Chief Executive Officer, PROSPECTUS

Guardian Jobs; England; On-site; GBP 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A new environmental charity in East Suffolk seeks a Chief Executive Officer to lead its mission of enhancing ecological diversity and resilience in the region. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to shape the organization, partner with local communities, and focus on impactful environmental action while managing a substantial long-term investment.

Qualifications

• Strong track record of leadership in environmental sectors.
• Entrepreneurial drive and strategic thinking.
• Passion for natural environment and understanding of climate challenges.
• Commitment to equity and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Shape and lead the organisation during its early years.
• Establish the grant-making programme.
• Act as the public voice for environmental action.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic Thinking

Communication Skills

Resilience

Partnership Building

Job description

A new environmental charity in East Suffolk is being established with a bold, long-term mission: to help make the region the most ecologically diverse and environmentally resilient area in England.

With a planned investment of £78 million over the next 70+ years, the charity will support transformative environmental action—enhancing biodiversity, restoring landscapes, and enabling communities to connect with and care for the natural world.

Rooted in one of the most remarkable and environmentally sensitive areas in the UK—home to National Landscapes, rare habitats, and a highly valued heritage coast—the charity is being created through an innovative partnership between a major infrastructure developer and local government bodies.

Chief Executive Officer

Location: East Suffolk office to be established

Salary: Circa £85,000

As the founding Chief Executive, the successful candidate will work with an experienced Board of founding Trustees to shape and lead the organisation in its crucial early years—building the charity, establishing the grant-making programme, and acting as the public voice for environmental action in the region.

This is an extraordinary opportunity to lead:

• A start-up charity with a guaranteed long-term income stream and major ambition
• A mission-focused organisation with the potential to make lasting, generational impact on people and nature
• A platform for collaborative, creative leadership on climate, conservation, and environmental education
  
  
  

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• A strong track record of leadership, ideally in the environmental, public or charitable sectors
• The entrepreneurial drive and strategic thinking to establish and grow a new organisation
• Passion for the natural environment, with a good understanding of climate and ecological challenges
• Outstanding communication skills and resilience, with the ability to build partnerships and act as the charity’s ambassador
• A commitment to equity, inclusion and public engagement in all aspects of the organisation’s work
  
  
  

Applications are welcomed from individuals of all backgrounds, with a commitment to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that reflects and serves all communities across East Suffolk.

To find out more information including how to apply, please redirect to the role on the Prospectus website.

Application deadline: Sunday 29th June (midnight)

Interviews: Friday 25th July