Chief executive jobs

Are you passionate about helping us to build an advice service ready for the future?

We’re looking for an experienced and people-focused Chief Operating Officer to help lead Citizens Advice South West Surrey through its next stage of development.

As our second-in-command, you’ll work closely with our Chief Officer, trustees and leadership team. You’ll lead our day-to-day operations, oversee service delivery, people, transformation and corporate services and help turn our strategy into practical results.

It’s an important time to join us. Demand for advice is increasing, resources are under pressure and the world around us is changing quickly. We’re looking for someone who can help us adapt while keeping people, quality and our purpose at the heart of what we do.

You’ll be an experienced senior leader who can bring people with you, lead change, make sound decisions and build strong relationships. You’ll be collaborative, approachable and committed to creating an inclusive organisation where staff and volunteers can do their best work.

You don’t need to have worked for Citizens Advice before. Experience of transformation or working in the charity, public, advice, health, housing or community sectors would be welcome, but isn’t essential.

If you care about people, enjoy making organisations work better and want your leadership to make a difference in your community, we’d like to hear from you.

Citizens Advice South West Surrey welcomes applications from people with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We’re committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in how we work and how we recruit.

Please read the Job Pack to find out more about the role and about CASWS and the benefits of working with us.

To apply, please email a completed application form with a cover letter, setting out your suitability for the role, including how you meet the first three, ‘essential criteria’ under the ‘person specification‘ (in the job pack).

About Us

For over 21 years, The Pickering Cancer Drop-In Centre has offered free, holistic support to anyone in our community affected by cancer through complementary therapies, talking therapies, art, and our supportive community.

In 2025 alone, we had 1,911 individual visits and 1,021 therapy sessions - entirely through the dedication of our volunteer team. We are currently renovating our new centre, and we want to use it to reach further into our community than ever before. This is the first paid role in our history.

About the Role

As our first Executive Director, you will be the single point of accountability between our Board of Trustees and the day-to-day operation of the Centre - working alongside our (voluntary) Centre Manager and (voluntary) Volunteer Manager to support their roles, not duplicate them. You'll lead our strategy delivery, guide the charity's move into its new home, and oversee a service redesign informed by a fresh programme of visitor, volunteer and community research.

About You

You already know how to do this job - you've held a senior, accountable position in a charity or comparable organisation and can bring that experience from day one. You're confident reporting to a board of trustees, comfortable getting things done, and able to win the trust of a highly experienced, long-standing volunteer team through competence and credibility, not authority alone.

Key Activity Areas

• Financial management – budgeting, financial controls, and reporting to the Board and Treasurer

• Governance & best practice – supporting trustees to discharge their statutory duties; maintaining the policy suite and risk register

• HR & people leadership – supporting our entire volunteer and therapist team; communication is key to our volunteers

• Fundraising – write and lead on a fundraising strategy, implement new funding streams and be the ‘face of Pickering’ – local networking will be essential

• Change management – leading the transition to our new centre and evolving service model with care and consultation

• Compliance – safeguarding, health and safety, GDPR, and other regulatory requirements

Qualifications - Desirable

All the below are not necessary qualifications but would assist with this role:

• CIPD qualification, or equivalent hands-on HR experience

• A recognised governance qualification (e.g. Chartered Governance Institute) or completion of a charity leadership programme or similar

• Financial management experience – a qualification would be useful but not essential

• Safeguarding lead training

Experience and Competencies — Essential

• Senior leadership experience with genuine authority and accountability in a charity or comparable mission-led organisation

• A track record of reporting to and working with a board of trustees or non-executive directors

• A track record of leading organisational change, with evidence it was genuinely adopted

• Sound financial literacy - budgets, management accounts, financial controls, dealing with auditors

• Working knowledge of safeguarding, risk management and regulatory compliance

• Excellent written and verbal communication, including board-level reporting as well as the ability to speak in public

• Experience making a leadership role pay for itself, through income generation, cost savings, or both

• A genuine, demonstrable commitment to Pickering's mission

Experience and Competencies — Desirable

• Fundraising experience across grants, trusts, community fundraising and corporate partnerships

• Experience within the cancer support, wider healthcare, or hospice sector

• Lived experience of cancer, personally or through supporting someone close to you

• Experience leading a refresh of a brand or a rebrand, service redesign, or physical relocation of services

• Familiarity with Tunbridge Wells and the surrounding local community

Safeguarding

This role involves working with adults who may be vulnerable by virtue of serious illness. The successful candidate will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory reference checks before appointment, and will act as, or oversee, the charity's designated safeguarding lead.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Pickering is committed to equal opportunity for all and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. A copy of our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policy is available on request.

How to Apply

Please apply by Sunday 6 September 2026. Interviews are expected to take place w/c 14 September 2026.

Unlock the potential of the UK's leading charity for families with twins, triplets and more. 

For 50 years, Twins Trust has been the UK's leading charity dedicated to supporting families with twins, triplets and more. Through trusted information, practical support, research, campaigning and a thriving community, the charity helps families navigate every stage of their journey while championing lasting improvements in healthcare, public policy and wider society. 

Today, Twins Trust has strong foundations: a committed Board, a talented remote team, a clear strategic direction and a trusted national reputation. The opportunity now is to unlock its full potential—expanding its reach, strengthening its influence and ensuring many more families benefit from its support, expertise and advocacy. 

Chief Executive 

Circa £80,000 – £85,000 
Remote, with some travel to London  

As Chief Executive, you will provide inspiring strategic leadership to Twins Trust, leading the delivery of the current strategy while shaping the organisation's next phase of growth and impact. Working closely with the Board, staff, volunteers, and partners, you will strengthen the charity's financial sustainability, grow membership, diversify income, raise the charity's national profile and ensure it continues to be the trusted voice for families with twins, triplets and more. 

We are looking for a leader who brings: 

• A successful track record of strategic organisational leadership, with the ability to develop strategy, inspire teams and deliver sustainable organisational growth.

• An empowering and collaborative leadership style, with experience of coaching and developing high-performing teams within a values-led organisation.

• Experience of fundraising, income generation and income diversification, with the strategic mindset to strengthen long-term financial sustainability.

• Credibility as an external ambassador, with the ability to build influential relationships across healthcare, government, funders, members and the wider voluntary sector, increasing the organisation's profile and influence.

• An understanding of babies, children, parenting, maternal health, early years or closely related sectors, alongside a genuine commitment to improving outcomes for families with twins, triplets and more.

This is a rare opportunity to lead an organisation with strong foundations and exceptional potential. If you are excited by the opportunity to grow impact, strengthen influence, empower an outstanding team and help even more families with twins, triplets and more access the support they need, we would love to hear from you. 

How to Apply  

To find out more, please visit the Prospectus website.
 
To express your interest in the role, please contact Harjit Bola or Erica Ritchie at Prospectus. 

Recruitment Timeline 

Deadline for applications: Sunday 13 September 

Interviews with Prospectus: 16 – 21 September 

First interviews with Twins Trust: Tuesday 29 September 

Engagement sessions: Monday 5 October 

Final stage interviews: Monday 12 October 

Chief Executive Officer - Safe in Sussex

Location: Ferring, West Sussex | Hybrid - 3 days onsite
Salary: In the region of £55,000
Hours: 37 hours per week (a nine-day fortnight may be considered)
Type: Full-time

About Safe in Sussex

Safe in Sussex is a specialist domestic abuse charity helping its service users live free from abuse and fear. For almost 50 years, the organisation has provided refuge accommodation, community-based support and trauma-informed services across West Sussex. The charity operates within the wider Women's Aid network and remains committed to providing a safe space for those in need.

As the charity approaches its 50th anniversary and prepares for the retirement of its long-serving CEO, Safe in Sussex is entering an important new chapter. Financially stable, with strong local partnerships, the organisation is well positioned for its next phase of development and impact.

This is a chance to lead a respected organisation during a period of transition, helping to shape its future while building on a legacy of compassion, resilience and life-changing support.

What You Can Look Forward To

As Chief Executive, you will provide strategic, compassionate and accountable leadership to the charity while working closely with staff, trustees, service users, partners, funders and commissioners.

You will:

• Shape the next organisational chapter
• Strengthen leadership capacity, support cultural evolution and create sustainable structures for the future.
• Ensure services remain safe, trauma-informed, survivor-centred and responsive to need.
• Oversee financial planning, income generation and long-term sustainability.
• Lead with empathy and accountability
• Represent the charity externally and strengthen relationships

About You

We are seeking a strong and values-led leader who combines emotional intelligence, strategic thinking and operational credibility.

Skills and Experience

• Senior leadership experience in a charity, public service or other values-led organisation
• Experience of leading organisational change, development or cultural transformation.
• Strong safeguarding, risk management and trauma-informed leadership knowledge.
• Financial leadership experience, including budgeting, planning and organisational sustainability.
• Understanding of income generation, commissioning, funding or fundraising.

Personal Attributes

• Deep commitment to the safety and empowerment of service users.
• Compassionate, resilient and emotionally intelligent.
• Able to balance empathy with challenge and accountability.
• Strategic, thoughtful and future-focused.
• A strong communicator with credibility across diverse audiences.
• Comfortable operating through complexity, ambiguity and change.
• Committed to visible, long-term leadership within West Sussex and the surrounding area.

You May Not Tick Every Box

If this opportunity excites you, but you are not sure that you meet every criterion, we would still love to hear from you. We are interested in your potential, experience, perspective and commitment to our mission, not simply a perfect match against a checklist.

Occupational Requirement

Because of the nature and context of the role and, as some of Safe in Sussex's safe spaces are women-only, this post is only open to women. This is an occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010.

Recruitment Timeline

To ensure equitable access to information and support an inclusive recruitment process, Safe in Sussex will host a candidate Q&A webinar in place of individual informal discussions. We encourage all interested candidates to submit questions in advance, which will be addressed during the session. Please register your interest in attending this webinar on Tuesday 22nd September 2026 6-7pm and we will send you a link.

Application Deadline: 5pm, Friday 2 October 2026
First interview: w/c 2nd November

Second Interview: w/c 9th November

How to Apply

Charity People Ltd is acting as a recruitment agency advisor to Safe in Sussex on this appointment. Interested candidates are invited to submit a CV and request a candidate pack in the first instance.

For an informal conversation about the role or if you have further questions prior to applying, please contact Fabrice Yala. 

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability, and potential; please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so we can help make the application process work for you.

Charity People actively promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion. We match charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates, irrespective of 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 know greater diversity will lead to even greater results for the charities with which we work.

Safe in Sussex welcomes applications from women of all backgrounds and particularly encourages applications from those whose perspectives are currently underrepresented in charity leadership.

Information about Headway Gloucestershire:-

Headway Gloucestershire was established in 1987 and since then has been working to make a positive difference to the lives of people over 18 with an acquired brain injury.  We provide specialist recovery support and respite through the following services

• OurCommunity Links Service provides outreach information, specialist brain injury recoveryadvice for people with an acquired brain injury and their families and supports them as they come toterms with the changed circumstances brought about by brain injury. The service includes benefits advice and collaborative working with other organisations such as Adult Social Services, Housing Providers and other VCSE organisations
   
• Our Enablement Service is centre based and open every weekday offering activities that focus on the five elements of rehabilitation: emotional functioning; cognitive functioning; learning; social interaction and behaviour. This takes the form of a structured timetable so that those with an acquired brain injury can select the activities thathelp them work towards their goals.We work one to one and also employ a group format to harness theunique recovery benefits of peer contact and support. 
   
• OurCarer Support Groups provide a relaxed environment withinthe community where people with an acquired brain injury and their families can meet new people, share experiences and support each other.We provide training events, social events and facilitate familysupport groups. 
   
• Our Peer Support Groups provide an opportunity once a month in different locations for people with an acquired brain injury to discuss topics of interest and to share challenges, tips and provide positive support.
   
• Our Community Hubs are delivered in locations around the county in community venues and are tailored to the needs of the group for up to 3 hours. They include physical exercise sessions, focussed discussion groups, advice and support related to acquired brain injury and the opportunity to develop a local support network
   
• Our Hospital Liaison service is where we attend the Gloucester Royal Hospital once every two weeks at an agreed time to offer support to individuals and their family during the early stages of rehabilitation.

Headway Gloucestershire is a busy, growing charity providing services to people with an acquired brain injury and their families and carers.  Every year we are challenged to raise funds to help deliver our services.

CEO Role

You will lead and motivate a small team of staff and volunteers and work with them to provide a person centred, enabling and outcome focused support service to people over 18 with an acquired brain injury.  You will seek opportunities for planned development and growth and build on the success of our existing services to increase our offer.

You will act as principal spokesperson and advocate for the charity, demonstrating integrity and commitment to key stakeholders, partners and donors to ensure the best outcomes for people affected by brain injury in the Gloucestershire area.

You will be joining at an exciting time as we work together with health and social care partners to monitor and understand the needs of people with brain injury in Gloucestershire and influence the pathway for rehabilitation and longer-term support.

The ideal candidate will have experience of managing a small organisation in the charity or care sector, developing strategy and business plans, a track record of securing funding in a tough financial climate, excellent communication skills and the ability to motivate and develop a team of staff and volunteers.

Headway Gloucestershire is an equal opportunity employer and committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk. The successful applicant will need to undertake an enhanced DBS check.

Salary
£50,000 - £52,000 (Pro Rata) with a possible bonus for meeting agreed fundraising targets

Based at
Headway House, Gloucester

Hours
37.5 hours per week with the option of some flexibility depending on business need

Contract
Permanent

Responsible to
The Board of Trustees

To find out more about this role, please email us.

To apply for this position please send your CV and maximum of a two-page personal statement outlining how you meet the requirements for the role.

Chief Executive Officer

Aston Sandford, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire

£62,000 per annum

Closing Date: Sunday, 6th of September

Full Time

Permanent

Hybrid

Hope After Harm is an ambitious and compassionate charity helping people rebuild their lives after trauma, abuse and harm. In 2025 – 26, we supported 1,419 people directly, while our work with the Bright Sky digital platform reached more than 320,000 users worldwide. Financially sound and delivering meaningful impact across local, national and international programmes, this is a rare opportunity to build on strong foundations, lead an exceptional team and shape the next chapter of an organisation with both deep roots and bold ambitions.

We are looking for an inspiring, values-led Chief Executive who can combine strategic vision and commercial judgement with warmth, courage, and humanity. You will be a visible and trusted leader – someone who can bring people together, strengthen sustainability, champion the charity, and ensure that the voices and experiences of those we support remain at the heart of every decision.

Experience within domestic abuse, sexual violence or criminal justice would be valuable, but it is not essential. We are equally keen to hear from outstanding leaders from other sectors who can bring fresh thinking, strong people leadership and a genuine passion for creating lasting change.

Closing Date: Sunday, 6th of September

Interview Dates:

• Round 1 – 21st and 22nd of September
• Round 2nd – 6th of October

We are seeking an inspiring, dynamic leader to champion outdoor learning, drive national impact and sector growth as our first Chief Officer.

Location: Remote

Applications close: 9 a.m. Tuesday 8th September 2026

 

About AAOLEV

The Association of Advisers for Outdoor Learning and Educational Visits (AAOLEV) is a new charity, formed from the Outdoor Education Advisers’ Panel (OEAP).  It is a respected organisation dedicated to promoting high-quality outdoor learning and ensuring safe, enriching educational visits for children and young people across England and Wales.

Through our network of experienced advisors, AAOLEV plays a pivotal role in supporting schools, local authorities and providers to plan and deliver meaningful learning beyond the classroom, with the potential to impact the education of around 10 million children and young people each year.

About the role

AAOLEV is now seeking to appoint its first-ever Chief Officer, an important milestone that reflects our ambition to strengthen our voice, broaden our influence and build the charity’s capacity for the future. This is a unique opportunity to shape a leadership role from the ground up and help define the next phase of the charity’s development.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for an inspiring and dynamic leader with strategic vision, strong relationship-building skills and a commitment to the value of outdoor learning. You will be a credible advocate, able to engage stakeholders, influence nationally and unite a diverse professional community behind a shared purpose.

Above all, you will bring energy, credibility and a clear sense of purpose, helping to position AAOLEV for long-term impact and success.

This role is fully remote, and we do not have a physical office.

We are committed to an inclusive recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments for the application or interview process, please let us know, and we will be happy to support you.

Peridot Partners and AAOLEV are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and our client expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references before any final offer can be made.

Please click on the link to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you will find full details of the role and how to apply.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Tuesday 8th September 2026.

Imroc is seeking a Chief Executive Officer to provide strategic, values-led leadership as the organisation enters its next phase of development.

This is a significant leadership opportunity for someone who can combine a strong commitment to recovery and lived experience leadership with the strategic, organisational and commercial judgement needed to lead a relatively small, influential charity. Working closely with the Board of Trustees and senior colleagues, the CEO will shape clear priorities, strengthen organisational and financial sustainability, build future leadership capability, and create new opportunities for impact and growth.

The successful candidate will be joining an organisation with a distinctive philosophy and more than 20 years of experience influencing recovery-focused practice. Imroc works in England and globally, combining consultancy and organisational development, accredited training, coaching and mentorship, thought leadership, evaluation and research.

What Imroc does

Training – co-produced, practical and recovery-focused programmes designed to build skills, confidence and meaningful culture change.

Consultancy and organisational development – collaborative support that helps organisations embed recovery principles, co-production and lived experience into practice and organisational culture.

Research and evaluation – evidence-based work that contributes to learning across mental health and related systems and underpins Imroc’s training and consultancy.

Thought leadership and influence – sharing learning, challenging established practice and helping shape more inclusive and recovery-focused systems.

At the heart of Imroc’s work is a commitment to recovery, peer support, co-production/co-development, equality, diversity and inclusion, and lived experience leadership.

Purpose of the role

The Chief Executive Officer is responsible for providing strategic, values-led leadership to Imroc, ensuring the organisation continues to influence and transform mental health systems through recovery-focused consultancy, research, training and innovation.

Working closely with the Board of Trustees, the CEO will lead the organisation through its next phase of development by creating a clear strategic vision, building sustainable partnerships, identifying new opportunities for growth and ensuring Imroc remains financially sustainable whilst remaining true to its values and recovery philosophy.

The CEO will lead Imroc through a period of organisational transition, strengthening organisational and financial sustainability, developing future leadership capability, and positioning the charity for its next phase of development.

They will inspire an inclusive, high-performing culture where people are supported, challenged and enabled to do their best work, ensuring Imroc continues to have meaningful impact both nationally and internationally

Imroc’s new Chief Executive Officer will:

Provide inspiring, values-led strategic and executive leadership;

Successfully lead Imroc through its next phase of organisational development and transition;

Establish clear strategic priorities and ensure these translate into organisational action;

Strengthen Imroc’s influence nationally and internationally;

Create new opportunities for sustainable growth and impact;

Build sustainable strategic partnerships;

Strengthen Imroc’s long-term financial sustainability;

Develop organisational and leadership capability;

Develop an engaged, confident and high-performing team;

Ensure lived experience leadership, peer support, co-production and recovery principles are meaningfully embedded across Imroc;

Champion innovation and thought leadership whilst enabling a wider range of voices across Imroc to contribute to its influence; and

Ensure Imroc continues to have a meaningful impact on mental health systems and communities.

Key responsibilities

Strategic and executive leadership

Provide strategic leadership to Imroc, ensuring the organisation remains focused on delivering its charitable objectives and long-term vision.

Work collaboratively with the Board of Trustees to set and deliver Imroc’s strategic direction, translating the organisation’s purpose and values into clear organisational priorities.

Provide effective executive oversight of organisational and operational performance, ensuring resources, systems and organisational capability support strategic priorities.

Continually scan the external environment to identify emerging opportunities, challenges and changes across mental health, health, social care and wider systems.

Translate strategic opportunities into innovative products, partnerships, and services that align with Imroc’s mission.

Ensure organisational structures, capabilities and resources continue to evolve to meet future priorities.

Lead Imroc effectively through organisational, cultural and strategic change.

Champion continuous improvement and innovation.

Leadership and culture

Lead an inclusive, compassionate and value-led organisational culture.

Foster an environment where people feel supported whilst also being appropriately challenged to achieve high standards.

Lead with authenticity, integrity, and a strong commitment to recovery principles.

Ensure Imroc’s values, recovery philosophy, commitment to EDI, peer support, co-production/co-development and lived experience leadership are reflected throughout organisational culture, priorities and decision-making.

Build leadership capability through coaching, mentoring, and development.

Promote collaboration, learning, and continuous improvement across consultants and colleagues.

Ensure difficult conversations are approached constructively, respectfully, and in a way that enables growth.

Business development and external influence

Build and maintain strategic partnerships across the NHS, voluntary sector, academia, research organisations and wider system partners.

Proactively identify and create new business opportunities, strategic partnerships and sources of sustainable income that increase Imroc’s impact and strengthen long-term financial sustainability.

Represent Imroc nationally through networking, speaking engagements, conferences, and stakeholder engagement.

Position Imroc as an influential, values-led and recovery-focused thought leader, creating opportunities for colleagues and people with lived experience to contribute to Imroc’s external voice and influence.

Support the development of bids, proposals, and strategic partnerships that align with Imroc’s values and expertise.

Build relationships that open opportunities for others across Imroc to develop and deliver new work.

Financial sustainability

Work closely with the Chief Operating Officer and Board to ensure long-term financial sustainability.

Oversee financial planning, budgeting, and organisational performance.

Ensure effective stewardship of organisational resources.

Support and enable income generation through consultancy, partnerships, grants, and other opportunities.

Ensure strategic and operational decisions take account of Imroc’s long-term financial sustainability.

Governance

Maintain a strong and effective relationship with the Board of Trustees.

Maintain oversight of effective strategic governance frameworks, ensuring clear accountability, effective decision-making, and appropriate organisational assurance.

Ensure the organisation meets all legal and regulatory obligations.

Support Trustees through timely reporting, strategic advice, and effective governance.

Promote high standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability.

People leadership

Lead, support, and develop senior colleagues.

Build organisational capability and succession planning.

Create an environment where people are empowered to contribute their expertise.

Encourage collaboration whilst maintaining accountability for delivery.

Lead through periods of change in a way that maintains engagement, organisational confidence, and effective delivery.

Create the conditions in which lived experience leadership, peer support and co-production are valued and embedded across the organisation.

Person specification

Essential experience

Significant senior executive leadership experience, including experience of organisational and operational management.

Demonstrable experience of leading organisations through significant organisational, cultural or strategic change, while maintaining staff engagement, stakeholder confidence and organisational performance.

Experience leading organisational strategy and change.

Experience working effectively with Boards or Trustees.

Experience developing and leading high-performing teams.

Experience building strategic partnerships and influencing senior stakeholders.

Experience contributing to organisational financial sustainability and identifying opportunities for sustainable growth.

Experience within mental health, health, or social care.

Essential knowledge and skills

Strong strategic thinking and commercial awareness.

Excellent relationship building and influencing skills.

Ability to identify future opportunities and translate these into organisational priorities.

Excellent communication and presentation skills.

Ability to lead with both compassion and accountability.

Strong judgement and decision-making skills.

Ability to manage complexity and ambiguity.

Demonstrable commitment to values-led leadership and to embedding equality, diversity and inclusion, recovery principles, peer support and co-production/co-development within organisational culture, leadership and decision-making.

A strong understanding of recovery philosophy, peer support, co-production and lived experience leadership.

Demonstrable understanding of lived experience leadership and the ability to value and embed lived experience in all aspects of the role and the work of the organisation.

Personal experience of mental health challenges, either personally or as a family member/carer, together with an ability to reflect on how this experience influences your values, priorities, and practice.

Desirable experience

Experience within consultancy or professional services.

Experience of research partnerships or academia.

Experience of public speaking and thought leadership.

Experience securing funding, consultancy opportunities or strategic partnerships.

Experience working internationally.

Postgraduate qualification or equivalent experience.

Personal attributes

Authentic and values-led leadership.

Curiosity and a commitment to learning.

Creativity and innovation.

Resilience and adaptability.

Collaborative leadership.

Courage to make difficult decisions.

Ability to inspire confidence and build trust.

Commitment to Imroc’s recovery philosophy.

A commitment to sharing power and ensuring lived experience meaningfully informs organisational leadership and decision-making.

The ability to balance strategic leadership with practical executive leadership required within a relatively small organisation.

Recruitment process and timetable

Timing & Activity

Wednesday 19 August – Sunday 6 September  - Application window

Monday 14 September – Wednesday 16 September  - First stage interviews (subject to change)

Monday 21 September – Wednesday 23 September  - Second stage final interviews (subject to change)

How to apply

To apply for the Chief Executive Officer role, please submit:

your current CV; and

a covering letter setting out your interest in the role and how your experience, skills and approach align with the requirements set out in this candidate pack.

Application details

Salary - £90,000

Location - London - Hybrid

Where to apply - Directly to this advertisement 

Contact for an informal discussion - Kathryn Wileman. Clover HR

Interview arrangements - First stage and second stage Imroc interviews will be arranged virtually.

Accessibility and inclusion

Imroc’s work is grounded in inclusion, equity, co-production and lived experience. Candidates are encouraged to let the recruitment team know if they require any reasonable adjustments or other support to participate fully in the recruitment process.

Find out more

More information about Imroc, its work, publications, training, consultancy and research is available at their website 

Position: Deputy CEO

Reporting to: CEO

Location: London or Bath (hybrid working at either location)

Contract: Full-time, permanent

Salary range: £65,000 - £75,000 (dependent on experience)

Deadline: 18:00 (BST) on 11 September 2026 

EJF is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK.

About the Role

Environmental destruction and human rights abuses are rarely separate crises - they are cause and effect. The Environmental Justice Foundation was founded on this understanding, and for two decades we have fought to protect the natural world and the people whose lives and freedoms depend on it.

We are seeking an exceptional Deputy CEO to help lead EJF into its next phase of growth and impact. This is an extremely rare opportunity to take on a crucial leadership role at a highly respected international NGO at a pivotal moment.

As Deputy CEO, you will play a central role in shaping EJF's strategic direction, team leadership and operational excellence, working in close partnership with the CEO and senior team to scale our impact, strengthen our global presence, generate new income, and ensure the organisation continues to deliver courageous, evidence-led change.

The Deputy CEO will take on critical tasks to enable the CEO to focus on delivering the strategic vision, providing vital leadership and development of EJF's programmes and governance. You will assume specific, nominated areas of programme management, supervising and guiding campaign and communications teams and providing a clear line of decision-making and direction.

The role will work closely with the CEO and senior leadership to continually improve the organisation's efficiency and effectiveness, entrench the ethos, vision and values that define our working culture, and help deliver the positive impact for the natural environment and the human rights that depend on it.

From strengthening governance and organisational performance to driving innovation, growth, and collaboration, you will be instrumental in maintaining an agile, resilient, impact-driven organisation capable of confronting some of the world's most urgent environmental challenges.

This role calls for an experienced and confident manager and leader with strategic vision, operational rigour, communications acumen and a deep commitment to biodiversity conservation and environmental justice. You will bring people together across cultures and disciplines, empower emerging leaders, and foster a high-performance, inclusive organisational culture. Externally, you will help represent EJF with credibility and influence, building alliances with funders, policymakers, partners, and frontline communities to accelerate systemic change.

Key Responsibilities

1. Mission and Purpose

● Alongside the CEO and Founding Director, continuously reaffirm and embed EJF's Mission, Vision and Values, ensuring they are deeply embedded across all programmes and teams to foster cohesion and strategic alignment globally.

● Safeguard our core mission of environmental justice and strengthening grassroots capacity in the Global South, ensuring that the organisation, across its multiple geographies and jurisdictions, adheres to this core purpose and scope.

● Articulate and deliver the highest possible professional standards, working culture and practice across all aspects of EJF's work.

2. Campaign Delivery, Amplification and Impact

● In close partnership with the CEO, guide and oversee the organisation's strategic and tactical approach across its operations and campaigns.

● Provide additional guidance, recommendations and scrutiny on the planning, production and release of reports, films and other campaign materials.

● Help shape EJF's external positioning, ensuring coherence between evidence, advocacy, partnerships and communications.

● Strengthen EJF's visibility and reach by engaging the media, attending and presenting at high-level meetings, liaising with key contacts and major funders, and acting as a spokesperson in the CEO's absence.

3. People, Culture and Leadership

● Help to further develop and support a high-performing Senior Management Team (SMT), individually and collectively, fostering accountability, collaboration and strong leadership practice.

● Guide and mentor teams to ensure they remain focused on delivering EJF's mission and priority objectives with strategic impact.

● Ensure fairness and equity for staff across the organisation, alongside consistently high standards of management.

● As directed by the CEO, serve in his absence to ensure the campaigns and programmes continue uninterrupted, working closely with the Senior Management Team (SMT).

4. Operations and Funding

● Work with the Operations Team to ensure EJF's exemplary operational efficiency across all areas of its work, championing continuous improvement of systems, processes and tools to strengthen efficiency, resilience and internal knowledge sharing.

● Work with the CEO, Founding Director, COO, and other team members to secure funding to support all our operations. This will require direct liaison with key donors, identifying new funding streams and ensuring compelling proposals, grant reports and updates are delivered on time.

● Ensure our operations across geographies and jurisdictions adopt a unified approach in all aspects of our work while respecting local contexts and needs.

5. Risk and Security

● Ensure that robust security and safeguarding measures are in place, regularly reviewed and actively embedded across teams.

● Contribute to organisational risk management, providing an additional oversight role for legal, reputational, political and operational risks across multiple jurisdictions, ensuring guidance and support are in place to secure compliance with relevant laws, regulations and ethical standards in all operating contexts.

Essential Experience, Skills and Attributes

We are seeking a values-driven, strategic leader with the judgement and organisational capability to help guide EJF through its next phase of growth and impact.

You will bring:

● Significant senior leadership experience (typically 10+ years), ideally 6+ years within the charity or not-for-profit sector.

● Proven success in programme design and delivery and organisational management, including oversight of complex budgets and resources.

● Strong financial acumen, with the ability to improve cost-effectiveness and maximise impact.

● Outstanding communication skills, including exceptional written English and the ability to engage diverse audiences, from teams to funders and senior decision-makers.

● Sound judgement and strategic thinking, with the ability to navigate complexity and make high-quality, values-led decisions, including in fast-moving or high-stakes environments.

● Strong people leadership, with experience building inclusive, high-performing teams, supporting senior colleagues, and developing emerging leaders across cultures and geographies.

● Experience contributing to organisational strategy, change, and governance, with confidence engaging boards and leading through growth or transition.

● A collaborative, diplomatic approach, combined with resilience, adaptability, and composure under pressure.

● Experience working in international or distributed organisations, and building effective external partnerships, including with donors, business partners and grassroots groups.

● An ability to travel internationally, occasionally at short notice.

● A clear commitment to EJF's Vision, Mission and Values, and to fostering a culture of excellence, equity, safeguarding, and impact.

While not essential, the following would be a strong advantage:

● Additional languages, particularly French, Spanish, Portuguese, or German.

● Professional media or communications experience, with demonstrable skills in shaping narratives, engaging audiences, and supporting organisational visibility.

● Experience in field research and/or investigations, ideally in complex or international contexts.

● Proven ability to manage projects, people, and budgets remotely, including supporting geographically dispersed teams.

What We Offer

In return for your leadership and commitment, we offer a rewarding package designed to support your well-being, flexibility, and professional growth:

● 30 days annual leave (including public holidays), increasing with each year of service, plus additional paid leave between Christmas/New Year.

● Private healthcare package.

● Generous pension scheme, with employer contributions increasing over time.

● Hybrid working (minimum 3 days in the office).

● Cycle-to-work scheme.

● A dynamic, supportive, and inclusive working environment, with genuine opportunities for professional development and career progression.

● The chance to play a senior leadership role in an organisation delivering real-world impact for people and planet.

Join Us

EJF's strength lies in a rare combination: deep, trusted relationships with grassroots communities on the front line of environmental destruction, and the expertise to turn that local knowledge into major campaigns that protect our oceans, our climate, and the ecosystems that sustain us all. As Deputy CEO, you will help ensure that strength keeps growing — sharpening the leadership, systems and teams that connect community action to global impact, from coastal fishing villages to the corridors of international policy.

At EJF, leadership means courage, integrity, and impact. As Deputy CEO, you will help steer campaigns that expose environmental crime, defend those on the frontlines, and secure lasting protections for ecosystems and communities alike. Together, we work to protect people by protecting the planet — and to build a fairer, more resilient future for all.

If you are ready to bring your skills to a mission that matters, we would love to hear from you.

Application

To apply, please use this link to upload your:

● Cover letter outlining your suitability and interest in the role (max 2 pages)

● CV (max 2 pages)

Deadline: 18:00 (BST) on 11 September 2026 

** We encourage early applications as we review on a rolling basis and may begin interviewing shortlisted candidates ahead of the deadline.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. No other communications or agencies, please.

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK. EJF is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Prospectus is delighted to be partnering with our client to recruit their next Chief Executive Officer.

The orgnisation is the UK's leading charity dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by Dravet Syndrome, a rare, severe and life-limiting neurological condition. Founded by parents in 2008, the charity has grown significantly and now supports hundreds of families across the UK through family support services, professional education, awareness raising and medical research.

As the charity enters its next phase of development, the organisation is seeking an ambitious and inspirational CEO to lead the organisation through its next stage of growth and impact.

Reporting to the Board of Trustees, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across the organisation, leading the delivery of the charity's future strategy while ensuring excellence in day-to-day operations. You will work closely with families, clinicians, researchers, industry partners, funders and policymakers, acting as a visible and credible ambassador for the charity across the sector.

This opportunity is ideally suited to a senior leader from a national charity or patient advocacy organisation who has successfully led organisational growth and transformation. You will bring experience of scaling services, income and organisational capacity, while retaining a strong understanding of hands-on leadership within a growing charity.

We are looking for a confident and influential leader with the presence and credibility to inspire supporters, stakeholders and partners, whether speaking at conferences, fundraising events or representing the charity nationally. Experience within a rare disease, neurological condition, disability, health or patient advocacy organisation would be highly advantageous, with direct rare disease experience particularly welcomed.

To be successful, you will bring:

• Significant senior leadership experience within a national charity, health or patient advocacy organisation.
• A proven track record of leading organisational growth and managing complexity through periods of change.
• Strong strategic and operational leadership skills, with the ability to balance long-term vision and day-to-day delivery.
• Outstanding relationship-building and stakeholder management capabilities.
• The confidence and presence to act as an engaging external ambassador and public spokesperson.
• A commitment to improving outcomes for individuals and families affected by complex health conditions.

This is a rare opportunity to lead a highly respected charity at an exciting time of progress and opportunity, including significant advances in rare disease research and treatment.
This role is home-based with regular UK travel and occasional international travel. Some evening and weekend work will be required.

At Prospectus we invest in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you with your application. We welcome all candidates to apply, regardless of age, sex/gender, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status or pregnancy/maternity. If you have any disability and require reasonable adjustment/s to any part of the process, then please contact Catherine Bunting at Prospectus.

Recruitment timeline:
First round interviews (via Zoom) - Friday 18th September
Final round interviews (London) - Monday 28th September

Responsibilities

People and Team Leadership

• Line manage the Fundraising Manager, providing regular supervision, support, and performance development

• Lead the planning and delivery of all-hands meetings and team development programmes, fostering a collaborative and high-performing team culture

• Maintain oversight of team resource mapping, ensuring capacity is well-managed across the organisation

Impact and Evaluation

• Lead the design and ongoing development of Routes' impact evaluation framework, ensuring it captures meaningful data about the difference our work makes

• Oversee the collection, analysis, and interpretation of impact data throughout the year, using findings to inform programme development and organisational decision-making

• Write and produce Routes' annual impact report, communicating our work and outcomes compellingly to funders, partners, and the wider sector

Income Generation

• Support the Fundraising Manager with grant applications, funder relationships, and income generation activity as needed

• Manage the sales pipeline for the mentoring programme, including prospecting, relationship development, and conversion of corporate and organisational clients

• Source and manage CSR partnerships, building relationships with corporate partners and ensuring existing partnerships are well-stewarded

Operations

• Lead on the creation, review, and approval of organisational policies, ensuring Routes' policies are up to date, legally compliant, and reflective of our values

• Oversee day-to-day office administration and organisational housekeeping

• Manage organisational insurance, ensuring appropriate cover is maintained and reviewed annually

• Oversee staff IT, laptops, phones, and software subscriptions, including troubleshooting and managing supplier relationships

• Draft and manage organisational contracts, including supplier, partner, and service agreements

• Lead on the conversion of Routes from a CIC to a CIO, working with legal advisors, the board, and relevant statutory bodies to manage the process

Strategy

• Contribute to the development and delivery of Routes' organisational strategy, bringing insight from your areas of responsibility

• Lead on the development and implementation of Routes' income generation strategy, working closely with the Fundraising Manager and Co-CEO

Communications

• Write thought leadership pieces for the Routes blog, contributing to Routes' voice and visibility in the sector

Leadership Development and Learning

• Take ownership of your own professional development, using the annual training budget to attend relevant training, events, and sector learning opportunities that strengthen your contribution to Routes and the wider sector

There are some areas of responsibility that sit under the other Co-CEO, but we would expect the person in this role to maintain some oversight or involvement in to enable smooth co-working between the roles. These are:

• Safeguarding: Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) when required, ensuring Routes meets its safeguarding obligations and that staff and volunteers are appropriately supported

• Finance: Attend and contribute to monthly finance meetings, planned by other Co-CEO, maintaining a clear understanding of the organisation's financial position and flagging any concerns to the Co-CEO and board

• Governance: Attend board meetings, providing updates on areas of responsibility and supporting the board to fulfil its governance function

Person Specification

Experience

• Experience in a senior leadership role within the charity, social enterprise, or public sector

• Demonstrable experience of managing and developing staff, with a coaching and supportive leadership style

• Experience of income generation in a charity or social enterprise context, including either grant fundraising, corporate partnerships, or programme sales

• Experience of designing or overseeing monitoring, evaluation, and learning frameworks and producing reports that communicate impact clearly

• Experience of managing operational and governance responsibilities, including policy development and working with a board

• Experience leading teams in challenging, fast-changing and resource-constrained environments 

• Experience of working with or for communities facing marginalisation, discrimination, or structural disadvantage, and a deep understanding of the barriers refugee and asylum seeking women face in the UK

Skills and Knowledge

• Ability to balance day to day operational oversight with long term strategic planning, ensuring that Routes’ work remains in line with values and objectives whilst responding to the changing needs of participants and the external landscape

• Strong written communication skills, with the ability to write compellingly for different audiences

• Financially literate, with the ability to read and engage meaningfully with management accounts and budgets

• Highly organised, with the ability to manage a broad and varied portfolio without dropping the ball

• Comfortable working with data, both quantitative and qualitative, and using it to draw meaningful conclusions

• Strong relationship-building skills, with the ability to build trust quickly with a wide range of stakeholders including funders, corporate partners, board members, and colleagues

• Sound understanding of CIC/charity governance and good practice, and the ability to make confident decisions independently while knowing when to consult

Values and Approach

• Deep personal commitment to gender equality, racial justice, and the rights of refugees and asylum seeking people

• Understanding of the importance of implementing trauma informed practices and a commitment to accessible working practices for all

• A collaborative leadership style that builds trust, shares power, and brings out the best in others

• Comfortable with ambiguity and change, able to hold complexity without becoming overwhelmed by it

• Honest, transparent, and accountable, someone who says what they mean and follows through on commitments

• Energised by working in a small, values-led organisation where everyone mucks in

Additionally, it would be desirable for you to be trained as a Designated Safeguarding Lead, but training on this can be provided.

A Note on Experience

We know that leadership experience takes many forms, and that people from marginalised communities,  including those with lived experience of the asylum system, are often underrepresented at senior levels in the charity sector despite having exactly the qualities and understanding this role requires. We warmly encourage applications from people who may not follow a conventional career trajectory but who can demonstrate the skills, values, and commitment we are looking for. If you are unsure whether your experience is the right fit, please do get in touch before applying,  we would rather have that conversation than miss out on the right person.

Finance Director

Hours of work 30 hrs / 4 days per week, permanent contract

Based Newhaven, with some hybrid working available after completing induction

Starting Salary £65K per annum pro rata

Sussex Community Development Association (SCDA) has been supporting people and communities to thrive for over 28 years. We deliver a range of projects, services & activities aimed at improving economic stability and opportunity, health and wellbeing, and addressing loneliness, social isolation and social cohesion.  Come & join our flexible, inclusive and friendly organisation in this crucial role, and help make a difference!

Are you an experienced senior level finance decision maker with broad cross sector knowledge, who demonstrates excellent communication skills, and wants to use your skills to support a community facing organisation? If so, we would welcome your interest and application!

You will be a qualified accountant with an understanding of the complexities of working within the 3rd sector funding framework.  With responsibility for providing expert strategic financial advice and professional input right across the organisation, you will ensure the finances of the Charity run smoothly and efficiently.  You will consider the wider internal and external factors presented to you by our internal knowledge experts alongside the financial position to support the delivery of SCDA’s services and enterprises, and which fulfil the organisation’s mission and values.

As a manager you will also provide effective leadership, operational support and direction to the well-regarded finance team.

Providing sound financial, contract & risk management advice and ensuring compliance with legal, statutory and audit requirements, you will contribute to the strategic leadership of the charity as an active member of our Senior Management Team.

We are looking for people to join our team who have the qualities and skills we feel would most benefit our internal and external clients; professionalism, empathy, kindness and understanding. In return, we understand people want to work in a supportive environment with friendly colleagues. We offer a flexible, hybrid approach to delivery wherever possible, annual leave of 25 days per year pro rata plus bank holidays and sick pay from the start (increasing with service), additional sick pay for planned operations and recovery, a pension scheme, bereavement leave, and managers who are available to you… plus a day off for your birthday!

Interviews will be held in Newhaven.

Closing date: 5pm on Sunday 27th September 2026

1st stage interviews: Wednesday 7th October 2026 / 2nd stage interviews: Wednesday 14th October 2026

You may think that you’re not a 100% match to what we’re looking for, but we recognise that some skills and experience may be transferable rather than an exact match.If you’re unsure about whether to apply, please do contact the HR team and we would be happy to arrange an informal discussion with the CEO or HRD.

SCDA includes: Employability; Community Advice and Wellbeing; Community Development & Health

Registered Charity Number: 1094905

Company Limited by Guarantee: 3387617

Executive Assistant to the CEO and Governance

Salary: £40,000 per annum, pro rata
Hours: 28 hours per week
Location: Hybrid, London-based with occasional travel to central London

We're seeking an organised and proactive Executive Assistant to support our CEO and help ensure effective governance across a national charity.

This is a varied role combining executive support, board administration, governance coordination, risk management and event planning. Working closely with senior leaders and trustees, you'll play a key role in helping the organisation achieve its mission and strategic goals.

What you'll do

• Provide high-quality support to the CEO, including diary management, meeting coordination and briefings.
• Coordinate Board, committee and leadership meetings, including agendas, papers and minutes.
• Maintain governance records and support compliance requirements.
• Manage the organisational risk register and support policy reviews.
• Organise AGMs, away days and staff events.
• Build strong relationships with trustees, colleagues and external stakeholders.

About you
You'll bring:

• Significant executive or senior administrative support experience in a charity.
• Experience supporting governance processes, boards or committees.
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong communication skills and confidence working with senior stakeholders.
• The ability to manage confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 and related collaboration tools.

Join us and help create the strong foundations that enable a mission-driven organisation to thrive.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences and are committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential; please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so that we can help with making the application process work for you.

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential; please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so that we can help with making the application process work for you.

As the Director of People and Culture, you will provide strategic leadership across all aspects of People & Culture within the organisation. You will work closely with the CEO, Leadership Team, Governance Team and Board of Trustees to develop a positive, inclusive and people-focused culture, while ensuring effective recruitment, employee relations, learning and development, performance management and people policies across the organisation.

What you'll do 

• Lead the organisation’s People & Culture strategy, ensuring it supports our charitable purpose, organisational priorities and values.
• Provide strategic leadership and advice on workforce planning, recruitment, reward, employee relations, organisational development and change.
• Lead the development of a positive, inclusive and values-led culture, supporting employee engagement, wellbeing, learning, performance and retention.
• Oversee People & Culture governance, policies, systems, compliance and workforce reporting, providing assurance and recommendations to senior leaders and the Board.