Chief Executive Officer

Well Women Centre; Wakefield; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A women-only charity in Wakefield is seeking a dynamic CEO to lead its strategic direction and oversee operations. The successful candidate will be instrumental in building relationships with stakeholders, securing funding, and ensuring the organisation's long-term sustainability. Applicants should have experience in organisational leadership, financial management, and a commitment to feminist practice. This role offers a salary of £52,134.47 – £54,773 pro rata and is office-based. Join a dedicated team making a tangible difference in women's lives.

Benefits

Employee pension scheme

Health insurance

Ongoing CPD

Wellbeing sessions

Generous annual leave allowance

Funded training opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in organisational leadership and governance.
• A strong track record in partnership development and influencing.
• Ability to secure funding through grants and contracts.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic direction of the organisation.
• Oversee operations and ensure sustainability.
• Build relationships with commissioners and funders.

Skills

Organisational leadership

Financial management

Partnership development

Trauma-informed practice

Strategic vision

Job description

CEO Vacancy£52,134.47 – £54,773 pro rata, dependent on experience.

Hours are open to negotiation, office based in Wakefield.

Please note that it is a genuine occupational qualification that a female takes on this role, and the post is exempt under section 7 (2) (e) of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975.

About Well Women Centre

Well Women Centre is a women-only charity supporting women aged 16+ across the Wakefield district. For over 40 years, we have delivered trauma-informed counselling, one-to-one casework, group work and holistic support to women experiencing multiple disadvantages, including domestic abuse, mental ill health, substance use, poverty and social exclusion.

We are deeply rooted in feminist values, lived-experience leadership and strong community connections. Our work centres women’s voices and recognises the structural inequalities that shape their lives.

The Role

We are seeking a visible, dynamic and values-led CEO to lead Well Women Centre into its next chapter. This is a pivotal leadership role with responsibility for shaping the strategic direction of the organisation, overseeing operations, and ensuring our long-term sustainability and impact.

The successful candidate will build and strengthen relationships with commissioners, funders and strategic partners; identify new opportunities for collaboration; and increase our ability to secure non-statutory and unrestricted funding. You will work closely with the Board of Trustees, senior staff and external stakeholders to maintain the organisational health, integrity and resilience of the charity.

About You

• A clear commitment to women-only, trauma-informed and feminist practice
• Strategic vision and the ability to lead through challenge and change
• Experience of organisational leadership, governance and financial management
• A strong track record in partnership development and influencing
• Alignment with values of social justice, inclusion and solidarity
• Evidence of ability to secure contracts, commissioned work, grants and other avenues of funding to enable the Centre to continue to deliver its full service offer.

We welcome applicants with lived experience and those from under-represented backgrounds.

Why Join Us?

This is an exceptional opportunity to lead a highly respected community charity, make a tangible difference to women’s lives, and shape the future of an organisation that changes lives every day. You will be joining a dedicated team of staff, volunteers and trustees who are passionate, skilled and deeply committed to the women we serve.

WWC offer staff an employee pension scheme, health insurance, ongoing CPD, wellbeing sessions, generous annual leave allowance and funded training opportunities.

What our clients say about us:

‘Thank you for helping me through one of the most challenging times of my life. You listened to me, you didn’t judge me, you supported me and advocated for me speaking with other services. You reminded me to keep speaking up when things weren’t right. You kept reassuring me to trust my own judgement. You helped me to see clearly at a very stressful time. And you referred me for counselling after a session where I came in and cried at you! I am so happy to say that my son and I are both doing well. There will always be challenges to navigate but he is safe and happy and I’m feeling so much better to be able to cope with whatever comes next. Thank you for being there for us both. I will always be grateful for how you helped us.’

What our partners say about us:

‘Well Women Centre are an outstanding organisation, they lead with compassion, care and professionalism. Well Women offer a vital and urgently needed resource, supporting women experiencing trauma, domestic abuse or other mental health and psychosocial challenges a safe, confidential and gender-specific space where they can speak freely without judgment or re-traumatisation. The service empowers women to begin healing and break cycles in order to move forward with their lives.’

How to Apply

Pre-application discussion

If you would like to arrange a call with a trustee to discuss the role before applying, please email: [e-mail]

Application requirements

• Submit your CV
• Include a covering letter (maximum two pages) Email: [e-mail]

Key dates

• Closing date: Sunday, 18 January 2026 at 9:00am
• Interviews: Week commencing 26 January 2026