Chief Executive

Veterans Outreach Support; Portsmouth; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Veterans Outreach Support (VOS) in Portsmouth invites applications for a Chief Executive who will lead the charity through its next phase of development, ensuring financial sustainability and effective governance across local, regional and national spheres.

You will work with the Board of Trustees, Senior Management Team and volunteers to translate ambition into clear priorities, safeguard beneficiaries, and build strong relations with funders, NHS partners and public bodies, while championing

Qualifications

• Leadership experience at a senior level within a charity or similar organisation.
• Proven ability to develop and implement strategy with measurable outcomes.
• Strong track record of financial governance, budgeting and fundraising.
• Experience in building partnerships with funders, NHS, local authorities and charities.

Responsibilities

• Provide inspiring, visible leadership to the organisation, staff and volunteers.
• Deliver the charity's strategic objectives with clear priorities and outcomes.
• Oversee governance, safeguarding, risk management and quality assurance.
• Secure financial sustainability and diversify income streams.
• Build and maintain relationships with funders, commissioners and partners.
• Champion high‑quality, person‑centred services for veterans and families.
• Represent VOS externally to influence policy and practice.

Skills

Leadership

Strategy development

Financial oversight

Partnership working

Job description

CHIEF EXECUTIVE / CEO

Veterans Outreach Support (VOS) is an award-winning charity providing comprehensive welfare, wellbeing and mental health support to Armed Forces and Merchant Navy veterans, their families and carers across Portsmouth, the Solent and beyond. Working through a highly collaborative partnership model, VOS combines direct service delivery with regional leadership and national influence, helping thousands of people each year access the support they need.

Over the last decade, VOS has established itself as both a trusted frontline provider and an influential voice within the veterans' sector. Its impact has been further strengthened through its leadership within Thrive Together South East, its role on the Cobseo Executive Committee and its designation as a VALOUR-recognised centre as part of the Ministry of Defence's national programme to improve support for veterans.

Working closely with the Board of Trustees, Senior Management Team, staff and volunteers, the Chief Executive will lead VOS through its next phase of development, ensuring the charity remains financially sustainable, operationally effective and influential at local, regional and national level.

As Chief Executive, you will:

• Provide inspiring, visible and values-led leadership to VOS, its staff, volunteers and wider stakeholder community.
• Lead the delivery of the charity's strategic objectives, translating ambition into clear organisational priorities and measurable outcomes.
• Maintain oversight of organisational performance, governance, safeguarding, risk management and quality assurance.
• Take executive responsibility for financial sustainability, working with colleagues and trustees to strengthen and diversify income.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with funders, commissioners, NHS partners, local authorities, military charities and other key stakeholders.
• Champion high-quality, person-centred services that improve outcomes for veterans, families and carers.
• Represent VOS externally, helping to shape policy, influence practice and strengthen support for the wider veterans' community.

We are seeking an experienced, collaborative and emotionally intelligent leader who combines strategic capability with a practical and adaptable approach. You may already be a Chief Executive or Director, or you may have led a significant organisational function and be ready for your first CEO appointment.

You will bring experience of leadership, strategy development, financial oversight and partnership working. Equally important will be your ability to build trust, inspire teams, navigate complexity and represent the organisation with credibility across a wide range of audiences.

While previous experience within veterans' support services is not essential, you will have a genuine commitment to improving outcomes for veterans, families and carers and the ability to quickly develop an understanding of the sector and the communities VOS serves.

For further information, please contact Katherine Anderson-Scott, Executive Director, Charisma Charity Recruitment.

Location: Portsmouth, with agreed hybrid working. Regular presence across VOS's services, alongside travel across the Solent, Isle of Wight, South East and nationally as required.

Veterans Outreach Support welcomes applications from all backgrounds and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation. Appointment will be subject to satisfactory references and a DBS check.

Recruitment timeline:

• 2 December - Closing date for applications
• 9 December - All vetting interviews with Charisma must be completed
• w/c 4 January - First-stage interviews with VOS
• w/c 11 January - Second-stage interviews with VOS

The successful candidate will need to be in post between mid-March and mid-April 2027 (latest) to facilitate a full handover with the outgoing Chief Executive.