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- Tasks: Lead a national movement for community energy and drive impactful change.
- Company: Community Energy England, a mission-driven not-for-profit organisation.
- Benefits: Flexible working, opportunity to shape the future, and make a real difference.
- Why this job: Be the voice of community empowerment and influence policy for a sustainable future.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in non-profits or community-focused organisations.
- Other info: Join a passionate team dedicated to climate action and social justice.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Disrupt Recruitment & Search are proud to have been retained by Community Energy England (CEE) to lead on this exciting Executive Search mandate to secure their next CEO! This is an exceptional opportunity to lead Community Energy England (CEE) forward with a renewed vision & strategy that will engage and impact current and future members, society and the planet!
About CEE:
Community Energy England (CEE) is a membership association for and created by the community energy sector. We are a UK based, Not-for-Profit business and are looking to hire an inspiring, values-driven Leader to step into this transformative CEO role. Our mission is to create the conditions within which community energy is able to thrive and scale. We have a growing network of over 320 member organisations, including community energy enterprises and other supportive organisations from the private and public sectors, and we work with a wide range of other associations and networks.
We are a small team but with an increasingly big reach and growing impact as we work with our members and key stakeholders to enable the growth of the sector. With this small core size comes flexibility and the opportunity for all team members to shape the direction of the organisation and get involved in all levels of delivery.
We have four outcomes that we are working towards:
- Enable: Community energy organisations across England have access to the resources, support and skills needed to grow in capacity, scale and impact
- Influence: The policy and regulatory environment supports significant growth of community energy
- Collaborate: There is increased demand, both regionally and nationally, for collaborating and investing in community energy
- Thrive: Community Energy England is a strong and sustainable organisation that can serve the community energy sector into the future
Whether you’re an experienced Chief Executive looking for your next meaningful challenge, or a senior leader ready to take the step into your first CEO position, this is your chance to shape the future of a high-impact, mission-led organisation driving community-led action across the UK. This organisation sits at the heart of a growing national membership movement and as CEO, you will lead that movement—strengthening the organisation, amplifying its influence, and unlocking greater opportunities for communities to take the lead in local solutions.
If you want to use your leadership to create a legacy and deliver real change; this role offers the platform, purpose, and autonomy to do exactly that!
The Role
The CEO will provide strategic leadership, operational direction, and national representation for the organisation. You will steer the delivery of a new multi-year strategy, grow and engage the membership base, strengthen financial sustainability, and ensure the organisation has the influence and credibility to champion itself at the highest levels.
This is a role with genuine purpose, impact, and visibility requiring:
- Strategic Leadership (Business & Culture)
- Drive the organisation’s strategic direction, ensuring clear priorities and measurable impact
- Build a thriving, collaborative, empowered culture
- Work closely with the Board to ensure strong governance, compliance, and long-term stability
- Enhance value for members and strengthen their collective voice
- Lead initiatives to expand, diversify, and deepen sector engagement
- Oversee communications, insights, events, and community-building activities
- Be a credible, influential voice nationally and regionally
- Lead policy engagement, briefings, and evidence-based advocacy
- Build strong relationships with government, regulators, industry, and partner organisations
- Develop long-term financial plans and income streams
- Secure funding through grants, sponsorships, partnerships, and membership income
- Build relationships with trusts, foundations, and philanthropic partners
- Oversee organisational finances, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting
- Ensure operational systems are efficient, scalable, and fit for the future
- Lead performance monitoring and project delivery
Essential Skills & Experience
- Energy, enthusiasm, engagement and influence to achieve something amazing!
- Significant senior leadership experience within a mission-led, non-profit, membership, or community-focused organisation
- Proven success generating income through grants, partnerships, or fundraising
- Confidence in representing an organisation publicly including media, speaking engagements, and policy environments
- Strong financial and operational management capability
- Experience leading and developing small teams with an empowering, inclusive style
- Strong strategic thinking and the ability to turn plans into action
- Relationship-building skills across government, industry, partners, and community groups
- Experience influencing policy at a regional or national level (desirable)
- Understanding of energy, sustainability, community empowerment, or social enterprise (desirable but not essential)
Personal Qualities
- Dynamic, proactive, and comfortable leading in a fast-moving environment
- Collaborative and relational, able to bring people together around a shared mission
- Credible and confident in public, policy, and partnership settings
- Passionate about community empowerment, climate action, and social justice
- Resilient, resourceful, and solutions-focused
Values & Behaviours:
We value diverse perspectives and believe that ideas and solutions are best achieved through cooperation among community members, stakeholders, and experts. Our work is informed by the insight and experience of our members and we aim to use our knowledge in the most efficient way. We remain open to new opportunities, to being bold, and to leading the way, ensuring that we set our direction to best enable the growth of Community Energy England.
We thrive by working with other UK associations and networks across the Energy, Climate, Co-operative and Social Enterprise sectors. We are committed to finding the best person with the ability to deliver the needs of this role, our employees, our communities and our members, regardless of any protected characteristic, disability or learning difference. We are proud to provide an inclusive selection process and encourage you to disclose any reasonable adjustments needed with your application.
Key Details
- Role: Chief Executive Officer
- Location: UK Home based with willingness and flexibility to travel/attend client meetings (Major Cities including London)
- Contract: Permanent
- Hours: Full-time Monday to Friday
Why This Role Matters
This is more than a CEO job. It’s a chance to shape the future of a national movement, strengthen community power, and accelerate the transition to a fairer system. You will be leading an organisation with purpose at its core and huge potential for growth, impact, and influence.
All enquiries/Interest to be directed to our Retained Search Partner: Paul Baker - Director at Disrupt Search Email: paulb@wearedisrupt.co.uk
Chief Executive Officer in Birmingham employer: Community Energy England
Contact Detail:
Community Energy England Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Executive Officer in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the community energy sector. Attend events, join forums, and engage on social media. The more you interact, the better your chances of landing that CEO role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers or stakeholders, let your enthusiasm for community energy shine through. Share your vision and how you can make a difference—people love to see genuine commitment.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching CEE and its members. Understand their challenges and opportunities, and come armed with ideas on how you can lead them forward. Tailor your approach to show you’re the perfect fit for their mission.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team and making an impact in the community energy space.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Executive Officer in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Authentic: When you're writing your application, let your true self shine through! We want to see your passion for community energy and how your values align with ours. Don’t be afraid to share your personal journey and what drives you.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application for the CEO role at Community Energy England. Highlight your relevant experience and skills that match the job description. We love seeing how you can bring your unique perspective to our mission!
Showcase Your Impact: Use specific examples to demonstrate how you've made a difference in previous roles. Whether it’s growing a membership base or influencing policy, we want to know how you’ve created positive change and how you plan to do the same with us.
Follow Up: After submitting your application through our website, don’t hesitate to follow up! A quick email expressing your enthusiasm can go a long way. We appreciate candidates who are proactive and genuinely interested in joining our team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Community Energy England
✨Know Your Mission
Before stepping into the interview, make sure you fully understand Community Energy England's mission and values. Familiarise yourself with their goals and how they aim to empower communities. This will help you articulate how your leadership style aligns with their vision.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles that demonstrate your strategic leadership and operational excellence. Highlight instances where you've successfully engaged members or influenced policy, as these are key aspects of the CEO role.
✨Engage with Questions
Come prepared with insightful questions about the organisation's current challenges and future plans. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the organisation aligns with your values and vision for community energy.
✨Demonstrate Collaborative Spirit
Emphasise your ability to build relationships and collaborate with various stakeholders. Share examples of how you've fostered teamwork and inclusivity in previous positions, as this is crucial for leading a small team with a big impact.
