Chief Executive

GatenbySanderson; Manchester; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading sports governing body is seeking a Chief Executive to shape the future of basketball in England. This role involves leading strategic objectives, driving commercial growth, and doubling membership over the next four years. The ideal candidate is a charismatic leader with experience in transformational change and a commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. If you're passionate about the power of sport and ready to lead an impactful organisation, we want to hear from you.

Qualifications

• Charismatic and visionary leader at CEO level with transformational change experience.
• Ability to drive social impact through sport and build collaborative relationships.
• Commitment to embedding Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in all activities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of new strategic objectives for 2025–29.
• Drive commercial growth and financial resilience.
• Champion innovation while honouring the sport's heritage.
• Elevate the sport's voice and strengthen community connections.
• Lead the effort to double membership over the next four years.

Job description

This job post will be advertised for a minimum period of two weeks on LinkedIn. After this time please apply directly to https://www.gatenbysanderson.com/job/GSe130968/ until the closing date of Sunday 29th March 2026 (23:59pm).

Lead the Future of Basketball in England

This is a rare and thrilling opportunity to shape the future of one of the UK’s most dynamic and inclusive sports. As our next Chief Executive, you will lead and inspire a passionate, high‑performing team, driving forward transformational change and elevating the sport’s impact at every level of the game.

We are the National Governing Body for basketball in England - a sport fuelled by creativity, community, and cultural energy. With a fast‑growing membership of over 50,000 players, coaches, officials and volunteers, we sit at the heart of a movement that reflects the diversity, ambition and potential of modern Britain. We nurture talent, build inclusive pathways from playground to podium, and empower the communities that give basketball its unique identity and social power.

You will join us at a pivotal moment for the sport. Following the liquidation of the British Basketball Federation (BBF), Basketball England - working with the Home Nations and the professional game - has taken a key role in shaping a new GB National Governing Body. As Chief Executive, you will play a major part in establishing this new organisation and building a coherent, sustainable approach to talent and performance pathways across Great Britain. You will help shape Team England’s 3x3 ambitions, support the reform of the GB performance system, and help deliver a united and forward‑looking vision for the sport’s future.

As Chief Executive this is your chance to shape the future of basketball in England to:

• Lead the delivery of our new strategic objectives for 2025–29 and beyond, ensuring we become an outward‑facing, values‑led organisation recognised for excellence and innovation.
• Drive commercial growth and sustainability, developing diverse income streams, and ensuring the organisation is financially resilient and fit for the future.
• Champion innovation while honouring the sport’s rich heritage, creating the conditions for long‑term growth and relevance.
• Elevate the sport’s voice and influence, deepening our connection with our communities and strengthening our advocacy with national and local partners.
• Lead the effort to double membership over the next four years, one of the most important strategic challenges facing the organisation.

We are looking for a charismatic, visionary leader at CEO (or equivalent) level who has delivered transformational change in complex organisations. You will bring strategic clarity, commercial acumen and the confidence to lead through challenge, opportunity and uncertainty. Experience within sport is strongly preferred but not essential; what matters most is your ability to bring fresh thinking, imagination and a positively disruptive edge to how basketball is developed and delivered in England.

You will understand the power of sport to drive social impact and be able to build trusted, collaborative relationships across a diverse landscape, from grassroots clubs and Regional Chairs to Government, commercial partners and the wider sporting system. You will be an inclusive, values‑driven and compassionate leader who can build a high‑performance culture rooted in trust, accountability and belonging, and who is committed to embedding Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, safeguarding excellence and responsible governance into everything we do.

You will be joining an organisation ready to be challenged, supported and led with purpose. If you believe in the power of sport to change lives and want to lead one of the UK’s most exciting and culturally significant sporting bodies into its next chapter, we would be delighted to hear from you.

For an informal and confidential conversation, please reach out to our consultancy team at GatenbySanderson:

Closing date for applications: Sunday 29th March 2026 (23:59pm)