Permanent jobs

Could you lead Babbasa into its next chapter?

Babbasa is one of Bristol’s most recognised youth empowerment organisations, supporting talented young people from low-income and ethnically diverse communities to progress into employment, education and enterprise.

Founded in 2010, our name comes from an ancient African word meaning “ordinary people coming together to act as a support bridge.” That belief continues to shape everything we do.

Over the past 15 years, we have supported more than 4,000 young people, built powerful partnerships across business, education and civic sectors, and received national recognition including the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for Promoting Opportunity through Social Mobility.

We are now entering an important new phase.

Following a period of organisational reset and renewal, Babbasa is implementing a bold and focused 2026 strategy centred on:

• A single Integrated Youth Empowerment Programme

• A stronger, values-led organisational culture

• A modernised operating model and digital infrastructure

• Sustainable growth and long-term impact

We are seeking an exceptional Managing Director to succeed our Founding Director and help lead Babbasa through this next chapter with clarity, discipline, compassion and ambition.

About the Role

As Managing Director, you will work closely with the Board, senior team, employees, partners and young people to:

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across the organisation

• Embed Babbasa’s new integrated programme model

• Strengthen financial sustainability, governance and organisational resilience

• Build trusted relationships with funders, employers, civic leaders and community partners

• Support and develop a committed, ambitious team

• Champion Babbasa’s manifesto and values of Kindness, Imagination and Determination

• Act as a visible and credible public leader for the organisation locally and nationally

This is a unique opportunity to lead a respected social mobility organisation at a pivotal moment in its journey.

Who We’re Looking For

We are looking for a values-led and emotionally intelligent leader who combines strategic thinking with strong operational capability.

You may come from the charity, social enterprise, education, youth, public or private sectors, but you will bring:

• Senior leadership experience within an organisation or service

• Experience of leading teams through change, growth or transition

• Strong financial, governance and operational management capability

• Experience of building partnerships, securing funding and/or developing income streams

• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills

• A genuine commitment to improving outcomes for young people

• A collaborative and inclusive leadership style

An understanding of the barriers faced by people living in ethnically diverse and/or low-income communities is vital.

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. We are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role. 

Why Join Babbasa?

At Babbasa, you will join an organisation with:

• A nationally recognised social mobility mission

• Deep roots within Bristol’s communities

• A strong manifesto and values-led culture

• An ambitious and committed Board and team

• Significant opportunity to shape the future direction of the organisation

We believe talent should never be limited by background — and we are looking for a leader who shares that belief.

Additional Information

• 23 days annual leave plus bank holidays

• Pension contribution scheme

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements

• Evening and occasional weekend representation required

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Babbasa is proud to be an equal opportunity organisation. We actively encourage applications from individuals from underrepresented communities and backgrounds. We believe our diversity strengthens our work and helps us better serve the young people and communities we exist to support.

Babbasa exists to ensure that talent is never limited by background. Join us in building a more inclusive and opportunity-rich future.

Lead a trusted community development charity and bring partners and businesses together to deliver long-term environmental, social and economic benefits across West Wales.

Applications close at 9 a.m. Tuesday 16th June.

Location: Pembrokeshire (office-based, with travel across West Wales)

Salary:  £60,000 - £65,000

Who we are

PLANED is a long-established community development charity that now works across Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire. For decades, we have supported communities to improve their quality of life by harnessing local potential, strengthening social infrastructure and helping people turn ideas into sustainable action.

Our work, regionally, brings together communities, public services, third sector partners and local businesses to deliver long-term environmental, social and economic benefit across West Wales.

A defining feature of PLANED is our asset-based approach. We own and manage a growing portfolio of buildings and assets, including our home site, the Old School in Pembrokeshire, which combines our office and conferencing space, with an additional range of tenanted spaces for local businesses.

We also lead the management of the Carmarthenshire Living Well Centre, a multi-use community facility hosting health, well-being, advice and support services. The Living Well Centre brings together a wide range of charities and statutory partners under one roof, creating a genuinely collaborative, free-to-access, local hub supporting 700 clients per month, which is increasingly seen as a model of best practice.

Most of PLANED’s work is delivered through multiple live projects funded by a mix of Welsh Government, NHS, National Lottery, National Grid, BT and other sources. We have a healthy financial position, but much of this funding is short to medium term, requiring continuous bid writing, relationship management and adaptation. The CEO role is therefore both externally facing and highly hands-on.

About the role

We are seeking a CEO to lead our next exciting chapter. This will include developing a new and updated organisational strategy, continuing to secure sustainable funding, overseeing project delivery and ensuring the organisation remains financially resilient while continuing to grow its impact and influence.

The organisation has a strong, inclusive and supportive culture that is bilingual. The team is community-rooted, collaborative and delivery-focused, with a clear ethos of shared responsibility and mutual support. We have a team of around 18 people, the majority of whom are project funded, supported by a small core team, including the CEO.

The role requires on-site presence; given our reach across West Wales, there is also regular travel required.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for someone who will be comfortable in a village hall as they are in a meeting with national and local politicians, senior civil servants, charity or business leaders. You will be confident working across rural and coastal communities, and able to build trust quickly and authentically.

Our CEO leads a significant part of our fundraising activities, and experience in securing income and developing sustainable funding models will be important.

We are open to leaders who might be seeking their first CEO role, and are open to considering what support we can put in place to help a new CEO thrive.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Tuesday 16th June.

For further information about the role and to register your interest, please visit the Peridot Partners page and contact our advising consultants:.