Chief Executive Officer

Care4Calais; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

Care4Calais is seeking a Chief Executive Officer to lead the charity across the UK and Northern France. The role involves strategic leadership, financial oversight, fundraising and external representation, with a focus on safeguarding and governance.

You will work closely with the Board of Trustees to steer operations, support a growing staff and volunteer network, and ensure sustainable, high-quality aid for refugees and asylum seekers.

Qualifications

• Previous experience at CEO, Director or senior executive level.
• Proven track record leading teams and managing complex operations.
• Strong financial management experience including budgets and planning.
• Experience reporting to a Board of Trustees.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience representing an organisation externally (public speaking or media).
• Ability to develop and implement strategies while leading day-to-day operations.
• Experience developing teams in a volunteer-led organisation.
• Solid understanding of governance, safeguarding and risk.
• Experience with refugee/asylum policy or working with a French organisation would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver the charity's strategic vision with the Board.
• Oversee UK and Northern France operations, ensure effective service delivery.
• Lead and develop the senior management team and staff/volunteers.
• Provide leadership to the wider staff and volunteer network.
• Take overall responsibility for financial management and sustainability.
• Collaborate with fundraising teams to grow income sources.
• Represent Care4Calais publicly to media, policymakers and partners.
• Ensure governance, safeguarding, compliance and risk management.
• Monitor performance and report to the Board with improvements.
• Champion wellbeing and development of staff and volunteers.

Skills

CEO-level experience

Board reporting experience

Stakeholder management

Financial management

Public speaking / media engagement

Strategic planning

Governance & safeguarding

Team development in volunteer-led org

Refugees/asylum policy knowledge

Cross-location leadership

Job description

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) - Care4Calais

Salary: £80,000 per annum

Location: Home-based, anywhere in the UK, with regular travel across the UK and to France

Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

Are you an experienced senior leader looking for an opportunity to make a real difference? Care4Calais is looking for a passionate, experienced and forward-thinking Chief Executive Officer to lead our charity through its next stage of development. We are a humanitarian charity providing essential aid, support and solidarity to refugees and asylum seekers across the UK and Northern France. Supported by a dedicated network of staff and volunteers, we work tirelessly to ensure that people seeking safety are treated with dignity, compassion and respect. From delivering essential supplies and helping people access legal support to challenging misconceptions and advocating for refugee rights, our work makes a difference to thousands of lives. Following a period of significant growth, we are looking for an inspiring and capable leader who can build on our achievements, strengthen our operations and help shape the future of Care4Calais. This is an opportunity to lead an organisation with a clear purpose, committed people and the determination to make a lasting impact.

Role overview

As Chief Executive Officer, you will work closely with the Board of Trustees to provide strategic leadership and ensure the charity continues to deliver effective, sustainable and high-quality support to those who need it most. You will oversee operations across the UK and Northern France, lead and develop our senior management team, and help create a positive and supportive environment for our staff and volunteers. The role combines strategic planning with hands-on leadership, financial oversight, fundraising and external representation. You will also play an important part in raising awareness of refugee rights, building relationships with key stakeholders and ensuring Care4Calais remains a strong and respected voice for the people we support.

Key Responsibilities

• Work alongside the Board of Trustees to develop and deliver the charity's strategic vision and long-term plans.
• Oversee day-to-day operations across the UK and Northern France, ensuring services are delivered effectively and resources are used responsibly.
• Lead, support and develop the senior management team, creating a positive, inclusive and accountable working culture.
• Provide leadership and direction to our wider staff and volunteer network, recognising the vital contribution volunteers make to our work.
• Take overall responsibility for financial management, including budgets, financial controls, reporting and long-term sustainability.
• Work closely with fundraising teams to strengthen existing income streams and identify new funding opportunities.
• Represent Care4Calais publicly, including engaging with the media, policymakers, partner organisations and other key stakeholders.
• Ensure effective governance, safeguarding, risk management and regulatory compliance across the charity.
• Monitor organisational performance, identify opportunities for improvement and provide regular updates to the Board of Trustees.
• Champion the wellbeing and development of staff and volunteers working in often demanding and challenging environments.

Skills and experience

We are looking for a confident and compassionate leader who can balance the practical demands of running a growing organisation with a genuine commitment to the people and communities we support. You will bring significant senior leadership experience, strong organisational skills and the ability to inspire others, make difficult decisions and lead through change. The successful candidate will have:

• Previous experience at CEO, Director or senior executive level, ideally within the charity, NGO or humanitarian sector.
• A proven track record of leading teams and managing complex operations, preferably across multiple locations.
• Strong financial management experience, including responsibility for budgets, financial planning and income generation.
• Experience working with and reporting to a Board of Trustees.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience representing an organisation externally, including public speaking, advocacy or media engagement.
• The ability to develop and implement strategies while remaining involved in day-to-day operational challenges.
• Experience supporting and developing teams, ideally within a volunteer-led or volunteer-supported organisation.
• A strong understanding of governance, safeguarding and organisational risk.
• The resilience, sound judgement and adaptability needed to lead in a changing and sometimes challenging environment.
• Previous experience supporting refugees or asylum seekers, knowledge of UK and European asylum policy, or exposure to working with a French organisation would be advantageous.
• Above all, you will share our commitment to refuge