Chief Executive

NCVO; London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

NCVO seeks an accomplished leader to drive transformation across the voluntary sector. This high-profile role involves repositioning contributions of charities, advocating for key changes, and leading a multi-disciplinary team. Interested individuals should have a proven track record in advocacy and transformational leadership, with a passion for supporting the voluntary sector.

Qualifications

• Accomplished advocate with a track record of transformational change.
• Ability to build and motivate a high-performing team.
• Commercial mindset and authenticity are crucial.

Responsibilities

• Lead NCVO through a period of transformation.
• Reposition the sector’s contribution to society.
• Deliver a programme of transformation to meet sector needs.

Skills

Vision

Passion

Drive

Advocacy

Influencing

Emotional intelligence

Job description

For over 100 years, the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) has stood shoulder to shoulder with the voluntary sector, championing the remarkable role of charities and volunteers, ensuring they get the help and support they need to deliver for people and communities. Using our ability to connect and convene, we help make sure the collective voice of charities is heard by those in power raising awareness of the issues and challenges, and campaigning for a better environment for the voluntary sector. We truly are the charities’ charity and are always looking for ways to support our 17,000 members to do what they do best.

Inequality, climate change, divisive public discourse, public service reform. The challenges society faces are complex and multifaceted. As the need in communities grows, the impact is felt at all levels from the largest charities, to small grassroots organisations. We’re already delivering brilliant work to support the sector. We’re working with government to deliver a new Covenant for the sector which is centred in a partnership approach, developing match funding campaigns that will raise millions for small charities in Small Charity Week, and training thousands of charity workers every year to grow and build their skills. But to ensure charities are equipped to play their best role, NCVO must continuously evolve and innovate to meet their changing needs.

After four years, our Chief Executive is leaving NCVO to join Shelter. Now, as our current strategy comes to an end, we are beginning the process of developing our future direction, making this the perfect time to lead NCVO through a period of exciting transformation. To ready ourselves for building our future organisation, we have recently conducted a governance review and refreshed our Board of Trustees. We have a desire to innovate at pace and as a result of prudent management we have resources to invest in the innovation that is needed.

To be successful, you will have the vision, passion and drive to reposition the sector’s contribution to society and to deliver a programme of transformation which ensures NCVO meets the needs of the voluntary sector now, and for years to come. You will be a highly accomplished advocate, people influencer and consensus builder. You will have a track record of transformational change and building, shaping, and motivating a high-performing multi-disciplinary leadership team. Authenticity, emotional intelligence, and a commercial mind set are a must.

This is a high-profile leadership role with influence across the voluntary sector, and beyond, that will give challenge and reward in equal measure. If you feel you have the right values, skills and experience to drive the changes we are seeking to make, please visit the attenti website via the Apply button to read the appointment brief for more information and how to apply.

Closing date for all applications is 9 AM Monday 30 June 2025.

For an informal and confidential discussion, after having read the appointment brief, please contact Anita Denton on 07725 554 802, [e-mail] or David Fielding on 07810 507 235, [e-mail]