Chief Executive Officer jobs in United Kingdom

CEO: Women’s Equality Network Wales

WEN Wales is seeking to recruit a new CEO to oversee the next exciting stage of our development as a membership charity, campaigning for and championing women’s rights and equality in Wales.

In the past five years we have more than doubled our income, developed an ambitious strategic plan and run impactful campaigns. Now we want to take the next step in our journey to deliver our vision of a Wales free from gender discrimination with a new CEO at the helm.

You will work closely with a small and dedicated team on a wide range of exciting and innovative projects, including:

• an award-winning mentoring programme, Equal Power Equal Voice
• the successful Diverse5050 campaign
• our Feminist Scorecard
• our State of the Nation Report
• our childcare campaign
• the 100 Welsh Women initiative

We’re looking for someone who:

• is driven, motivated, and deeply committed to building a Wales free from gender discrimination
• brings inclusive and inspiring leadership, with a proven ability to lead and empower teams
• has a strong grasp of how to develop thoughtful, evidence-based policy and advocate for it effectively
• is a skilled communicator and networker, able to engage confidently across diverse audiences
• excels at building and sustaining strategic partnerships with other organisations.

Interested? Please apply by sending your CV and a covering letter of no more than two sides of A4 outlining:

• how your skills and experience align with the role
• the contribution you believe you can make to achieving our vision

Closing date: Friday 17 October, 6pm. Interviews w/c 27 October.

Job Description: CEO of WEN Wales

Location: Hybrid: home and Cardiff office

Working hours: 37.5 hours per week (currently 30 hours as part of our four-day week trial). Part-time and job share arrangements will be considered

Salary: £57,000

Reporting to: the board via the Chair

Main objectives of role:

• Deliver WEN Wales’ vision and strategy
• Act as lead spokesperson for the organisation
• Ensure compliance with all relevant statutory and other relevant requirements
• Lead fundraising and ensure financial sustainability

Direct reports:

• Policy and Public Affairs Manager
• Communications and Engagement Manager
• Programmes Manager
• Finance Administrator
• Administrative Assistant

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Location: Cardiff-based office, with flexibility to work in a hybrid model. We support a blend of remote and in-office working to suit individual and organisational needs.

The post-holder will need to be able to travel regularly to Cardiff and must also be prepared to travel to other parts of the UK or occasionally overseas as required. This post will require some evening and weekend work which can be taken as TOIL.

Contract: Permanent

Main duties

Strategic direction and governance

• Work with the Chair and the board to set the strategy and ensure that the Charity fulfils its strategic priorities
• Support the board and its sub-committee to maintain good governance and ensure our policies are up to date and fit for purpose
• Provide the board with all necessary management information, including the Finance Administrator’s quarterly management accounts, quarterly progress reports, and risk register updates, to support good quality decision-making.
• Attend board meetings and board committees as required.

Operational and people

• Provide strong and empathetic leadership to the staff team and to volunteers, nurturing their talent and helping them achieve their objectives
• Live WEN’s organisational values (be relentless, responsible and kind), visibly demonstrated by your actions and behaviours
• Ensure all our GDPR and data management obligations are met
• Demonstrate sound financial management, ensuring records are kept accurately and up to date
• Ensure WEN Wales meets all its statutory reporting requirements
• Work with the Treasurer and the board to develop and approve the budget. Fundraising
• Implement a fundraising strategy which supports the wider organisational strategy in a sustainable way
• Ensure a strong pipeline of funding applications and lead on some funder relationships. Policy and communications
• Provide thought leadership through WEN Wales’ public-facing work
• Safeguard WEN Wales’ reputation for evidence-based campaigning and policy work
• Interpret the evidence and represent WEN’s policy positions confidently and accurately
• Be the lead spokesperson for WEN Wales, driving forward high impact campaigns and ensuring that we maintain a high profile across media outlets
• Actively engage WEN Wales’ members and supporters in our work
• Ensure the growth of our membership
• Build and maintain partnerships and alliances with others in the women’s sector and across other sectors
• Have oversight of the Engagement Strategy.

This job description is not exhaustive. The post-holder may be required to undertake additional tasks and responsibilities as directed.

Benefits

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Contributory pension
• Flexible working
• Four day-week (trial until February 2026)