Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Sailors' Children's Society; Hessle; On-site; GBP 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Sailors' Children’s Society seeks a senior leader to drive growth and strategic delivery across the UK charity. You will be the face of the charity, shaping strategy with the Board and expanding family support through diverse income streams, building high-value partnerships and leading a compassionate team.

You will represent the Society across maritime and charitable sectors, oversee safeguarding, governance and finances, and nurture relations with patronage and seafaring communities.

Qualifications

• Senior executive leadership experience in a charity or comparable purpose-led organisation.
• Proven ability to grow organisations and transform strategy into deliverable plans.
• Track record of securing significant income and building high-value partnerships.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building and influencing skills.
• Experience leading and empowering teams with an inclusive style.
• Experience working with boards of trustees or non-executive boards.
• Strong financial and commercial judgement under pressure.
• Commitment to purpose, values, equality, diversity and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Shape and deliver the Society's next strategy with the Board of Trustees.
• Grow the scale and reach of family support and shift towards self-sufficiency.
• Lead a diverse income strategy across corporate partners, trusts, major donors, events and maritime sector.
• Lead, motivate and empower a skilled team in a trauma-aware culture.
• Hold accountability for safeguarding, governance and finances.
• Build relationships with Patron, President, partner charities and seafaring communities.
• Oversee communications and brand to tell a consistent impact story.

Skills

Senior leadership

Strategic planning

Fundraising & income growth

Stakeholder engagement

Team leadership

Board interaction

Financial acumen

Equality, diversity & inclusion

Job description

Lead our next chapter of growth! Sailors' Children's Society is a UK charity supporting children and young people from seafaring families in need, including families with Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleet backgrounds. We support children and their families through financial grants, family breaks, practical and emotional support, and a growing range of programmes that help families build long-term stability and independence.

Over recent years, the Society has been transformed. The charity has been modernised and its foundations strengthened. Our family offer has been redesigned around self-sufficiency rather than short-term relief, and our fundraising has been rebuilt with a new events programme and a partnership model that brings corporate, philanthropic and maritime sector partners alongside our work.

The Role

Working in partnership with the Board of Trustees, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for the Society. You will be the face of the charity, with the presence and confidence to lead and speak at events and to represent us across the maritime and charity sectors, while leading and empowering our team to be confident ambassadors for the Society too.

• Shape and deliver the Society's next strategy with the Board of Trustees.
• Grow the scale and reach of our family support, building on the shift towards family self-sufficiency.
• Lead a diverse and sustainable income strategy across corporate partners, trusts and foundations, major donors, events and the maritime sector, personally leading our most significant relationships.
• Lead, motivate and empower a skilled team within a positive, trauma-informed culture.
• Hold overall accountability for safeguarding, governance and the Society's finances.
• Build strong relationships with our Patron and President, partner charities, the armed forces and seafaring communities.
• Oversee our communications and brand, telling a consistent and compelling story of our impact.

About You

We are looking for someone with:

• Senior executive leadership experience in a charity or comparable purpose-led organisation, with a track record of leading growth, change and transformation.
• A forward-thinking, strategic approach, with the vision to spot new opportunities and turn strategy into clear, deliverable plans.
• A proven record of securing significant income and building high-value partnerships.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building and influencing skills, and the presence to be the face of the Society.
• Experience of leading, developing and empowering teams, with a compassionate and inclusive style.
• Experience of working with a board of trustees or non-executive board.
• Financial and commercial acumen, and sound judgement under pressure.
• A commitment to our purpose and values, and to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Why Join Us

This is a rare opportunity to lead a charity at an exciting point in its story. You will:

• Make a real difference to the lives of children and families from seafaring communities across the UK.
• Build on strong foundations, with a modernised charity, a redesigned family offer and a growing fundraising programme already in place.
• Have the freedom to shape the Society's next strategy and leave a lasting legacy.
• Work with a committed and supportive Board of Trustees and a dedicated team.
• Represent a much-loved charity with a long maritime heritage and royal patronage.

It would be great if you also bring experience of children and family services, the maritime, armed forces or seafaring communities, or leading fundraising events, but we know great leaders come from many backgrounds.

The role is based in Hessle and involves regular travel across the UK, including to London and Portsmouth, and regular evening and weekend work for events and services. As our team is based in Hessle, we need someone who is able to work from there.

The appointment is subject to an enhanced DBS check.