Chief Executive Officer

Citizens Advice Bristol is an independent local charity providing free, confidential, impartial and independent advice to around 5,000 people each year.

We help people navigate issues including welfare benefits, debt, housing, immigration, employment, consumer matters and family relationships.

Our services are delivered by telephone, face-to-face appointments, outreach in food banks and community settings, and a blend of remote and in-person support.

We are one of around 265 independent local Citizens Advice charities and have an important leadership role within the wider advice sector. This includes leading the Bristol Advice Partnership and acting as regional lead for a significant Macmillan programme involving several Citizens Advice organisations.

About the role

Working with the Board, management team, staff and volunteers, the Chief Executive will set direction, strengthen organisational capacity and ensure Citizens Advice Bristol continues to provide accessible, high-quality and sustainable advice services.

Your priorities will include:

• Reviewing and shaping the organisational and management structures to build an open, inclusive and accountable culture, supported by strong communication and effective management capability.
• Keeping clients at the heart of decisions and leading technological improvements to access and service delivery.
• Protecting key funding relationships and partnerships whilst developing a sustainable and diverse income base.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for a thoughtful and credible senior leader with experience of leading in an organisation of comparable scale or complexity.

You will have led organisational or cultural change, developed people and management capability, and worked effectively with a Board of Trustees.

You will bring sound financial judgement, experience of income generation and the ability to build trusted relationships with funders, commissioners, partners and diverse communities.

You will be comfortable balancing internal organisational leadership with external representation and partnership work.

You do not need to have worked within Citizens Advice before, but you will understand the complexity of leading a values-driven charity with multiple services, funders, staff and volunteers. Experience working with a federated charity structure and/or within quality-assessed services would be advantageous.

Above all, you will be visible and approachable, with the courage and conviction to provide clear direction, make difficult decisions and follow through on them, while leading with care, consistency and respect.