Chief Executive Officer

Horsham Matters seeks a visionary CEO to lead our dynamic charity in transforming the lives of those facing poverty and hardship across the Horsham District. As a cornerstone organisation addressing both immediate needs and long‐term solutions, we are looking for an inspiring leader to set our strategic vision, empower our team, and secure sustainable growth across our diverse range of community services.

For over fifteen years, Horsham Matters has been at the heart of the community, dedicated to preventing and relieving poverty by providing essential food supplies, expert advice, and holistic support to those in need. As a Christian charity, we are driven by our values of compassion, dignity, and service, ensuring that everyone in crisis receives the help they need, regardless of background or circumstance. We embrace all people regardless of their faith, and this can be seen across our staff and volunteer teams as well as with our clients. We operate a wide range of initiatives designed to address both the immediate and long-term challenges faced by individuals and families experiencing hardship.

Through our committed team of 17 staff and wide network of volunteers and supporters, we deliver a range of innovative projects including our mobile \”Hub on the Move\”, which takes vital support directly into local communities, ensuring that people who may struggle to access traditional services can still receive the help they need. We also run an expanding network of foodbank sessions, which provide not just emergency food parcels but also wraparound services such as budgeting advice, energy support, and signposting to other agencies. Our community cafés offer warm spaces where people can access affordable meals, social connections, and guidance in a welcoming and non-judgmental environment. Beyond food provision, we are committed to early intervention, working to address the root causes of poverty through advocacy, training, and targeted support services.

As we build on this strong foundation, we are seeking a CEO who can skilfully balance strategic leadership with hands-on operational management, fostering collaboration across all areas of the charity. This role is about more than just overseeing services, it’s about driving innovation, securing long-term sustainability, and ensuring that our programmes continue to evolve in response to the changing needs of our community. With increasing demand for our services and the need to diversify funding streams, we want to grow to deliver more impact for our community. The incoming CEO will play a pivotal role in making this vision a reality, shaping the future of Horsham Matters and strengthening our ability to provide life-changing support to those who need it most.

Key details:

Job title: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Horsham Matters

Location: Horsham, with up to 1 day per week working from home

Salary: £55,000 – £60,000

Contract: Permanent, full-time

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership: Develop and articulate a compelling vision and strategic direction that aligns with our mission and values.
• Operational Excellence: Oversee the delivery of high-quality, integrated services – from foodbank operations and early intervention to advocacy and community outreach.
• Financial Sustainability: Secure and diversify income streams, replacing expiring grants and driving our ambition towards a £1 million turnover within five years.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build robust relationships with local authorities, funders, corporate partners, and community stakeholders, representing Horsham Matters as a key ambassador
• Organisational Culture & Team Leadership: Empower staff and volunteers by fostering a collaborative, high-performing culture, and promoting continuous improvement.

Key Skills and Experience:

• Proven senior leadership experience within the charitable or not-for-profit sector, with a track record of driving organisational transformation and sustainable growth.
• Strong financial acumen, including experience in budgeting, financial planning, and securing diverse income streams.
• Demonstrable ability to manage complex, multi-faceted operations and implement effective delegation models.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the capacity to inspire and engage a wide range of stakeholders.
• A commitment to addressing poverty and enhancing community welfare, with a demonstrable alignment to our Christian values.
• Experience in fundraising and stakeholder engagement, with an enterprising approach to driving innovation in service delivery.

If you would like to receive an Information Pack for this role with details on how to apply, please send an expression of interest and (optional but appreciated) a CV or professional profile in confidence to our consultant, Jenny Hills at executive@harrishill.co.uk. For an informal and confidential conversation about this position, please contact Jenny at the above address with suitable times to speak.

Closing date for applications: 9am, Monday 24th March 2025

As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.