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- Tasks: Lead a pioneering environmental charity and shape community-led projects.
- Company: East London Waterworks Park, a community-focused charity reconnecting people with nature.
- Benefits: Opportunity to create impactful change and develop a sustainable staffing model.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of transforming urban spaces and fostering community stewardship.
- Qualifications: Experience in leadership roles and a passion for environmental sustainability.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team dedicated to inclusivity and ecological richness.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
About East London Waterworks Park
East London Waterworks Park is a community-led charity working to reconnect people and nature. Starting from nature-first principles, and with inclusivity at the heart of everything we do, we work with communities to co-design spaces to unlock a chain of positive changes that culminate in the long-term transformation of people and place.
Our work includes:
- Co-designing East London Waterworks Park with the East London community, working towards purchasing a 14-acre Thames Water depot in Waltham Forest and transforming it into a biodiverse urban park with free, accessible wild swimming and welcoming community spaces.
- Co-designing other nature-first spaces on disused or brownfield land in London, returning land to nature in collaboration with local communities to encourage long-term community stewardship.
- Hosting engagement, education, and empowerment activities that build skills, confidence and deeper connections to nature.
East London Waterworks Park is a sociocratic organisation, with a decentralised organisational structure and a transparent and collaborative approach to decision making. We have grown organically since 2019, responding flexibly to the challenges we have encountered but always committed to our core vision: creating a new kind of urban green and blue space: one that is ecologically rich, inclusive, and shaped by the people and wildlife who use it.
East London Waterworks Park is currently entirely run by volunteers but we recognise the need to transition to a more sustainable structure. We want to introduce paid employees to ensure we can deliver the exciting projects planned in 2026 and beyond, while retaining our strong community-led ethos.
The opportunity
We are seeking an experienced and values-led Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead East London Waterworks Park in this next phase of our development. This is a rare opportunity to shape the first paid executive leadership role in a pioneering environmental charity. The CEO role is wide-ranging and dynamic, and will evolve as East London Waterworks Park grows.
The CEO will provide strategic leadership to help realise our ambition to purchase the Thames Water depot site in East London, while strengthening our capacity to deliver community-led rewilding and nature-recovery projects across London in partnership with landowners, local authorities and other stakeholders.
An important aspect of the role will involve introducing a sustainable staffing model that complements and develops East London Waterworks Park’s existing volunteer ecosystem, and strengthens our culture, vision and values. The CEO will be supported in this work by long-standing volunteers at both trustee board and operational level, who believe in the benefits this organisational change will bring.
More information
If this sounds exciting, please download the recruitment pack.
How to apply
Please send your CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability for the role to applications@elwp.org.uk by 13 February 2026.
Chief Executive Officer in London employer: East London Waterworks Park
Contact Detail:
East London Waterworks Park Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Executive Officer in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the environmental sector. Attend local events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to folks on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for community-led initiatives! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share your experiences and ideas about engaging communities in nature projects. We want to see that fire in your belly for making a difference!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation thoroughly. Understand their mission, values, and recent projects. We love candidates who can speak our language and show they’re genuinely interested in what we do at East London Waterworks Park.
✨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 us you’re keen on being part of our community-led journey right from the start!
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Executive Officer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Know Your Audience: Before you start writing, take a moment to understand who we are at East London Waterworks Park. We’re all about community, nature, and inclusivity, so make sure your application reflects these values. Show us how your experience aligns with our mission!
Tailor Your CV: Don’t just send the same CV to everyone! Tailor it specifically for the CEO role. Highlight your leadership experience and any relevant projects that demonstrate your ability to drive community-led initiatives. We want to see how you can help us grow!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re passionate about our work and how you envision leading East London Waterworks Park. Be genuine and let your personality come through – we love authenticity!
Follow Application Instructions: Make sure you follow the application instructions carefully. Send your CV and cover letter to the specified email address by the deadline. We appreciate attention to detail, and it shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at East London Waterworks Park
✨Know the Mission Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into East London Waterworks Park's mission and values. Understand their community-led approach and how they aim to reconnect people with nature. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you align your answers with their core principles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a CEO candidate, it's crucial to articulate your leadership philosophy. Be ready to discuss how you would foster a collaborative environment while introducing a sustainable staffing model. Share examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, especially in community-focused or environmental projects.
✨Prepare for Sociocratic Discussions
Since East London Waterworks Park operates on a sociocratic model, brush up on what that means in practice. Be prepared to discuss how you would facilitate transparent decision-making and engage volunteers effectively. Highlight any experience you have with decentralised structures or community engagement.
✨Bring Ideas for Community Engagement
Think about innovative ways to enhance community involvement in the park's projects. Prepare to share your ideas on how to build skills and confidence within the community, as well as how to encourage long-term stewardship of the park. This will demonstrate your commitment to their vision and your proactive approach.
