the wider Maritime Charity and Care sectors as necessary.

● Ensuring that the Strategic Plan and all Policies laid down by the Society are implemented and adhered to.

● Ensuring that all legal, statutory, governance, and best practice guidelines are adhered to.

● Overseeing grant application planning, submission and implementation, including identifying resource requirements and submitting proposals.

Who are we looking for?

The nature of the Charity defines that a candidate with some maritime experience in a leadership role would be an advantage but is not essential. Previous experience in the care sector or some experience in regulated environments is also desirable

The successful candidate will have proven experience as a senior manager, and will be an effective leader, with a willingness to learn then apply knowledge of Care Services as the legally Nominated Individual. The chosen candidate will require DBS certification for work with vulnerable adults.

The closing date for applications will be Monday 18th May. Any direct applications will be forwarded to our retained consultant, Simon Bell at Adjacency Executive Search.

Assistant Director of Finance (18 month FTC)
A leading Housing Association in the area

A well-established and forward-thinking Housing Association is seeking an Assistant Finance Director to join on an 18 month Fixed Term Contract. Reporting directly to the CFO, this position offers a unique opportunity to operate as the number two in finance, playing a key role in both strategic leadership and operational delivery.

The organisation provides a broad range of general and supported housing and is recognised for its commitment to delivering high-quality services and positive outcomes for its communities.

This role is ideally suited to a senior finance professional with Housing sector experience who is looking to step into a high-impact leadership role, driving improvements across people, processes, and financial insight.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and develop the finance function, acting as deputy to the CFO
• Oversee financial and management accounting, ensuring robust reporting and controls
• Support financial planning, treasury activities, and development finance
• Drive a high-quality business partnering function across the organisation
• Lead on improving financial processes, systems, and internal controls
• Support the Executive team on business planning, including scenario modelling and stress testing

Requirements

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA)
• Proven experience within a Housing Association or Registered Provider
• Strong leadership capability, with experience managing and developing teams
• Ability to operate at a strategic level and influence senior stakeholders
• Excellent technical finance skills combined with a commercial, business-partnering mindset
• Strong analytical and systems capability, with confident communication skills

This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious finance leader looking to step into a director level role within a purpose-driven organisation.

Director of Finance

Due to the retirement of the current post holder, we are seeking an experienced Finance Director to join the leadership team at Compton Care.

We are a large independent charity, specialising in palliative care, based in Wolverhampton. We provide specialist care to the people of Wolverhampton, Dudley, East Shropshire and South Staffordshire, caring for several thousand people every year in one of our two locations, or within our patients’ own homes. 

Considered to be a large hospice offering modern palliative services, we are partially funded by the NHS but in the main are supported by commercial and charitable giving.

The Finance Director’s post is an integral part of the Charity's senior management team, working closely with the Chief Executive, setting the strategic direction of the organisation and ensuring it has the financial systems and resources to implement its strategy.

We are looking for someone who ideally has previous Director level experience. In return this full-time position is being offered on a very senior management (VSM) salary of circa £88.5K.  We would also consider part time work for the right candidate. 

Compton also offers hybrid working, but expectations are that you would need to be in the office for 60% of your working week. .

You will be responsible for all aspects of Compton’s finances ensuring accurate and complete recording of all financial transactions, adherence to internal controls, procedures and all financial compliance standards. You will report to the Chief Executive and work closely with the leadership team and Board of Trustees, whilst managing the organisation’s Finance and IT teams. 

If you are looking for a role with purpose, where your efforts positively affect the lives of others then this might be the right fit for you.

Interviews will place week on the 2 June 2026.

About our recruitment process:

Please note that we reserve the right to close a vacancy before the published closing date where applicant volume is high.

Compton Care is committed to safe and fair recruitment, safeguarding and protecting those we care for and serve. We make sure that all our staff are selected and vetted fairly so that they can provide safe, effective and compassionate care.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a Standard submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions. It is also subject to satisfactory references and occupational health clearance.

REF-228 298

A gallery shaped by ideas, people and possibility
Whitechapel Gallery is a leading contemporary arts organisation in East London, committed to making art accessible to diverse audiences.

As we approach our 125th anniversary, we are entering a period of renewed ambition, including a significant capital project and plans for the future of our building and operations. This is a pivotal moment, bringing both opportunity and complexity, requiring clear thinking and strong financial leadership.

The opportunity
We are seeking a Director of Finance to join us at this important stage. This is a senior leadership role, working closely with the Director, Director of Commerce and Business Transformation, Senior Management Team and Board of Trustees.

You will shape financial strategy, support high-level decision-making and ensure the Gallery remains financially sustainable, well-governed and able to deliver its ambitions. The role combines strategic oversight with operational leadership, requiring sound judgement and the ability to work across a complex organisation.

The role
You will lead the Gallery’s financial strategy and planning, ensuring robust budgeting, forecasting and cashflow management. You will provide clear financial insight to support senior decision-making and oversee high-quality reporting.

You will ensure strong financial governance and compliance with Charity SORP, manage risk, and lead the annual audit. You will also oversee tax and regulatory matters, including VAT, PAYE and Gift Aid, and manage relationships with auditors, banks and funders.

You will lead and develop the Finance Team, while supporting financial understanding across the organisation. As part of the senior leadership group, you will help shape priorities and ensure resources are aligned to deliver impact.

About you
You will be a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with senior-level experience. Experience in the charity or cultural sector is helpful but not essential.

You will bring strong expertise in financial strategy, planning and governance, and be confident advising Boards or Trustees. You will be able to translate complex financial information into clear insight and build effective relationships across the organisation.

Why join Whitechapel Gallery?
This is an opportunity to take on a key leadership role at an important point in the Gallery’s development. You will work closely with senior colleagues and Trustees, influencing strategy and supporting delivery across the organisation.

Equity, diversity and inclusion
Whitechapel Gallery is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences. We value different perspectives and are committed to an accessible recruitment process. If you require adjustments, please let us know.

To apply

Send your CV and cover letter to via the link by Sunday 17th May, midnight.

For an informal conversation about the role, please reach out to our exclusive recruitment partner, Bryony Thomas, via the Allen Lane agency website.

CEO

We’re looking for a CEO who is inspiring, values-driven, and a confident fundraiser to lead the next exciting chapter for one of Manchester’s most ambitious youth charities

This is an exciting time to join an organisation with an established youth work provision, strong reputation in private, public and voluntary sectors, and a successful track record of grants and trusts which includes a capital expenditure investment of £1.4M.

Position: CEO

Location: Manchester/Hybrid

Salary: Up to £80,000 per annum (dependent upon experience)

Contract: Permanent 

Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week

Benefits: Hybrid working, 5% pension contribution, 33 days inclusive of bank holidays (pro-rata), extra day off for your birthday, learning & development opportunities, access to EAP, onsite gym, sports, arts and music facilities and subsidised food from our canteen

Closing Date: 21st May 2026

About the Role

As Chief Executive, you will combine inspirational leadership with a strong, hands-on approach to fundraising and commercial direction. Acting as a visible ambassador for the Youth Zone, you will build trust with partners across the city, influence at a regional and national level, and lead with integrity, creativity and purpose to ensure lasting impact for young people and the communities we serve.

Alongside fundraising leadership, you will provide strategic direction, financial clarity and cultural leadership to a values-driven organisation focused relentlessly on young people. You will empower a talented Senior Leadership Team and wider workforce to deliver high-quality, inclusive youth work, while ensuring strong safeguarding, and a safe, inspiring facility that remains fit for purpose.

You will report to the Chair of the Board, through a high support and high challenge relationship, managing an annual budget of approx. £1.2-£1.5m p.a. ensuring the Youth Zone delivers a high-quality offer to local young people.

Key areas of responsibility include:

• Strategy & Governance
• Fundraising & Financial Sustainability
• Leadership & Culture
• Partnerships, Profile & Influence
• Youth Work Quality & Safeguarding
• Building and Facilities

About You

We are looking for a proven leader with significant fundraising experience who can demonstrate success in building long-term relationships with major donors (£25k+), corporate partners, trusts and statutory funders, and who can confidently translate ambition into a diverse, resilient income pipeline that secures the future of the organisation.

You will have experience of:

• Successful senior leadership experience within a charity or similar complex organisation.
• Experience of hands-on fundraising, such as securing and stewarding major donors (£25k+), corporates, trusts and statutory funding.
• Developing and delivering organisational strategies and business plans.
• Leading financially sustainable organisations with strong governance and controls.
• Developing and overseeing high-quality youth-focused services or programmes.
• Working within multi-agency environments, particularly around safeguarding.

To apply, please submit a CV and Cover Letter (of not more than one page), explaining clearly why you are interested in the role.

About the Organisation

The Youth Zone is a limited charity that has been delivering high quality youth provision for 12 years. Originally commissioned with MyPlace funding, the organisation has become a community hub in Harpurhey, North Manchester – one of the poorest wards in England with 94% of youth members come from 1st/ 2nd indices on the national poverty index scale, where cost of living increases impacted hard and caused further adversity and inequality.

As an equal opportunities’ employer, we welcome applications from under-represented groups; in particular from Black, Asian, Mixed Race & other ethnically diverse individuals, people with disabilities, and members of LGBTQ+ communities. 

The charity is committed to the safeguarding of young people. In accordance with their Child Protection and Safeguarding procedures, this position requires an enhanced DBS check.

Other roles you may have experience of could include CEO, Chief Exec, Chief Executive, COO, CFO, Managing Director, Charity Director, Head of Fundraising, Director of Operations, Deputy CEO, Deputy Chief Exec, Deputy Chief Executive.

Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client, Not For Profit People. #INDNFP

YMCA Derbyshire - Chief Executive - £105k pa | Derby (travel across our operating areas is expected)

Founded in 1847, YMCA Derbyshire is a charity that supports children, young people and communities across Derby and Derbyshire through a wide range of integrated services. We provide housing and supported accommodation for around 270 people each night, alongside pathways that help individuals move toward independent living.

Our work spans lifelong learning provision including our vocational college, employability programmes, school based childcare, early years provision, youth and community programmes, health and wellbeing activities, and vital services through our poverty relief programmes.

Together, these services create the essential building blocks for a safe home, improved wellbeing, skills development and real opportunities for children, young people and adults to thrive. We are a strong, stable and well-led organisation with a clear sense of purpose, and an equally clear belief that we can do so much more for the young people and communities we serve. We’re now looking for a Chief Executive who can help us continue to unlock that potential.

This is a role for a leader with real drive. You’ll join an ambitious team that is ready for fresh thinking, new ideas and creativity as we think about how to best to serve our communities and deliver our services to an even greater number. We expect that you will bring senior experience in one of the core areas of our services - housing, education, or the charity sector. You may not have experience in every facet of our delivery, and we don’t expect you to, but you will need an appetite to learn quickly, ask the right questions, and embrace the breadth of this role, as well as a strategic mindset and the confidence to explore different opportunities and shape a future where YMCA Derbyshire can grow and deepen our impact.

YMCA Derbyshire is a Christian-founded charity, and while we are very clear that we welcome, serve and work with people of all religious faiths, and of none, the CE role includes a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) to be held by a practicing Christian, under Part 1 of Schedule 9 to the Equality Act 2010.

This is a significant opportunity to lead an organisation with strong foundations, committed colleagues, an excellent reputation and excellent networks in Derby and Derbyshire. If you’re energised by possibility, motivated by purpose, and ready to help us take bold steps forward, we’d love to hear from you. Join us - and help lead the next chapter of YMCA Derbyshire’s story. 

We are seeking an exceptional leader to be our next chief executive, leading a respected and influential membership organisation at the heart of a thriving grassroots movement.

You’ll be working to build on the success we’ve seen and strong position and voice we have established for ourselves and our members, as a leading force for inclusive and sustainable transport and communities.

You’ll bring an impressive track record in values-based leadership, a proven ability to engage and inspire grassroots change-makers, strategic partners and policy-makers, and a deep belief in the importance of community-led change towards a sustainable, equitable future.

About us

Community Rail Network is a national not-for-profit organisation, which is in the process of applying for charitable status, supporting a growing ‘community rail’ movement, which helps communities get the most from their railways, promotes sustainable and inclusive travel, coordinates volunteering and place-making, and brings people together.

Community rail is made up of 77 community-based organisations, and around 1,300 station volunteer groups and other community-led initiatives around Britain. Their activities range from creative projects for young people, to advising train operators on service improvements, to building travel confidence among marginalised groups, to biodiversity projects at stations, to promoting greener tourism by rail.

Our enthusiastic team of 24 works from home in dispersed locations, but we come together regularly in person and online. We work collaboratively to support members, provide training, events and resources, run campaigns, and champion community rail and its insights. We believe in helping everyone reach their potential while having a good work-life balance.

About this role, and your main responsibilities

Our current CEO is moving on after nine years in role, leaving the organisation, team and wider movement in a strong and empowered position to deliver on the next phase of our development.

Your opportunity is to lead the organisation, and to deliver on our new five-year strategy setting an ambitious course for the future during a period of major transformation for our railways and the wider transport system. You will ensure that we are:

• clear in our identity and our independence, and seen as thought leaders in our field;
• are supporting our members and stakeholders to meet their changing and diverse needs; and
• ensuring the financial and operational resilience of the organisation in an environment that is undergoing a period of rapid change.

As CEO, you will lead a passionate and experienced senior leadership team with three direct reports, while working closely with and reporting into our Board, key partners and funders, and ensuing an engaging, empowering, tenacious approach across all we do.

Advocacy of community rail and its benefits will be high on your agenda, and you will be working closely across multiple stakeholders including UK and devolved national governments, regional and local authorities as well as forging collaborative partnerships with like-minded organisations.

Maintaining our community-centric ethos, you will need to ensure we're effective in enabling members to unlock greater value from the railways at a grassroots level, while drawing on their insights to affect wider change. With hundreds of member groups and organisations across Britain delivering life-changing, place-enhancing work, you will have a solid foundation to build on, to take community rail forward and expand our impact in the years ahead.

Last, but not least, you will be responsible for ensuring the strong and effective governance of the organisation, modelling our governing principles, values and behaviours, and ensuring that we have robust financial and resource management in place.

Skills, competencies and qualities

1. Exceptional leadership skills, including a proven ability to lead, develop and grow third sector organisations or multi-faceted teams delivering complex activities, projects and campaigns;
2. Excellent communication and external leadership skills: articulate, assertive, with the ability to work diplomatically and persuasively with stakeholders at all levels;
3. Experienced in acting as the public face of an organisation, such as through the media, public speaking and high-level meetings, and using evidence and storytelling to articulate and champion a cause;
4. Politically astute, with knowledge of and commitment to social inclusion, social justice and sustainability, and a sound grasp of the importance of public transport, sustainable travel, and community-led action;
5. A proven ability to influence policy and decision-makers, and to identify influencing opportunities, ideally in relation to community development, sustainability and/or transport, including sharing community insights;
6. A strong track record in income generation and development, building strong funder relationships and delivery partnerships, managing programme or organisational budgets and controlling expenditure;
7. Experience of working with and/or reporting to a board, ideally in a not-for-profit and/or membership context;
8. An empowering, engaging approach to leadership, management and change-making;
9. Resilient, pragmatic and determined, with the ability to work under pressure, seize emergent opportunities, manage risk, and support others dealing with competing priorities.

Other information

The role will involve extensive travel within Britain as part of building your profile and that of the organisation with central and devolved government in Scotland and Wales, and increasingly with the devolved regions of England.

There is flexibility on location given the requirement to travel and that your office will be home-based. You will need to travel to in-person quarterly team meetings (usually in London or West Yorkshire) and to Board meetings which alternate between online and London. It is expected that travel will be by public transport and easy access to the rail network is therefore required to ensure journeys can be made sustainably. 

This is a full-time position, 37 hours per week. We use a flexi-time system with core hours 10am-3pm, and are committed to being a flexible, supportive and understanding employer. This is a permanent position with a probationary period of six months. 

Benefits: 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (rising up to 30 days, plus Bank Holidays, in line with long service); pension with employer contribution of 7%; and access to Employee Assistance Programme.

Successful applicants will need to provide proof that they have the right to work in the UK and provide two references.

Community Rail Network is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from disabled people and Black, Asian and other minoritised groups, who meet with the skills and competencies for this role. We will provide reasonable adjustments for interviews as required.

Help end avoidable blindness worldwide

Right now, 1.1 billion people are living with vision loss - yet the vast majority of this is preventable or treatable. Behind every statistic is a child missing out on education, a parent unable to work, a community held back.

At Orbis UK, we are part of a global organisation that trains eye care professionals, delivers life-changing treatments, and invests in innovative solutions - from our Flying Eye Hospital to global telehealth platform -so that no one is needlessly blind.

In 2025, the UK team raised £7.1m. These funds supported 18 projects across 8 countries. With these funds we delivered 9,908 training sessions for health workers, enabled 469,287 eye screenings, 37,378 treatments and delivered 2.5m doses of antibiotics to tackle trachoma. The organisation’s ambition is to grow our income to £10 million per year within the next five years.

To achieve our next phase of growth and impact, we are looking for a Director of Finance & Operations who shares their ambition to expand access to eye care in the countries where it is needed most.

Why this role matters

As part of the senior leadership team, you will ensure Orbis UK is financially strong, operationally effective, and ready to expand our reach. Your leadership will directly support programmes that restore sight, train clinicians, and strengthen health systems in the communities where we work.

Your impact

You will:

• Ensure every pound is used effectively to maximise Orbis UK’s life-changing impact
• Provide the financial insight that shapes strategic decisions
• Lead the teams that ensure the smooth running of the organisation - finance, HR, IT, and operations
• Strengthen governance, accountability, and sustainability as the organisation grows
• Partner with colleagues in the UK and internationally to deliver lasting change

Who we’re looking for

You are more than technically excellent - you are purpose-driven.

You’ll bring:

• A professional accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or CIPFA)
• Experience leading finance in a complex organisation, ideally with charity or public sector exposure
• The ability to translate financial insight into clear, strategic direction
• A collaborative leadership style and confidence working with senior stakeholders
• A genuine commitment to global equity and social impact

Join us

Orbis is not a large organisation; it depends more than most on the value added by the individual. If you believe you can bring not only strong professional skills, but also the personal qualities, commitment to our charitable aims, and collaborative spirit that make a meaningful difference in a small team like ours, we would love to hear from you and strongly encourage you to apply.

Recruitment timetable

• Application deadline  Sunday 17th May, midnight
• Shortlisting  Wednesday 27th May 
• First stage interviews  w/c 1st June
• Final interviews  w/c 8th June

To apply, send your CV and cover letter via the link by Sunday 17th May, midnight.

For an informal conversation about the role, please reach out to our exclusive recruitment partner, Bryony Thomas, via the Allen Lane agency website.

We’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation, and particularly welcome applications from people currently underrepresented at senior levels, including those from Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic backgrounds, and disabled or neurodivergent candidates.

If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process or in the role itself, we’ll work with you to make that happen.

Interim Director of Finance and Operations 

Initial up to 6 month fixed-term contract 

Part Time 2-4 days per week, flexible 

Hybrid, 1-2 days on site in Angel, London 

£90, 000 Pro Rata

Our client champions young women aged 18 to 30 on low or no pay. They’re here to create a more equal world of work and raise young women’s incomes. They offer young women free coaching, feedback on job applications and information to help them get where they want to be. They bring together a network of thousands of young women to support each other, build their self-belief, and have their voices heard. They work with young women to campaign for equality in the workplace, and their research provides insight into what young women’s lives are really like, fuelling their campaigns for change. 

This is a critical executive role, providing strategic financial and operational leadership as part of the Senior Leadership Team while they recruit for the permanent position. During this interim period, the postholder will bring stability and expertise to the Finance and Operations function, effectively manage the team, ensure robust financial leadership and systems, while driving forward key organisational projects, including the CRM/data programme. 

Main responsibilities and key deliverables: 

• Effectively lead and manage the Finance and Operations Team 

• Provide strategic financial leadership including of the audit process, board reporting and, assisted by our outsourced investment advisors, oversight of the charity’s endowment and investments 

• Establish good working relationships with key stakeholders across the organisation and externally 

• Drive forward the timely delivery of the cross organisational data/CRM project, with external expert advice 

About you: 

• Fully qualified accountant (ICAEW/ ACA / ACCA / CIMA / CIPFA or equivalent) – essential 

• Excellent interpersonal and influencing skills with the ability to lead others to achieve required results. 

• Excellent organisational and project management skills. 

• Digitally confident, with advanced skills in MS Excel and finance and accounting software (experience with Xero desirable) 

• Significant experience of leadership, management and development of staff. 

How to Apply 
Please submit an up-to-date CV via the Prospectus website using the link below, and indicate your preferred number of part-time working days within your application. 

Candidates of all genders and backgrounds are encouraged to apply. 

If you wish to apply using an alternative format, please contact Prospectus.
 
Timeline 
Application deadline: Sunday, 10 May Midnight 
Interviews with the organisation: 15th  May, in person 
CVs will be assessed on a rolling basis and early application is encouraged. 
 
Please note that candidates must be available for a start date in May/June 2026