StarterMotor Charity
General Manager
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About StarterMotor
StarterMotor is a UK-based charity dedicated to securing the future of the classic and historic vehicle industry by enabling the next generation to build meaningful careers within it.
Working in partnership with schools, colleges, employers, museums, clubs and industry leaders, we connect young people with opportunities that inspire, develop and launch careers across the industry.
Through careers education, mentoring, work experience and industry engagement, StarterMotor is helping to ensure the skills, knowledge and passion needed to sustain our automotive heritage continue for generations to come.
As the charity continues to grow, we are seeking an exceptional General Manager to lead the next stage of development. This is a unique opportunity for someone with commercial acumen, entrepreneurial drive and a genuine passion for the classic and historic vehicle world to lead an ambitious charity with national influence.
The Role
Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the General Manager has overall responsibility for the leadership and management of StarterMotor Limited.
As the charity's senior executive, you will be responsible for delivering the organisation's strategy, ensuring excellent governance and financial stewardship, growing income, and developing partnerships to maximise impact.
This is a varied, hands-on leadership role requiring someone equally comfortable presenting to major donors, developing strategic partnerships, managing budgets, attending industry events and supporting young people to develop their employability skills.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Deliver the charity's strategic plan and work with the Board to shape future direction.
- Identify new opportunities for growth, innovation and long-term sustainability.
- Ensure StarterMotor remains recognised as a trusted and influential organisation within both the charity and automotive sectors.
Operational Leadership
- Lead the day-to-day management of the charity and its activities.
- Manage the Marketing and Events Specialist direct report (only other full-time employee).
- Ensure the successful delivery of careers events, student mentoring, work experience opportunities and industry engagement.
- Develop efficient and effective systems, policies and processes that support sustainable growth.
- Monitor performance against agreed objectives and KPIs.
Fundraising & Commercial Development
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- Develop and deliver the charity's fundraising strategy.
- Secure income through grants, trusts, corporate partnerships, sponsorship, charity-led fundraising and individual giving.
- Build long-term relationships with donors, sponsors and strategic partners.
- Identify new commercial opportunities that strengthen the charity and supports its charitable objectives.
Financial Management & Governance
- Take overall responsibility for the charity's financial management, budgeting and reporting.
- Ensure robust financial controls, value for money and effective stewardship of charitable funds.
- Maintain full compliance with Charity Commission, Companies House, GDPR and other statutory requirements.
- Support the Trustees in meeting their governance responsibilities.
Industry & Stakeholder Engagement
- Ensure that the charity has a strong public presence through a range of marketing and PR activities.
- Build productive relationships across the classic and historic vehicle industry and education sector.
- Represent StarterMotor at motor shows and exhibitions, conferences, industry events and networking opportunities.
- Promote the charity through public speaking, media activity and stakeholder engagement.
Leadership & Culture
- Inspire, motivate and support the reporting staff member, volunteers and the charity’s young Ambassadors.
- Foster an inclusive, collaborative and ambitious organisational culture.
- Encourage continuous learning, professional development and innovation.
- Lead by example, demonstrating integrity, accountability and professionalism.
About You
You will be an experienced leader with strong commercial judgement and a genuine desire to make a lasting difference to the future of the classic and historic vehicle industry.
You will combine strategic thinking with a practical, hands-on approach and enjoy working in a small organisation where every decision has visible impact.
Essential Skills & Experience
- Proven leadership experience within the commercial, charity or automotive sectors.
- Strong commercial and financial acumen, including budget management and organisational planning.
- Demonstrable success in developing strategy and delivering organisational growth.
- Experience securing funding through grants, sponsorship, partnerships and fundraising.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the confidence to engage senior stakeholders throughout the industry.
- Strong organisational and project management skills.
- Self-motivated with the ability to manage competing priorities.
- A passion for developing young people and helping them achieve successful careers.
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Desirable Experience
- Knowledge of the UK charity sector and charity governance.
- Experience working with schools, colleges or educational organisations.
- Understanding of careers education, employability or skills development.
- Have existing networks within the classic and historic vehicle industry.
Personal Qualities
We're looking for someone who shares StarterMotor's values and ambitions.
You will be:
- Passionate about preserving the future of the classic and historic vehicle sector.
- Enthusiastic about creating opportunities for young people.
- Entrepreneurial, proactive and commercially minded.
- Authentic, approachable and collaborative.
- Highly organised with excellent attention to detail.
- Resilient, adaptable and comfortable taking ownership.
- Committed to integrity, transparency and accountability.
Why Join StarterMotor?
This is more than a management role. For someone who is passionate about classic and historic vehicles, this is a rare opportunity to turn that passion into meaningful work, helping to ensure the industry you hold dear has a future.
It is an opportunity to shape the future workforce of one of Britain's most distinctive industries, an industry with an annual turnover of £7.3 billion, employing 34,500 people supporting a car parc of over 1.9 million vehicles.
Every partnership developed, every pound raised and every young person supported contributes directly to preserving the skills, craftsmanship and businesses that define the UK's classic and historic vehicle community.
Additional Information
StarterMotor is an equal opportunities employer.
The role is primarily based at Bicester Motion, Oxfordshire, with occasional travel and weekend working to support events throughout the year.
A full UK driving licence is essential, together with a genuine enthusiasm for the classic and historic vehicle industry.
To apply, please send your CV to info@startermotor.co together with a covering statement explaining why you would like to lead StarterMotor and how your experience meets the requirements of the role.
Application window closes Wednesday 30th September.
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