Chief Executive - Clinks

Cadence Partners; City Of London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A national infrastructure body in the justice sector is seeking an inclusive and strategic Chief Executive to lead and strengthen partnerships across the criminal justice system. The ideal candidate will bring strong leadership, commercial acumen, and a commitment to collaboration and values-driven change. Apply before midnight on 26th November 2025 to join this pivotal organization as it moves forward.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in strategic and financial leadership roles.
• Ability to work across complex stakeholder networks.
• Proven track record in influencing government and philanthropy.

Responsibilities

• Guide Clinks into its next phase of development.
• Strengthen trust across the sector and manage relationships with partners.
• Diversify income and coordinate efforts within a driving strategy.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Financial leadership

Influencing at senior levels

Commercial acumen

Fundraising ability

Political judgement

Collaboration

Job description

Clinks is the national infrastructure body supporting voluntary organisations working in the criminal justice system. For more than 25 years, Clinks have championed their role, strengthened their voice, and connected government, funders and frontline organisations to create lasting change.

They believe in people’s capacity for change, and in the voluntary sector’s power to help them realise it. Through research, policy and advocacy, Clinks ensures that the experience and expertise of charities and social enterprises shape the systems and services that affect people in the justice system and their families.

Clinks acts as the backbone of the voluntary sector in criminal justice, supporting others to thrive rather than competing with them. They work in deep partnership across the system to strengthen small, specialist and lived-experience-led organisations.

This is a pivotal moment for Clinks and the wider sector. Their strategy, Leading for Change 2030, sets a clear direction to coordinate, connect and inform the organisations they serve, while diversifying income and strengthening trust across the sector. As their long-standing Chief Executive steps down, they are seeking a new leader to guide Clinks into its next phase.

Clinks are looking for an inclusive, strategic and values-led Chief Executive who can combine credibility and confidence with a deep commitment to collaboration. You will bring strong strategic and financial leadership, experience of working across complex stakeholder networks, and the ability to influence at senior levels in government, philanthropy and civil society. Commercial and fundraising acumen will be essential, as will political judgement and the ability to balance independence with partnership.

The outgoing Chief Executive has embodied Clinks’ values through her authenticity, integrity and ability to build trust across government, grassroots organisations and people with lived experience. They are looking for someone who can sustain that same spirit of principled and empathetic leadership, bringing both clarity and courage to a challenging landscape.

If you can bring vision, pragmatism and diplomacy to a values-driven environment, and you share our belief in fairness, evidence and change, Clinks would be delighted to hear from you.

For more information on the role, including how to apply, view the Candidate Pack.

Closing date: midnight, Wednesday 26th November 2025.