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
Dimensions, the UK's largest not-for-profit support provider for adults with learning disabilities and autistic people, is seeking a Campaigns Manager to lead bold, audience-focused campaigns that strengthen our voice, grow our influence, and help drive even better lives for the people we support.
The Campaigns Manager leads the development and delivery of impactful, evidence-led campaigns that raise awareness, influence policy and practice, and drive engagement with key audiences.
The role plays a vital part in improving the lives of people with learning disabilities and autism by shaping public attitudes and ensuring their voices are heard and represented authentically.
Working in co-production with people with lived experience, the post holder will ensure campaigns are inclusive, evidence-based, and aligned with Dimensions’ priorities and values, contributing to meaningful and lasting change.
As part of your application, we would like you to share your portfolio. You can include a link in the skills and experience section of the application or include the links in a covering letter.
Interviews will take place face to face in London.
We will require proof of qualification if you successfully secure this role.
About the role
Your main duties will include:
- Lead the development and delivery of integrated, insight-led and evidence-based campaigns that support organisational priorities and drive measurable impact.
- Plan and deliver influencing content that supports organisational priorities and contributes to policy and practice change.
- Work in co-production with people with learning disabilities and autism to shape campaign priorities, messaging, and delivery.
- Build strong relationships with internal teams, including Involvement and Engagement, Resourcing, Communications, and Operations, to deliver joined-up campaigns.
About you
The successful applicant will have:
- Degree level or equivalent qualification in journalism, marketing, communications or a related field and evidence of continued professional development.
- Experience of developing and delivering successful, integrated campaigns that achieve measurable impact.
- Possess strong planning and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Have a good understanding of campaigning approaches, including behaviour change, digital-first and content-led campaigning and coproduction.
The rewards
- Up to 35 days’ annual leave entitlement (including bank holidays)
- Staff discount shopping scheme ‘Rewarding Dimensions’
- We offer a salary advance scheme where you can access up to 50% of the money you've earned before payday.
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Pension scheme
- Long Service Awards
- Qualification scheme
- Employee recognition scheme 'Inspiring People'
- Discounted health and dental cover
- Life Assurance
- Bike to Work Scheme
- Season Ticket Loan
Apply now
- We welcome applications from everyone who has the right to work in the UK, and value diversity in our workforce
- As Disability Confident Leaders, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy - Dimensions has been awarded this symbol by Jobcentre Plus to recognise our commitment towards the employment, retention, training and career development of disabled employees
- As part of our commitment to making reasonable adjustments, we can offer support to complete your application. Please contact the Resourcing Consultant Team
- We now have British Sign Language (BSL) translated videos for all our recruitment communications.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Release Counselling and Therapy for Women is entering an exciting new chapter.
Founded in Brighton and Hove in 2013, Release has grown from a small local charity into a financially robust organisation with a growing national reach. Under the leadership of our outgoing CEO, the charity has been transformed—moving from a challenging financial position to one with strong reserves, clear sustainability, and ambitious plans for growth.
We now provide affordable 1:1 online counselling to women across the UK, alongside specialist group programmes supporting maternal mental health and key life transitions. One-to-one counselling is a core offer and a vital income stream, enabling us to extend our reach while staying true to our values.
This period has also seen Release grow to working with over 20 dedicated volunteer counsellors, strengthening our capacity and community impact.
As our CEO steps down, Release is ready for its next phase—building on strong foundations, amplifying our national impact, and remaining firmly rooted in our purpose: being a charity that supports women’s mental health, run by women, for women.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.