Interim CEO | City Harvest

Peridot Partners; England; Hybrid; GBP 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading charitable organization in West London is seeking an Interim CEO to guide its mission of surplus food redistribution. The candidate will provide strategic leadership, strengthen financial sustainability, and enhance community trust. Ideal candidates will have CEO/COO experience in charities, strong financial management skills, and enthusiasm for social impact. The role offers a competitive salary of up to £90,000 per annum. Closing date for applications is 15th October 2025.

Qualifications

• Charity experience is essential.
• Desirable to have logistics or supply chain experience.
• Enthusiasm for reducing food poverty and protecting the planet.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic clarity and operational stability.
• Build trust within the organization and community.
• Strengthen financial sustainability and income growth.
• Deliver efficient food redistribution services.
• Execute a short-term business plan with clear milestones.

Skills

CEO/COO experience in a charity or social enterprise

Organisational development

Financial management (budgets of at least £4M)

Stakeholder engagement

Volunteer-based operations

Charitable fundraising strategies

Safeguarding and health & safety knowledge

Job description

Join City Harvest as Interim CEO and play an integral part in London’s safe, sustainable solution to surplus food redistribution. City Harvest rescues food, people and the planet.

• Location: West London, 4 days in the office, 1 day at home. Minimum 9 months
• Salary: Up to £90,000 per annum

We ensure no good food is wasted and your surplus reaches those who need it most, diverted from landfill. We also help companies achieve Sustainable Development Goals. We provide free food to organisations supporting the homeless, food banks, children and family groups providing food parcels, community and faith groups feeding those in need, women’s refuges, the elderly and mental health groups.

About the role

City Harvest is seeking an experienced, values-led Interim Chief Executive Officer to guide the organisation through a period of revitalisation. This is a unique leadership opportunity to shape the future of one of the capital’s most vital social impact organisations, ensuring food reaches people who need it most, safely, efficiently and with dignity.

As Interim CEO, you will provide strategic clarity, operational stability and inclusive leadership. Working closely with the Board of Trustees and senior leadership team, you will:

• Build trust and alignment with people across the organisation and wider community.
• Strengthen our long‑term financial situation, building sustainability and driving income growth.
• Lead a cultural shift to build a more transparent, inclusive, high‑performing environment.
• Ensure the continued delivery of safe, reliable, and efficient food redistribution services.
• Develop and execute a short‑term business plan within the first two months, with clear milestones across the duration of the contract.

Who we are looking for

• CEO/COO experience in a charity or social enterprise
• Successful track record of organisational development
• Deep experience in financial management (budgets of at least £4 M)
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and communication skills
• Experience with volunteer‑based operations, logistics, or warehouse management
• Strong understanding of charitable fundraising and/or income generation strategies
• Familiarity with safeguarding and health & safety in a fast‑paced environment
• Enthusiasm for the City Harvest mission “to reduce food poverty and protect the planet by diverting nutritious food from waste to those in need.”

Charity experience is essential, and it would be desirable to have experience in a complex operations business, such as logistics or supply chain.

This is a pivotal moment for City Harvest. The need for our services is growing. With your leadership, we can move into our next chapter with renewed confidence, clarity, and compassion — delivering life‑changing impact for thousands of people across London.

For further information about the role or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultant at Peridot Partners: Minh Vu – Head of Client Services – [e-mail] or [e-mail]. Alternatively, please email [e-mail] with the subject Application: City Harvest—Interim CEO.

Equality and Diversity

We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and are an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, colour, nationality, gender, religious or philosophical beliefs, age, disability or any other protected characteristic. If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010 and can show that you meet the ‘essential’ criteria described in the person specification, please let us know.

Closing date & timetable

Closing date: 9 a.m. Wednesday 15th October 2025
Candidates informed of outcome: Thursday 16th October 2025
Interviews: Thursday 23rd or Friday 24th October TBC

We look forward to your application. Warm regards,
Paul Freeston
Chair of Trustees