Chief Executive Officer

About Good Food Oxfordshire

Good Food Oxfordshire (GFO) is a dynamic and impactful organisation dedicated to fostering a sustainable and healthy food system across Oxfordshire. We bring together a diverse network of individuals, community groups, and organisations to drive positive change in how food is produced, distributed, and consumed.  Our vision is that everyone in Oxfordshire can enjoy the healthy and sustainable food they need every day.

We’re entering an exciting new chapter and we’re looking for a passionate Chief Executive Officer to lead us forward.

The Opportunity: Chief Executive Officer

This is a pivotal leadership role at the heart of Oxfordshire’s sustainable food movement. As CEO, you’ll be responsible for shaping and delivering GFO’s strategic direction, strengthening our partnerships, raising funds and ensuring our work continues to drive meaningful change. You’ll lead a passionate team, represent GFO at the highest levels, and oversee the delivery of our flagship projects and campaigns.

This could be a full-time or part-time role; we believe in flexibility and welcome conversations about alternative working arrangements. The successful applicant will ideally be based within Oxfordshire and able to work from our Oxford office at least two days a week.

This is a hands-on leadership role where you’ll balance strategic vision with operational oversight, stakeholder engagement, fund raising and team development.

Salary: In the region of £50,000 per annum, depending on experience (FTE)

This role could be full-time or part-time at 0.6 FTE for the right candidate. A 0.6 FTE role would have a salary of £30,000 per annum. We value work-life balance and are open to flexible arrangements.

What You’ll Be Doing

Leadership & Team Management
You’ll lead a small, passionate team with empathy and clarity, building on a culture that values collaboration, wellbeing, and purpose. Your role will be to guide, empower and support staff, ensuring they have the tools, confidence, and direction to thrive.

Strategic Direction & Governance
Working closely with the Board of Directors, you’ll shape and deliver GFO’s long-term strategy. You’ll ensure our vision remains bold and relevant, while adapting to new opportunities and challenges. You will also work closely with our Board, helping them stay engaged and informed.

Income Generation & Profile Raising
You’ll lead on fundraising and income generation. Whether securing grants, developing new revenue streams, or cultivating strategic partnerships, you’ll ensure GFO remains financially resilient. You’ll also be our main public voice, raising our profile across Oxfordshire and nationally, and advocating for a fairer food system.

Financial Management & Resource Planning
You’ll oversee budgeting, financial planning, and resource allocation to ensure GFO’s financial sustainability, balancing ambition with responsibility. This includes working with the team to make informed decisions about staffing, project delivery, and operational priorities. .

Programme Oversight
While you won’t be managing projects day-to-day, you’ll provide strategic oversight of our key initiatives—including OxFarmtoFork and our journey toward Sustainable Food Places Gold accreditation. You’ll ensure our programmes are well-resourced, aligned with our mission, and delivering meaningful impact across the county.

Community Wealth Building & Social Enterprise Support
You’ll champion inclusive economic models that empower communities and strengthen the local food system. Supporting social enterprises and community-led initiatives will be central to your work, helping build a food economy that’s fair, resilient, and locally rooted.

Stakeholder Engagement
You’ll nurture relationships with a wide range of stakeholders from senior contacts in local councils and national networks, to grassroots food groups and community partners. Your ability to listen, connect, and advocate will be key to building trust and driving collective action across sectors.

What You’ll Bring

• Proven leadership experience, ideally in the non-profit, food, sustainability or community development sectors
• Strategic thinking and the ability to translate vision into action
• High integrity, professional and reliable, building trust with a huge range of stakeholders
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• Strong financial acumen and experience managing budgets
• A track record of successful fundraising and income generation
• Passion for food justice, sustainability, and community empowerment
• Experience working with Boards and governance structures
• Understanding of local government and policy environments

If you don’t tick every box but bring energy, integrity, and a collaborative mindset, we’d love to hear from you. We especially welcome applicants with diverse lived experiences.

Benefits of Working at Good Food Oxfordshire

Our commitment to your well-being, growth, and a thriving work environment is reflected in these benefits:

Flexible & Inclusive Work Policies

• Flexible hours (core hours between 9am and 3pm) and hybrid working
• Acas-aligned parental, menopausal, and EDI policies

Unique & Mission-Aligned Perks

• Annual celebration, team socials, and Food Summits
• Free tickets to Oxford Real Farming Conference and other key events

Investing in Your Growth

• Training and development budget
• Quarterly reviews with the Board to support your leadership journey

Competitive Compensation & Support

• Competitive salary with annual reviews
• Travel and tech budget to support your work

A Collaborative & Supportive Hub

• Team office and co-working space at Makespace
• Cycle to work scheme, bike storage, and access to Share Oxford’s Library of Things

Everyday Comforts & Community

• 8% pension scheme (5% from GFO, 3% from employee)
• 25 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays
• Weekly BYO team lunch and free tea and coffee at Makespace

Apply Now

Join us in shaping the future of food in Oxfordshire. Send your CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role. Applications close on Monday 28 September 2025, midday.