Governance officer jobs in london

About Local Voice and Healthwatch

Local Voice is an independent charity delivering Healthwatch services in Waltham Forest and Newham. Healthwatch gives local people a strong voice in shaping health and social care. We gather community insights, identify what is and isn’t working, support improvement, and represent people’s experiences to decision-makers.

About the role

We are looking for an experienced and organised Operations Manager to oversee the day-to-day delivery of Healthwatch Waltham Forest and Healthwatch Newham. You will manage operational activity, support staff and volunteers, maintain strong governance processes, and ensure that insight gathered from local people leads to meaningful improvements.

You will work closely with the Chief Executive and Advisory Groups in each borough and help shape annual work programmes based on evidence, engagement, and co-production.

What we are looking for

• Experience managing projects, teams, and budgets
• Strong organisational and problem-solving skills
• Ability to build relationships with statutory, voluntary and community partners
• Understanding of Healthwatch, community engagement, or health and social care
• Commitment to equity, diversity, and high-quality community insight

Full details are in the Job Description and Person Specification.

Closing Date: 11 January 2026

Ref 7228

Save the Children UK is looking for an individual with extensive senior legal, governance and risk leadership experience to join us as our General Counsel and Company Secretary. This is an exciting opportunity to work closely with our Board of Trustees, Chief Executive and leaders across SCUK, as well as partners across the global Save the Children Movement, to help drive impact for children. 

About Us 

Save the Children UK believes every child deserves a future. In the UK and around the world, we work every day to give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. When crisis strikes, and children are most vulnerable, we are always among the first to respond and the last to leave. We ensure children's unique needs are met and their voices are heard. We deliver lasting results for millions of children, including those hardest to reach. 

About the role 

As General Counsel and Company Secretary, you will play a pivotal role in guiding decisions that align with our mission and values, ensuring that SCUK operates with integrity, transparency and strong governance. You will lead our Legal, Enterprise Risk and Company Secretariat functions, oversee internal audit performance, and act as a trusted adviser to the CEO, Executive Leadership Team and Board. You will integrate legal, governance and risk-thinking into organisational decision-making, enabling innovation and impact while ensuring compliance and safeguarding the organisation's reputation and obligations. 

In this role, you will: 

• Provide strategic legal, regulatory and governance advice to the Board, CEO and senior leaders, ensuring decisions are informed, risk-aware and aligned with our organisational priorities. 

• Lead and motivate the Legal, Enterprise Risk and Company Secretariat teams, setting strategic direction and fostering a high-performing, inclusive, values- and impact-driven culture. 

• Serve as Company Secretary, ensuring robust governance, effective Board and Committee management, and compliance with company law, Charity Commission requirements and the Charity Governance Code. 

• Oversee SCUK's enterprise risk management and internal audit functions, acting as Executive Sponsor for Global Assurance and ensuring effective risk, audit and compliance frameworks are in place. 

• Support organisational transformation and innovation, including new financial models, subsidiaries, and partnerships, while ensuring SCUK remains compliant, ethical and child-rights focused. 

About you 

You'll be an English qualified lawyer with broad experience across a range of areas, including some or all of charity and fundraising laws, corporate governance, commercial contracts, intellectual property, IT and corporate law.   

Ideally, you'll bring experience in an in-house legal role (including in a charity context) with some experience of working in international contexts.

To be successful, it is important that you have: 

• Senior experience in a challenging role, including managing a team and working with senior executives and trustees.

• Good understanding of the context in which Save the Children works. Experience and understanding of human rights law, child-rights based law and/or laws relating to sexual offences is desirable but not essential. 

• Strong strategic, analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to navigate complexity, influence at senior levels and provide clear, solution-focused advice. 

• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to explain complex legal issues in accessible ways and negotiate effectively. 

• A high level of integrity, ethical judgement and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, and to fostering a culture of accountability and learning. 

• Commitment to Save the Children's vision, mission and values. 

What we offer you: 

Working for a charity provides one of the best benefits there is – a sense of purpose and reward for helping others. However, we understand the importance of giving back to our employees to ensure a happy and healthy working environment and work/life balance. 

• We focus on flexibility, inclusion, collaboration, health and wellbeing both in and outside of work. 

• We provide a wide range of benefits which will reward your hard work, motivate you, and inspire you to work to improve the lives of children every day.

Location & Ways of Working: 

SCUK offers ‘remote first' hybrid and flexible work arrangements to enable impact towards our strategic objectives and to support the wellbeing of our talented people.

This role involves close direct work with the Board, CEO, senior leaders, staff, and partners. Often fast-paced and handling sensitive issues and relationships, the nature of this role means that you are likely to need to be in our Farringdon office for at least two days most weeks. Some out-of-hours work may be required. 

Please note: travel costs to your contracted office will be at your own expense.

Flexible Working - We are happy to discuss flexible working options at interview.

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion: 

Save the Children UK believes in a world that is fair, inclusive and equitable where all children have the opportunity to change their world. We apply this to our workforce and we are committed to developing and supporting a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organisation where all employees have a sense of belonging and feel that they can be "Free to Be Me". We are not looking for just one type of person - we want to recruit people who can add fresh perspectives, innovative ideas or challenge that disrupts the risk of group think. 

We are especially interested in people whose childhood experiences - of life on a low income, of migration, of being in a racialised community, of the care system, of being LGBT+ or in an LGBT+ family or living with (or with someone with) a disability - help us to see things we might otherwise miss. Whatever your story is we want to hear it because we know that different voices, ideas, perspectives and knowledge, working together will enable us to better the lives of children around the world. This is the reason why we are all here. 

About us

GSG Impact is a UK-registered charity with a global footprint. We work with a network of National Partners and collaborators across multiple countries to help build “impact economies”, strengthening the systems, relationships and market infrastructure that enable capital and policy to deliver better social and environmental outcomes. Our work brings together evidence, convening power and practical support, partnering with leaders across public, private and civil society to accelerate progress and share what works globally. 

The role

We are seeking an experienced Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead our organisational operations, including finance, HR, governance, compliance and risk. You will ensure strong systems, controls and processes that enable excellent delivery across an international organisation. 

Key responsibilities

• Lead organisational operations across finance, HR, IT, legal, admin and key systems

• Own budgeting, forecasting, reporting, audit and treasury/controls

• Strengthen UK charity governance, policies, compliance and risk management

• Oversee contracts, procurement, supplier management and external advisers

• Lead people operations across multiple jurisdictions (including Employer of Record arrangements) 

About you

• Track record in UK charity governance/compliance and international operations

• Senior operational leader with strong financial and people management experience

• Confident working across complex stakeholder environments and multi-country teams

• Clear communicator, pragmatic problem-solver, calm under pressure 

How to apply

Please send CV (max 2 pages) and a cover letter (max 1 page) explaining your suitability.

GSG Impact is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all backgrounds. We are committed to safeguarding and will carry out appropriate pre-employment checks.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications or appoint a suitable candidate before the advertised closing date.

Role Description

The purpose of the Executive Assistant role is to provide administrative, organisational and coordination support to the Executive Team, ensuring their time and attention are aligned with organisational priorities, goals, and objectives. The role covers executive coordination, governance administration and project support.  The Executive Assistant enables effective decision making across the Leadership Team, supports the smooth delivery of priorities, and contributes to the execution of long-term strategic goals.

The Executive Team comprises the Chief Executive, Operations Director and Business Development Director.  They work together as part of the Leadership Team, comprising key leaders from across the charity.

Excellent attention to detail is crucial, as is the ability to operate with discretion and flexibility. A high standard of written and verbal communication is essential. The role requires collaboration across Finance, HR, Trustees, and external stakeholders, and an understanding of effective charity governance would be desirable.

This role requires a high level of emotional intelligence, sound judgement, and the ability to build trusted relationships across all levels of the organisation. Success in this role depends on a proactive mindset, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to remain calm and resourceful under pressure. The Executive Assistant must be highly dependable, detail-oriented, and capable of managing sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.

Responsibilities

Executive Coordination

• Manage calendars, inboxes, travel and meeting preparation for Executive Team
• Coordinate agendas and logistics for internal and external meetings
• Liaise with stakeholders, clients and partners to ensure smooth engagement

Governance Support

• Own the established governance timetable, board meeting scheduling, and trustee communications
• Draft and distribute board packs, take minutes, and track actions
• Support governance processes in collaboration with the Operations Director
• Support trustee onboarding, training, and engagement
• Ensure timely completion of Charity Commission and Companies House submissions
• Leverage AI tools and platforms to enhance business processes

Strategic communications

• Communicate with external stakeholders on behalf of the Executive Team
• Coordinate staff events and meetings
• Work with marketing and communities & projects teams for conferences and external events

Project support

• Support ongoing transformation projects in collaboration with Head of Business Functions
• Support recruitment and onboarding for senior roles led by the Head of Business Operations
• Support strategic planning and performance tracking led by the Operations Director and Business Development Director
• Support handover and re-onboarding of Executive Assistant on her return April 2027

Role Requirements

Required:

• Minimum of four years’ experience in a similar role.
• Experience supporting senior leaders in a fast paced and changing environment, taking initiative and managing competing deadlines calmly and flexibly.
• Confident communicating with the executive and leadership team, trustees and external partners in a professional and timely way.
• Able to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and good judgment.
• Confident coordinating meetings, preparing papers and taking accurate minutes.
• Ability to research, digest, analyse and present material clearly and concisely.
• Ability to identify and apply AI-driven tools to enhance business activities and using AI to streamline workflows and personalise business engagement.
• Comfortable stepping into an established role quickly and maintaining continuity during the maternity leave period.

Desirable:

• Experience in charity governance
• Experience in project support/management

Employees are also expected to be flexible in undertaking the duties and responsibilities attached to their post and may be asked to perform other duties that are consistent with the grade, responsibilities, and typical scope of the role. Any additional tasks should remain appropriate to the nature of the post and not extend into unrelated functions or specialisms.

All employees are expected to work in accordance with the organisation’s values and behavioural standards, which include being supportive, transparent, respectful, kind, honest, and collaborative. This means fostering a culture of empathy, openness, integrity, and teamwork in all interactions, and contributing positively to the organisation’s mission and strategic objectives.

We are committed to flexible working and are open to requests for different working patterns. This includes part time arrangements and four day working week requests, which we will always consider as part of the recruitment process.

To apply for this role, please share your CV with a one-page cover letter setting out why this role appeals to you and how your skills and experiences meet the key skills points in the job description.

Interviews expected to take place on week commencing the 2nd of February 2026.

The balance of the role is approximately 2.5dpw HR and 1.5dpw Governance Support. Applications for a 2.5 days per week Head of HR role will also be considered. Please indicate which role you are applying for when you make your application. 

 Liberty is an independent campaigning organisation. It challenges injustice, defends freedom, and campaigns to make sure everyone in the UK is treated fairly. 

Liberty is a small organisation, which punches above its weight, delivering its work through a team of around 35 employees.   We are looking for a Head of HR and Governance Support who brings strong leadership and management skills, hands-on day-to-day delivery to support high-performing teams, and who has strong organisational skills and experience working at a senior level to be able to effectively support the Liberty board, and the board of Liberty's sister charity, The Civil Liberties Trust. 

You will line manager and work closely with the HR Officer to provide responsive, problem solving and supportive HR service to managers across the organisation and to work alongside, support and advise the Senior Leadership Team to develop and deliver a strong HR strategy embedding best practice and continuing to build a positive, inclusive and high- performing culture strongly aligned with Liberty's values.

You will also work closely with the Senior Leadership Team, the Board and the Finance and Governance Officer to ensure that both boards have the operational and implementation support they need to function effectively, including supporting the upcoming governance review. 

 We are looking for someone who enjoys working at both a strategic and operational level, who enjoys implementing effective systems, and embraces the opportunities and challenges of embedding values-led, anti-oppressive principles within a progressive organisation.

The successful candidate is likely to be qualified or QBE in HR, and have a good grasp of HR employment law, have experience of taking an organisation through transformational change and enjoy working with managers to get the best out of their teams. 

For further information click the apply button.

Are you a passionate leader with a commitment to animal welfare? Join Greyhound Trust as our Head of Operations - where you will shape the future of homing services and champion the wellbeing of retired racing greyhounds across the UK.

About Us

At Greyhound Trust, we believe every retired racing greyhound deserves a loving home and a life filled with kindness and compassion. Our national network of homing centres and Branches—powered by dedicated staff and volunteers—supports over a thousand greyhounds each year in their journey from track to home.   You will help take us back to our pre covid numbers of several thousand greyhounds being homed by Greyhound Trust each year.

The Role

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive and sitting as part of the Senior Management Team, you'll be responsible for developing and delivering our national Homing and Welfare Strategy, while leading the transformation of our homing network to home more greyhounds and develop its impact. 

This is a rare opportunity to lead strategic change in animal welfare at both a national and grassroots level, whilst being operational and handws on in a sector that you love.

What You Will Do

• Lead national strategy for homing and greyhound care

• Oversee operations at our homing centres, including the flagship National Greyhound Centre

• Identify high impact changes to increase reach and home more greyhounds, and lead the relevant operational change across the homing network

• Develop new welfare and outreach initiatives

• Manage a high performing team of operational Managers, focused on greyhound outcomes, supporting and developing our valued volunteers and championing the breed

• Lead welfare governance, policy, and budget management

About You

We’re looking for a confident, collaborative and visionary leader who can balance strategic thinking with practical delivery. You will bring:

✅ Senior experience in animal welfare;  if not, you will need to evidnece your ability to be successful with a steep learning curve

✅ Strong operational and budget oversight skills

✅ Ability to analsyse data and trends, and model new ways of working to address identified needs

✅ A track record of driving service improvement and innovation

✅ Excellent communication and people management skills

✅ Experience working with volunteers and multi-site teams

✅ Confidence in navigating complex welfare and behavioural decisions

✅ A passion for animal welfare and a values-led approach

Experience in policy, outreach / project development and regulatory governance is a plus.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a respected national charity with a mission led culture

• Shape the future of homing practices and volunteer engagement across the UK

• Work alongside a passionate team, who are dedicated to Greyhound Trust and Greyhound Welfare

How to Apply

If you are ready to lead national transformation in greyhound welfare, we wouldlove to hear from you.

Apply by submitting your CV AND a covering letter, outlining your suitability for the role and why you would be a great fit for Charity and its existing committed team.
 

The Family Treatment Service (TFTS) is a respected, CQC-registered, not-for-profit mental health clinic based in Wimbledon Village. We provide compassionate, evidence-based care for individuals, couples, and families, with specialist services, and a growing multidisciplinary team.

As we enter an exciting new phase of growth, we are seeking a Managing Director to take over day-to-day leadership from our founding team. This is a rare opportunity to guide a well-established and values-driven service through transition—maintaining our clinical integrity while strengthening operational systems and ensuring long-term sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the organisation through a structured transition period, working closely with the founders to preserve TFTS’s ethos and high standards of care.
• Oversee all business and operational functions, including HR, finance, governance, and compliance.
• Ensure full CQC and regulatory compliance, with strong governance and risk management.
• Develop and deliver a strategic plan for sustainable growth, innovation, and service development.
• Foster a positive, inclusive culture—supporting staff wellbeing, communication, and professional development.

About You

• Proven senior leadership experience in a CQC-registered healthcare, charity, or not-for-profit setting.
• Strong commercial and operational management skills with financial oversight experience.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills—able to lead with empathy during change.
• Strategic thinker with a track record of implementing operational improvements.
• (Desirable) Experience in mental health or family-centred services and leading organisational transformation.

We are seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Grants and Fundraiser Officer to help secure vital funding for Chelmsford Cathedral’s mission and outreach.

This role focuses on raising income from UK trusts, foundations, and statutory funders, ensuring sustainable support for our work.

As part of our team, you will:

• Research and identify potential funders and grant opportunities.
• Develop compelling proposals and applications that clearly communicate our needs.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with donors and stakeholders.
• Work closely with senior leadership and colleagues across departments to gather information and align funding strategies with our mission.

If you have excellent research, writing, and interpersonal skills, a creative approach to fundraising we’d love to hear from you.

Chief Executive Officer – The Abbey Centre
Location: The Abbey Centre, Westminster, London (site-based role, flexible working available)
Salary: £90,000 – £95,000 per annum
Contract: Permanent (Full-time, 37.5 hours/week; regular evening attendance for events as required)

Could you lead a much-loved community hub through its next chapter of stability, growth and civic impact?

About The Abbey Centre

Our charity has served the community of south Westminster since 1948 and has occupied The Abbey Centre building, a converted Victorian public bath house a stone’s throw from Westminster Abbey, since 1991. We are a site-based community hub and social enterprise, combining community services, training and outreach with venue hire, an on-site café and catering to generate income that supports our charitable work.

We work across employability, health and wellbeing, volunteering and practical support for vulnerable residents; the Centre welcomes people of all ages and backgrounds, and sees over 1,000 visits each week. Our strong partnerships with Westminster City Council, statutory bodies and corporate donors underpin commissioned activity and solidify our position as a trusted local delivery partner.

This is an opportunity for a visionary but hands-on leader to preserve the Centre’s warm, inclusive culture and outstanding reputation while further professionalising systems, developing our income, and shaping a multi-year strategy that secures the building and grows impact.

As our next Chief Executive Officer, you will:

• Strategy & Impact: lead a collaborative listening phase and then develop and deliver a 3–5 year strategy and rolling business plan that defines the Centre’s core offer and impact targets.

• Governance & Finance: own the annual budget and medium-term financial modelling, deliver full-cost recovery across activity lines and present timely, accurate management information to trustees.

• Operational Leadership: ensure continuity of community services, venue trading and café operations and strengthen operational systems including safeguarding, H&S and business continuity.

• Income Generation: drive commercial performance of venue hire, events and catering, professionalise fundraising (major donors, legacies, corporate partnerships) and lead bids for multi-year statutory contracts.

• Community & Partnerships: sustain and deepen strategic relationships with Westminster City Council, commissioners, local partners and corporate supporters to secure commissioned work and philanthropic income.

• Estate Stewardship: manage day-to-day stewardship of the Centre’s significant ageing building, overseeing maintenance, lease/compliance obligations and contractor relationships.

• People & Culture: build a cohesive senior team, embed clear role accountabilities, performance management and development, and protect the Centre’s welcoming culture while managing change.

• Brand & Profile: act as a visible ambassador locally and with funders to raise the Centre’s profile and champion its social value.

Who you are:

• A seasoned senior leader with proven experience in a small/medium charity, community organisation or social enterprise that combines front-line delivery with significant premises/estate responsibility.

• Demonstrable track record of leading strategic development and delivering organisational growth while balancing hands-on operational leadership.

• Strong commercial and earned-income expertise, with experience of running successful commercial – ideally site-based - operations.

• Confident in winning and managing statutory contracts and multi-year grant programmes; credible with local authorities, commissioners and corporate partners.

• Financially literate with direct budget and cash-flow accountability and experience of full-cost recovery modelling.

• A collaborative, visible and warm ambassador who builds trust quickly, communicates clearly and can present concise management information to trustees.

Why The Abbey Centre?

• A powerful mission: deliver practical services, companionship and opportunity for south Westminster residents in a civic, high-impact setting.

• A prominent, historic central Westminster location and a cherished community building offering scope for strategic estate planning and growth.

• A warm, loyal staff team and an engaged board navigating a positive leadership transition.

• A social enterprise model where successful trading directly funds frontline services and creates a platform for entrepreneurial leadership.

• The opportunity to shape a multi-year strategy that secures the long-term future of the charity and grows its impact in the community.

For full details of the role including how to apply, please download the full appointment brief. For an informal and confidential conversation about this position, please contact Jenny Hills at Harris Hill via the apply button with times to speak and (optional but appreciated) a CV or professional profile which will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Closing date for applications: 9am, Monday 12th January 2026

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.

The Brain & Spine Foundation is seeking a Fundraising-Focused CEO to take the helm of our charity at a moment of growth and opportunity. This is a rare chance to shape the future of a national charity, driving income, influence and impact for the 1 in 6 people in the UK affected by neurological conditions.

As Fundraising Focused CEO, you will combine leadership with personal fundraising delivery, building high-value relationships, diversifying income streams, and raising the charity’s profile. Working closely with a committed Board and a passionate team, you will lead a trusted organisation into its next chapter to ensure more people than ever can access vital information, support and hope when they need it most.

Deadline for applications

Sunday 11th January

Interviews with Brain & Spine Foundation

w/c 19th January

GADN is recruiting for a new Director (Job share – Funding, Finance and Governance)   

GADN brings together NGOs and individual experts committed to achieving gender equality and the rights of women and girls in all their diversity across the world.  Our Secretariat is a small but highly respected team coordinating advocacy towards the UK Government and supporting our members to promote best practice. 

This new position will work alongside the existing Director to provide strategic direction and vision to the network and oversee the organisation’s operational work. In addition, the primary purpose of this role will be to bring in new sustainable sources of funding for the network in an increasingly difficult funding climate, and to ensure the smooth running of financial and administrative systems and Board governance.

We are looking for someone with leadership skills and vision who is passionate about our work and able to enthuse others. The ideal candidate will have a track-record in securing new funds and experience of external representation at senior levels with donors. You will bring experience in management, ideally at a senior level, and an understanding of budgets and financial planning.

This is an 18-month fixed-term position, for 14 hours a week.

If you are interested in applying, please review the job description and complete the application form by 9pm GMT on Wednesday 7 January 2026.

GADN values diversity and inclusion and encourages applicants from all backgrounds and life experiences to join our team. As we continue working to decolonise our practice and build an anti-racist organisation, we actively welcome applications from Black women and Women of Colour who we recognise are under-represented in the UK international development sector. Selection will be based on skill, experience and suitability for the role. If you share our core commitments, we would love to hear from you!

Chief Executive Officer - FoodCycle
Location: Vauxhall, London (flexible working; regular travel to Projects and for meeting with key stakeholders required)
Salary: circa £75,000
Contract: Permanent, full-time (35–37.5 hours per week)

Are you ready to lead FoodCycle through a period of consolidation and sustainable growth, protecting its volunteer-led, guest-centred model while building reliable income streams and scaling proven pilots?

About FoodCycle
FoodCycle is a national charity running volunteer-powered community dining projects that combine rescued surplus food, spare kitchen space and local volunteers to deliver free, hot, sociable three-course meals. Our work sits at the intersection of food-waste reduction, food-poverty relief and loneliness prevention. Nationally scaled but locally delivered, FoodCycle has grown rapidly, enjoys strong volunteer goodwill and is developing promising trading and schools pilots to strengthen sustainability.

As our next CEO you will:

• Shape strategy & impact - co-create and implement a clear 3–5 year strategy and a focused 12-month operational plan with measurable milestones.

• Stabilise leadership & culture - provide visible, warm and practical leadership across Projects; develop the senior team and protect volunteer trust.

• Secure financial sustainability - own the income strategy, diversify revenue across trusts, individual giving, corporate partnerships and trading, and present credible cashflow plans to the board.

• Build commercial & trading capacity - drive Manor House and other trading pilots towards viable, repeatable income models.

• Safeguard quality & risk - ensure robust safeguarding, food-safety and operational thresholds for opening new Projects.

• Raise profile & partnerships - act as FoodCycle’s principal ambassador to corporates, funders, local authorities and policy audiences.

Who you are

• A senior leader with experience stabilising and growing people-facing, delivery-focused organisations.

• Proven at generating income from multiple streams, with commercial fluency to develop simple trading models and convert corporate engagement into lasting partnerships.

• Financially literate - comfortable owning budgets, forecasting and discussing risk with trustees.

• Excellent at people and change management - able to build and motivate small national teams and large volunteer cohorts.

• Data-driven, curious and pragmatic - tests pilots, embeds what works and sets clear go/no-go criteria for scale.

• Values-driven and visible - passionate about food justice, guest dignity and volunteer leadership.

• Right to work in the UK and satisfactory DBS checks required.

Why FoodCycle?

• Lead a nationally recognised, volunteer-led movement tackling food waste, food poverty and social isolation.

• Play a pivotal role growing promising trading and schools pilots to create sustainable income.

• Work with an engaged Chair and committed board, and a small, passionate national team.

• Be part of a friendly, non-hierarchical culture where leaders are visible in Projects.

For full details of the role including how to apply, please download the full appointment brief. For an informal and confidential conversation about this position, please contact Jenny Hills at Harris Hill at via the apply button with times to speak and (optional but appreciated) a CV or professional profile which will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Closing date for applications: 9am, Monday 19th January 2026

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.

Woman’s Trust is a leading, specialist mental health charity supporting women and children affected by domestic abuse. As we approach our 30th anniversary in 2026, we stand at a powerful moment of growth and transformation. Each year, our trauma-informed, women-led services provide life-changing counselling, therapeutic support and advocacy to women and children across London. Our ambition is to scale this work to reach many more nationally. With a dedicated team of 45 staff, a strong financial foundation and annual income of £1.3m and a deeply committed Board of Trustees, we are poised to shape an ambitious new strategy for the years ahead.

We are now seeking an inspirational Chief Executive Officer to lead Woman’s Trust into this next chapter. This is a rare opportunity to guide a respected organisation whose work is not only transformative but often life-saving. The CEO will steer our strategic and operational development, strengthen and expand partnerships, grow sustainable income, and champion our voice across policy, public campaigns and mental health advocacy. Alongside a dedicated and collaborative team and Board, you will play a vital role in delivering and developing innovative services—supporting women and children, survivors navigating the justice system, and peer-led support groups—ensuring we remain responsive to the needs and experiences of those we serve.

We are seeking an inspirational and experienced people leader who combines strategic thinking with the ambition needed to position Woman’s Trust for growth. Confident in representing your organisation at a policy and advocacy level, you will act as a powerful ambassador for survivors’ mental health, influencing systems, shaping debate and strengthening our public voice. With strong financial and governance insight and the ability to build trusted, values-driven relationships across sectors, you will model a growth mindset and a commitment to continuous improvement. Above all, you will uphold our feminist, inclusive and survivor-centred values, nurturing an empowering and equitable culture for our staff, volunteers, partners, and—most importantly—the women and children we serve.

To read more about the opportunity and our work, including how to apply, please download the full appointment brief.

If you have the passion, clarity and commitment to champion the mental health and wellbeing of women and children survivors—and the leadership to guide Woman’s Trust into a bold new era—we would be delighted to hear from you.

Closing Date: 21 December 2025

People Beyond Profit Screening Conversations: 22 December - 6 January 2026

Woman’s Trust Panel Interviews:

· First Stage (online): 13 & 14 January 2026

· Second Stage (in-person): 22 January 2026

Please note:

This post is open to female applicants only as this is deemed a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010.

This is a unique opportunity to lead a high-impact voluntary sector charity at the heart of the Bexley community. You’ll be supported by a passionate and dedicated staff team committed to inclusion, collaboration and strengthening the local VCS. If you are a resilient, adaptable and empathetic leader with a strategic mindset and a deep belief in the power of communities, we would love to hear from you.

About the role

As the Chief Executive Officer, you will: 

• Lead strategy, vision, and organisational direction.
• Represent BVSC across local, regional, and national partnerships.
• Ensure governance, compliance, and financial oversight.
• Lead staff and senior leadership team; fostering an inclusive and supportive culture.
• Promote continuous improvement, service quality, and impact.
• Strengthen relationships with statutory partners, funders, VCS organisations, and communities.
  
  About you

We’d love to hear from you if you are:

• Experienced voluntary/public sector leader with strategic, operational, and financial expertise.
• Collaborative, resilient, inclusive, and adaptable.
• Skilled in partnership working, stakeholder engagement, and system leadership.
• Committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and organisational values.
  
  Why join BVSC?

BVSC is a supportive, friendly team committed to strengthening the voluntary and community sector in Bexley. We offer:

• 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays).
• An extra day off for your birthday.
• 6% employer pension contribution.
• Flexible working: one day working from home each week, with flexible start and finish times (8am–6pm, core hours 10am–4pm).
• Access to the Blue Light Card.
• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities.
• A positive, inclusive team culture where your ideas are valued.