Chief Executive Officer

West House; Workington; Hybrid; GBP 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

West House in Workington, Cumbria, seeks an exceptional Chief Executive Officer to lead the organisation through its next chapter with hybrid working opportunities. The post supports adults and children with learning disabilities across Cumbria, employing over 400 colleagues and a £15 million income, with relocation support for exceptional candidates.

We are looking for a strategic, visible leader who can balance commercial acumen with social impact, delivering high-quality services and

Qualifications

• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel across multiple sites.

Responsibilities

• Lead West House as Chief Executive Officer to drive strategic leadership and growth.
• Provide strategic leadership to ensure West House delivers outstanding outcomes for the people it supports while strengthening organisational performance, quality, sustainability and growth.
• Work with the Board, regulators, commissioners, colleagues and external partners to foster relationships and system leadership.

Job description

Chief Executive Officer

Organisation: West House
Location: Workington, Cumbria (hybrid working)
Salary: Circa £100,000 plus benefits
Relocation Support: Available for exceptional candidates
Closing Date: 14 October 2026
Requirement: Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel across multiple sites.

Lead one of Cumbria's most respected social care organisations.

West House is seeking an exceptional Chief Executive Officer to lead the organisation through its next chapter. Supporting adults and children with learning disabilities across Cumbria, West House combines a proud 40-year history with ambitious plans for the future. With more than 400 colleagues, an annual income of approximately £15 million and a diverse portfolio of regulated services and social enterprises, this is an opportunity to lead an organisation that changes lives every day.

Working closely with the Board, you will provide strategic leadership to ensure West House continues to deliver outstanding outcomes for the people it supports while strengthening organisational performance, quality, sustainability and growth. This is a role for a visible and authentic leader who can balance commercial acumen with a deep commitment to social impact.

We are looking for an accomplished executive with significant leadership experience at Director or CEO level within a complex, CQC and Ofsted-regulated, human-centred organisation. You will have a proven track record of leading through growth, change or transformation, engaging and developing high-performing teams, and delivering sustainable improvements in quality, efficiency and organisational performance.

You will be a strategic thinker with excellent relationship-building skills, capable of working effectively with boards, regulators, commissioners, colleagues and external partners. Experience of delivering contracted regulated services, or generating unrestricted income would be advantageous, as would a strong track record of partnership working and system leadership.

In return, West House offers the opportunity to lead a highly regarded organisation with a strong reputation, committed workforce and clear sense of purpose. For the right individual, this is a chance to make a lasting difference to the lives of the people, families and communities West House serves while shaping the future of one of the region's leading care providers.

West House is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all backgrounds.