CEO

YOUTH ENDOWMENT FUND CHARITABLE TRUST; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading charitable organization in Greater London seeks a skilled CEO to lead the Youth Endowment Fund and prevent youth violence. The ideal candidate will provide strategic direction, foster a supportive culture, and build a strong team. Responsibilities include guiding the organization’s mission, championing evidence-based initiatives, and representing the Fund to external stakeholders. This role offers an opportunity to make a significant impact on vulnerable children’s lives, with an application closing date of 11:59 pm on Sunday, 8th February 2026.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in leading organizations strategically.
• Ability to set clear organizational direction and mission.
• Experience in building a strong team and governance framework.

Responsibilities

• Lead the organization towards its mission and vision.
• Shape and model the organizational culture.
• Build and lead a high-performing senior team.
• Represent YEF externally and drive change.
• Champion evidence-based practices to drive social change.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Effective communication

Building partnerships

Cultural modeling

Job description

The Youth Endowment Fund

CEO

Reports to: Chair, Youth Endowment Fund

Closing date for applications: 11:59 pm Sunday 8th February 2026

We’re here to prevent children and young people becoming involved in violence. We do this by finding out what works and building a movement to put this knowledge into practice.

This role

After six years, our founding CEO is leaving the Youth Endowment Fund. We are looking for a new CEO who will lead the Youth Endowment Fund to achieve its mission. We have already built a deep understanding of what works to prevent violence, close relationships across government, a growing programme to change the practice of those working to prevent violence and a highly skilled and motivated team. We have gained the opportunity of making a lasting difference for vulnerable children. We are looking for an exceptional Chief Executive to take this opportunity.

Key responsibilities

You lead the organisation strategically

You set a clear direction for the Youth Endowment Fund and make sure we stay focused on what matters most. You keep the organisation focused on our vision, our mission and delivering the best possible strategy. You take the lead, over the next few years, in designing YEF 2.0 – the future organisation after the initial 10-year endowment. You make sure everyone understands how their work contributes to that strategy and delivers on keeping children safe from violence.

You shape and model our culture

You set the tone for how we work. We are proud of YEF’s culture, values and behaviours – making it a place that is both kind and ambitious, where people feel backed to do great work and supported to grow. You will model and maintain this culture – encouraging feedback, learning, delivery and collaboration so that doing excellent work together feels natural.

You lead people, projects and governance wisely

You build and lead a brilliant senior team — one that is united, clear in purpose and confident in delivering. You make sure that our finances are sound, our systems are efficient, and our governance is strong. You work closely with the Board so that together we make wise and timely decisions. You ensure that we operate with discipline and pace, managing projects well and keeping promises to partners and to the public.

You represent YEF externally, driving change

You are a public face of the Fund and can present a trusted voice on what works to keep young people safe. You win people over — from all walks of life — because you listen, you care, and you speak clarity. You build relationships of trust with Ministers, civil servants, funders, journalists, practitioners, researchers and young people themselves. You make sure that when YEF speaks – including in the media – it is with credibility, compassion and conviction.

You champion evidence and social change

You keep YEF’s commitment to evidence at the heart of everything we do. You ensure that we remain rigorous, independent and trusted as a source of knowledge. You help turn evidence into real-world action — supporting schools, services, charities and government to use what works to change lives. You make sure that our work doesn’t just generate insight; it drives change that saves lives.

To apply

To read more about this role, please visit our microsite, where you can apply by submitting your CV, supporting statement, and completing the monitoring form by 11:59 pm on Sunday, 8th February.

Please visit our microsite here: https://micro.green-park.co.uk/youthendowmentfund/