Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Citizen Advice in West Susssex (North, South, East) or “CAWS” is entering an important phase of growth and transformation, and we are seeking an inspiring Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead the organisation with clarity, ambition and compassion. This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of a trusted regional charity that delivers life‑changing advice and support to communities facing complex and evolving challenges.

As CEO, you will guide a £2.5 million organisation through a shifting social, economic and policy landscape, ensuring CAWS remains resilient, innovative and deeply connected to the people it serves. You will champion our values, strengthen our strategic direction and ensure our services continue to empower individuals and influence positive systemic change.

This role calls for a leader who can build strong partnerships, nurture a positive and inclusive culture, and drive organisational excellence. If you are motivated by social impact and ready to lead a forward‑looking charity with purpose and integrity, CAWS offers a meaningful and rewarding platform to make a lasting difference.

Who We Are 
With 40,000 people supported each year, 70 paid staff, 240 volunteers and a circa £2.5m portfolio, we are a local charity delivering advice and influencing positive social change across our communities. You can find out more about who we are here

The Role
As CEO, you’ll work closely with our Board of Trustees to shape our strategic direction, strengthen partnerships, drive innovation and digital development, and ensure we remain inclusive, accessible, and financially sustainable in a rapidly changing landscape.  

You’ll lead a dedicated team of staff and volunteers who are passionate about empowering people and challenging inequality.  

About You
We’re seeking a forward‑thinking leader with a strong track record in complex organisations, a commitment to our mission and values, and the imagination to explore new ways of meeting local need. Whether you come from the advice sector, wider charity world, or another relevant field, if you have the vision and drive to steer CAWS into the future, we’d love to hear from you. 

With six advice centres, the successful applicant will be able to chose which centre to be based at, but travelling between all centres will be necessary.

Open live question time:
If you would like to know more about this role or ask any specific questions, we are holding two open forum online meetings. Each will run for 30 minutes. These will be held on Thu 19 Feb at 10.30am, and on Tue 24 Feb at 6pm. If you would like to attend, kindly email us  and we will send you the link.

More about this role:
Please read the full job description and persona specification for more information about the role.
You will see the link to our specialist CEO pack and you can watch our video on our website.