Chief Executive Officer

Sigrid Rausing Trust; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent grant-making foundation based in London is seeking a Chief Executive to lead its grant-making initiatives. The successful candidate will be an experienced leader with expert knowledge in human rights and environmental challenges. They will work closely with an engaged Board and team to shape the foundation's future. Strong strategic leadership, negotiation, and team guidance skills are essential. The role offers a unique opportunity to drive significant societal change.

Qualifications

• Experienced and visionary leader with a deep understanding of human rights and environmental issues.
• Ability to negotiate and influence key stakeholders effectively.
• Experience in leading teams with a supportive and guiding approach.

Responsibilities

• Shape and deliver the future direction of grant‑making.
• Work closely with the Board and staff team.
• Support and guide a capable team internally while being externally facing.

Skills

Expert knowledge of key challenges

Strategic leadership

Negotiating skills

Influencing skills

Team leadership

Job description

The Sigrid Rausing Trust is a grant‑making foundation based in London. Founded in 1995, the Trust plays a pivotal role in supporting the values and principles of human rights and the rule of law, and to preserve nature from further degradation across Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia.

Guided by these liberal values, we also support a number of strategic initiatives that bring together grantees from diverse fields to address specific problems or opportunities for change.

The Role

We are now seeking a Chief Executive who will join at an exciting time where they will have the opportunity to work with a committed Board and staff team to shape and deliver the future direction of our grant‑making.

We are looking for an experienced and visionary leader who brings expert knowledge of the key challenges in our thematic areas and regions of focus.

You will work with a dedicated Board and highly motivated team and will bring strategic leadership, negotiating and influencing skills, with the ability to be externally facing whilst actively leading, supporting and guiding a capable team internally.

How to apply

To make an application, please go to https://starfishsearch.com/jobs/srt-ceo/ and click on the apply now button, with the following prepared:

• Your CV (no more than three sides).
• A supporting statement (no more than two sides) that sets out why you think this role is the right move for you and how you meet the knowledge and experience criteria.

Closing date: 8th February 2026

Preliminary interviews: w/c 16th February 2026

Final Panel interviews: w/c 2nd March 2026