Chief Executive Officer

Northampton Hope Centre; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading charity in Northamptonshire seeks a Chief Executive Officer to provide strategic leadership and support efforts to tackle poverty, hunger, and homelessness. The ideal candidate will have a proven record in senior leadership, strategic planning, and income generation, along with strong financial management skills. You will lead diverse teams, manage relationships with various stakeholders, and ensure compliance with governance standards. This full-time, permanent role offers flexibility for some remote working.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of senior leadership in charity or public sectors.
• Strong strategic planning and organisational development experience.
• Demonstrable success in income generation.
• Excellent financial management skills.
• Experience of working with or reporting to a Board of Trustees.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and implementation of the charity's strategy.
• Ensure delivery of the charity's vision and mission.
• Manage financial planning and budget sustainability.
• Provide leadership to the Senior Leadership Team.
• Represent the charity locally and nationally.

Skills

Senior leadership

Strategic planning

Income generation

Financial management

People leadership

Communication skills

Job description

Overview

Job Description Chief Executive Officer

Post Title: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Reports to: Board of Trustees

Location: Northampton (with flexibility for some remote working)

Salary: £50,000 £60,000 p.a.

Contract: Full-time, permanent

Direct Reports: Senior Leadership Team

Purpose of the Role

The Chief Executive Officer will provide inspirational and effective leadership to Northampton Hope Centre, ensuring delivery of its mission to tackle poverty, hunger and homelessness. The CEO will lead strategy, fundraising, governance and organisational development, while building strong external relationships that enhance the charity s profile and impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership
  • Lead the development and implementation of the charity s strategy in partnership with the Board of Trustees.
  • Ensure delivery of Hope s vision, mission and values across all services and enterprises.
  • Identify opportunities for growth, innovation and impact in both charitable and social enterprise activity.
• Governance & Compliance
  • Work closely with the Chair and Trustees to ensure effective governance.
  • Ensure full compliance with charity law, safeguarding, employment legislation, and regulatory requirements.
  • Provide timely reports, insight and recommendations to the Board.
• Financial & Resource Management
  • Lead the organisation s financial planning, budget management and long-term sustainability.
  • Oversee the development of Hope Enterprise to generate surplus income.
  • Secure diverse funding streams including grants, contracts, trading income, and philanthropic support.
• Operations & Services
  • Provide leadership to the Senior Leadership Team to ensure services are high quality, trauma-informed and impactful.
  • Promote a culture of continuous improvement, safeguarding and accountability.
  • Ensure staff and volunteers are well-supported, motivated, and aligned with organisational values.
• External Relations & Advocacy
  • Act as the public face of Hope, representing the charity locally and nationally.
  • Build and maintain strong partnerships with funders, commissioners, statutory bodies, community partners and the media.
  • Advocate for people experiencing poverty, homelessness and hardship, influencing policy and practice where appropriate.

Person Specification

Essential

• Proven track record of senior leadership in the charity, public or social enterprise sectors.
• Strong strategic planning and organisational development experience.
• Demonstrable success in income generation (grants, fundraising, social enterprise or contracts).
• Excellent financial management skills, including budget oversight.
• Experience of working with or reporting to a Board of Trustees or equivalent governance body.
• Strong people leadership skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate staff and volunteers.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion, safeguarding, and the mission of Northampton Hope Centre.

Desirable

• Experience of homelessness, housing, or poverty-related services.
• Knowledge of charity law and governance best practice.
• Experience in social enterprise start-up or development.
• Established networks in the charity, housing or local government sectors.

Closing

Closing Date: Friday 31st October 2025

Interviews: Thursday 13th November 2025

The Hope Centre is a leading charity tackling poverty, hunger and homelessness in Northamptonshire. Through our vital services, campaigning, and social enterprise activity, we support some of the most vulnerable in our community and strive to create lasting change.