The Rainy Day Trust is seeking a Chief Executive Officer to lead our small but mighty charity as we enter an exciting new strategic planning cycle. If you’re an enthusiastic, dynamic leader ready to roll up your sleeves and drive real change for those who’ve worked in the home-improvement sector, this is your opportunity to steer an 182-year-old charity into its next decade.
About Us
The Rainy Day Trust provides practical, financial and emotional support to people who work - or have worked - in the home-improvement and enhancement industries (builders’ merchants, DIY, garden centres, tradespeople and related sectors). We deliver grants, debt relief, apprenticeship funding, fuel-poverty assistance, legal advice, counselling and e-learning, partnering with industry peers to tackle poverty through both direct intervention and prevention. We pride ourselves on punching above our weight to ensure every beneficiary lives with dignity.
The Role
As CEO, you will work in partnership with the Board to finalise and own our new five-year business plan, ensuring its successful delivery. You’ll combine strategic vision with hands-on leadership. overseeing service delivery, fundraising, financial stewardship and regulatory compliance, while modelling our core values of transparency, fairness, energy, inclusivity and compassion.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership: Co-create, implement and evaluate the new five-year strategy, business plan and budgets.
- Operational Management: Lead a small core team and manage partner relationships (e.g. Maximus for casework). Ensure high-quality, cost-effective service delivery and robust risk controls.
- Income Generation: Devise and deliver a diversified fundraising strategy (corporate partnerships, events, digital campaigns) to secure financial stability in a demanding climate.
- Governance & Compliance: Act as Nominated Individual to the Charity Commission; support the Board in trustee recruitment, training and governance best practice.
- External Relations: Serve as chief spokesperson; build and sustain partnerships across the home-improvement sector to raise awareness and influence.
- Culture & Values: Foster an organisational culture of learning, innovation, professionalism and integrity that reflects our values at every level.
Key Details
- Job Title: Chief Executive Officer
- Salary: circa £70,000 per annum
- Contract: Permanent, full-time (evenings and occasional weekends; UK travel required)
- Location: Head office in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, with travel across the UK
Person Specification
Essential
- Graduate or equivalent vocational qualification.
- At least 10 years’ senior-management experience in a comparable organisation (charity, social enterprise or commercial).
- Proven track record of income generation across varied channels.
- Experience of strategic planning, budget management and regulatory compliance (Charity Commission, SORP).
- Strong leadership skills: able to inspire small teams and foster collaborative partnerships.
- Excellent communicator, both orally and in writing; adept at presenting complex issues succinctly.
- Financially literate: able to interpret spreadsheets, set forecasts and manage risk.
Desirable
- Experience in the home-improvement, construction or retail sectors.
- Familiarity with mental-health or preventative-welfare work.
- Background in formal collaborations/joint ventures.
Attributes
- Values-driven, demonstrating integrity, empathy and inclusivity.
- Strategic thinker with a results-oriented, commercial mindset.
- Resilient under pressure, well organised and adaptable to changing priorities.
- Curious and innovative: open to new ideas and continuous learning.
If you would like to receive an Information Pack for this role with details on how to apply, please send an expression of interest and (optional but appreciated) a CV or professional profile in confidence to our consultant, Jenny Hills via the apply button. For an informal and confidential conversation about this position, please contact Jenny at the above address with suitable times to speak.
Closing date for applications: 9am, Monday 30th June 2025
As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.
Thank you!
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!
Chief Executive Officer
Coventry, flexible and hybrid working
4 to 5 days per week (0.8 to 1.0 FTE)
£48,000 – £55,000 pro rata, depending on experience
Lead an innovative, values-driven team making a real difference for people with muscular dystrophy (MD)
Muscular Dystrophy Support Centre is a user-led charity dedicated to supporting people affected by muscular dystrophy - rare and sometimes life-limiting conditions that impact 110,000 people in the UK. We are one of only two dedicated MD therapy centres in the country and the only one in the Midlands.
We provide long-term, transformative physical therapies and community support to improve mobility, independence and quality of life. In 2025, we aim to support over 600 people through services at our Coventry HQ, satellites across the region, and online.
After a period of significant growth, we’re now focused on consolidating operations, improving systems, and preparing for the next stage in our development -guided by a new five-year strategy.
We’re looking for a compassionate, strategic and operationally-minded Chief Executive to lead us into this next phase. You’ll work closely with our Board, staff, volunteers, and service users to deliver sustainable growth, ensure operational excellence, and champion our community. We are a dynamic, supportive and committed team with a flexible working environment.
About the role
This is a hands-on leadership role, ideal for someone who thrives in a small but ambitious charity setting. As Chief Executive, you will:
- Lead the development and delivery of our strategic vision and operational plan.
- Responsible for day-to-day operations and embed robust systems for monitoring and continuous improvement.
- Ensure accurate data collection and reporting to guide effective decision-making.
- Support and develop a collaborative and values-led team culture.
- Oversee finances and income generation, including statutory funding and voluntary income.
- Act as our lead spokesperson and build strong external partnerships across the health, charity, and policy sectors.
What we’re looking for
We’re open to candidates from diverse professional backgrounds, but we’re especially keen to hear from people who can demonstrate:
- Senior leadership experience in the charity, health or care sectors.
- Strong operational and team management skills – including experience improving systems and processes.
- Experience with strategic planning, income generation, and governance.
- A people-first leadership approach with a strong commitment to inclusion and user voice.
- A warm, grounded communicator with experience building trusted relationships with staff, volunteers, funders, and service users.
What we offer
- Employer-contributed pension scheme (contribution 3% qualifying earnings)
- 22 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata), with additional days of leave accrued with service
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Free tea and coffee provided in the office
- Free onsite car parking
- Friendly and informal office environment
Why join us
- Opportunity to further shape and build a Charity and your role in a key phase of development.
- Opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of people with long-term, degenerative conditions
- Work with a supportive, passionate and collaborative team and Board.
- Experience first-hand the impact of our services and support on service-users and their families.
Please send your CV and a cover letter (max 2 pages) explaining why you’re the right person for this role and how your experience matches what we’re looking for.
We welcome informal conversations before applying - email us to arrange a chat.
The job specification lists the key skills, experience, knowledge and qualities we’re looking for in our next Executive Director. You don’t need to meet every single requirement – if you feel excited about the role and believe you could thrive in it, we encourage you to apply.
Registered Charity
21 - 50
We work together to support people affected Muscular Dystrophy, creating an environment where full potential and optimal well-being can be achieved, t
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
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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