CEO

Basingstoke Counselling Service; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A charitable counselling and training organization in the United Kingdom is seeking a CEO to lead operational delivery and ensure service quality. Responsibilities include managing a motivated team and developing business strategies to enhance growth. Ideal candidates should have experience in health care or counselling and strong financial management skills. The deadline for applications is 12 October 2025.

Qualifications

• Experience managing a small, motivated team.
• Background in health care, counselling, or mental health.
• Ability to engage and build confidence with stakeholders quickly.
• Experience with developing business plans.
• Ability to manage resources and budgets effectively.
• Proven financial management experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee operational delivery, ensuring targets are met.
• Work with the Board on strategy to enhance service quality.
• Develop and grow services during sustained growth.

Skills

Managing a motivated team

Experience in health and social care

Stakeholder engagement

Business plan development

Resource and budget management

Financial management skills

Job description

Overview

We are working in partnership with Basingstoke Counselling Service (BCS), a registered charity, who are a highly regarded training providers and counselling service. Their aim is to provide affordable counselling and training services to the community of Basingstoke and the wider areas of Hampshire.

They offer one-to-one and couples counselling for adults, via a team of counsellors who provide a professional and affordable service. Their counsellors are supervised and practise within the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions. They also provide a range of training courses for those interested in supporting others with mental health difficulties and have a long heritage of running highly regarded courses from one-day CPD workshops through to a three-year BACP Accredited Diploma in Psychodynamic Counselling.

Role

The Board of Trustees are seeking a new CEO to lead and be accountable for all aspects of operational delivery, ensuring that targets are met while enabling the Board of Trustees to fulfil its strategic and governance responsibilities. Working with the Board to review the medium- and longer-term strategy for the organisation to continue to deliver high-quality services to their users and to develop and grow the service during this time of sustained growth.

Required experience and skills

• Successfully managing a small highly motivated group.
• Experience ideally in health and social care, counselling, or wider mental health.
• Solid engagement skills with the ability to build confidence across a wide range of stakeholders quickly.
• Proven expertise in the development and implementation of business plans to capitalise on opportunities.
• Experience of effectively managing resources and budgets.
• Proven financial management skills, with previous P&L accountability.

For more information, please contact Sandra Smith, Associate Director, Charisma Charity Recruitment. Applications should be submitted through the Charisma website and include your CV and supporting statement.

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, or other category protected by law.

Closing date: 12 October 2025

First interview date: w/c 27 October 2025

Please note: Charisma interviews must be completed by 16 October, prior to shortlisting