Managing director jobs

Managing Director - PACE - Camden - Play, Adventure, Community & Enrichment

Salary: £65,000 - £70,000 per annum

Location: Camden, London

Closing Date: Applications will be on a rolling basis

We are recruiting on behalf of a PACE Camden - Play, Adventure, Community & Enrichment.

This dynamic, grassroots charity have been transforming the lives of children and families for over a decade. Operating across three vibrant play centres, PACE deliver inclusive early years education, after-school and holiday play schemes, mentoring, and specialist support for children and young people with disabilities. Their mission is simple yet powerful: to create safe, engaging spaces where every child can thrive and play.

What sets PACE apart from most nurseries or schools is our unwavering belief in the power of play. Our services are designed around a play-centred philosophy that puts children's curiosity, autonomy and emotional wellbeing first, creating environments where every child can thrive on their own terms.

As Managing Director, you will be both the strategic and operational lead, driving innovation and growth while ensuring excellence in service delivery. Reporting to a committed Board of Trustees, you'll oversee a talented team across three locations and work closely with partners, commissioners, and stakeholders to expand impact and develop new income streams.

We are looking for a commercially minded leader with a strong track record in play work, youth work with experience of EYFS provision. You'll combine strategic vision with hands-on leadership, ensuring compliance, safeguarding, and financial sustainability while inspiring your team to deliver outstanding outcomes for children and families.

Key qualities we're seeking:

• Senior leadership experience across services for children and young people, including play work, youth work, nursery management, and EYFS provision, within education, care, or community contexts.
• Proven ability to develop services and generate income.
• Strong financial acumen and operational oversight.
• Commitment to inclusion, safeguarding, and community engagement.

Please note, due to the front line nature of this charity, it's essential that you are open to working on-site most days.

This is an exceptional opportunity to lead an organisation that truly makes a difference to it's community.

If you're ready to bring your expertise and passion to a role with purpose, we'd love to hear from you.

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.

Could you lead Babbasa into its next chapter?

Babbasa is one of Bristol’s most recognised youth empowerment organisations, supporting talented young people from low-income and ethnically diverse communities to progress into employment, education and enterprise.

Founded in 2010, our name comes from an ancient African word meaning “ordinary people coming together to act as a support bridge.” That belief continues to shape everything we do.

Over the past 15 years, we have supported more than 4,000 young people, built powerful partnerships across business, education and civic sectors, and received national recognition including the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for Promoting Opportunity through Social Mobility.

We are now entering an important new phase.

Following a period of organisational reset and renewal, Babbasa is implementing a bold and focused 2026 strategy centred on:

• A single Integrated Youth Empowerment Programme

• A stronger, values-led organisational culture

• A modernised operating model and digital infrastructure

• Sustainable growth and long-term impact

We are seeking an exceptional Managing Director to succeed our Founding Director and help lead Babbasa through this next chapter with clarity, discipline, compassion and ambition.

About the Role

As Managing Director, you will work closely with the Board, senior team, employees, partners and young people to:

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across the organisation

• Embed Babbasa’s new integrated programme model

• Strengthen financial sustainability, governance and organisational resilience

• Build trusted relationships with funders, employers, civic leaders and community partners

• Support and develop a committed, ambitious team

• Champion Babbasa’s manifesto and values of Kindness, Imagination and Determination

• Act as a visible and credible public leader for the organisation locally and nationally

This is a unique opportunity to lead a respected social mobility organisation at a pivotal moment in its journey.

Who We’re Looking For

We are looking for a values-led and emotionally intelligent leader who combines strategic thinking with strong operational capability.

You may come from the charity, social enterprise, education, youth, public or private sectors, but you will bring:

• Senior leadership experience within an organisation or service

• Experience of leading teams through change, growth or transition

• Strong financial, governance and operational management capability

• Experience of building partnerships, securing funding and/or developing income streams

• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills

• A genuine commitment to improving outcomes for young people

• A collaborative and inclusive leadership style

An understanding of the barriers faced by people living in ethnically diverse and/or low-income communities is vital.

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. We are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role. 

Why Join Babbasa?

At Babbasa, you will join an organisation with:

• A nationally recognised social mobility mission

• Deep roots within Bristol’s communities

• A strong manifesto and values-led culture

• An ambitious and committed Board and team

• Significant opportunity to shape the future direction of the organisation

We believe talent should never be limited by background — and we are looking for a leader who shares that belief.

Additional Information

• 23 days annual leave plus bank holidays

• Pension contribution scheme

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements

• Evening and occasional weekend representation required

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Babbasa is proud to be an equal opportunity organisation. We actively encourage applications from individuals from underrepresented communities and backgrounds. We believe our diversity strengthens our work and helps us better serve the young people and communities we exist to support.

Babbasa exists to ensure that talent is never limited by background. Join us in building a more inclusive and opportunity-rich future.