Chief Executive Officer

Community Link Stafford & District; Stafford; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Community Link Stafford & District is seeking a Chief Executive to lead the charity as it celebrates a long-standing track record of providing accessible transport for members and the community.

The role requires a visible, thoughtful leader who can align the charity’s mission with the commercial realities of contract-led transport services and a commitment to serving older people and members across Stafford & District.

Qualifications

• Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills.
• Financial acumen with ability to grow contracts and manage risk.
• Experience in transport or regulated contracted services preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the whole organisation and safeguard its purpose.
• Ensure contracts, finances and people support accessible transport long term.
• Balance charity aims with the commercial realities of a contract-led service.

Skills

Leadership & stakeholder relationships

Financial & commercial judgement

Contracted transport experience

Job description

Lead a community transport organisation and continue to grow our contracts and services so that we help even more people reach the places and services that matter to them.

Location: Stafford ST16 3EL

Applications close: 9 a.m. Friday 13th November 2026

About Community Link Stafford & District

Community Link has been operating since the mid-1980s, first under the auspices of Stafford Borough Council Voluntary Services and, since 2002, as an independent charity. Its purpose has remained consistent: to provide transport for members who cannot access it because of age, disability, health, location or a lack of public transport. Around 350 people are members today and volunteer drivers continue to provide much of this service.

Community Link is a well-regarded local provider and has been one of the Mayor of Stafford's chosen charities in recent years.

The charity also delivers mainstream and SEN school transport contracts. This work brings in income that supports the member transport service and helps keep it available in Stafford and District. The contracts and fleet are an important part of how Community Link sustains its charitable purpose.

Community Link operates around 50 minibuses and five wheelchair-adapted cars. The mix reflects its broad transport work, including school contracts as well as accessible community journeys for members.

About the role

As the current CEO prepares to retire, the charity seeks its next Chief Executive, inheriting a committed team, an established service and a strong local reputation.

The role is to lead the whole organisation, safeguard its purpose and make sure its contracts, finances and people support accessible transport for the long term.

Who we are looking for

You will be a visible, thoughtful leader who can earn trust, keep the needs of members and older people in view and balance the charity's purpose with the commercial realities of a contract-led transport service.

You will bring:

• Experience leading people and building effective relationships with a range of stakeholders, ideally in a similarly complex service organisation.
• Strong financial and commercial judgement and ability to grow home-to-school and other contracts, cost control, budget planning and to mitigate organisational risk.
• Experience in transport, local authority contracts or a regulated operational setting would be valuable.

The Board is open to candidates who can demonstrate the judgement and curiosity to understand the sector and how contract income can sustain our member service.

Bring your warmth, energy and commitment to practical community transport to this special role.