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Interim Chief Executive
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Interim Chief Executive
Steady, trusted leadership through a period of transition
Reporting to: Chair and Board of Trustees
Location: Hybrid and flexible working
Start date: Early November 2026
Contract: Six months, full time
The opportunity
A leading independent charitable foundation with a national profile and a strong public benefit mission is seeking an experienced Interim Chief Executive for an initial six-month assignment, starting in early November 2026.
Following a change in leadership, the Foundation needs a calm, credible and hands-on leader who can quickly build confidence across a small, specialist team, keep programmes and finances running smoothly, and support the Board as it appoints a permanent Chief Executive.
This is a stabilising appointment: continuity and assurance first, with candid and confidential advice to Trustees, rather than a programme of change.
The organisation
The Foundation is an independent charitable funder with an endowment and a long-standing commitment to research, innovation and positive social impact. It works in partnership with academic, charitable and sector organisations to achieve its mission.
It is a small, specialist organisation, supported by external advisers and led by a Board of Trustees.
The role
Reporting to the Chair and Board of Trustees, you will provide visible executive leadership and act as a trusted adviser to Trustees throughout the assignment.
You will:
- Provide calm, visible leadership that reassures colleagues, partners and stakeholders, and maintains momentum across agreed programmes.
- Take day-to-day responsibility for operations, people and risk, with robust financial oversight including the review and authorisation of regular operational and other significant payments.
- Work with senior colleagues and the Chair to ensure financial and investment continuity, including cover arrangements during planned senior leave.
- Listen to colleagues and give Trustees an objective, confidential view of culture, capability and organisational effectiveness.
- Complete and embed an up-to-date Business Continuity Plan.
- Support the recruitment of the permanent Chief Executive and prepare a clear handover.
- Represent the Foundation externally and sustain key relationships with partners and stakeholders.
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About you
Essential
- Substantial experience as a Chief Executive, Interim Chief Executive or equivalent senior leader, including working closely with a Board or governing body.
- Practical financial acumen, with confidence overseeing controls, management information and payment approvals, and the ability to provide credible cover for a senior colleague.
- Experience of leading through transition, uncertainty or senior leadership change.
- The judgement to handle sensitive people matters with fairness and discretion.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
Desirable
- Understanding of at least one of: grant making or philanthropy, research or higher education environments, or investment oversight.
- A steady, approachable style that will quickly earn the trust of a small team that has experienced recent disruption.
Terms and timetable
- Role: Interim Chief Executive
- Contract: Six-month fixed-term contract
- Accountable to: Chair and Board of Trustees
- Start date: Monday 2 November 2026 (target)
- Location: Hybrid and flexible working arrangements, with attendance as required
- Remuneration: Day rate or PAYE employment may be considered; to be discussed
- Working pattern: Full time (five days a week)
- Timetable: Shortlisting mid-October; interviews week beginning 19 October 2026
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How to apply
For a confidential conversation about the role, please contact Ross Nicholson at Charity People at ross@charitypeople.co.uk or on 07855 479454. The name of the Foundation and further briefing materials will be shared with candidates at the initial conversation stage.
To apply, please send:
- A current curriculum vitae.
- A short supporting statement addressing the essential criteria and your availability.
- Your earliest available start date and any commitments that may affect the assignment.
Given the urgency of this appointment, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the Foundation reserves the right to close the search early.
Equal opportunities
The Foundation is committed to an inclusive working environment and welcomes applications from suitably qualified candidates of all backgrounds. Reasonable adjustments will be made at every stage of the process; please tell us what you need.
Charity People actively promotes equality, diversity and inclusion. We match charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates, irrespective of age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we know greater diversity will lead to even greater results for the charities we work with.
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