Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Birkenhead, Merseyside
Involve Northwest
Involve Northwest is an innovative, community-based organisation with an approach that is grounded in our core belief that the services we offer are free, confidential, and are motivated for public benefit, and not profit.

Job Title: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Location: The Community Village, Rock Ferry, and the Wirral community.

Working Pattern: 35 Hours per week (to be discussed)

Salary: £70,000 – £75,000 per annum (FTE) Depending on experience

Reporting To: Board of Directors

Responsible For: Operations & HR Director, Finance Manager and supporting Consultants.

This role is subject to a DBS check and subscription to the update service in line with the internal Safer Recruitment Policy.

Core Responsibilities

1. Lead the organisation, establish its standards, and represent it as the public face and ambassador.
2. Serve as the organisation s figurehead while strengthening and expanding relationships with commissioners and key stakeholders.
3. Define the strategic direction in collaboration with the Board of Trustees.
4. Implement the strategic plan and drive sustainable organisational growth.
5. Provide strong financial leadership, including budgeting, forecasting, income generation, and asset management.
6. Prioritise and advance the diversification of funding streams with overall accountability.
7. Ensure effective risk management and regulatory compliance including GDPR, H&S, Safeguarding, Charity Governance.
8. Build and develop a strong workforce while fostering a unified, one-team culture.

Leadership And Managerial Responsibilities

• Lead the organisation, providing direct line management to the Operations and Human Resources Director, Finance Manager and Consultants.
• Deliver strong, visible leadership across the organisation.
• Accountable for shaping, influencing, and delivering both internal and external operational strategies.
• Maintain strategic oversight of existing contracts and services, ensuring effective delivery and performance.
• Develop, monitor, and review key operational resources, including business plans, business continuity plans, and risk registers.

Strategic Responsibilities

• Scope and drive forward funding & partnership opportunities in support of sustainability and growth.
• Grow Involve Northwest s network of commissioners and strategic/mutually beneficial partnerships.
• Identify the opportunities for collaboration and diversification.
• Consider the organisation, its destination and routes to that destination with out of the box thinking.
• Reviewing all aspects of service provision and the roles of Involve Northwest personnel.
• Oversee management of Involve Northwest assets, including any buildings.
• Assist in identifying new premises and the basis upon which they are occupied (purchased/leased) in the context of Involve Northwest s needs.
• Lead on organisational change; provide governance around internal resources, communication and marketing, and growth.
• Lead on all funding opportunities, including the scoping and writing of bids and responses to tender invitations, expressions of interest and soft market testing as appropriate.
• Overseeing Involve Northwest s communication and marketing strategy.

Partnerships Management

Involve Northwest is predominantly funded through contracts with central and local government. The successful person will interface directly with funders and commissioners, managing those relationships and attending contract meetings where appropriate. Attend external meetings/groups and act as the face of the organisation, in collaboration with the Management Team.

The role will focus on growing Involve Northwest s influence within our network of commissioners and strategic/mutually beneficial partnerships to secure future commissions in new delivery themes or areas in the Northwest that align with our strategy and vision.

You would also be expected to identify, explore, and develop new partnerships outside Involve Northwest s traditional stakeholders with organisations in both the public and private sectors.

This role profile is not exhaustive and is subject to review in conjunction with the post holder and according to future changes/developments within the Company.

Company Duties and Responsibilities:

• Evaluate and work in line with statutory requirements and company policies and procedures, including ISO9001:2015, the Companies Act, Charity Law and UK GDPR.
• Work to Involve Northwest s Safeguarding procedures.
• Represent the charity in the best manner.
• Demonstrate a commitment to the vision, values, and strategic aims of Involve Northwest.
• Maintain high standards of professionalism and keep abreast of current legislation, standards, best practice and maintain a focus of continuous improvement.
• Work within Involve Northwest s practice standards.

Person Specification Essential

Experience

• Significant experience in a senior management role.
• Development of a strategy with a proven record of implementation, tracking and monitoring progress.
• Experience in securing year-on-year sustainable funding.
• The ability to link operational delivery with the strategic plan to achieve its stated objectives.
• Track record in delivering business change.
• Risk management, business continuity and disaster recovery planning and testing
• Working with commissioners/grant funders at senior levels.
• Significant experience in overseeing bid/tender writing at an operational and strategic level, with the ability to present at all levels and deliver reports as required.
• Strong decision-making skills.
• Budget management experience.
• Developing communication and delivery strategies.
• Working in the third sector would be useful but is not essential.

Knowledge and Skills

• Excellent people skills, including communication, relationship building and emotional intelligence.
• Proven track record in change management.
• Problem-solving, planning skills and innovative thinking.
• The ability to implement strategies to meet the organisation s goals agreed with the board of directors.
• Understanding the importance of excellent employee management and have the ability to motivate.
• Excellent organisational skills, results-driven, with a clear focus on outcomes.
• Consider the organisation, its destination and routes to that destination with out of the box thinking.

Personal Attributes

• Innovative thinking.
• A belief in the Organisation s service delivery and objectives.
• Enthusiasm and a catalyst to motivate others.
• Be a visionary for the organisation and lead by example
• Good communication skills with excellent people skills
• Be compassionate and empathetic and have a high level of integrity.
• The ability to deliver honest feedback in a direct but emotionally intelligent way.
• Act with integrity and respect when working with all clients, agencies, and individuals.
• Flexible, adaptable, and an excellent active listener.
• Be a team player with an open and honest manner and be able to build effective relationships.
• High level of personal resilience concerning workload and ability to discharge tasks.
• Excellent organisational skills, hard-working, results-driven, with a clear focus on outcomes.

As a community-focused employer who values the health and well-being of our employees, Involve Northwest encourages a positive work-life balance and actively supports our staff so they can better support the community.

We offer a range of benefits to fulfil this, including:

25 Days Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays

Birthday Day Off

Company Pension & Health Cash Plan (eligible after 3 months)

Extra days of annual leave for service loyalty

Please note this role is subject to a 6-month probation period, 2 satisfactory references, right to work and DBS check.

Involve Northwest is committed to the welfare and safety of all individuals, particularly those who are vulnerable or at risk. We recognise our responsibility to protect the well-being of children, young people, and adults who may come into contact with our charity and its projects. We have a clear Safer Recruitment Policy in place, which is applied to all staff, including third-party individuals and volunteers.