Chief Executive Officer CEO

Beyond Reflections; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK charity is seeking a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead the organization in its mission to support the Trans+ community. The CEO will provide compassionate leadership, oversee strategic growth, and ensure safe and high-quality services. The position requires significant leadership experience, understanding of trans+ issues, and strong communication skills. The role offers a salary between £40,000 and £52,000 with the flexibility to work remotely and in-office in Southampton.

Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience in charity or mental health sectors.
• Deep understanding of issues facing trans+ communities.
• Experience designing or delivering training programmes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the charity's strategic plan delivery.
• Ensure compliance with charity law and quality standards.
• Oversee high-quality delivery of all services.

Skills

Leadership experience

Strategic planning

Financial management

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Understanding of trans+ issues

Education

Relevant degree or advanced qualification

Job description

Beyond Reflections is a charity supporting the needs of Trans+, Non-Binary people including friends and allies. We are looking for an inspiring person who can continue to grow and develop the charity so it continues to advance and improve its impact and sustainability - a full job lack is available.

More details can be found at our website where a job pack has full details.

About Beyond Reflections

Beyond Reflections is a UK charity providing dedicated mental‑wellbeing support to Trans+ people, as well as to their families, friends, and allies. We offer a combination of group support, one‑to‑one services, and therapeutic interventions delivered by experienced case workers, counsellors, and therapists.

Our work spans both online and in‑person settings, ensuring support is accessible, confidential, and rooted in compassion.

From facilitated support groups and tailored counselling to mentoring, safe social spaces, and specialist guidance, we aim to meet people where they are and provide the right help at the right time.

We play a wider role in strengthening inclusion across society. Our training and development programmes, which have been delivered to organisations such as the CPS, Hampshire Police, BQ, and the University of Southampton, focus on Trans+ awareness, allyship, leadership coaching, conflict resolution, and policy development. All income from this work goes directly into our hardship fund, enabling us to support those who would otherwise be unable to access help.

Volunteers are an essential part of our organisation. They contribute across support services, events, administration, and governance, bringing a wide range of lived experiences and skills. We provide a supportive environment for volunteers to grow, develop, and contribute to meaningful change.

Our Services

• Support Groups and Community Spaces
• One‑to‑One Support
• Therapy and Counselling
• Mentoring
• Practical Support

Job Description and Person Specification

Please read this job description and person specification carefully to help you write your cover letter and tell us how you meet our requirements for the role. We are looking for potential from applicants.

Job Title

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Salary

£40,000 - £52,000 per annum (FTE)

Hours

0.8 - 1 FTE, with some flexibility required to meet organisational needs.

Location

Southampton, 3‑4 days in the office with options to work remotely when required.

Reports To

Board of Trustees

Responsible For

Members Coordinator and Admin, Volunteer Coordinator, Revenue Coordinator, Therapeutic Lead. Contractors, including Supervision Lead, Bid Support and Social Media/PR.

Job Description

The Chief Executive will provide clear, compassionate, and forward‑looking leadership that strengthens Beyond Reflections’ impact and ensures our services remain safe, accessible, and responsive to the needs of the Trans+ community. They will translate the Board’s vision into organisational strategy, oversee effective operations, and build a culture rooted in our values of respect, inclusion, and empowerment. They will be responsible for guiding the charity through a period of growth in response to increasing demand. This includes developing partnerships across the charity and public sectors, driving financial sustainability, supporting staff and volunteers, and ensuring our services maintain the highest standards of quality and safeguarding.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Organisational Development

• Lead the delivery of the charity’s strategic plan, ensuring the organisation remains responsive to the needs of the Trans+ community.
• Identify opportunities for growth, innovation, and collaboration across the sector.
• Translate strategic priorities into clear operational objectives and measurable outcomes.

Governance, Risk & Compliance

• Act as the primary link between the Board of Trustees and the organisation, ensuring clear communication and timely implementation of Board decisions.
• Ensure full compliance with charity law, safeguarding requirements, quality standards, and regulatory obligations.
• Provide clear, accurate reporting to the Board to support effective governance and decision‑making.
• Maintain strong organisational risk management and business continuity processes.

Operational Leadership & Service Delivery

• Oversee high‑quality delivery of all services, including support groups, counselling, therapy, mentoring, training, and volunteering programmes.
• Lead and support the senior management team (e.g., Operations, Therapeutic, and Fundraising leads) to ensure effective operational oversight.
• Promote continuous improvement, data‑informed decision‑making, and consistent service standards across online and in‑person provision.

People, Culture & Wellbeing

• Foster an inclusive, trauma‑informed, and person‑centred organisational culture that reflects the charity’s values.
• Recruit, lead, and develop staff, ensuring strong performance and wellbeing.
• Support and integrate volunteers across service delivery, promoting engagement, recognition, and effective practice.

External Relations & Partnerships

• Act as an ambassador for Beyond Reflections, representing the charity to funders, partners, policymakers, statutory bodies, and the media.
• Build strategic partnerships, including collaboration with broader LGBTQIA+ organisations and health/social care providers.
• Advocate for Trans+ people, contributing to policy, awareness, and sector development.
• Ensure member voices inform organisational decisions and strategic direction.

Finance, Fundraising & Sustainability

• Lead financial planning, budgeting, and stewardship to ensure sustainability and value for money.
• Grow diversified income streams, including unrestricted funding, grants, training revenue, and corporate partnerships.
• Maintain relationships with funders, commissioners, donors, and commercial partners.

Person Specification

We know that no candidate will meet every single requirement in this pack, and we strongly encourage you to apply even if you’re unsure you tick every box. If you share our values, bring relevant experience, and feel motivated by our mission, we’d be very glad to hear from you.

Essential Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience, preferably in the charity, social care, or mental health sectors.
• Lived experience as a trans, non‑binary, or gender‑diverse person, or personal experience connected to the Trans+ community.
• Deep understanding of issues facing trans+ (gender‑diverse) communities.
• Experience designing or delivering training programmes for organisations.
• Proven track record in strategic planning, financial management, and fundraising.
• Experience of mental health or therapeutic service delivery.
• People‑management skills: experience managing teams, developing staff, and supporting volunteers.
• Network of relationships in the LGBTQIA+ sector, statutory bodies, or philanthropic funding landscape.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder‑engagement skills, including public speaking, advocacy, and partnership building.
• Experience scaling organisations, diversifying income, or developing trading/social enterprise models.
• Strong governance knowledge and experience working with or reporting to a Board of Trustees.
• Understanding of digital transformation and digital service delivery.
• Commitment to safeguarding, equality, diversity, inclusion, and trauma‑informed practice.
• Experience overseeing remote, hybrid or multi‑site teams.
• Demonstrated ability to lead in emotionally complex environments and maintain professional boundaries.
• Familiarity with commissioning processes and local authority partnership models.

Desirable Qualifications

• Additional knowledge or experience in the specific sectors mentioned above.
• Advanced qualifications in leadership, mental health, or relevant fields.

How to Apply

Submitting an application

To apply for this role please submit your CV and a cover letter to us.

Your cover letter should address the following questions and be no longer than one A4 page:

1. Why do you want to be part of Beyond Reflections?
2. How do your skills and experience meet what is set out in this Job Description?

To be considered for the role you must submit your application by the deadline. We want to see people at their best and so of course will make any reasonable adjustments relating to long‑term conditions or disabilities that you need to help you perform at your best. Please let us know if this applies to completing your written application. We also ask you to let us know when submitting your application if you have any requirements for accessibility‑related adjustments if you are selected for an interview.

Interviews

First‑round interviews will take place in the week commencing 9th February 2026 and will take place online. Second‑round interviews will take place w/c 16th February, where you will be asked to give a presentations to Trustees. If you will be unavailable for any of these dates please mention this in your application email. These dates may be extended subject to the number of applications.

References and eligibility checks

Once we have identified a preferred candidate via the interview process, we will carry out reference checks and legally required checks of eligibility to work in the UK before making a final job offer.