Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

HARRIS HILL EXECUTIVE SEARCH; Bromsgrove; On-site; GBP 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent charity is seeking a Chief Executive Officer to lead its operation and drive change during a significant strategic planning cycle. The ideal candidate will bring extensive senior management experience and a proven ability to generate income, ensuring the charity’s mission is fulfilled effectively.

Qualifications

• At least 10 years’ senior-management experience in a comparable organisation.
• Proven track record of income generation across varied channels.
• Experience of strategic planning and budget management.

Responsibilities

• Co-create, implement and evaluate the new five-year strategy.
• Lead a small core team and ensure high-quality service delivery.
• Devise and deliver a diversified fundraising strategy.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Financial Literacy

Strategic Thinking

Collaboration

Education

Graduate or equivalent vocational qualification

Job description

The Rainy Day Trust is seeking a Chief Executive Officer to lead our small but mighty charity as we enter an exciting new strategic planning cycle. If you’re an enthusiastic, dynamic leader ready to roll up your sleeves and drive real change for those who’ve worked in the home-improvement sector, this is your opportunity to steer an 182-year-old charity into its next decade.

About Us
The Rainy Day Trust provides practical, financial and emotional support to people who work - or have worked - in the home-improvement and enhancement industries (builders’ merchants, DIY, garden centres, tradespeople and related sectors). We deliver grants, debt relief, apprenticeship funding, fuel-poverty assistance, legal advice, counselling and e-learning, partnering with industry peers to tackle poverty through both direct intervention and prevention. We pride ourselves on punching above our weight to ensure every beneficiary lives with dignity.

The Role
As CEO, you will work in partnership with the Board to finalise and own our new five-year business plan, ensuring its successful delivery. You’ll combine strategic vision with hands-on leadership. overseeing service delivery, fundraising, financial stewardship and regulatory compliance, while modelling our core values of transparency, fairness, energy, inclusivity and compassion.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Co-create, implement and evaluate the new five-year strategy, business plan and budgets.
• Operational Management: Lead a small core team and manage partner relationships (e.g. Maximus for casework). Ensure high-quality, cost-effective service delivery and robust risk controls.
• Income Generation: Devise and deliver a diversified fundraising strategy (corporate partnerships, events, digital campaigns) to secure financial stability in a demanding climate.
• Governance & Compliance: Act as Nominated Individual to the Charity Commission; support the Board in trustee recruitment, training and governance best practice.
• External Relations: Serve as chief spokesperson; build and sustain partnerships across the home-improvement sector to raise awareness and influence.
• Culture & Values: Foster an organisational culture of learning, innovation, professionalism and integrity that reflects our values at every level.

Key Details

• Job Title: Chief Executive Officer
• Salary: circa £70,000 per annum
• Contract: Permanent, full-time (evenings and occasional weekends; UK travel required)
• Location: Head office in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, with travel across the UK

Person Specification

Essential

• Graduate or equivalent vocational qualification.
• At least 10 years’ senior-management experience in a comparable organisation (charity, social enterprise or commercial).
• Proven track record of income generation across varied channels.
• Experience of strategic planning, budget management and regulatory compliance (Charity Commission, SORP).
• Strong leadership skills: able to inspire small teams and foster collaborative partnerships.
• Excellent communicator, both orally and in writing; adept at presenting complex issues succinctly.
• Financially literate: able to interpret spreadsheets, set forecasts and manage risk.

Desirable

• Experience in the home-improvement, construction or retail sectors.
• Familiarity with mental-health or preventative-welfare work.
• Background in formal collaborations/joint ventures.

Attributes

• Values-driven, demonstrating integrity, empathy and inclusivity.
• Strategic thinker with a results-oriented, commercial mindset.
• Resilient under pressure, well organised and adaptable to changing priorities.
• Curious and innovative: open to new ideas and continuous learning.

If you would like to receive an Information Pack for this role with details on how to apply, please send an expression of interest and (optional but appreciated) a CV or professional profile in confidence to our consultant, Jenny Hills at [e-mail]. For an informal and confidential conversation about this position, please contact Jenny at the above address with suitable times to speak.

Closing date for applications: 9am, Monday 30th June 2025

As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.