Career Development Institute
Chief Executive
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Chief Executive
Role title
Chief Executive
Primary role function
To inspire, grow and ensure the sustainability of the UK’s professional body for career development.
Responsible for
The CDI team of employees, associates and volunteers.
Accountable to
The Board of Directors, through the President.
Salary
£80,603
Hours
Full time, with occasional evening and weekend work.
Location
Home based with a requirement to have a regular presence in the Stourbridge office (Ground Floor, Copthall House, 1 New Road, Stourbridge, West Midlands, DY8 1PH).
Pension
4% employer contribution to personal pension.
Annual leave
25 days annual leave plus public holidays. Three days leave is given to staff between Christmas and New Year at the discretion of the Chief Executive.
Download the full personal specification
Job specification-Chief Executive-2026
About the CDI
The CDI is the professional body for the UK career development sector, with a membership of over 4,800 individuals and organisations. We exist to fulfil two broad purposes – to enable our members to offer the best support they can to their clients, and to champion the profession for the value it can add to individuals, the economy and society.
Our members help people define their career goals, identify their strengths and development needs, and choose the right pathway to gain the skills they need to progress. The cumulative effect of these millions of careers interventions each year helps address social mobility and economic issues such as workforce skills shortages, productivity challenges and moving to a net zero economy.
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Membership of the CDI brings a variety of benefits, including gaining qualifications, a wide range of continuous professional development (CPD), recognition on the UK Register of Career Development Professionals (the Register), key resources to support practice and policy, the latest sector news and access to communities of professionals.
Read the full applicant briefing pack on the Recruitment for CDI Chief Executive page of the CDI website - Recruitment for CDI Chief Executive
How to apply
If you would like to apply for this position, please send the following:
- An up-to-date CV outlining your employment history, academic and professional qualifications, and contact details.
- A supporting cover letter of no more than 2 sides of A4, demonstrating how you meet the criteria outlined in the person specification, and why you are interested in working for the CDI.
Please submit your completed application to liz.treadwell@thecdi.net.
Applications for this position will be open until Friday 30th October at the latest. However, we will review applications part-way through October to fast-track interviews for any shortlisted candidates and may withdraw the vacancy before the closing date.
Diversity
Our members help people from across society to thrive in their careers and lives. As their professional body we are led by our values.
CDI members and staff are required to abide by the CDI Code of Ethics, holding each of us to the high standard expected of a valued profession.
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The CDI’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion strategy sets out our work to welcome, encourage and enable people from diverse communities to succeed in the career development profession. In our recruitment we encourage applications from candidates from under-represented communities, and if you require any assistance during the application process, please contact liz.treadwell@thecdi.net.
Next steps
- Closing date for applications: Friday 30th October, with interim review of applications from 15th October.
- First interview with the CDI Board: 15th-30 October for early applicants, 2-13th November for final applicants.
- Meeting with current Chief Executive and staff: 9th to 27th November.
- Second interview with the CDI Board: 16th to 27th November.
- Appointment to be made by 30th November.
Please state in your application if you have any commitments during the interview period that may coincide with these dates.
The successful candidate may be invited to attend the CDI National Conference on 2nd and 3rd December as an observer. Applicants are asked to try and be available for at least one of these days in case they are successful.
The current Chief Executive will remain in post to conduct an effective handover until at least the end of April 2026.
If you require any further information or would like an informal conversation with our current Chief Executive, David Morgan, about the role, please contact Liz Treadwell at liz.treadwell@thecdi.net.
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