Chief Executive Officer | Community Catalysts

Peridot Partners; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leadership recruitment consultancy seeks a Chief Executive Officer for a social enterprise focused on community impact. The role involves guiding a values-driven organization, ensuring strategic growth, and fostering relationships within the voluntary and social enterprise sectors. Ideal candidates will possess strong leadership skills, financial oversight experience, and a commitment to social purpose. The position requires excellent communication and people-management abilities, along with a deep understanding of the UK social landscape.

Qualifications

• Experience leading or managing a socially impactful organization, preferably in the voluntary, community, or social enterprise sector.
• Strong strategic vision with proven business-development skills.
• Ability to inspire and develop diverse teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the organization towards its next phase of growth and evolution.
• Shape the organization's direction and maintain its community spirit.
• Ensure financial oversight and business development.

Skills

Leadership in socially impactful organizations

Strategic vision translation

People management

Understanding of social enterprise landscape

Communication skills

Organizational change management

Job description

Chief Executive Officer Community Catalysts

Lead Change. Inspire Communities. Shape What Comes Next. Join Community Catalysts as its new Chief Executive and shape the future of community innovation and social impact nationwide.

• Location: Home based with regular travel (head office in Harrogate)

Who we are

Community Catalysts is a social enterprise that works in partnership to make sure that people can be part of strong, inclusive communities with real opportunities to connect, create and contribute. Established in 2009, we operate across more than 90 local authority areas in the UK, delivering high‑quality, people‑led social care and health solutions. Our small, highly skilled team specialises in community, voluntary and social enterprise work, providing bespoke, evidence‑based programmes that build local resilience and empowerment.

About the role

This is a pivotal moment for Community Catalysts CIC as it moves into its next phase of growth and evolution. The incoming Chief Executive Officer will lead a valued, values‑driven not‑for‑profit organisation with a strong reputation and a track record of delivering impactful community‑based solutions across the UK. Working with a supportive Board, you will shape the organisation’s direction by balancing its community spirit with a clear commercial focus, ensuring Community Catalysts remains at the forefront of positive change for people and places across the UK.

Who we are looking for

We seek an experienced, strategic and values‑led senior leader who combines robust commercial acumen with an authentic commitment to social purpose. The ideal candidate will have:

• Vast experience leading or managing a socially‑impactful organisation, preferably within the voluntary, community or social enterprise sector.
• Strong strategic vision and the capacity to translate vision into tangible strategy and delivery, with proven financial oversight and business‑development skills.
• Exceptional people‑management abilities, demonstrated by inspiring, guiding and developing diverse teams and forging effective partnerships with local authorities, NHS bodies, private companies and other charities.
• A deep understanding of the voluntary, community and social‑enterprise landscape in the UK, including sector drivers, policy, and funding mechanisms.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to articulate the organisation’s purpose to a wide range of audiences, and to build and sustain relationships with external stakeholders.
• Evidence of success in driving organisational change, scaling impact, and sustaining long‑term financial viability.

For further information about the role or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact Rachel Davies at [e-mail].

Timetable

• Closing date: Monday 24th November 2025
• Candidates informed of outcome: Tuesday 2nd December 2025
• First stage (virtual) Interviews: Monday 8th and Tuesday 9th December 2025
• Second stage Interviews (in person in Birmingham): Tuesday 16th December 2025

Peridot Partners and Community Catalysts are committed to promoting equality and diversity. We value the diversity of applicants and are dedicated to fostering an inclusive recruitment process that respects all individuals. All information provided will be held in strict confidence, in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018.

All individuals are invited to contact us confidentially about any disability or accommodation needs that may assist them during the recruitment process.