Chief executive officer jobs

Seeking an enthusiastic, dynamic, dedicated yet compassionate leader to drive the charity forward with a fresh strategy, new ideas and a bold vision. As CEO you will provide visionary, strategic, and operational leadership to the Ileostomy and Internal Pouch Association, ensuring we fulfil our mission and grow sustainably. You will act as a key ambassador, building partnerships and maintaining our reputation for excellence ensuring we move forward with impact sharing the strength and passion that we have continued to experience for almost 70 years.

Key Responsibilities (see breakdown within attached job specification)

• Strategic leadership
• Operational Management
• External Engagement
• Governance and Board Relations
• Team Leadership
   

What we do
IA offers peer-to-peer support to those with, or about to have, either an ileostomy or an internal pouch. We also help fund research into bowel disease and other conditions leading to the removal of the colon, as well as providing relevant information to interested parties using a range of channels.

Our strapline, “Because we know, we care”, sums up our whole ethos. Individuals can join either their local IA member organisation, or the IA national charity, and in either case, gain access to a range of services and support, including our flagship quarterly Journal, local and national meetings and information events, and other services such as our One2One peer support and Support Through Therapy services.

What you offer

Essential
• Proven senior leadership experience, ideally as a CEO or Director in the charity or social enterprise sector
• Demonstrable experience of strategic planning and implementation
• Excellent communication skills with ability to engage effectively with stakeholders, professionals and volunteers both internally and publicly
• Work empathetically with vulnerable adults employing working knowledge of safeguarding
• Financial management and budget oversight
• Demonstrable experience of implementing and monitoring services based on financial benefit and social benefit
• Track record of income generation and fundraising
• Demonstrable experience of operating within a governance and regulatory framework
• Experience of developing, managing and supporting high performing teams with a strong growth mindset
• Builds effective relationships with a strong network instilling confidence and trust
• Experience of leading a team delivering effectively against objectives

Skills and Qualities
• Visionary and values-led leadership
• Ethical decision-maker
• Strong, confident and decisive performing well under pressure
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Resilience, adaptability, empathy and emotional intelligence
• Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

What we offer
Contract: Part time 60% FTE – flexible over 3-5 days, permanent role.
Location: Remote (with regular travel to National Office (Rochford, Essex) and other UK locations, as required)
Salary: £80,000 - £85,000 equivalent FT (pro-rata 60%), commensurate with experience plus benefits

Please see further information about us, what you will offer and who we are looking for within the attached role profile.

The Chief Executive provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the Sheila McKechnie Foundation, ensuring the organisation delivers meaningful impact, remains financially sustainable, and continues to be a respected voice in social change and activism.

Leading a small, committed team, the Chief Executive will set the strategic direction, secure and steward funding, and ensure effective delivery of programmes and services. They will work closely with the Board of Trustees, act as an ambassador for the Foundation, and foster strong relationships with partners, funders, and stakeholders.

This is a hands-on role suited to a versatile leader with a passion for social change and building communities, who thrives in a small charity environment.

Please note this is a UK-based role and applicants must have the right to work in the UK.

Beyond Reflections is a charity supporting the needs of Trans+, Non-Binary people including friends and allies. We are looking for an inspriing person who can continue to grow and develop the charity so it continues to advance and improve its impact and sustainability - a full job lack is avalable.

More details can be found at our website where a job pack has full details

About Beyond Reflections

Beyond Reflections is a UK charity providing dedicated mental-wellbeing support to Trans+ people, as well as to their families,

friends, and allies. We offer a combination of group support, one-to-one services, and therapeutic interventions delivered by experienced case workers, counsellors, and therapists.

Our work spans both online and in-person settings, ensuring support is accessible, confidential, and rooted in compassion.

From facilitated support groups and tailored counselling to mentoring, safe social spaces, and specialist guidance, we aim to meet people where they are and provide the right help at the right time.

We play a wider role in strengthening inclusion across society. Our training and development programmes, which have been delivered to organisations such as the CPS, Hampshire Police, B&Q, and the University of Southampton, focus on Trans+ awareness, allyship, leadership coaching, conflict resolution, and policy development. All income from this work goes directly into our hardship fund, enabling us to support those who would otherwise be unable to access help.

Volunteers are an essential part of our organisation. They contribute across support services, events, administration, and governance, bringing a wide range of lived experiences and skills. We provide a supportive environment for volunteers to grow, develop, and contribute to meaningful change.

Our Services

Support Groups and Community Spaces

One-to-One Support

Therapy and Counselling

Mentoring

Practical Support

Job Description and Person Specification

Please read this job description and person specification carefully to help you write your cover letter and tell us how you meet our requirements for the role. We are looking for potential from applicants. Job TItle Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Salary £40,000 - £52,000 per annum (FTE)

Hours 0.8 - 1 FTE, with some flexibility required to meet organisational needs.

Location Southampton, 3-4 days in the office with options to work remotely when required.

Reports To Board of Trustees

Responsible For Members Coordinator and Admin, Volunteer Coordinator, Revenue Coordinator, Therapeutic Lead. Contractors, including Supervision Lead, Bid Support and Social Media/PR.

Job Description

The Chief Executive will provide clear, compassionate, and forward-looking leadership that strengthens Beyond Reflections’ impact and ensures our services remain safe, accessible, and responsive to the needs of the Trans+ community. They will translate the Board’s vision into organisational strategy, oversee effective operations, and build a culture rooted in our values of respect, inclusion, and empowerment. They will be responsible for guiding the charity through a period of growth in response to increasing demand. This includes developing partnerships across the charity and public sectors, driving financial sustainability, supporting staff and volunteers, and ensuring our services maintain the highest standards of quality and safeguarding.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Organisational Development

● Lead the delivery of the charity’s strategic plan, ensuring the organisation remains responsive to the needs of the Trans+ community.

● Identify opportunities for growth, innovation, and collaboration across the sector.

● Translate strategic priorities into clear operational objectives and measurable outcomes.

Governance, Risk & Compliance

● Act as the primary link between the Board of Trustees and the organisation, ensuring clear communication and timely implementation of Board decisions.

● Ensure full compliance with charity law, safeguarding requirements, quality standards, and regulatory obligations.

● Provide clear, accurate reporting to the Board to support effective governance and decision-making.

● Maintain strong organisational risk management and business continuity processes.

Operational Leadership & Service Delivery

● Oversee high-quality delivery of all services, including support groups, counselling, therapy, mentoring, training, and volunteering programmes.

● Lead and support the senior management team (e.g., Operations, Therapeutic, and Fundraising leads) to ensure effective operational oversight.

● Promote continuous improvement, data-informed decision-making, and consistent service standards across online and in-person provision.

People, Culture & Wellbeing

● Foster an inclusive, trauma-informed, and person-centred organisational culture that reflects the charity’s values.

● Recruit, lead, and develop staff, ensuring strong performance and wellbeing.

● Support and integrate volunteers across service delivery, promoting engagement, recognition, and effective practice.

External Relations & Partnerships

● Act as an ambassador for Beyond Reflections, representing the charity to funders, partners, policymakers, statutory bodies, and the media.

● Build strategic partnerships, including collaboration with broader LGBTQIA+ organisations and health/social care providers.

● Advocate for Trans+ people, contributing to policy, awareness, and sector development.

● Ensure member voices inform organisational decisions and strategic direction.

Finance, Fundraising & Sustainability

● Lead financial planning, budgeting, and stewardship to ensure sustainability and value for money.

● Grow diversified income streams, including unrestricted funding, grants, training revenue, and corporate partnerships.

● Maintain relationships with funders, commissioners, donors, and commercial partners.

Person Specification

We know that no candidate will meet every single requirement in this pack, and we strongly encourage you to apply even if you’re unsure you tick every box. If you share our values, bring relevant experience, and feel motivated by our mission, we’d be very glad to hear from you.

Essential Desirable

Significant senior leadership experience, preferably in the charity, social care, or mental health sectors.

Lived experience as a trans, non-binary, or gender-diverse person, or personal experience connected to the Trans+ community.

Deep understanding of issues facing trans+ (gender-diverse) communities, or lived experience.

Experience in designing or delivering training programmes for organisations.

Proven track record in strategic planning, financial management, and fundraising.

Experience of mental health or therapeutic service delivery.

People-management skills: experience managing teams, developing staff, and supporting volunteers.

Network of relationships in the LGBTQIA+ sector, statutory bodies, or philanthropic funding landscape.

Excellent communication and stakeholder-engagement skills, including public speaking, advocacy, and partnership building.

Experience scaling organisations, diversifying income, or developing trading/social enterprise models.

Strong governance knowledge and experience working with or reporting to a Board of Trustees.

Understanding of digital transformation and digital service delivery.

Commitment to safeguarding, equality, diversity, inclusion, and trauma-informed practice.

Experience overseeing remote, hybrid or multi-site teams.

Demonstrated ability to lead in emotionally complex environments and maintain professional boundaries.

Familiarity with commissioning processes and local authority partnership models.

How to Apply

Submitting an application

To apply for this role please submit your CV and a cover letter to us

Your cover letter should address the following questions and be no longer than one A4 page:

1. 2. Why do you want to be part of Beyond Reflections?

How do your skills and experience meet what is set out in this Job Description?

To be considered for the role you must submit your application by the deadline. We want to see people at their best and so of course will make any reasonable adjustments relating to long-term conditions or disabilities that you need to help you perform at your best. Please let us know if this applies to completing your written application. We also ask you to let us know when submitting your application if you have any requirements for accessibility-related adjustments if you are selected for an interview.

Interviews

First-round interviews will take place in the week commencing 9th February 2026 and will take place online. Second-round interviews will take place w/c 16th February, where you will be asked to give a presentations to Trustees. If you are successful through these stages, you will be invited to the BR offices during the week of 23rd February. If you will be unavailable for any of these dates please mention this in your application email. These dates may be extended subject to the number of applications.

References and eligibility checks

Once we have identified a preferred candidate via the interview process, we will carry out reference checks and legally required checks of eligibility to work in the UK before making a final job offer.

The opportunity

We are seeking an experienced and values-led Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead East London Waterworks Park in this next phase of our development. This is a rare opportunity to shape the first paid executive leadership role in a pioneering environmental charity.

The CEO role is wide-ranging and dynamic, and will evolve as East London Waterworks Park grows. The CEO will provide strategic leadership to help realise our ambition to purchase the Thames Water depot site in East London, while strengthening our capacity to deliver community-led rewilding and nature-recovery projects across London in partnership with landowners, local authorities and other stakeholders.

An important aspect of the role will involve introducing a sustainable staffing model that complements and develops East London Waterworks Park’s existing volunteer ecosystem, and strengthens our culture, vision and values. The CEO will be supported in this work by long-standing volunteers at both trustee board and operational level, who believe in the benefits this organisational change will bring.

About East London Waterworks Park

East London Waterworks Park is a community-led charity working to reconnect people and nature. Starting from nature-first principles, and with inclusivity at the heart of everything we do, we work with communities to co-design spaces to unlock a chain of positive changes that culminate in the long-term transformation of people and place.

Our work includes:

• co-designing East London Waterworks Park with the East London community, working towards purchasing a 14-acre Thames Water depot in Waltham Forest and transforming it into a biodiverse urban park with free, accessible wild swimming and welcoming community spaces

• co-designing other nature-first spaces on disused or brownfield land in London, returning land to nature in collaboration with local communities to encourage long–term community stewardship

• hosting engagement, education, and empowerment activities that build skills, confidence and deeper connections to nature.

East London Waterworks Park is a sociocratic organisation, with a decentralised organisational structure and a transparent and collaborative approach to decision making. We have grown organically since 2019, responding flexibly to the challenges we have encountered but always committed to our core vision: creating a new kind of urban green and blue space: one that is ecologically rich, inclusive, and shaped by the people and wildlife who use it.

East London Waterworks Park is currently entirely run by volunteers but we recognise the need to transition to a more sustainable structure. We want to introduce paid employees to ensure we can deliver the exciting projects planned in 2026 and beyond, while retaining our strong community-led ethos.

More information

If this sounds exciting, please review the attached recruitment package.

Mslexia, the UK’s best-loved writing magazine for women, is seeking a Chief Executive Officer to lead the organisation into an exciting new phase of growth and impact.

Founded in 1999, Mslexia is a national publishing and outreach charity dedicated to addressing gender inequality in literature. We support over 50,000 women writers through our magazine, books, competitions, courses, events and online community. Financially independent for more than 20 years, we now want to build on our success, strengthen our sustainability and extend our reach.

This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of a respected, values-driven organisation with a strong brand, loyal audience and passionate team.

About the role

As CEO, you will provide strategic, operational and inspirational leadership for Mslexia, working closely with the Board of Trustees and leading a team of talented staff.

You will be responsible for:

• Setting and delivering organisational strategy with the Board.
• Leading and supporting the staff team, fostering a positive, inclusive and high-performing culture.
• Overseeing financial management, budgeting and long-term sustainability.
• Developing and diversifying income streams, including commercial activity, partnerships and fundraising.
• Acting as the public face of Mslexia, championing its mission locally, regionally and nationally.
• Strengthening governance, systems, policies and risk management.
• Building partnerships and promoting the Mslexia brand and influence.

We are looking for an inspiring, values-driven leader with the vision, credibility and skills to lead a purpose-led organisation.

You will bring:

• Senior leadership experience in the charity, public, commercial or related sector.
• Strong financial literacy and experience managing multiple income streams.
• A track record of leading and motivating teams.
• Experience working with a Board or similar governance structure.
• Strategic thinking skills, with the ability to turn vision into action.
• Excellent communication, influencing and relationship-building skills.
• A strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Desirable:

• Experience in the arts, culture or creative industries.
• Experience of hybrid earned / grant-funded income models.
• Events or publishing-related experience.

Why join Mslexia?

• Lead a nationally respected charity with a clear social mission.
• Work with a skilled, passionate and supportive team.
• Shape the future of women’s writing and gender equality in literature.
• Flexible working and family-friendly policies.
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
• City-centre Newcastle location.

How to apply

Mslexia is working with Jobs with Purpose to recruit to this role. You can access a detailed candidate pack below, including a job description and person specification.

To apply, please forward a detailed CV and a supporting statement (maximum three sides) explaining how you meet the requirements of the person specification and any other information relevant to the role to David Robinson at Jobs with Purpose.

For a confidential discussion about the role, email David with your availability and brief details regarding your experience and interest in the position.

Closing date: Monday 9 February 2026, 12 noon
Interviews: Week commencing 16 February 2026

Mslexia is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

Location: Ormskirk, Lancashire (minimum 3 days per week on campus)
Contract: Permanent, full-time
Salary: £58,000
Closing date: 9th February 2026 (10am)
 
About Edge Hill University Students' Union
 
Edge Hill University Students' Union (EHSU) is the representative body for students at Edge Hill University, one of the largest providers of teacher training in the country. They are a charity dedicated to enriching student life through representation, support, activities and services that help every student make the most of their university experience.
 
About the Role
 
This is a pivotal leadership opportunity as EHSU enters an exciting new chapter. Following the opening of their new building, they are seeking an exceptional Chief Executive Officer to drive the next phase of their development, ensuring financial sustainability, strategic growth and excellent student outcomes.
 
As CEO, you will provide visible, collaborative leadership across the organisation, working in close partnership with elected student officers and the Board of Trustees. You will be responsible for delivering on charitable objectives, developing and implementing a new strategic plan, and building a resilient, forward-thinking organisation that responds effectively to the needs of their unique student demographic.
 
About You
 
EHSU are looking for a resilient, emotionally intelligent leader who combines strategic thinking with practical delivery. You will have demonstrable experience in senior leadership, ideally within the students' union sector, though they welcome exceptional candidates from outside the sector who bring strong commercial acumen, excellent stakeholder management skills, and an understanding of membership organisations.
 
How to Apply
 
To apply, please submit your CV and complete the application form, where you will be asked to answer three questions:
 
Why are you interested in applying and how do you feel your personal values align with EHSU’s mission?

What are the key achievements and outcomes within your career that make you a strong candidate for the role?

How does your leadership style support others in their growth and create a positive environment for empowerment?
 
Key Dates
 
Application Deadline: 9th February 2026 (10am)
First Interviews: 24th February 2026
Final Interviews: 3rd March 2026
 
REF-226 068

Chief Officer

Citizens Advice Woking (CAW) provides free, independent, and confidential advice and information to the residents of Woking, and anyone who works in the Borough, particularly the most vulnerable, to help with the problems they face.  We are the only organisation locally that can and does address client issues holistically, across areas such as debt, housing and welfare benefits, not just single issues, and this is increasingly important as client problems become more complex.

We are looking for a Senior Manager who will bring both innovation and experience to lead a valued local charity.

Reporting to the Chair of the Trustee Board, the Chief Officer

• Is responsible to the Trustee Board for the management and leadership of Citizens Advice Woking,
• Represents Citizens Advice Woking to funders, partners and stakeholders,
• Ensures the delivery of a high quality, impartial and confidential service, utilising both paid staff and volunteers,
• Is responsible for the continuing funding, planning and financial management of the service,
• Represents the organisation in Woking and contributes to the overall provision of strategic advice services in the borough.

In particular, the priorities for the Chief Officer in 2026/27 will be to:

• Manage CAW’s external relationships with our funders and the Woking community generally, to ensure satisfaction with the delivery of current projects, and their continuation,
• Collaborate closely with the other Surrey LCA Chief Officers to respond to the changing funding landscape. In parallel, continue to identify and deliver local projects for local funders,
• Ensure that suitable alternative premises are secured, and the transition is managed as smoothly as possible,
• Ensure the staff and volunteers are enabled to work effectively, particularly during this period of disruption,

The Chief Officer has an important leadership role, working closely with the Operations Manager, who has line responsibility for the staff and, generally, the internal CAW operation.  The volunteers are managed on a day-to-day basis by the Advice Session Supervisors, who are critical to ensuring the quality of advice to clients, and the smooth running of the office. 

How to apply

To apply for the role of Chief Officer at CAW, please see the Job Pack on our website.

You will need to send us your CV and a maximum 2 page supporting statement. The supporting statement should demonstrate how you meet the criteria outlined in the person specification and outline why you are interested in becoming the CO of Citizens Advice Woking.

Closing date for applications: Friday 6th Febraury

Applications will be reviewed on receipt, and we reserve the right to close earlier if applications from sufficient suitably qualified candidates have been received

Harris Hill is delighted to be working with The Camelia Botnar Foundation to recruit its new Chief Executive Officer.

The Foundation was created to support young adults aged between 16 and 21 who are disadvantaged or in problematic situations. The Foundation provides residential training and work experience, helping young people to learn a skilled trade, embark on a useful career path and successfully make their own way in life.

As Chief Executive, you will:

· Provide strategic leadership of the Foundation.

· Have oversight of the charity’s financial position, including budget setting and regular management accounts.

· Grow and diversify income to strengthen financial resilience.

· Develop strategic partnerships and act as the public face of the organisation.

If you are inspired and excited by what The Camelia Botnar Foundation does, we’d love to hear from you.

Job title: Chief Executive Officer

Salary: £90,000 plus annual bonus (pro-rated for part time applicants).

Contract: Permanent / full-time or part-time (minimum of three days a week).

Location: Maplehurst Road, Cowfold, West Sussex RH13 8DQ.

How to apply:

Please review the Recruitment Pack for further information about The Camelia Botnar Foundation, the CEO position and for details on how to apply.

Closing date for applications: 9am Monday 9th February 2026

Both The Camelia Botnar Foundation and Harris Hill operate an equal opportunity policy and commit to treating all of our candidates and jobseekers fairly. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

At The Hospice of St Francis, every day is about making a profound difference—helping people live well at the end of their lives and supporting families through their most challenging times. We are seeking an exceptional Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead our organisation into an exciting future

This is more than a leadership role. It’s an opportunity to shape the vision of a much-loved hospice, ensuring we continue to deliver outstanding care while innovating to meet the evolving needs of our community. You will inspire a dedicated team, work closely with a committed Board of Trustees, and act as a powerful advocate for our mission.

Your Impact

• Set the vision: Drive strategic direction and long-term growth in a changing healthcare landscape.
• Lead with heart and skill: Oversee clinical and commercial operations, ensuring excellence and compassion in everything we do.
• Secure our future: Build financial resilience through innovative income generation and strong governance.
• Champion our values: Be the face of the hospice, forging relationships with donors, partners, our community and other key stakeholders across the healthcare space.

What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience in executive leadership. It would be desirable that this includes leadership experience within a complex, CQC-regulated healthcare or nonprofit organisation/company.
• Strong financial acumen and a track record of growing income streams.
• Strategic thinker who thrives in times of change and uncertainty.
• An inspiring communicator who can engage stakeholders and tell our story with authenticity and passion.
• Above all, a deep commitment to compassionate care and ethical leadership.

Why This Role Matters

The Hospice of St Francis is a place where care, dignity, and humanity come first. As CEO, you will safeguard this ethos while driving innovation and sustainability. Your leadership will touch thousands of lives—patients, families, staff, volunteers, and the wider community.

Please note the successful candidate will be required to complete an enhanced DBS check.

Goods For Good is seeking an inspiring Chief Executive Officer to lead the charity through its next chapter of growth, impact and sustainable change.

This is a rare opportunity to take the helm of a well-established, values-driven organisation at a pivotal moment in its journey, building on strong foundations to support people in need while reducing waste at scale.

After more than a decade of transformational leadership from our Founder and CEO, Goods For Good is entering a planned period of transition. We are now looking for a CEO who can provide confident strategic and operational leadership, strengthen partnerships, and guide the organisation through its next phase of development.

Founded in 2014, Goods For Good redistributes surplus, overstock and quality-seconds goods from businesses to vulnerable communities in the UK and overseas. Our unique model sits at the intersection of humanitarian aid and environmental responsibility, ensuring usable goods reach people who need them most rather than going to landfill.

Working with hundreds of corporate partners and a growing network of charity partners, we have delivered essential items to millions of people and prevented over 50,000 tonnes of goods from going to waste. Our work is practical, collaborative and impact-driven, rooted in dignity, sustainability and compassion.

As CEO, you will work closely with the Chair and Board of Trustees to shape strategy, grow income and partnerships, and ensure operational excellence across our UK and international work. You will act as Goods For Good’s lead ambassador, inspiring confidence among funders, partners and stakeholders, while empowering a committed team and volunteer network to deliver our mission.

This role will suit an experienced, values-led leader with a strong track record in partnership building, income generation and organisational growth, who is motivated by the opportunity to lead a charity that delivers tangible impact for people and planet.