Executive director jobs
Tinnitus affects nearly 8 million people in the UK alone, with 15% of those experiencing some level of distress. Our charity is there for everyone with tinnitus, researchers and academics investigating tinnitus and Hearing Health Professionals, working to care for and support people with tinnitus.
We are seeking a part-time CEO who can provide clear leadership, can work in close partnership with the Board, and lead our dedicated staff team with empathy, rigour, and ambition to deliver this plan. This is a pivotal role and at a crucial time for us: you will help shape the next phase of Tinnitus UK’s development, ensuring we are sustainable, influential, and responsive for the tinnitus community in a changing health and charity landscape.
This part-time role offers the opportunity to combine senior strategic responsibility while still making a meaningful national impact. We do, however, believe that the successful candidate will need to spend as much time in the office with the team as possible, therefore applicants should expect to commit to spending at least 2 days per week in the Sheffield office.
For more information or to arrange an informal conversation with the current CEO, see the Candidate Pack which you can find on the Tinnitus Uk website
Tinnitus U K is the UK’s only charity dedicated to tinnitus.

The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Following a strategic pause to reset the organisation with the help of an interim senior management team, we are now ready to recruit our long-term Chief Executive Officer.
Self Help UK (SHUK) provides holistic support and knowledge via close interaction with local communities, peer groups and volunteers to a) prevent long-term health conditions and b) help those with existing conditions to feel more confident, informed and supported in navigating their health journey in a way that works best for them.
Our values are empowering others, putting people first, acting with integrity and showing compassion.
We are looking for a Chief Executive Officer to take us into the next phase of growth, with the following responsibilities:
- Forming relationships with local charities and funders in Nottinghamshire and wider East Midlands region, and building relationships within the Deaf community, locally and nationall
- Representing SHUK across relevant forums, networks, and platform
- Bringing funding into core/central functions and securing ongoing funding for existing and future projects
- Managing the operations of SHUK via a senior leadership team of managers and function leads
- Ensuring SHUK is compliant with charity and employer regulations, ensuring high standards of governance, transparency, and integrity
- Ensuring overall financial control of the organisation, supported by the Finance Manager, keeping a regular eye on the core and restricted cashflow
- Supporting the Board of Trustees by ensuring they are making decisions based on accurate information and context
- Ensuring all members of staff and volunteers are supported and developed
- Ensuring SHUK’s services are of high quality and have a positive impact on those who use them
- Driving continuous improvement in quality, standards, image, and reputation
The personal qualities this role needs are:
- A dynamic leader, with ideas and principles that align with those of SHUK
- Enthusiasm to take on a challenge, focused on ensuring SHUK has long-term sustainability
- Clear management abilities at all levels in order to challenge, engage, address issues and provide support
- Able to communicate a clear vision and strategy, with proven ability to translate vision into business plans
- Demonstrable understanding of charity finances, with strong budget management, financial planning skills and the ability to diversify income
- Experience of working in the voluntary sector, with direct experience of fundraising
- Knowledge of the current NHS plans, and the significance of health inequalities – able to make a case for its importance during bids
- Knowledge/understanding of the Deaf Community
- Experience of managing change and stabilising an organisation
- Business development/networking skills
- Able to pivot between strategy and transactional or work with others to provide those skills, leading through empowerment
- Active interest in and knowledge of the Nottingham/Nottinghamshire locality.
- Able to work in Nottingham at least one day per week
Background:
SHUK is a leading peer support organisation with over 40 years of experience in developing and delivering peer-led services. Our mission is to empower individuals and communities by embedding peer support principles into health and wellbeing initiatives. We have created a range of innovative programmes that help people living with cancer and other long-term health conditions to navigate challenges and take control of their health and wellbeing.
We work in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support on projects that make a real difference. These include national and local initiatives for the Deaf community, volunteer-led support for anyone affected by cancer, and prehabilitation services for those facing complex treatment. We are collaborating with our Integrated Care Board (ICB) on cancer projects, and work within our Integrated Care System (ICS) to strengthen partnerships and synergies with local health and care delivery, improve health literacy and increase cancer screening uptake among underserved communities in Nottingham. Looking ahead, we are exploring a new direction to position SHUK as a holistic, person-centred support provider, embedding peer support and volunteer-led activity at the heart of everything we do. Our vision is to challenge health inequalities and enable people to feel confident, informed, and supported in shaping their own health journey.
A selection of causes covered by SHUK:
- Peer support
- Long-term health conditions
- Cancer diagnoses and prevention
- Voluntary sector support
- Health inequalities, including the deaf community
- Under-served communities
To apply for this role, please send the following by 31/03/26:
1. CV
2. Covering letter (no more than two pages of A4, outlining how you meet the criteria in this role description)
3. The names, job titles and contact details of two work-based referees, and if we have your permission to contact them pre or post interview stage.
Please note:
We are an equal opportunities employer and value diversity at all levels of the organisation. We welcome applications from everyone, regardless of age, gender, disability, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or background.
We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels respected and able to contribute.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Our client is the UK’s leading road safety charity. Their role is simple, yet vital – to make journeys safer for everyone who uses the road.
Between four and five people lose their lives on UK roads every day, and more than 75 are seriously injured in collisions. Each death leaves a family grieving, and every serious injury can change lives forever.
The charity is working to change this through education and training programmes, alongside campaigning for policy reforms to make roads safer for everyone.
Chief Executive Officer
£110,000 + benefits
Hybrid working – At least 3 days in the office, Welwyn Garden City area
Joining the organisation in its 70th anniversary year, the new Chief Executive Officer will provide inspiring, person-centred leadership to their committed teams and volunteers.
They will work closely with members, partners, and stakeholders to influence policy, behaviour, and public understanding of road safety, while applying strategic and commercial expertise to secure long-term financial sustainability, diversify income, and maximise charitable impact.
We are seeking a proven senior leader, ideally from a membership, not-for-profit, or service-led organisation. Knowledge of the road safety or transport sector is desirable but not essential. The successful candidate will have a strong track record of delivering commercially sustainable growth, sound financial stewardship, and influencing policy, government, or regulatory stakeholders.
Key responsibilities include:
- Ensure financial sustainability through budgeting, forecasting, risk management, and investment planning.
- Lead the development and delivery of the strategic plan with the Board.
- Drive growth across membership, training, fundraising, and commercial activities, including partnerships and sponsorships.
- Enhance the organisation’s influence, visibility, and impact in road safety and driver/rider training.
- Serve as the chief ambassador and spokesperson to members, partners, government, and media.
If you are passionate about making our roads safer and enhancing driver education, we would love to hear from you.
For further details and information on how to apply, please visit our dedicated microsite.
How to Apply
To apply for the role, please upload your CV together with a supporting statement (of no more than 1000 words) onto the Prospectus website via the link below.
Please ensure that you have included a telephone number, as well as any dates when you will not be available or might have difficulty with the recruitment timetable.
If you wish to apply using an alternative format, please contact Prospectus.
If you would like to have an informal conversation about the role, please contact our retained partners, Jane Ray and Tammy Stewart.
At Prospectus we believe passionately that a truly inclusive workplace leads to increased social impact. We are committed to supporting our clients to build more inclusive teams. To understand how we are performing, we ask that you kindly complete the brief equal opportunities questionnaire when you submit your application via our website. Please be assured that your responses are kept confidential, separate from your candidate record, are not part of any application you make, and that the consultants never see individual responses to the questionnaire.
Recruitment Timetable
Deadline for applications: Sunday 29th March (midnight)
Interviews with Prospectus: w/c 13th April
Interviews with the charity: 30th April and/or 1st May
Director of Finance & Operations
- Hours: 37.5 hours per week
- Location: Oxford
- Salary: £85,000 per annum
- Closing date: 26th March 2026 at 12 noon
Join Helen & Douglas House as our next Director of Finance & Operations
Help to shape the future of the world’s first children’s hospice and make a profound difference to the lives of local families.
Helen & Douglas House has been supporting children living with life‑limiting conditions and their families for more than 40 years. We are a place of compassion, expertise and unwavering commitment — and now, we are searching for an exceptional Director of Finance & Operations to help ensure we build upon our unique legacy of innovative and impactful care and support.
A role with purpose. A role with impact.
As a key member of our Executive Team and working closely with our CEO and Board of Trustees, you will be at the heart of strategic decision making — ensuring our resources, systems and operations are effective, efficient, and aligned with the needs of the children and families we serve. This is an opportunity to influence the long-term sustainability of a truly special organisation at an important and exciting time for the hospice sector.
What you’ll lead
In this role, you will provide strategic leadership across Finance, Estates & Operations, Information Systems, Data & Governance, Risk, Health & Safety and our Project Management Office.
- Providing insightful financial leadership to help shape our strategic plans.
- Oversee the annual corporate planning and budget cycle.
- Ensure strong governance, regulatory compliance and effective risk management.
- Lead our Estates & Facilities strategy, ensuring our buildings and environments remain safe, high quality and fit for purpose.
- Guide the development of an effective organisational information systems strategy.
- Support and empower a talented cohort of Heads of Department — fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability and excellence.
- Act as a trusted ambassador to regulators, partners, advisors and donors.
Who we’re looking for
You will be:
- A qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or CIPFA).
- A strategic and inspirational leader with experience overseeing diverse operational functions.
- Skilled at navigating complexity, shaping strategy and driving organisational performance.
- An exceptional communicator, able to build trust and confidence with stakeholders at every level.
- Passionate about making a meaningful difference through high quality, sustainable charitable services.
Experience in the non‑profit or healthcare sector is welcome but not essential — what matters most is your leadership, values and ability to deliver impact.
Why join us?
At Helen & Douglas House, every decision you make directly supports children and families facing life-limiting conditions. You will join a committed, values driven Executive Team and help to lead an organisation with a powerful mission and deep community roots. If you’re motivated by our purpose and ready to bring your expertise to an organisation where your leadership will truly matter, we would love to hear from you.
Apply today and help us secure an impactful and sustainable future for Helen & Douglas House and the families we serve.
Please note that everyone working for Helen & Douglas House are required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check. Helen & Douglas House is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We are an equal opportunities employer and value the benefits of a diverse workforce. We positively encourage applications from all areas of the community.
Hospice charity based in Oxford, providing palliative, respite, end-of-life and bereavement care to life-limited children and their families.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) represents over 10,000 members across the UK and beyond, championing excellence in small‑animal veterinary practice through education, science, and community. As the leading membership association for vets working with companion animals, we provide world‑class professional development, publish respected clinical resources, and convene the profession through influential scientific events and networks.
The Association is now at a pivotal moment. We are undergoing a Programme of Change to redefine how BSAVA operates—modernising our systems, transforming member experience, and strengthening our role as a trusted, forward‑looking voice for the profession.
As we approach our 70th anniversary in 2027, we are building an organisation that is more adaptive, more connected, and more responsive to the changing needs of veterinary professionals.
Chief Executive Officer
Quedgeley, Gloucestershire, with hybrid working. Relocation package available.
Circa £110,000 per annum
This is an exciting time for a new Chief Executive to join us and lead BSAVA into its next chapter.
The Opportunity
Working closely with our President, Board, partners, staff, volunteers and our members, the CEO will be the visible voice of BSAVA—shaping our strategy, driving influence across the sector, and ensuring operational excellence. You will own the Programme of Change and lead its successful delivery, strengthening our organisational culture, systems and practices, while ensuring BSAVA continues to thrive as a values‑driven, evidence‑led and member‑centred Association.
The CEO will broaden our reach and impact, champion member value, and strengthen relationships across academia, industry, the wider veterinary profession, and international networks. You will position BSAVA as a modern, relevant, and agile organisation—one that supports veterinary professionals to deliver outstanding care and sustain fulfilling careers.
About You
We are looking for an inspirational and strategic leader who brings:
- A track record of shaping and delivering organisation‑wide strategy and growth at a senior level.
- Experience of leading complex change, with the ability to unite people behind a compelling vision.
- Commercial acumen and an entrepreneurial mindset, with the ability to develop and diversify income streams.
- Outstanding leadership credentials, with the ability to motivate, empower and develop high‑performing teams.
- Strong stakeholder engagement skills and the ability to build trusted relationships across diverse groups.
- Confidence navigating ambiguity, making measured decisions, and driving clarity and focus through times of transformation.
We are open to candidates from all sectors and whilst experience within membership associations or the non‑profit/charity sector is beneficial it is not essential. What matters most is your ability to influence, collaborate, innovate, and champion a profession that plays a vital role in improving the health and welfare of small animals.
How to Apply
For further information, to access the appointment brief and to apply, please visit the Prospectus website.
If you would like an informal conversation about the role, please contact our retained advisors Anna Gardet or Erica Ritchie.
Recruitment Timetable
Deadline for applications: Sunday 29th March 2026
Interviews with Prospectus: 2nd – 13th April 2026
Interviews with BSAVA: w/c 4th May 2026
The Trustees of John Wesley’s New Room seek an Executive Director to lead the organisation into the next exciting phase of its development. This role will suit someone who is a generalist, comfortable turning their hand to a variety of tasks and is equally happy contributing at a board meeting or engaging with visitors in the chapel. Most importantly, we are looking for someone with excellent leadership and interpersonal skills who can lead the staff and volunteers with confidence, cultivate a positive working culture, develop relationships with a variety of stakeholders and provide strategic leadership for the next phase of John Wesley’s New Room.
Our small staff team has undergone significant change in the past year to align with the future needs of the organisation. The Trustees expect this to continue in support of the newly refreshed strategy which will see a greater role for JWNR nationally and internationally, as well as playing an increasing role in the new Broadmead community following the anticipated redevelopment works in the local area, from retail to a more mixed residential and leisure offering. Having finalised a vision, we are looking for someone to lead the organisation through this change, laying a solid foundation on a practical and cultural level to then build upon for the future, creating more links with local communities as well as the wider Methodist church.
John Wesley’s New Room is the oldest Methodist building in the world (Grade I listed) and is a small but busy place where no two days are the same. Offering a chapel, museum and cafe by day, we also have meetings rooms and event spaces for hire, and welcome visitors both local and international on a regular basis. An important piece of Bristol’s history, the New Room is where Methodism started and the museum and collection tell the story of John Wesley. In addition, we manage a second museum Charles Wesley’s House, a short walk from the main site, which is mainly used for tour groups.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
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!
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND OPERATIONS
Strategic Finance and Operations Director leading finance, HR, IT and compliance for a national lifesaving charity and its commercial subsidiaries.
- Location: Worcester / Hybrid (2–3 days a week in office)
- Benefits: 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays and discretionary birthday day off; private health and life assurance; Life Assurance Scheme; Enhanced Society Sick Pay
Are you a strategic finance leader ready to shape the future of a national charity? Do you have the experience and will to lead finance, HR, IT and compliance with authority and clarity?
Charisma Charity Recruitment has partnered with Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) to appoint a new Director of Finance and Operations. RLSS UK saves lives by leading in water safety education, lifeguarding and drowning prevention, with a thriving commercial directorate and a new 2025–2030 strategy.
Reporting to the CEO and leading the corporate services directorate, you will hold accountability for financial stewardship across the charity and its subsidiaries, ensuring strong governance, regulatory compliance and operational resilience.
You will:
- Lead financial strategy, budgeting, reserves and risk to secure long-term sustainability
- Prepare annual accounts under Charity SORP and report at Board level
- Lead HR, IT, compliance and facilities, driving performance and accountability
- Strengthen corporate governance and regulatory relationships
- Contribute as a key SLT member, shaping strategy and major projects
We are seeking a qualified accountant (ACCA/CIMA/ACA) with senior charity experience, commercial acumen and the credibility to operate at Board level.
For more information, please contact Katherine Anderson-Scott, Executive Director, Charisma Charity Recruitment. Your application should be submitted through the Charisma website and include your CV and supporting statement.
We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, or other category protected by law.
Closing date: Tuesday 24 March 2026
Charisma vetting interviews must be completed by: EOD Thursday 2 April 2026
Interviews with RLSS UK: w/c 13 April 2026 onwards
Chief Executive Officer - ECT Charity
Location: London (Greenford / Ealing) with regular travel to Dorset and partner sites; minimum three days per week in office
Salary: circa £80,000 per annum
Contract: Permanent, full-time
Are you ready to consolidate financial stability, rebuild income and lead the next phase of sustainable growth at the sector leading community transport organisation that delivers tangible impact across London and Dorset?
About ECT Charity
ECT Charity is a leading specialist community transport organisation enabling mobility and social inclusion across London and Dorset. We deliver essential door-to-door transport and influence sector policy with partners such as TfL and the GLA, including through the use of our pioneering CT Social Value Toolkit. Facing reduced statutory income, operations changes, lease negotiations and contract retendering, we need to stabilise cashflow and protect services. Significant opportunities include leveraging our network and resources to develop our training and consultancy, build strategic partnerships to generate earned income, and using Dorset as a demonstrator site to pilot sustainable, mission-aligned commercial models.
Role priorities (first 12–18 months)
• Deliver a sustainable financial model and restore reserves.
• Redesign operations for the new scale.
• Leverage our networks and resources to develop commercial opportunities (partnerships, training, consultancy).
• Rebuild business development capability and secure partnership income.
Who you are
• Senior leader with experience of multi-site operations or similar scale.
• Strong partnership, commercialisation and Board reporting skills.
• Proven track record of strong financial management, contract negotiation and estate management.
• Commitment to inclusive leadership; willing to be office-based (min three days/week) and travel; driving licence preferred.
• Desirable: Experience in community transport, social enterprise or productisation/licensing.
Why ECT?
• Lead a sector-recognised charity with a strong social value toolkit and immediate partnership routes.
• Combine financial rigour with mission-aligned commercial innovation.
• Shape ECT’s stabilisation and long-term sustainability.
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. We advise reading the full brief first.
Closing date for applications: 9am, Monday 23rd March 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.
Chief Executive
We are now seeking an exceptional new leader to guide City Year UK into its next phase.
Position: Chief Executive
Location: London, with regular travel to Birmingham, Manchester and other UK locations as required
Hours: Full-time
Salary: £80-90k dependent on experience
Duration: Permanent
Closing Date: 10.00am on Monday 23th March 2026.
Interviews: March 2026.
Who we are
For over 15 years, City Year UK has stood alongside children and young people across the UK, helping them to discover their potential and believe in what they can achieve. As a leading youth and education charity, we inspire and empower young people to dedicate a year of service, volunteering with us to support children in schools, reduce youth unemployment, and strengthen communities.
Our City Year mentors work in schools serving children who are often furthest from opportunity. They provide consistent and caring support that helps pupils feel valued, motivated, and capable of success. By building trusted relationships, boosting confidence, and encouraging a love of learning, our mentors make a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of the children they serve.
The Role
We are now seeking an exceptional new leader to guide City Year UK into its next phase. This is an important moment for the organisation and an opportunity to shape the future of a movement that is changing lives. Building on strong foundations, the next Chief Executive will lead the organisation as we strengthen and expand our programmes, deepen our impact, and play a leading role in the development of a UK Year of Service that supports children and young people across the country.
This is a pivotal moment for the organisation. With the full support of the Board, the next Chief Executive will lead City Year UK into a focused next phase, securing financial resilience, strengthening delivery, and ensuring sustainable long term impact.
Main responsibilities include:
- Fundraising and Development
- Strategy and Leadership
- Governance
- External Engagement
- Programme Delivery
- Finance and People
About You
We are looking for an inspiring leader who is passionate about unlocking the potential of young people, championing educational equality, and driving lasting change. You’ll bring a strong track record of strategic leadership and fundraising in the charity sector, along with the vision and energy to lead City Year UK into an ambitious new chapter. Skilled at building powerful partnerships, navigating complex stakeholder environments, and championing an inclusive, purpose-driven culture, you’ll also be a dynamic fundraiser, ready to support the growth and diversification of our income so we can expand our impact even further.
Experience, Knowledge and Skills:
- A proven track record of senior leadership and management at a Chief Executive or Director level, likely in the charity or mission-driven sector
- Experience leading a complex organisation, with strong financial oversight, including managing a budget of comparable scale
- Demonstrated success in securing £1.5m+ a year of funding aligned with programme delivery; strong understanding of the connection between mission and sustainability
- Excellent leadership, management and team-building skills with a collaborative working style
- Strong political and organisational awareness, with the ability to navigate diverse stakeholder environments
- Exceptional relationship-building skills and experience working with senior stakeholders across sectors
- Outstanding communication skills—written, verbal, listening, and presenting
Please apply by uploading your CV and a supporting statement responding to the two questions set out in the Recruitment Pack. Your statement should clearly demonstrate your relevant experience, leadership capability and track record in relation to this role. Due to the high volume of CVs received, we can only respond back to the successful candidates.
Employee Benefits
- Annual leave: 25 days per annum, rising to 28 days, plus 3 Christmas Grace days
- A matched pension scheme with 4% standard employer contributions and matched up to 5%.
- An organisational culture that values its employees and places particular emphasis on fairness and transparency.
- Sector-leading training, with qualifications up to master's degree level funded under the apprenticeship levy.
- 2 Volunteering days per year - pursue a project you’re passionate about
- 2 Wellbeing days per year
- A comprehensive wellbeing service designed to support the overall wellness of employees
- Interest-free travel season ticket loans, bike loans under the “Cycle to Work Scheme” and loans to assist employees with welfare or financial hardship
- Enhanced sick pay for up to 6 weeks
Other areas of experience may include CEO, COO, Chief Exec, Chief Executive, Director, Managing Director, HR, Finance, Operations.
Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client – Not For Profit People.
We are supporting a strategic grant making charity operating at the intersection of physical activity, youth empowerment, and systemic change. The organisation exists to empower women and girls, particularly those from backgrounds facing the greatest inequalities, to get active and stay active for life. Through targeted funding, co designed programmes, and bold advocacy, it tackles the physical, emotional and cultural barriers that prevent girls from feeling strong and confident in their bodies.
Its work combines grassroots investment with high level influence, guided by three core strategic priorities: reinventing how sport is offered to girls, amplifying their leadership voices, and sustaining its mission through long term investment.
Chief Executive Officer
Strategic grant making charity
Salary: Up to £70,000
Location: Hybrid, 2 days a week at a London office with regular UK wide project visits.
As the organisation enters its next phase of development, with growing ambition and an evolving funding landscape, we are seeking an inspirational and adaptable Executive Director to lead the organisation forward.
You will lead a small, high performing team and act as a principal bridge across a diverse network of partners and stakeholders. This is a significant charity leadership role, requiring someone who can steward strong governance, grow and diversify income, and build trusted relationships across corporate, community and trustee audiences, ensuring the organisation continues to maximise its impact for the girls it serves.
About you
We are seeking a creative, self motivated and values driven charity leader, who brings the following:
• Senior charity leadership and governance expertise, including experience reporting to and influencing a Board of Trustees and ensuring strong regulatory and financial oversight.
• Grant making and impact leadership experience, with confidence overseeing programme partnerships and Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning.
• A proven track record of growing and diversifying income, ideally through corporate partnerships, brand activation, staff or customer fundraising, or within grant making environments.
• Strong stakeholder leadership and commercial confidence, able to operate effectively within a corporate environment, build high level partnerships, and influence senior corporate leaders, trustees, community partners and young people.
• Credibility in youth facing and equity led work, with a deep understanding of the systemic barriers facing women and girls and a demonstrable commitment to advancing inclusion.
The organisation is committed to achieve greater diversity in its executive team and welcomes applications regardless of sex, gender, race, age, sexuality, belief or disability.
How to Apply
For further information, including how to apply, please view the appointment brief by clicking the ‘appointment brief’ button located against the role on the Prospectus website.
Recruitment Timetable
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: 15th March
PRELIMINARY INTERVIEWS: W/c 16th March
PANEL INTERVIEWS London: Late March or Early April
Lead an organisation that transforms lives through literacy
Executive Director - Adult Literacy Trust
Time Commitment: 3-4 days per week
Location: Primarily home based, with regular meetings across London
Salary: £75,000 FTE (pro rata), plus pension and holiday entitlement
About Adult Literacy Trust
The Adult Literacy Trust (ALT) believes that reading is a right, not a privilege. Today, more than 8 million adults in the UK struggle with functional literacy, limiting their access to education, employment, independence and opportunity. ALT exists to change that.
Founded in 2021, ALT provides personalised, one to one reading support for disadvantaged adults across some of London's most deprived communities. Volunteer Reading Coaches help learners build confidence, unlock opportunities, and rewrite the narrative of their lives. Retention among learners and volunteers is exceptionally high, and demand for the programme continues to grow.
Why This Role Matters
As Executive Director, you will shape a charity with the potential to change many lives.
You will:
- Drive strategic growth by leading an exciting expansion that will see ALT scale its programme across London and beyond.
- Champion the cause nationally, raising ALT's profile and influencing the policy landscape around adult literacy.
- Strengthen organisational foundations to ensure robust governance, financial sustainability, and operational excellence.
- Build powerful partnerships with funders, adult learning providers, policymakers, and community organisations.
- Lead and empower a small, talented team - cultivating a culture of collaboration, commitment and learner centred impact.
- Amplify learner and volunteer voices by ensuring that those directly affected help shape our work.
What Makes This Opportunity Inspiring
- Improving literacy delivers life changing outcomes: employment, wellbeing, independence, confidence and community connection. Every adult who learns to read improves their own life chances and that of their family.
- ALT has a proven model, a solid funding base, excellent evaluation, a committed volunteer base, and a highly engaged Board (including trustees with lived experience).
- ALT is poised to expand rapidly and influence systemic change within the adult learning ecosystem.
- This role combines strategic leadership with hands on delivery. Perfect for someone who thrives in mission driven, entrepreneurial environments.
Ideal Candidate Profile
Skills and Experience
- Strategic leader with experience spanning operations, external affairs, and organisational growth.
- Proven fundraising track record, especially securing multi year grants; experience with major donors beneficial.
- Skilled relationship builder able to represent an organisation with credibility and warmth.
- Experience of financial management, governance, and compliance within a charity setting.
- Understanding of adult learning, literacy or education is desirable, but not essential.
Personal Attributes
- Visionary and adaptable, with strong strategic insight.
- Empathetic, collaborative and grounded in purpose.
- Excellent communicator, comfortable representing ALT publicly.
- Practical, hands on leader with a positive, solutions focused mindset.
- Deeply committed to equity, inclusion and community empowerment.
Recruitment Timeline
To ensure equitable access to information and uphold ALT's commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, the charity will be hosting a Q&A webinar in place of individual informal calls with the Chair. We encourage all interested candidates to submit questions in advance, which will be addressed during the session. Please register your interest in attending this webinar on Wednesday 4th March 2026 and we will send you a link.
Application Deadline: 5pm Wednesday 18th March 2026
First Interviews: w/c 6th April 2026
Final Interviews: w/c 13th April 2026
How to Apply
Charity People Ltd is acting as a recruitment agency advisor to ALT on this appointment. Interested candidates are invited to submit a CV to Senior Appointments at Charity People and request a candidate pack in the first instance.
For an informal conversation about the role or if you have further questions prior to applying, please contact Fabrice Yala at Charity People
We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability, and potential; please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so we can help make the application process work for you.
Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.

