The English Bridge Union Limited
Chief Executive Officer
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Chief Executive Officer
English Bridge Union (EBU) Chief Executive Officer
Job Title: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of The English Bridge Union (EBU) Location: Aylesbury and hybrid and WFH Job Type: Permanent; Full-Time or part-time and flexible
About Us
The EBU seeks to appoint a proactive and innovative CEO who is enthusiastic about bridge. The EBU is a not-for profit company, with almost 15 full time equivalent staff and a turnover of around £1.5m pa; the salary will be commensurate and competitive. The CEO reports to the Board, which is comprised solely of volunteers as are the majority of the members of the committees. The current organisation can be seen at https://www.ebu.co.uk/information-resources/ebu-board-staff-and-committee-members. Our mission is to support the playing of duplicate bridge in England, to ensure our membership is growing and thriving, and that our members are enabled to play more bridge, more often, both face-to-face and online. The EBU has nearly 100 shareholders who represent the County Associations in England. There are over 500 bridge Clubs affiliated to the EBU and around 40,000 active members.
The Role
We are seeking a visionary and dynamic Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead our organization into its next phase following the planned retirement of the present CEO, Gordon Rainsford, in early 2027. We wish to appoint in the near future and to ensure an appropriate period of handover. We expect to begin rolling interviews in Aylesbury, at the EBU Office, during the late summer of 2026. Working closely with the Board of Directors, you will shape our strategic direction, drive operational excellence, and ensure our membership numbers and membership engagement both increase. This is an exceptional opportunity to steer a passionate team and take the EBU to new heights.
How to Apply
Please submit your CV and a cover letter detailing your relevant executive experience to Adrian Darnell, Chair of the EBU Board, at chair@ebu.co.uk.
Job Description for Role of EBU CEO
The role requires the successful applicant to provide:
1. Strategic Leadership
The CEO will contribute to the formulation of the Board’s vision and:
- articulate a clear narrative of the EBU’s direction and development;
- develop the strategic plan, and take the lead in its implementation;
- identify the goals and timescales which support its achievement.
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The EBU has embarked upon a set of strategies to increase the membership and has recently set deficit budgets to accommodate this. The new CEO will have oversight of both the membership campaign and restoring balanced budgets. The latter will inevitably involve the EBU taking advantage of technologies to drive down costs.
2. Organisational Alignment and Culture
The CEO will:
- communicate and deliver the EBU’s values, as established and agreed by the Board;
- motivate and lead the team of EBU staff and volunteers, ensuring that they effectively and appropriately represent the EBU;
- actively promote a culture which encourages innovation and continuous improvement;
- manage the senior staff (including target setting and staff development).
3. Operational Oversight
The CEO will:
- make high level decisions including those concerned with organisational structure;
- working with the Treasurer, set budgets and ensure the Board receives reports in a timely fashion;
- working with the Treasurer, oversee the EBU’s investments;
- oversee the implementation and development of organisational policies, processes and systems;
- ensure that the EBU is legally compliant, flexible, sustainable, and that performance aligns with Board approved goals;
- ensure that the EBU runs efficiently;
- report on performance, risks and opportunities;
- manage the operational relationship between the EBU and the English Bridge Education and Development (EBED). EBED is a charity, which was spun out of the EBU over 10 years ago. The EBU and EBED share many objectives, and the EBU, through a Shared Services Agreement, provides a number of services to EBED (including IT, financial bookkeeping, accounts and some management processes).
4. Board Engagement
The CEO will:
- act as the key link between staff and volunteers and the Board;
- develop a strong relationship with the Board chair, and with individual Directors;
- encourage and support the Board to be involved directly on specific projects.
5. Representation
The CEO will:
- actively engage with shareholders, County Chairs, members, and other volunteers;
- represent the EBU to the media;
- oversee feedback from shareholders, counties, clubs and players;
- be the face of the EBU, promoting the organisation to counties, clubs, members, other National Bridge Organisations, and other stakeholders.
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Person Specification for Role of EBU Chief Executive Officer
The successful candidate will have demonstrated most of the following:
1. Leadership experience
- proven success at CEO or similar senior management level;
- skills to manage and motivate a team of staff and volunteers;
- ability to manage and resolve internal and external conflicts.
2. Strategic & Financial Acumen
- demonstrable ability to develop and implement strategic plans, manage budgets, and drive performance;
- excellent communication, problem-solving and time management skills.
3. Governance Experience
- experience of working with a Board of Directors or Trustees;
- experience of working with internal and external stakeholders.
4. Industry Expertise
- experience of a membership organisation;
- working with volunteers.
And possess the following:
Core Competencies and Skills
- Strategic Thinking & Decision-Making: have the ability to define a vision, make difficult decisions, identify and manage risk;
- Leadership & Motivation: have the ability to inspire staff, cultivate a positive culture, and manage teams effectively;
- Operational Management: have the capability to oversee day-to-day operations and continuously seek to improve efficiency;
- Communication & Influencing: have high-level skills to represent the organization to all stakeholders, counties, clubs, members, the media, and the public.
Essential Personal Attributes
- Integrity and Ethics: have a strong commitment to ethical behaviour, transparency, and good corporate governance;
- Resilience and Adaptability: have the ability to work well under pressure, manage conflicts, and navigate change;
- Drive and Ambition: have a focus on achieving organisational goals.
Desirable Attributes
- Being a bridge-player;
- Experience of IT systems;
- Experience of the successful use of social media as a marketing tool.
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