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.
To apply, please submit 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
For a confidential discussion about the role, email David with your availability and brief details regarding your experience and interest in the role.
Recruitment Agency 
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Thank you!
Role details
Start date: TBC
Salary: £48,750 per annum (inclusive of £3,990 South East weighting)
Location: Hybrid: need to be available to work from London Office and occasional national travel
Working hours: Full time: 35 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Annual leave: 30 days plus statuatory bank holidays (if full time). All Women in Prison staff also receive an additional 3 days of leave between Christmas and New Year.
Pension scheme: Women in Prison provides an auto-enrolment pension scheme with 5% contributions from the employer and 3% from the employee.
Job purpose
This role will lead and coordinate Women in Prisons’ external communications, platforming the voice of women with lived experience of the criminal justice system to raise the organisation’s public profile and awareness of the criminalisation of women.
Key Responsibility Areas
- Lead and develop comprehensive communications strategies to raise WIP’s profile for influencing, fundraising and impact and that align with our vision and mission.
- Build public engagement and awareness, leading on campaign development and delivery
- Oversee the production of Women in Prison’s publications.
- Platform the voice of women with lived experience of the criminal justice system in all external communications.
- Manage WIP’s Spokesperson network
- Develop, build and contribute to high quality and authentic partnerships and relationships with stakeholders including journalists.
- To be a member of the extended leadership of Women in Prison, modelling feminist leadership, anti-oppression and empowering, values-led, collective leadership for the organisation.
For the full list of responsibilities, please download the recruitment pack.
To apply
Applications close: 2nd February 2026 at 9am
Interviews: TBC
If you require reasonable adjustments to support you during the application process, please contact the HR team on hr@wipuk .org.
We are happy to invest in developing the right person, so you are welcome to apply even if your professional experience does not fully meet the job description or person specification.
We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and minoritised women, and women who have personal experience of the criminal justice system.
In line with legal requirements and the nature of our work, this role:
- Is restricted to women only as a genuine occupational requirement
- Requires the right to work in the UK
- Is subject to a Basic DBS check
- Requires that the post holder is not automatically disqualified by (or can obtain a waiver from) the Charity Commission
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The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Role details
Start date: TBC
Salary: £42,225 pro rata (actual salary: £25,335 inclusive of £3,990 South East weighting)
Location: Hybrid with an expectation to be available for in person meetings in London
Working hours: Part time: 21 hours per week (job sharing)
Contract: Permanent
Annual leave: 30 days plus statuatory bank holidays (if full time). All Women in Prison staff also receive an additional 3 days of leave between Christmas and New Year.
Pension scheme: Women in Prison provides an auto-enrolment pension scheme with 5% contributions from the employer and 3% from the employee.
Job purpose
You will be joining Women in Prison’s new fundraising team which secures funding from a range of sources including individual donors, corporate supporters, and charitable trusts and foundations. This role will set the foundations for Women in Prison’s ambitious fundraising plans leading on securing gifts from trusts and foundations and ensuring that all secured grants are well managed and effectively reported on. The post holder will identify new funding opportunities and ensure these are assessed and responded to in collaboration with staff across the organisation.
Key Responsibility Areas:
1. Develop a trusts and foundations strategy for Women in Prison and ensure its implementation
2. Fundraising research, proposal writing and income generation
3. Donor reporting and administration
4. Build positive relationships with funders
For the full list of responsibilities, please download the recruitment pack.
To apply
Applications close: Thursday 22nd January 2026 at 9am
Interviews: TBC
To apply: Submit a CV and cover letter
If you require reasonable adjustments to support you during the application process, please contact the HR team on hr@wipuk .org.
We are happy to invest in developing the right person, so you are welcome to apply even if your professional experience does not fully meet the job description or person specification.
We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and minoritised women, and women who have personal experience of the criminal justice system.
In line with legal requirements and the nature of our work, this role:
- Is restricted to women only as a genuine occupational requirement
- Requires the right to work in the UK
- Is subject to a Basic DBS check
- Requires that the post holder is not automatically disqualified by (or can obtain a waiver from) the Charity Commission