Chief executive officer volunteer roles in London

Executive Director

The Longest Yarn

Flexible

Initially Voluntary Basis with Expenses Covered to be based in the U.K. 

About The Longest Yarn

The Longest Yarn is an internationally recognised knitted and crocheted exhibition project preserving wartime stories through immersive textile art, historical interpretation and community participation. Registered as an Association in France since 2023 with CIO pending in U.K. 

Having toured extensively across the United Kingdom, Ireland and the United States, The Longest Yarn now consists of two major exhibitions.

One exhibition, The Longest Yarn: Britain at War, is based in the United Kingdom and is already booked to tour major cathedrals and other significant venues through to 2028.

The original D-Day exhibition now has its permanent home in Normandy near the landing beaches, where it is exhibited for approximately six months of the year, with the flexibility to tour across the UK or Europe during the winter months.

Together, the exhibitions continue to grow as a major international remembrance and heritage initiative.

Founded as a simple project combining creativity, education, remembrance, community involvement and support for veteran causes through large-scale public exhibitions and events, The Longest Yarn rapidly exceeded all expectations, attracting more than 500,000 visitors within just 23 months.

We are currently working with several veteran charities, including one major initiative helping to provide a home for a homeless veteran living with PTSD. Developing and expanding our support for veteran causes remains an important part of the future vision for The Longest Yarn.

The Role

We are seeking an experienced, capable and highly motivated Executive Director to work alongside the Founder & Creative Director and Board of Trustees to help lead the next phase of development and growth.

This is a senior leadership role for somebody able to combine practical management with vision, diplomacy, organisational skill and public engagement.

The Executive Director will help oversee day-to-day operations, volunteer management, partnerships, touring logistics, fundraising support, visitor experience and organisational development, while helping strengthen the long-term sustainability of the project.

This role would suit somebody with experience in the charity, heritage, museum, tourism, arts, events or community sectors. Flexibility, humour, imagination and genuine ‘can do’ attitude are absolutely paramount. 

Remuneration

The position is initially offered on a voluntary basis, with reasonable agreed expenses covered.

However, as merchandise, retail activity and other revenue streams are developed and strengthened, remuneration and salary arrangements will be reviewed.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Founder & Creative Director in delivering the long-term vision for The Longest Yarn
• Help oversee operations at the Normandy exhibition site and touring venues
• Assist with volunteer recruitment, organisation and support
• Develop relationships with heritage organisations, tourism bodies, sponsors and veteran charities
• Support fundraising, sponsorship and income-generation initiatives
• Coordinate exhibition logistics, installations and event planning plus workshops at varied venues
• Assist with media enquiries, public engagement and promotional activity
• Help strengthen administrative systems, visitor experience and organisational structure
• Work closely with the Board of Trustees on future planning and development
• Social media development

About You

You will be organised, resilient, adaptable and people-focused, with the ability to work within a unique and evolving international heritage project.

You may come from a background in:

• charities or non-profit organisations
• museums or heritage
• tourism or visitor attractions
• arts, exhibitions or textile art
• events or public engagement
• operations or project management
• fundraising or sponsorship
• community arts, craft or creative education initiatives

Strong communication skills, initiative and a practical hands-on approach are essential.

An interest in remembrance, WWII history, community projects or the arts would be advantageous.

What Makes This Different

The Longest Yarn is not a conventional organisation. It is a deeply personal and internationally recognised remembrance project built through creativity, storytelling and community spirit.

This is a rare opportunity to help shape the future of a growing heritage initiative with international reach, meaningful public impact and ambitious future plans.

Reporting Structure

The Executive Director will report directly to:

• Founder & Creative Director
• The Board of Trustees

To Apply

• A CV
• A covering letter outlining your experience and interest in the role
• Examples of relevant project, leadership, heritage, community or organisational work where applicable

thrivin' together is a national, grassroots Community Interest Company supporting women impacted by their own or someone else's gambling. Incorporated in July 2022, we meet women where they are, offering support that fits around complex, time-poor lives.

We have built strong trust, reach, and credibility. We are now entering a phase focused on:

• Strengthening governance and infrastructure
• Moving beyond founder-reliant leadership
• Clarifying our proposition and impact
• Building sustainable systems for long-term growth
• Increasing our influence in policy and system change

This is a moment of consolidation, clarity, and intentional growth.

As a Board Member, you will help guide the strategic direction of thrivin' together, ensuring we remain values-led, sustainable, and responsive to the women we serve. You will:

• Contribute to governance and strategic planning
• Support the development and sustainability of our services
• Ensure alignment with our mission and lived experience ethos
• Provide constructive challenge and oversight
• Act as an ambassador and help build partnerships 

This is a non-operational role focused on oversight, support, and direction.

We are looking for women who bring a genuine passion for women's wellbeing and social impact. Commitment to supporting those affected by gambling harm and a collaborative, thoughtful, and values-driven approach. Desirable experience:
Finance or accounting
Fundraising
HR or organisational development
Chair or governance experience
Policy, influencing, or systems change
Lived experience of gambling harm (your own or someone else's)
We welcome first-time Board Members and will provide support and induction. 

What you'll gain

• The opportunity to make a meaningful difference in women's lives
• Experience of governance and strategic leadership
• Being part of a supportive, women-centred team
• The chance to shape a growing, innovative CIC

We’re REMIX, a Shoreditch‑based social mobility charity built on one belief: young people deserve the power, tools, and confidence to remix their lives and create futures that feel like theirs. We’re gearing up for our official launch this September — and we’re looking for a visionary volunteer CEO to take the lead.

This is not a symbolic role. This is hands‑on, high‑energy, entrepreneurial leadership at the heart of a new youth‑driven movement.

This VOLUNTEER Role

As our volunteer CEO, you’ll be the driving force behind Remix’s setup, launch, and early growth. You’ll shape our strategy, build our team, and create the momentum that carries us into — and beyond — September. If you thrive on purpose, pace, and possibility, this is your stage.

What You’ll Lead At REMIX

You’ll take ownership of the big picture and the practical steps that get us there, including:

• Steering the setup and launch of Remix.

• Building and motivating a passionate volunteer team.

• Developing partnerships across Shoreditch and beyond.

• Leading on fundraising, visibility, and community engagement.

• Setting the tone for a bold, youth‑centred culture.

• Guiding our long‑term strategy and organisational growth.

This is a role for someone who sees opportunity everywhere and isn’t afraid to make things happen.

What You'll Bring To REMIX

• A driven, entrepreneurial mindset.

• Natural leadership and the ability to inspire others.

• Experience building or leading teams, projects, or organisations.

• A passion for youth empowerment and social mobility.

• Confidence navigating fast‑moving, creative environments.

• The ability to turn ideas into action and action into impact.

What You'll Get From Your Time At REMIX

• The chance to build a charity from the ground up.

• A leadership role with real purpose and real influence.

• A platform to shape opportunities for young people across London.

• A creative, committed team who believe in the mission.

• The satisfaction of knowing your leadership will change lives.

Ready to Lead the Remix

If you’re excited by challenge, motivated by impact, and ready to help young people rewrite their futures, we’d love to hear from you.

Share a bit about your experience and what drives you — let’s build something powerful together.