Charity chairperson jobs
Are you an influential leader looking for a new challenge? Would you like the opportunity to take a leading charity through the next exciting phase of its remarkable journey?
Harrogate Neighbours exists to support and improve the lives of elderly and vulnerable people across the region, transforming lives and empowering the community on a daily basis! With over 50 years of experience, they provide a vast range of services ranging from residential care (at their homes in Starbeck and Boroughbridge) to meals on wheels in the community to The charity’s values focus on compassion, accountability, respect and excellence, and the incredible staff team deliver an uncompromised standard of care to all.
We have a career defining opportunity for a new CEO to lead this organisation, and community, and in doing so inspire and transform lives across the region!
The Role
The CEO will be accountable to the talented and committed Board of Trustees and be responsible for the overall strategic management, leadership, and development of Harrogate Neighbours. Duties will include:
- Ensuring the development and implementation of integrated strategies across care, housing, operations, finance, marketing and communications, human resources and workforce, information management and technology, estates and performance monitoring, management and reporting.
- Providing overall leadership for Harrogate Neighbours in line with the vision, mission and values agreed by the Board of Trustees.
- Providing strategic leadership for fundraising and income diversification, ensuring the organisation has a sustainable and mixed portfolio of income.
- Developing and maintaining positive collaborative partnership arrangements with commissioners, local authorities, local communities, MPs, the voluntary sector, communities and other key partners and stakeholders.
- Overseeing the financial processes for the organisation and leading delivery of the agreed budgets.
The Person
We are looking for a visionary leader - a creative, charismatic and influential individual who is passionate about the values, ethos and mission of the charity! The skills and experience we are looking for include:
- A demonstrable track record of working in a senior strategic leadership role
- Evidence of working with senior leaders and board members to ensure strong and effective financial management
- Strong networking and influencing skills with an ability to build excellent relationships with a wide range of stakeholders
- Strong and clear communication skills with an ability to lead internally, and also deliver messages to a variety of audiences externally.
This is a truly wonderful opportunity to lead a fantastic charity where you will directly influence the landscape for the communities across the Harrogate region, for the future. As CEO of Harrogate Neighbours, you will be leading a financially stable organisation with a strong board and talented staff team. The charity also promotes a supportive culture, has a generous pension scheme, offers a variety of wellbeing initiatives, 6.6 weeks annual leave and a range of additional benefits (including Blue Light Card and paid for massages!).
If you believe that you could be the right person to lead this charity through the next phase of its exciting journey then get in touch for more information, or apply here before Friday 27th February.
First stage interviews have been scheduled for Friday 20th March, and second stage interviews will be on 25th, 26th and 27th March 2026.
Please note: If you would like to submit an application or express your interest in an alternative format, such as audio or video upload, please contact either Charlie or Leanne who will be happy to advise on this.
Please also be aware that Charity Horizons use anonymous recruitment methods when submitting shortlists for all our roles and we only work with organisations that are happy to engage with us in this way.
Charity Horizons is an equal opportunities employer and as such actively promotes equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We welcome and encourage applications from all suitable candidates irrespective of age, disability, hidden disability, race or national origin, religion or belief, gender, gender expression, political view, sexual orientation, medical condition and pregnancy.
Recruitment Agency
1 - 5
To lead charity recruitment because we’re the best at supporting individuals and organisations to achieve their ambitions and drive positive change
Thank you!
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.
At Croydon Community Energy, we bring community-owned renewable energy to Croydon - developing solar PV on community buildings and reinvesting the benefits locally to cut carbon and support communities.
Want to help turn rooftops into local power?
The role and its impact
This is a part-time CEO role providing hands-on leadership so CCE can deliver projects well, support volunteers, and build strong partnerships. Working with the Board, you will help move projects from early-stage development through to installation and reporting.
Key details
-
Salary: £45,000 FTE pro rata (2 days/week = £18,000 per year)
-
Hours: 2 days per week (flexible working pattern by agreement - evenings and weekends may be required)
-
Contract: Fixed term for 12 months (with ambition to extend subject to funding)
-
Location: Hybrid/home-based with regular presence in Croydon and occasional London travel
-
Start date: 1 April 2026 (flexible)
-
Reporting to: Chair of the Board (accountable to the Board of Directors)
-
Contract basis: Self-employed contractor. You will manage your own tax and National Insurance and invoice CCE monthly.
What you'll be working on
-
Deliver CCE's strategy and Board priorities, turning plans into clear actions, timelines and decisions.
-
Coordinate the solar project pipeline with the Projects Director and delivery partners (from feasibility to commissioning and post-install monitoring).
-
Oversee budgets, cashflow tracking and financial reporting with the Finance Director; keep risks visible and managed.
-
Develop and deliver fundraising plans (grants, sponsorship, partnerships and, where relevant, community share offers).
-
Enable good governance: board papers and updates, decisions logs, AGMs and member communications where relevant.
-
Support and coordinate volunteers, fostering an inclusive, motivated culture and making it easy for people to contribute.
-
Build relationships with key local stakeholders and represent CCE externally when needed.
This job is for you if...
-
you are motivated by community energy, climate action and community benefit
-
you can set direction, organise delivery and bring people with you (in paid or unpaid roles)
-
you are confident planning and delivering projects, prioritising well and managing risks
-
you can build trust with stakeholders across communities, funders, delivery partners and local government
-
you are financially literate and comfortable with budgets and responsible spending decisions
-
you can support good governance and work well with a Board or committee
-
you communicate clearly, stay organised, and can work independently in a small organisation
It helps if you have...
-
renewable energy and/or community solar project development experience
-
fundraising, grant management and/or community share offer experience
-
experience in co-operatives, social enterprises, charities, or volunteer-led organisations
-
knowledge of Croydon and its communities, or experience working in a diverse urban borough
-
experience in policy, advocacy or sector collaboration
If you do not meet every point, please still consider applying - we care about potential and values as well as experience.
Equal opportunities and accessibility
CCE is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds. We particularly welcome applications from groups under-represented in the community energy sector.
If you are disabled (as defined under the Equality Act 2010) and meet the minimum criteria for the role, we will offer you an interview. Please tell us what reasonable adjustments would help you take part. Information can be provided in alternative formats on request.
Funding for this role
CCE has been awarded £20,000 from The National Lottery Community Fund to deliver this role. The incoming CEO will help secure further funding to increase days worked and extend the role.
How to apply
Apply via CharityJob with:
-
Your CV
-
A cover letter (max 2 pages) explaining how you meet the essential criteria and why you want the role
-
Closing date: Friday 27 February 2026 at 5pm
-
Shortlisting: w/c 2 March 2026
-
Interviews: w/c 9 March 2026 (online / in person in Croydon)
-
Task: Shortlisted candidates may be asked to complete a short task in advance (questions shared ahead of time)
-
Second stage (if required): w/c 16 March 2026
Data protection: We handle applicant data confidentially and retain it only as long as necessary.
Non Charity Employer
21 - 50
Develop renewable energy projects and deliver energy education to empower our community.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.