Chief Executive

The Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation; London; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

An established charity seeks a dynamic Chief Executive to lead its mission of fostering UK-Japan relations. This pivotal role requires a strong operational leader with experience in managing relationships with diverse stakeholders. You will oversee the foundation's governance, financial management, and strategic direction while promoting cultural and educational exchanges. This is a part-time position with the flexibility of hybrid working, allowing you to balance your professional and personal commitments. Join a dedicated team and make a significant impact in enhancing mutual understanding between the UK and Japan.

Qualifications

• Proven track record as a senior operational leader with strong managerial skills.
• Experience with Japan and interest in UK-Japan relations.

Responsibilities

• Lead GBSF to achieve its charitable objectives and manage operations effectively.
• Oversee stakeholder relations and maintain close working relationships.

Skills

Leadership

Managerial Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Financial Management

Stakeholder Management

Understanding of UK Charity Governance

Job description

Job title: Chief Executive and Company Secretary, The Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation (GBSF).

Reports to: Non-executive Chairman of GBSF

Direct reports: Two full-time members of staff: a Programmes Executive in London and a Director Japan Office in Japan

Location: GBSF head office at 24 Bedford Row, London WC1R 4TQ. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. This is a 3.5 days a week position with potential for hybrid working, but requires at least one day a week in the office.

Salary: £55,000 to £60,000 depending on experience and qualification

THE ORGANISATION

The Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation is a UK registered charity, established in 1985 and fully funded by an endowment from The Nippon Foundation. Its main objective is to promote among the people of the UK and Japan, a mutual knowledge, understanding and appreciation of each other’s culture, society, and achievements in a global context, with the outcome of deepening good relations between the two countries. This is achieved through financial support for activities linking the UK and Japan in the fields of arts, culture and education, medicine, science and technology, humanities and social sciences, Japanese language and sports. GBSF’s annual grants programme is in excess of £1 million and enables a wide range of activities including:

1. Visits between the UK and Japan by academics, professionals, scientists, creative artists, teachers, young people and representatives of civic and non-governmental organisations
2. Research and collaborative studies, seminars, workshops, lectures and publications in academic and specialist fields
3. Teaching and development of Japanese language and cultural studies in schools, Further Education colleges and universities
4. Exhibitions, performances and creative productions by artists, musicians, film-makers, writers and theatre groups

GBSF is governed by a Board of Trustees split between the UK and Japan. www.gbsf.org.uk

CHIEF EXECUTIVE ROLE

The role of the new chief executive will be to provide the leadership to enable GBSF successfully to meet its charitable objectives. Accordingly, the chief executive will provide leadership in multiple ways:

Internal – Governance, operations and organisation:

1. Maintaining the sound financial position of GBSF
2. Sharing meaningful and timely operational and financial data to support the Board of Trustees in strategic direction setting
3. Working collaboratively with the Board of Trustees and staff to execute long term strategy
4. Leading and/or overseeing GBSF operations in all their aspects, in particular the effective administration of the grants programme, with support from the Programmes Executive and Director Japan Office
5. Managing relationships and communications between UK and Japan Board Trustees and between GBSF and The Nippon Foundation
6. Recruiting and leading GBSF staff
7. Fostering a culture of transparency and coordination across the team
8. Overseeing the development and execution of new projects and events

External – Stakeholder relations and communications:

1. Maintaining close working relationships with key collaborating organisations including the Embassy of Japan, Japan Society, Japan Foundation, Japan House, JSPS, Daiwa Japan Foundation, universities and schools working with Japan
2. Maintaining close working relationships with relevant non-Japan specific official and academic organisations including FCDO, British Council, UUKI, Arts Council, UKRI, to ensure full recognition of GBSF activities
3. Representing GBSF at external events
4. Leading communications for GBSF with Japan related stakeholders and the wider public

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIRED

1. A strong track record as a senior operational leader of an organisation, with good managerial skills
2. Experience of Japan through business, cultural, educational, diplomatic or other professional background. Interest in promoting UK-Japan relations and managing relationships with Japanese stakeholders
3. The ability to oversee operational systems, audit and financial management
4. The ability to work collaboratively with the GBSF Board of Trustees in executing strategy and plans
5. Strong interpersonal skills. The ability to build trusted relationships with key stakeholders
6. An appreciation of UK charity governance and the ability to provide professional oversight of GBSF’s administrative requirements

Deadline for applications: 7 March 2025

Applicants should send a covering letter outlining the reasons for their interest in the role, together with a CV, to gbsfceorecruitment [at] gmail.com

Interviews of shortlisted candidates will be held in-person in central London in the second half of March.

Seniority level

• Executive

Employment type

• Part-time

Job function

• Business Development and Sales
• Civic and Social Organizations