CEO in Hounslow

Chief Executive Officer – Heathrow Community Trust

Salary: £70,000 FTE (£28,000 per annum for 2 days per week)
Location: Home-based, with regular attendance at Heathrow and surrounding communities
Hours: Part-time, approximately 2 days per week, with flexibility
Contract: Permanent

An opportunity to shape the future of a charity with significant potential for community impact.

Are you an inspiring, forward-thinking leader who can turn ambition into meaningful change? Can you build influential relationships, challenge established thinking and spot opportunities others might overlook?

Heathrow Community Trust is seeking a Chief Executive Officer to bring fresh ideas, strategic direction and energy to its next chapter. Supported by an ambitious and engaged Board of Trustees, you'll have the opportunity to make a lasting difference to communities around Heathrow Airport.

About Heathrow Community Trust

Heathrow Community Trust is an independent grant-making charity supporting communities across the nine boroughs surrounding Heathrow Airport. Its funding helps grassroots organisations bring people together, improve the environment and create opportunities for young people.

Heathrow Airport Limited is the Trust's principal funder. The Board wants to strengthen partnerships, explore additional income streams and better demonstrate the impact of its funding. Potential future developments at Heathrow, including the proposed third runway, could create further opportunities for community investment.

The Opportunity

Working closely with the Board, you'll develop and deliver an ambitious but achievable strategy, building influential relationships with Heathrow Airport Limited, businesses in the wider Heathrow network, funders and community organisations.

You'll identify opportunities for collaboration and funding, raise the Trust's profile and help ensure its work delivers meaningful, measurable community impact.

This is a strategic leadership position rather than a predominantly operational role. The Trust is developing a structure that separates leadership from day-to-day administration, with a second appointment providing governance and operational support. You'll retain overall executive accountability while focusing on the relationships and decisions that move the charity forward.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic leadership: Develop and deliver a three-year strategy, turning the Board's ambitions into measurable objectives.

• Stakeholder relationships: Build trusted connections with Heathrow Airport Limited, corporate stakeholders, funders and local organisations.

• Funding and partnerships: Explore new income streams and partnerships to increase investment in community programmes.

• Community impact: Improve how the Trust measures and communicates the difference its grants make, using evidence to shape priorities.

• Innovation and improvement: Challenge existing approaches, make better use of technology and data, and ensure external delivery partners provide value for money.

• Governance and finance: Support the Board with financial stewardship, risk management, compliance and sound decision-making.

• People leadership: Guide the operational function through effective delegation and clear accountability.

About You

We're looking for a genuine leader with strategic ability, energy and emotional intelligence. You'll be commercially aware, curious and confident enough to challenge established ways of working, while building trust with trustees, funders, partners and local communities.

You'll bring:

• Senior leadership experience, including strategy development and organisational change.

• Strong relationship-building and influencing skills, with credibility at senior corporate level.

• Experience developing funding opportunities, strategic partnerships or income-generating relationships.

• Financial awareness, sound judgement and experience working with a Board or equivalent governing body.

• A forward-thinking approach to improving performance through data, technology and better ways of working.

• The ability to inspire others, make confident decisions and take ownership of outcomes.

• A genuine commitment to community impact and long-term success.

Charity or not-for-profit experience, particularly in grant-making or community funding, would be advantageous. We also welcome accomplished leaders from other sectors with relevant experience and a commitment to the Trust's purpose.

Knowledge of the nine boroughs surrounding Heathrow and their different community needs would be particularly valuable.

Above all, the Board wants someone who brings enthusiasm, fresh ideas and the determination to make things happen.

Working Arrangements

This is a permanent, part-time role, envisaged as approximately two days per week at £70,000 FTE (£28,000 per annum for two days). There is flexibility around the working pattern depending on the successful candidate's circumstances.

The role is home-based, with regular attendance at Heathrow and engagement across surrounding communities. Candidates should ideally live within reasonable travelling distance.

It may particularly suit an experienced executive developing a portfolio career or seeking a permanent part-time leadership role.

How to Apply

This appointment is being managed exclusively by Charity Recruit. All applications and enquiries should be directed to Charity Recruit rather than Heathrow Community Trust.

If you enjoy building relationships, shaping strategy and making a difference, we'd welcome the opportunity to hear from you.

For a confidential discussion, contact:

Emily Formby

Heathrow Community Trust welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds and values the different experiences and perspectives candidates bring.

About Charity Recruit

Charity Recruit specialises in senior leadership and executive recruitment across the UK charity and not-for-profit sector. Through our established network and proactive executive search, we connect experienced professionals with organisations where they can make a meaningful difference.

www.charityrecruit.co.uk