Chief Executive

Sutton Coldfield; Mere Green; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Three days per week

Job summary

Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust invites an outstanding Chief Executive Officer to lead the organisation through a pivotal period of opportunity, investment and community impact. You will provide overall leadership, oversee assets, housing and grant-making, and work closely with trustees and advisers to deliver meaningful benefits for Sutton Coldfield.

The role combines charitable leadership, financial stewardship and property oversight, with significant autonomy and a focus on partnership

Qualifications

• Leadership experience in a senior charity or public sector organisation.
• Financial literacy and track record with significant assets/investments.
• Ability to build relationships with councils, partners and community organisations.
• Strong governance understanding and strategic decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership to the Trust.
• Steward a substantial property, investment and land portfolio.
• Lead the delivery of the Trust's five-year strategy.
• Oversee grant-making, housing and community investment activities.
• Represent the Trust with councils, partners and civic leaders.
• Shape plans for the Trust's 500th anniversary and major projects.

Job description

For almost 500 years, Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust has supported local people and communities through housing, grant-making and community investment. Today the Trust manages more than £79 million of assets, provides 46 almshouse properties for older residents and distributes over £1 million annually in grants to individuals, schools, charities and community organisations. As we approach our 500th anniversary in 2028, we are seeking an outstanding Chief Executive Officer to lead the organisation through an exciting period of opportunity, investment and community impact., Reporting to the Chair and Board of Trustees, you will provide overall leadership for the Trust and be responsible for ensuring that its assets, resources and activities continue to deliver meaningful benefits for the people of Sutton Coldfield. This is a distinctive leadership role that combines elements of charitable leadership, financial stewardship, property oversight and partnership working. You will lead a committed team, work closely with trustees and specialist advisers, oversee major projects and represent the Trust across a wide range of local and regional partnerships.

Key priorities will include:

• Providing strategic and operational leadership to the Trust
• Stewarding a substantial property, investment and land portfolio
• Leading the delivery of the Trust's five-year strategy
• Overseeing grant-making, housing and community investment activities
• Building productive relationships with councils, partners, community organisations and civic stakeholders
• Supporting the delivery of key projects, including Falcon Lodge and wider community investment initiatives
• Helping shape plans leading up to the Trust's 500th anniversary in 2028

The role offers significant autonomy. Trustees provide oversight and support, while day-to-day leadership and operational responsibility sit firmly with the Chief Executive.

Why This Role Will Appeal

This is a rare opportunity to lead a highly respected local institution with a unique combination of heritage, assets and social impact.

The role offers

• The opportunity to lead an organisation approaching its 500th anniversary
• Responsibility for substantial charitable assets and investment decisions
• The chance to shape major community and housing initiatives
• High-profile engagement with civic, political and community leaders
• A broad, varied leadership role combining strategy and delivery
• The opportunity to make a lasting difference to the Sutton Coldfield community

The post is offered on a three-day-per-week basis, creating an attractive opportunity for an experienced leader seeking portfolio working, greater flexibility, or a first Chief Executive role alongside other professional commitments. The Trust is open to candidates maintaining other consultancy or portfolio activities, subject to appropriate management of any conflicts of interest.

We are open-minded about background and sector experience. You may already be a Chief Executive, a senior leader looking for a first CEO appointment, or someone bringing transferable experience from charity, housing, local government, property, professional services or a similarly complex environment.

You will bring

• Strong leadership experience and sound organisational judgement
• Financial literacy and confidence working with significant assets and investments
• Experience of building effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders
• The ability to navigate political and community contexts with tact and diplomacy
• Commercial awareness and an understanding of governance
• A collaborative, inclusive and hands-on leadership style
• A genuine commitment to community impact and public benefit

Most importantly, you will bring the credibility, curiosity and judgement required to lead a small but influential organisation with a long history and an ambitious future.