Becoming a Chief Executive

Many people aspire to lead an organisation. Hired by and ultimately responsible to the board of Trustees, the charity CEO (or Director/Executive Director) has become evermore professional. Challenges in executive jobs are varied, whether it be recruiting and retaining the right staff, funding and delivering services, or raising profile and campaigning. It can be a lonely role, stuck between staff, trustees and other stakeholders; in fact, being a charity CEO is one of the most challenging Senior Management positions.

Paths to becoming a CEO are varied. The public sector supplies more and more CEOs, possibly a reflection of the importance of understanding how Government works in this age of increased commissioning. The private sector also supplies its fair share of candidates who, in addition to learning new terminology, are now working 'for purpose' rather than purely for profit or shareholders. And, of course, a common route is to move up within the sector; less cultural challenges, an understanding of funding issues, and a proven ability to get the most out of lean resources.

CEOs tend to come from programmes/service delivery or income generation/profile-raising rather than finance or HR fields. From commerce or public sector, senior general management is attractive with the ability to manage across an organisation being key. There is a much increased need to report success and impact, and non-sector specialists are more likely to need a very strong SMT to support.

One of the best ways to gain exposure to the ups and downs of running a charity is to volunteer as a trustee and we strongly recommend this. We provide links to current volunteer opportunities here and will be happy to advise of other sources.

See our latest executive jobs below.

Latest jobs

Director of Finance Apply Add to basket Salary Min: £54,959.00, Salary Max: £54,959.00, Salary Rate:Yearly Location: London Description This charity is seeking a fully qualified accountant, experienced in leading on all financial aspects and reporting internally and externally. You will provide key advice on their income generation st...
Account Manager Apply Add to basket Salary Min: £26,000.00, Salary Max: £28,000.00, Salary Rate:Yearly Location: London Description This leading DM agency works closely with clients within the charity sector to provide and deliver exceptional fundraising projects to help them achieve their aims successfully. Working on so...
Head of Major Giving Apply Add to basket Salary Min: £45,000.00, Salary Max: £50,000.00, Salary Rate:Yearly Location: London Description Our client is going through an exciting period of growth, expanding its central fundraising and alumni relations department to significant increase income generation. Working closely with the Dire...
Head of Global Major Donor Fundraising Apply Add to basket Salary Min: £75,000.00, Salary Max: £75,000.00, Salary Rate:Yearly Location: London Description Amnesty International's (AI) Secretariat operates from a number of sites around the world, campaigning for meaningful human rights change. They provide strategic leadership, support and advice to the ...
Supporter Engagement Manager Apply Add to basket Salary Min: £55,000.00, Salary Max: £55,000.00, Salary Rate:Yearly Location: South West Description This well known national charity is re-shaping their Marketing and Fundraising Department. To help them do this they are developing an integrated, audience-focused, multi-channel and innovative strate...
Regional New Business Development Manager Apply Add to basket Salary Min: £40,000.00, Salary Max: £50,000.00, Salary Rate:Yearly Location: International Description This international charity is seeking a Regional New Business Development Manager to provide leadership in increasing its financial resources through large-scale fundraising efforts in its Africa Regi...
European Fundraising and Partnerships Manager Apply Add to basket Salary Min: £50,000.00, Salary Max: £60,000.00, Salary Rate:Yearly Location: London City Description This is a newly created role within this expanding international charity. The role will primarily be responsible for establishing and implementing the infrastructure needed to grow the annual revenue...
Area Fundraiser - London and SE Apply Add to basket Salary Min: £26,200.00, Salary Max: £29,700.00, Salary Rate:Yearly Location: South East Description This leading benevolent fund is looking for an Area Fundraiser to work from home to promote the fund across London and the South East with the aim to increase financial and voluntary support for. ...

Director of Finance

Apply Add to basket

Salary Min: £54,959.00, Salary Max: £54,959.00, Salary Rate:Yearly
Location: London
Description This charity is seeking a fully qualified accountant, experienced in leading on all financial aspects and reporting internally and externally. You will provide key advice on their income generation st...

Account Manager

Apply Add to basket

Salary Min: £26,000.00, Salary Max: £28,000.00, Salary Rate:Yearly
Location: London
Description This leading DM agency works closely with clients within the charity sector to provide and deliver exceptional fundraising projects to help them achieve their aims successfully. Working on so...

Head of Major Giving

Apply Add to basket

Salary Min: £45,000.00, Salary Max: £50,000.00, Salary Rate:Yearly
Location: London
Description Our client is going through an exciting period of growth, expanding its central fundraising and alumni relations department to significant increase income generation. Working closely with the Dire...

Head of Global Major Donor Fundraising

Apply Add to basket

Salary Min: £75,000.00, Salary Max: £75,000.00, Salary Rate:Yearly
Location: London
Description Amnesty International's (AI) Secretariat operates from a number of sites around the world, campaigning for meaningful human rights change. They provide strategic leadership, support and advice to the ...

Supporter Engagement Manager

Apply Add to basket

Salary Min: £55,000.00, Salary Max: £55,000.00, Salary Rate:Yearly
Location: South West
Description This well known national charity is re-shaping their Marketing and Fundraising Department. To help them do this they are developing an integrated, audience-focused, multi-channel and innovative strate...

Regional New Business Development Manager

Apply Add to basket

Salary Min: £40,000.00, Salary Max: £50,000.00, Salary Rate:Yearly
Location: International
Description This international charity is seeking a Regional New Business Development Manager to provide leadership in increasing its financial resources through large-scale fundraising efforts in its Africa Regi...

European Fundraising and Partnerships Manager

Apply Add to basket

Salary Min: £50,000.00, Salary Max: £60,000.00, Salary Rate:Yearly
Location: London City
Description This is a newly created role within this expanding international charity. The role will primarily be responsible for establishing and implementing the infrastructure needed to grow the annual revenue...

Area Fundraiser - London and SE

Apply Add to basket

Salary Min: £26,200.00, Salary Max: £29,700.00, Salary Rate:Yearly
Location: South East
Description This leading benevolent fund is looking for an Area Fundraiser to work from home to promote the fund across London and the South East with the aim to increase financial and voluntary support for. ...

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