Executive director jobs in London

As Chief Executive, you will provide visible, compassionate and credible leadership across the organisation. Working closely with the Board, Senior Leadership team, staff, volunteers and supporters, you will set strategic direction, drive financial sustainability and champion exceptional care for those who need us most!

You will be the primary ambassador for St Catherine’s, developing and managing key NHS and system wide partnerships, influencing locally and regionally, and ensuring the hospice remains a trusted, valued partner within an evolving health and social care landscape.

​

Key priorities

• Values‑led leadership – living and breathing our core values every day, fostering a culture of energy, courage, expertise, connection, and not forgetting Human!
• Strategic delivery – translating our vision into clear priorities that keep St Catherine’s relevant, responsive and impactful
• Financial sustainability – navigating ongoing financial challenges faced by the hospice sector, strengthening income generation and ensuring long‑term resilience
• Partnership & influence – building strong, constructive relationships with NHS partners, other hospices and third sector organisations, commissioners and system leaders
• Modern and digitally savvy – ensuring the organisation continues to evolve, embracing digital innovation and using data and technology to improve care, efficiency and reach
• People & culture – empowering staff and volunteers, developing talent and leading change with clarity and empathy

About you

You will be an experienced, credible leader with a strong strategic mindset and a track record of leading complex organisations through change. You may come from the hospice, health, public, voluntary or related sectors, but you will bring clear understanding of partnership working, financial stewardship and the realities of operating in a constrained funding environment.

Above all, you will share our values, believe deeply in our mission and be motivated by the opportunity to lead St Catherine’s confidently into a modern, sustainable future.

This post is offered on a permanent, full-time basis, working 37.5 hours per week, (flexible working patterns would be considered for the successful candidate). At St Catherine’s we offer work from home opportunities, however this is adaptable depending on business need and regular onsite attendance is required.

Please note, the successful candidate will be an essential car user, therefore candidates must have a full driving licence and access to a vehicle.

​

The recruitment process will be a four-stage process:

• Application process closes 17 July 2026
• Shortlisting and testing 20 August 2026
• Presentations to our stakeholders 4 September 2026
• Interview Panel 7 September 2026

​

Please visit our website to view Giles Tomsett's retirement announcment video, to view our draft Finance information and to see a covering letter from our Chair of Trustees.

​

​Employees at St Catherine’s Hospice can enjoy a variety of benefits including:

• Generous annual leave starting at 27 days, (rising to 32 days after completion of probation) and 36 days with length of service, plus Bank Holidays, and an opportunity to buy / sell annual leave days. Plus we offer a day off for volunteering & moving house.
• Generous Pension scheme with up to 9% employer contributions or honour of NHS pension.
• Life Assurance Scheme, Counselling Offering, and a range of discounts.
• Enhanced maternity and adoption pay.

How to Apply:

If you join St Catherine’s, you’ll be joining a supportive team all working towards a big ambition: a future where everyone approaching death and those who love and care for them can access compassionate, specialist palliative and end of live care. If that sounds like something you’d find fulfilling, please apply today​.

​

We want our recruitment process to be accessible to everyone, and we are proud to be a Disability Confident Level 2 Employer, committed to creating an inclusive, supportive workplace, if you need any help completing your application form please contact our HR team.

​

Terms & Conditions:

• This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check. By applying you are confirming you have read the Enhanced Check Privacy Policy for applicants and understand how DBS will process my personal data and the options available to me for submitting an application.

• Please ensure you have read our employee and recruitment privacy statement prior to applying for this role.

• Must be authorised to work in the United Kingdom, please note we are unable to offer visa sponsorships.

• Please note a requirement of all roles at St Catherine’s is to complete mandatory E-learning training and remain compliant with this throughout your employment.

• We understand that Artificial Intelligence (AI) may be used to support some applications, whilst we do not discourage this, please ensure any documentation and applications submitted accurately and truthfully reflect your own experience and suitability for this role.​

We are located in Grace Holland Avenue, Pease Pottage, Crawley, West Sussex RH11 9SL. You can access the Hospice by car, bus, bike or walking, with full transport details on our website.

​

If you require any additional information or would like an informal discussion with our current Chief Executive, please visit our website for contact information and we will arrange this.

The Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCOphth) is a membership organisation and the voice of the profession, with over 4,750 members in the UK and overseas. Our role is to champion the specialty, set standards of training and practice, and influence change to make a difference to the lives of patients with eye conditions.

Job Purpose  

The Director of Finance and Operations plays an important role within the College, providing strategic leadership, oversight and development of a portfolio of corporate support functions. This includes finance, membership, HR, IT and facilities. 

This role has responsibility for a team of 8 members of staff and also forms a key part of our Senior Leadership Team, taking corporate responsibility for the overall direction and operational management of the College. 

Main responsibilities 

1. To lead the strategic and operational management of our finance function 

• Provide strategic leadership and quality assurance for the annual budgeting and forecasting process, delivered by the Financial Controller and finance team 

• Review and challenge monthly management accounts, forecasts and financial performance reports prepared by the Financial Controller, working closely with budget holders

• Present financial reports and analysis to the Finance Committee and Board of Trustees to underpin informed discussion and decision-making

• Oversee, develop and maintain effective finance systems to reflect best practice and to help ensure timely and accurate figures  

• Provide assurance to the Chief Executive and Trustees that appropriate systems and controls are in place to ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements 

• Provide executive oversight of the annual audit and statutory reporting process led by the Financial Controller, including the production of the annual report, working closely with auditors and ensuring that any management control points are implemented promptly 

• Lead trustee engagement on investment strategy and monitor investment performance 

• Support the operation of the College’s trading subsidiary 

• Co-ordinate the College’s use of restricted funds, ensuring compliance with contractual terms.

2. To foster individual and organisational development

• Monitor and develop our organisational culture, championing our values at every opportunity 

• Empower staff and teams to actively inform the direction of the College and our activities 

• Oversee the delivery of our equity, diversity and inclusion strategy, evaluating progress against key metrics 

• Support the implementation and delivery of our new strategy from 2027.

3. To oversee other areas of our corporate support function 

• Oversee our membership strategy to support sustained growth, identifying new opportunities to develop our offer to UK and international members 

• Lead on operational and contractual efficiencies and service improvement programmes including IT and facilities management, ensuring the smooth running of the organisation, raising productivity, and delivering value for money 

• Oversee all aspects of our HR function, including learning and development, in line with our values and behaviours framework, and new organisational strategy from 2027. 

• Oversee the robust management of risk, data protection, and health & safety compliance. 

4. To lead the department

• Lead and support the team, including through the identification and delivery of professional development opportunities 

• Establish individual and team objectives linked to our strategic priorities, monitoring and holding colleagues to account for delivery 

• Share key updates with the team on a regular basis and champion the department’s work internally 

• Ensure rigorous financial management and long-term forecasting to ensure departmental and College-wide sustainability 

• Support and provide strategic insight to committees, including the Board of Trustees and Finance Committee 

• Establish appropriate structures and processes to drive forward key projects, including collaborative working across the College and evaluating success against identified metrics. 

5. To be an active member of our Senior Leadership Team (SLT)

• Provide leadership and support across the organisation, ensuring consistency of operation, high standards of service and driving a one-team approach 

• Agree organisation-wide policies and procedures and ensure their correct implementation 

• Assume corporate responsibility for trustee and senior leadership decisions 

• Role model our organisational values and behaviours at every opportunity

To undertake other duties as required:  

• Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Chief Executive

• Some travel may be required, including attendance at our annual congress. Working outside normal hours may also be needed from time to time on key projects 

Person specification 

Knowledge, Qualifications and Experience 

• A CCAB-qualified accountant, with at least five years of experience in a senior leadership role 

• Detailed knowledge of charity financial management, budget preparation and reporting, risk, GDPR and health and safety 

• Experience of leading successful growth, such as through the delivery of a membership or fundraising strategy, alongside high levels of organisational productivity and efficiency 

• Experience of delivering against challenging performance targets, and of managing others to do so 

• Experience of HR, IT and Facilities management 

Skills and Abilities 

• Ambitious, dynamic, values-driven leader with established leadership skills and emotional intelligence 

• Successful track record of achieving results in a leadership role 

• Strategic thinker with excellent attention to detail and a willingness to adopt a hands-on approach when required 

• Ability to present and write clear reports for non-financial managers, trustees and committee members 

• Highly developed influencing, persuading & communication skills 

• Sound understanding of systems management, including accountancy software and CRM 

• Ability to innovate, recognise challenges, analyse problems and apply effective solutions 

Personal Qualities (Attributes) 

• Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and understanding of how this applies to own area of work 

• Commitment to own continuing professional development 

Are you a qualified finance professional looking for a high-impact contract role within an international charity? This is a unique opportunity to join during a pivotal period of growth and transformation, helping integrate UK and US finance operations while ensuring robust financial control, compliance, reporting and governance.

Working closely with the VP of Finance, you will provide strategic financial leadership while remaining hands-on with financial operations, systems migration, board reporting and statutory compliance. This role would suit someone who thrives in a changing environment and enjoys improving processes, systems and reporting.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the integration of UK finance operations into a global finance function
• Support the migration from QuickBooks to NetSuite and Barclays to HSBC
• Support budgeting, forecasting and financial planning activities
• Prepare board reports and provide financial insights to senior stakeholders
• Lead UK audit activity and support statutory filings with Companies House and the Charity Commission
• Review and improve financial policies, processes and reporting frameworks

Essential Skills & Experience

• ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified
• 5+ years' finance experience
• Experience managing change, finance transformation or systems projects
• Board reporting and stakeholder management experience
• Experience managing or mentoring finance staff

Desirable Skills & Experience

• Charity or international NGO experience
• NetSuite implementation or migration experience
• Gift Aid knowledge

Applications for this role are now under review, and the deadline could well be brought forward if the suitable candidate is found. Therefore, do not delay in submitting your application!

Lincolnshire Rural Support Network (LRSN) is seeking an exceptional new Chief Executive Officer to lead the next chapter of our journey, supporting the agricultural and horticultural community across Lincolnshire.

This is a rare opportunity to lead a charity with real heart, strong community roots, and a clear purpose: ensuring no one in Lincolnshire’s rural community faces difficulty alone.

For over 25 years, LRSN has been a trusted lifeline, providing confidential, compassionate support to individuals and families facing crisis, isolation, and change. We are a listening organisation at our core, rooted in empathy, trust, and a deep understanding of rural life.

We are now looking for a professional, strategic CEO, who can build on this strong foundation; someone who will inspire people, strengthen partnerships, and lead with clarity and conviction in a changing world.

ABOUT THE ROLE

This is a pivotal leadership position, responsible for shaping the strategic direction, sustainability, and impact of LRSN. Reporting to the Board of Trustees, you will lead a committed team of staff and volunteers, working collaboratively to ensure our services continue to reach those who need them most.

YOU WILL

• Provide clear, values-driven strategic leadership to grow LRSN’s reach and impact.

• Champion a positive, inclusive culture that empowers staff and volunteers.

• Strengthen income streams and ensure long-term financial sustainability.

• Act as a compelling ambassador for LRSN, building partnerships across sectors.

• Ensure strong governance, compliance, and effective organisational performance.

• Use insight and data to drive decision-making and continuous improvement.

WHY JOIN LRSN?

At LRSN, everything we do is guided by our values: we listen, we care, we serve others, we value people, we reach out, and we strive for excellence.

You will be joining an organisation with:

• A strong reputation and trusted presence across Lincolnshire.

• A dedicated and skilled volunteer network at its heart.

• A clear mission: that no one in our rural community should face difficulty alone.

• The opportunity to shape the future of a vital charity.

ABOUT YOU

You’ll bring senior leadership experience, strong charity and fundraising insight, financial confidence, and the ability to motivate people around a shared mission. A genuine connection to rural life and the farming community will help you thrive in this role.

Whether you are already operating at CEO/Head of Charity level or ready to step into your first top leadership role, you will be driven by purpose and passionate about making a difference.

WHAT WE OFFER

SALARY: Competitive Salary to be discussed on application

HOLIDAYS: 28 days plus public holidays

HOME-BASED WORK: with the requirement to travel for events and meetings

PENSION SCHEME: Contributory Pension Scheme - further details on application

For more information, a recruitment pack is available which will be sent on application.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, please submit your current CV and a supporting letter of application addressed to our Chair of Trustees, Matthew Phillips, outlining your reasons for applying, motivation and what you would bring to the role.

Closing date: 30th June 2026

Interviews will take place in two stages: First interviews 6th July and second 24th July 2026.

LRSN is committed to equality of opportunity. All applications will be treated in confidence.