Chief Officer

Age Concern Epsom & Ewell; Epsom; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 68,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Job summary

Age Concern Epsom & Ewell is seeking a practical, people-centred Chief Officer to translate strategy into plans, lead governance developments and strengthen organisational resilience in a community charity serving older people.

You will oversee daily operations, finances and services, work with fundraising, staff and volunteers, and build partnerships to secure long-term sustainability while keeping the charity responsive and local.

Qualifications

• Experience leading people, services or an organisation and turning priorities into practical plans.
• Strong financial management skills including budgeting and expenditure monitoring.
• Experience in fundraising or developing funding opportunities.
• Experience in managing staff or volunteers and building collaborative teams.
• Ability to assess needs, review practices and lead constructive change.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building with trustees, staff, volunteers and partners.
• Commitment to helping older people live independent, connected lives and to long-term sustainability.
• Knowledge of charity governance, safeguarding and health and safety responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Translate the charity’s strategy into practical plans, lead an initial organisational review and work with trustees to agree priorities.
• Oversee day-to-day operations, finances and services, using evidence on costs and community need to improve quality and efficiency.
• Collaborate with fundraising, legacy coordination and trustees to strengthen income and secure sustainability.
• Support and develop staff and volunteers, build partnerships and raise awareness to extend the charity’s reach.

Skills

Leadership experience

Strategic planning

Financial management

Fundraising development

Governance and safeguarding

Stakeholder engagement

Team development

Change management

Job description

Could you help older people live more independent, connected and fulfilling lives?

Join Age Concern Epsom & Ewell as our next Chief Officer and help shape the future of a much-loved local charity, ensuring older people across the community can access the support, advice and connections they need to thrive.

Location

Epsom & Ewell, Surrey (office-based at The Old Town Hall, Epsom, with some home working possible)

Contract

Permanent, part time (32 hours per week)

About Age Concern Epsom & Ewell

Founded in 1947, Age Concern Epsom & Ewell is an independent local charity helping older people navigate later life, maintain their independence and enjoy better wellbeing.

Our services include information and advice, medical transport, befriending, home visiting, IT support, DIY assistance and social activities, helping people access practical support and remain connected to their community.

Our work is delivered by nine part-time staff, supported by a dedicated volunteer network. In the past year, the quality of our services was recognised when our volunteer community was nominated for The King's Award for Voluntary Service.

From helping people access information and advice, to providing companionship and transport to medical appointments, our work makes a tangible difference to everyday lives.

As we approach our 80th anniversary in 2027, demand for support is growing alongside the challenges of an ageing population. We need to strengthen our financial sustainability, review our services and resources, and adapt to changes in local government and partnership arrangements.

This is an opportunity to build on our strong community roots and long-standing relationships, ensuring the charity remains responsive, resilient and well placed to support older people for years to come.

As our next Chief Officer, you will:

• Translate the charity’s strategy into practical plans, lead an initial organisational review and work with trustees to agree priorities, strengthen governance and build organisational resilience.
• Oversee the charity’s day-to-day operations, finances and services, using evidence on costs, impact and community need to improve quality, efficiency and resource decisions.
• Work with the fundraising team, legacy co-ordinator and trustees to strengthen existing income streams, develop new funding opportunities and support long-term financial sustainability.
• Support and develop staff and volunteers, while building partnerships and raising awareness to extend the charity’s reach and ensure older people, families, funders and partners understand the support available.

Who you are

You will be a practical, thoughtful and motivated leader who combines strategic perspective with a willingness to get involved in the day-to-day running of a small charity. You will bring a warm, approachable and collaborative leadership style, with a genuine commitment to helping people and an appreciation of the personal, community-rooted nature of the charity.

You will bring:

• Experience of leading people, services or an organisation and translating priorities into achievable plans.
• Demonstrable experience of financial management, including budgeting, monitoring expenditure and making effective use of resources.
• Experience of fundraising, income generation or developing funding opportunities.
• Experience of managing or supporting staff and/or volunteers, with the ability to build an engaged and collaborative team.
• The ability to assess organisational needs, review established practices and lead improvements and change constructively.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the confidence to work effectively with trustees, colleagues, volunteers and external partners.
• A genuine commitment to helping older people live independent, fulfilling and socially connected lives, alongside a responsible approach to the charity's long-term sustainability.
• Knowledge of charity governance and the responsibilities involved in maintaining safe, well-managed services, including safeguarding and health and safety.

Experience in older people's services, advice, health, social care or community support would be desirable, as would experience of partnership working with local authorities, health services or other voluntary organisations.

Above all, you will be a self-starter who can identify what needs attention, ask the right questions and turn ideas into practical action. You will listen, build trust and bring people with you, balancing the confidence to lead with the judgement to involve others in shaping the charity's future.

• Make a meaningful difference: Help older people access practical support, maintain their independence and feel less isolated within their local community.
• Shape the next chapter: Play a central role in developing the charity's direction as it approaches its 80th anniversary, with genuine scope to influence its future.
• Build on trusted community roots: Work alongside committed staff, dedicated volunteers and a supportive Board of Trustees, with established community relationships to develop further.
• Create lasting sustainability: Help secure the resources, partnerships and organisational resilience needed to sustain valued services for the long term.

Closing date for applications: 9am, Monday 23rd November 2026

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.