CPRE London has a strong reputation for passionate campaigns which make a difference - protecting green spaces and improving London's built and natural environment. We are looking for an inspiring Director to lead our development and grow our impact.
In this role you will be at the heart of debates over the future of London, its green spaces, planning and development. You will lead a small team, deliver high profile projects and influential campaigns, build and manage coalitions and put CPRE London on a more sustainable financial footing.
The succesful candidate will have a successful track record of organisational leadership and management as well as experience of the role of campaigning charities. You will be a strong communicator and networker and know how to generate and secure external support and funds. You will be ambitious for CPRE London's mission and be able to strengthen our organisation and grow our influence.
All the information you need is in the Candidate Briefing Pack which is available when you apply and can also be viewed on our website. We look forward to hearing from you by 1 February.
Registered Charity
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Our Vision is that by 2030 London has become a well-planned, climate resilient, nature rich city.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Director / Chief Executive – CPRE Sussex
Location: Sussex-based or genuinely Sussex-commutable, with flexible / hybrid working and regular travel across the county
Salary: £60,000 – £70,000 FTE, pro rata
Contract: Permanent, 3–4 days per week
A rare chance to shape the future of Sussex’s countryside.
About CPRE Sussex
CPRE Sussex is the countryside charity for Sussex. An independent county charity and part of the wider CPRE network, we have a respected county-wide voice and strong local roots, alongside the support of national CPRE.
Our work brings together planning influence, campaigning, membership, volunteering, events and practical countryside projects. From responding to major developments and local plans to building public support through communications and community activity, CPRE Sussex plays a visible role in shaping the future of place across the county.
This is a significant moment for the organisation. Following a period of change, new staff capacity and recent investment, CPRE Sussex is building on growing confidence, a stable financial platform and renewed momentum. The next Director / Chief Executive will help translate that foundation into greater influence, stronger cohesion and more sustained impact.
As our next Director / Chief Executive, you will:
• Strategy & Impact: Work with trustees to turn CPRE Sussex’s mission into clear priorities, practical plans and measurable outcomes.
• Governance & Finance: Provide confident oversight of governance, compliance and reporting, while ensuring resources are directed to the greatest effect.
• Operational Leadership: Lead a small, part-time and distributed team with clarity, pace and good judgement.
• Income Generation: Strengthen membership, supporter engagement and fundraising to build a more resilient, diversified income base.
• Community & Partnerships: Build trusted relationships with communities, partners, local authorities, public bodies, elected representatives and volunteers.
• Brand & Profile: Act as a visible and credible public voice for CPRE Sussex on planning, countryside and environmental issues, and position us as the leading countryside charity for Sussex.
• People & Culture: Maintain alignment and focused, constructive working relationships across trustees, staff, volunteers and external supporters.
• Change & Development: Help shape the next phase of organisational development following a period of transition and growth.
Who you are
• A seasoned senior leader with strong commitment to CPRE Sussex’s mission and purpose.
• A credible external representative, comfortable engaging with media, decision makers, partners and supporters.
• Experienced in leading people, projects or organisations through change and transition.
• A thoughtful communicator with sound judgement, diplomacy and strong interpersonal skills.
• Confident working with boards or trustees and supporting robust governance.
• Commercially aware, with an instinct for membership, supporter development and financial sustainability.
• Organised, practical and able to direct finite resources to where they will have greatest impact.
• Experience of campaigning, planning, environmental or public policy work would be highly desirable, alongside strong digital confidence and/or charity fundraising exposure.
Why CPRE Sussex?
• You will be joining a respected Sussex charity with genuine relevance to planning, land use and countryside protection.
• There is strong momentum to build on, including a stable membership base, recent public profile growth and visible practical projects.
• The organisation has substantial reserves and recent investment in capacity, providing a strong platform for the next phase.
• You will work with a committed board, engaged staff and active volunteers who care deeply about the charity’s future.
• This is a rare opportunity to shape both an organisation and the wider countryside debate across Sussex.
Closing date for applications: 9am, Monday 13th July 2026
For full details of the role including how to apply, please download the full appointment brief. For an informal and confidential conversation about this position, please contact Jenny Hills at Harris Hill at via the apply button with times to speak and (optional but appreciated) a CV or professional profile which will be treated with the strictest confidence.
As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.
