Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Are you a purpose-driven leader who's ready to shape lasting impact?

Charity People are thrilled to be partnering with Headway North Staffordshire to recruit a strategic and inspiring Chief Executive Officer for this brilliant local charity, which supports adults living with acquired brain injuries to rebuild their independence and reconnect with their communities.

This is a rare opportunity to take the helm of an incredibly impactful organisation, working alongside a passionate and dedicated team to guide the charity into its next chapter and beyond.

Salary: £50,000 per annum
Contract: Permanent, full-time, 35 hours per week
Location: Hybrid working with a minimum of 3 days per week at the centre in Cobridge, Stoke-on-Trent
Benefits: 28 days annual leave (inc bank holidays), free meals on site, free parking, 3% NEST pension, Employee Assistance Programme, free on-site gym
Culture: Collaborative and values-led

About the charity

Headway North Staffordshire supports adults whose lives have been changed by an acquired brain injury. From helping people re-learn daily tasks, to providing access to therapies, or simply offering a place where individuals feel understood, they deliver support that often isn't available through statutory services.

Now celebrating their 40th anniversary, they are proud of the difference they make through specialist therapies (physiotherapy, occupational therapy, counselling and speech and language therapy), tailored day services at their centre, community outreach, peer support groups, and practical advice for families. Their holistic approach enables people to rebuild confidence, regain independence, and reconnect with their communities.

About the role

As CEO, you'll be responsible for the strategic leadership, operational delivery, and long-term sustainability of the charity. Working closely with the Board of Trustees and senior team, you'll steer Headway North Staffordshire through a changing health and social care landscape, ensuring they remain responsive, resilient, and impactful well into the future.

Your key priorities will include:

• Leading and empowering a small, committed senior team across service delivery, fundraising, operations, and administration
• Driving forward a bold and sustainable strategy for growth and impact
• Strengthening income generation and nurturing relationships with key funders
• Ensuring financial oversight, compliance, and good governance
• Championing the charity externally and building partnerships with local stakeholders, communities and the wider Headway network.

About you:

They are looking for a collaborative, emotionally intelligent leader with a genuine connection to their mission. You'll bring both strategic vision and practical delivery skills, ideally grounded in a therapeutic, health, or social care setting.

You'll likely have:

• A track record in senior leadership within a charity, health, therapeutic, or social care environment
• The ability to turn strategic vision into practical, sustained delivery
• Experience managing teams and developing a positive, inclusive culture
• Financial acumen and experience overseeing budgets and income streams
• A confident, thoughtful communication style with the ability to influence and inspire

This role will suit someone who thrives in a close-knit environment, understands the challenges and opportunities facing small charities, and is motivated to guide a dedicated team making a life-changing difference every day.

To hear more and find out how to apply, please send a copy of your profile or CV to Ellen Drummond at Charity People as the first step.

Deadline: 9am, Wednesday 1st October
First stage interviews: Monday 20th October
Second stage interviews: Tuesday the 4^th & Wednesday 5th November

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.