At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead Age UK Plymouth, shaping strategies and making impactful decisions for the community.
- Company: A transformative charity dedicated to supporting diverse needs across Plymouth.
- Benefits: Opportunity to make a real difference, flexible working environment, and collaborative culture.
- Other info: Join a passionate team focused on enhancing lives and fostering community connections.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of change, empowering others while driving meaningful community impact.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership experience, strategic thinking, and a commitment to equality and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 67500 - 82500 £ per year.
Our work supports people across Plymouth at different ages and stages of their lives. The people who come to us are not one homogenous group and neither are their needs, circumstances or expectations. Some people need a little information or connection at a particular point in their lives. Others may have a relationship with Age UK Plymouth and our services over many years. Our role is to understand those different needs, provide excellent support where we are best placed to do so and connect people with others when we are not.
Today, our key areas of work include:
- Information and Advice
- Memory and Wellbeing Hub
- Wellbeing and community support
- Working with others
The opportunity We are looking for a Chief Executive who combines strategic thinking with the ability to make things happen. You will be helping to shape the next chapter of Age UK Plymouth and lead an organisation that makes a meaningful difference to people's lives in our city. You will inherit an organisation that has already undertaken significant transformation, but the work is not finished. The next few years will require thoughtful and experienced leadership as we continue strengthening our financial sustainability, develop our services, diversify income, respond to changing needs and build the relationships that will enable us to increase our impact.
This is a relatively small organisation, so breadth matters. You will need to move comfortably between thinking about our long-term direction and understanding what is happening within the organisation today. You will know when something needs your attention and when the right leadership response is to trust and empower the experienced people around you. You will be able to spot strategic gaps and opportunities, ask good questions and be prepared to challenge assumptions – including our own. You will also be comfortable having courageous conversations. Leadership here will sometimes involve making difficult decisions, addressing things that are not working or saying no to opportunities that do not fit our purpose or resources.
You do not need to have been a Chief Executive before. You may already be leading at this level, be an experienced senior leader ready to take overall organisational responsibility or have developed within an organisation where you have already demonstrated the breadth, judgement and leadership capability required. We are interested in what you can bring, not simply the job titles you have previously held.
Overall accountability The Chief Executive is responsible for providing strategic and executive leadership to Age UK Plymouth and, working with the Board, ensuring the charity is sustainable, well governed and able to deliver its charitable purpose. The Chief Executive is accountable for organisational performance, financial sustainability, people leadership, service quality, safeguarding, risk, regulatory and contractual compliance and the effective stewardship of Age UK Plymouth's resources. The Chief Executive will ensure that the experiences and changing needs of people in Plymouth as they age remain central to the organisation's strategy, decisions and development.
We are less interested in a particular career path than in the breadth and quality of leadership experience you bring. You will have significant leadership experience and be able to demonstrate that you have operated with substantial organisational responsibility. You will bring:
- Strong strategic thinking, with an ability to identify opportunities, gaps and emerging risks and translate strategy into action
- Broad business and operational understanding
- Strong financial acumen and confidence interpreting financial information, budgets, forecasts and organisational performance
- Experience of leading people and organisations through significant change
- Excellent relationship-building, influencing and negotiation skills
- The confidence and emotional intelligence to have courageous conversations and make difficult decisions
- Experience of empowering, developing and getting the best from capable people and teams
- Sound judgement and an ability to think on your feet and make decisions when information may be incomplete or circumstances are changing
- Experience of contributing to effective governance and working with a Board or equivalent governance structure
- An ability to balance ambition and opportunity with organisational capacity, financial sustainability and risk
- Curiosity about new approaches and an ability to learn, adapt and encourage others to do the same
- A commitment to equality, inclusion and ensuring different voices and experiences inform decision-making
- A leadership style that is open, collaborative, accountable and grounded in purpose and values.
You do not need to be an expert in older people's services when you arrive. Experience of health, social care or services supporting people and communities may be helpful, but we place greater value on broad organisational leadership experience, strong business and operational capability, the ability to learn quickly and a genuine connection with our purpose. We are not looking for a particular qualification or career route. We are looking for the experience, judgement, values and leadership capability to lead Age UK Plymouth well.
Chief Executive Officer employer: Age UK
Age UK is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises the well-being of its employees while making a meaningful impact in the lives of older people. With opportunities for professional growth and development, as well as the flexibility of hybrid working arrangements in Ashburton or Blackpool, you will be part of a dedicated team committed to delivering high-quality benefits advice and support. Join us to contribute to a vital cause while enjoying a balanced work-life environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Executive Officer
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Age UK.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Age UK.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Age UK.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Age UK. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Executive Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Age UK. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Chief Executive Officer, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Age UK
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Age UK. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
