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About the Adam Foundation
The Adam Foundation is an independent charitable foundation established to strengthen communities, develop future leaders, and promote social cohesion across the United Kingdom. Inspired by an Islamic ethos of service and guided by the values of integrity, excellence, and public benefit, the Foundation works with partners across the public, private, and voluntary sectors to create lasting social impact.
The Foundation delivers its mission through three complementary pillars:
- Community Exchange - Supporting stronger communities through education, civic participation, volunteering, dialogue, and community partnerships.
- Avicenna Foundation - Advancing education, research, leadership development, and scholarship to improve opportunity and social mobility.
- Adam Hub - Creating a collaborative platform for innovation, partnerships, incubation, and the delivery of programmes that strengthen civil society and community leadership.
Together, these pillars enable the Foundation to develop practical solutions that strengthen communities while creating opportunities for future generations.
Governance
The Adam Foundation is governed by an independent Board of Trustees.
- The Chief Executive Officer is accountable to the Board through the Chair and is responsible for implementing the Board's strategy, policies, and decisions.
- The Founder provides the long-term vision and values upon which the Foundation was established.
- The CEO is expected to work closely with the Founder while maintaining the Foundation's governance framework and independence in accordance with Charity Commission guidance and trustee oversight.
- The Foundation is supported by charitable funding arrangements, including grants and partnerships with connected organisations where appropriate. Responsibility for the management of family assets or separate charitable entities does not form part of this role.
The Opportunity
This is a rare opportunity to build one of Britain's most significant independent philanthropic institutions.
The successful candidate will lead the Foundation through its next stage of development, building an organisation recognised for excellence in governance, measurable social impact, and long-term institutional leadership.
Purpose of the Role
The Chief Executive Officer is responsible for the strategic, operational, and organisational leadership of the Adam Foundation.
Working with the Board of Trustees, the CEO will ensure the Foundation delivers measurable public benefit while maintaining the highest standards of governance, transparency, safeguarding, and financial stewardship.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Deliver the Foundation's long-term strategy.
- Translate the founding vision into measurable objectives.
- Build organisational capability for sustainable long-term growth.
- Identify emerging opportunities where the Foundation can deliver meaningful public benefit.
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Organisational Leadership
- Lead and develop a high-performing executive team.
- Build an organisational culture centred on integrity, excellence, and service.
- Develop systems, processes, and operational resilience.
- Lead succession planning and organisational development.
Programme Delivery
- Provide executive leadership across the Foundation's three strategic pillars:
- Community Exchange
- Avicenna Foundation
- Adam Hub
- Ensure programmes are evidence-based, financially sustainable, and demonstrate measurable impact.
Adam Hub Development
- Lead the strategic development of Adam Hub as the Foundation's centre for collaboration, innovation, and partnership.
- Develop relationships with educational institutions, businesses, charities, entrepreneurs, and community organisations to maximise the Hub's long-term impact.
Governance & Compliance
- Ensure full compliance with:
- Charity Commission guidance
- Company law
- Safeguarding requirements
- Financial reporting obligations
- Data protection legislation
- Risk management frameworks
- Trustee governance requirements
- Provide high-quality reporting and advice to the Board.
Financial Stewardship
- Lead the Foundation's budgeting, financial planning, and resource management.
- Ensure responsible stewardship of charitable funds, effective financial controls, and long-term organisational sustainability.
- Manage funding relationships, grant agreements, and service arrangements with partner organisations in accordance with trustee-approved governance frameworks.
Partnerships & External Relations
- Develop strategic partnerships with:
- Government
- Local authorities
- Universities
- Businesses
- Faith organisations
- Community groups
- National charities
- International partners
- Represent the Foundation as a trusted and politically independent civic institution.
Community Engagement
- Champion meaningful engagement with communities across the UK.
- Promote interfaith dialogue, civic participation, and collaborative partnerships that strengthen social cohesion and public trust.
Reputation & Communications
- Protect and enhance the Foundation's reputation.
- Develop thought leadership, public engagement, and communications strategies that reinforce the Foundation's values and mission.
- Manage organisational risk, including reputational issues and relationships with connected parties.
Success Measures
Within the first three years, the CEO will have:
- Built a high-performing executive leadership team.
- Strengthened governance and regulatory compliance.
- Delivered measurable impact across all three programme pillars.
- Increased community engagement and programme participation.
- Established Adam Hub as a recognised platform for collaboration and innovation.
- Developed high-value strategic partnerships across government, academia, business, and civil society.
- Published transparent impact and annual reports.
- Achieved strong financial sustainability through prudent stewardship and diversified charitable income.
- Enhanced the Foundation's national profile as an independent and trusted public-benefit institution.
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Person Specification
Essential Experience
- Senior executive leadership experience as a CEO, Executive Director, or equivalent.
- Experience leading organisations of significant scale, complexity, or multi-million-pound budgets.
- Strong understanding of charity governance and trustee relationships.
- Experience leading organisational growth and transformation.
- Excellent financial and commercial judgement.
- Proven ability to build and lead high-performing teams.
- Strong stakeholder engagement and partnership-building skills.
- Outstanding communication and public leadership capabilities.
Desirable Experience
- Leadership within philanthropy or charitable foundations.
- Experience working with family foundations or major philanthropic organisations.
- Knowledge of education, community development, or civic leadership.
- Government or public policy engagement.
- Experience working across multiple sectors.
Knowledge & Understanding
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- A strong understanding of British civil society.
- Appreciation of the diversity of British Muslim communities.
- Commitment to leading an Islamic-rooted organisation that serves the whole of society for public benefit.
- Understanding of safeguarding, equality, inclusion, and public accountability.
- Sound knowledge of charity governance and regulatory compliance.
Leadership Competencies
- Strategic Vision
- Integrity
- Accountability
- Sound Judgement
- Collaborative Leadership
- Political Awareness
- Emotional Intelligence
- Innovation
- Operational Excellence
- Public Service
Personal Qualities
The successful candidate will be:
- Mission-driven
- Values-led
- Inclusive
- Resilient
- Humble
- Entrepreneurial
- Collaborative
- Decisive
- Curious
- Credible
Employment Terms
The successful candidate will be employed on a full-time, permanent basis, subject to satisfactory references, eligibility to work in the United Kingdom, and any appropriate pre-employment checks. Remuneration will comprise a competitive salary and benefits package determined by the Board of Trustees in accordance with the Foundation's remuneration policy.
Application Process
Applicants should submit:
- Curriculum Vitae
- Covering Letter outlining suitability for the role
- Details of two referees (to be contacted only with permission)
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