Charity Director

Are you a passionate and values-driven leader looking for an opportunity to make a genuine difference to the lives of children and families? Would you love to lead a growing charity that is working to ensure every child gets the best possible start in life?

Leeds Baby Bank’s mission is to ensure that no child goes without because they are born into a family experiencing poverty. For more than nine years, the charity has supported families across Leeds with children aged 0–5, providing essential items and equipment alongside dignified, non-judgemental support for families facing challenging circumstances.

Working in partnership with midwives, social workers, health and social care teams, homelessness charities and other community organisations, Leeds Baby Bank helps families access the support they need when they need it most. From providing essential baby equipment to developing welcoming community spaces and its Community Hub, the charity is committed to reducing inequalities and helping every child have the best possible start.

With demand for its services continuing to grow, 2025 marked an exciting new chapter for Leeds Baby Bank as it moved to a larger home, creating opportunities to reach even more families and develop its impact across the city.

With its 10th anniversary coming up in 2027, Leeds Baby Bank has an important milestone to celebrate and an exciting future to shape. The new Charity Director will build on the charity’s achievements and help even more children and families across Leeds.

The Role

Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the Charity Director will provide strategic leadership and oversee the day-to-day management, financial sustainability and development of Leeds Baby Bank. This is a varied and hands-on leadership role, offering the opportunity to shape the future of a growing charity while remaining closely connected to the communities it serves. Responsibilities will include:

• Leading the delivery of the charity’s strategic plan, translating priorities into clear annual plans, objectives and budgets, and ensuring services remain effective, sustainable and mission-led.
• Taking responsibility for financial management, including budgeting, financial forecasting, cash-flow oversight, reserves planning and reporting, working closely with the Treasurer and Board of Trustees.
• Developing and delivering a fundraising and income-generation strategy, building a diverse and sustainable income base through grants, corporate partnerships, individual giving, community fundraising, events and gifts in kind.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with funders, businesses, referral partners, health and social care services, Leeds City Council and the wider voluntary and community sector.
• Leading, supporting and developing staff and volunteers, fostering a positive, inclusive culture where people feel valued, supported and motivated by the charity’s mission.
• Overseeing the safe, effective and dignified delivery of referral-based, outreach and community services, ensuring families can access support quickly and equitably.
• Acting as the charity’s Safeguarding Lead and overseeing appropriate safeguarding, governance, risk management, data protection and regulatory compliance.
• Leading the ongoing development of the Community Hub, strengthening its offer and ensuring it remains inclusive, sustainable and responsive to the needs of local families.
• Overseeing operational management, premises, systems, communications and the charity’s public profile, ensuring the organisation continues to develop its reach, effectiveness and impact.

The Person

We are looking for a compassionate, proactive and resourceful leader who shares Leeds Baby Bank’s commitment to kindness, dignity, inclusion, community and sustainability. You may have developed your leadership experience in a charity, public service, community organisation, social enterprise or another purpose-led environment.

The skills and experience we are looking for include:

• Demonstrable senior leadership and people-management experience, including direct line management of paid staff.
• Experience of leading an organisation, service or team through planning, delivery, monitoring and continuous improvement.
• Strong financial management skills, including preparing accounts, developing budgets and monitoring income and expenditure.
• Experience of fundraising across multiple income streams and developing relationships with funders, businesses and community supporters.
• An understanding of charity governance, legal and regulatory responsibilities, safeguarding and risk management.
• A genuine commitment to supporting families experiencing poverty and helping children get the best possible start in life.

This is a wonderful opportunity to join a growing, community-rooted charity at an exciting point in its journey. As Charity Director, you will have the opportunity to shape the organisation’s future, strengthen its financial sustainability, develop its partnerships and lead a dedicated team working to make a meaningful difference to children and families across Leeds.

The role offers 24 to 30 hours per week, worked over three/four days, with core hours from 8am to 4pm and occasional flexibility required for evening and weekend commitments. The salary is £45,000–£55,000 FTE, pro rata, depending on experience.

Benefits include 36 days’ annual leave pro rata, inclusive of bank holidays, a pension scheme, free parking, some flexibility to work from home and training and development opportunities.

If you are an experienced leader who shares our values and is excited about helping Leeds Baby Bank grow and develop, we would love to hear from you. If you would like more information, or to apply for this role we would love to hear from you please contact Jen or Leanne at Charity Horizons.

Please note: If you would like to submit an application or express your interest in an alternative format such as audio or video upload, or require any adaptations for your initial engagement with us, please contact Jen or Leanne who will be happy to advise on this.

Please also be aware that we 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.