At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a children's care business, shaping vision and strategy for growth.
- Company: Ambitious organisation focused on high-quality care for young people.
- Benefits: £120,000 salary, 50% performance bonus, equity stake, and competitive benefits.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in children's lives while building a respected organisation.
- Qualifications: Proven CEO experience in children's care, strong leadership, and strategic skills.
- Other info: Opportunity to redefine quality in children's residential care with autonomy and support.
The predicted salary is between 120000 - 120000 £ per year.
Location: Flexible / National remit
Base Salary: £120,000 + 50% performance bonus + meaningful equity stake
Reports to: Board of Directors / Chair
About the Opportunity
An ambitious, outcomes-led children's care business is seeking an exceptional Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead its next phase of growth. Backed by long-term investment and a commitment to the highest care standards, the group is building a national network of homes delivering safe, nurturing environments and life-changing outcomes for young people. This is a career-defining opportunity for a values-driven, commercially astute leader who wants to combine purpose with performance, shaping a high-impact organisation from the ground up.
The Role
The CEO will have full P&L accountability and be responsible for shaping the group's vision, strategy, and culture. You will:
- Lead the strategic growth plan, balancing acquisitions and new home launches.
- Integrate acquired businesses, aligning culture, governance, and operating standards.
- Build a trusted brand and reputation as a high-quality provider.
- Drive operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and financial performance.
- Inspire and develop a high-performing leadership team.
- Engage with regulators, local authorities, investors, and external stakeholders.
About You
We're looking for a leader with:
- Proven success as a CEO, MD, or senior executive within children's residential care, fostering, or specialist education.
- Deep understanding of Ofsted regulation, safeguarding, and therapeutic care models.
- Experience scaling multi-site operations and leading through growth and change.
- Demonstrated commercial and strategic acumen in a values-led environment.
- M&A experience (essential); exposure to private equity or institutional investors (desirable).
- Mission-driven leadership - resilient, compassionate, and decisive.
The Reward
£120,000 base salary, 50% performance-related bonus, meaningful equity participation - a genuine opportunity for long-term wealth creation, competitive benefits package. As the group scales and milestones are achieved, the overall package will evolve to reflect performance and growth.
Why This Role Matters
This is not a maintenance role - it's a build-and-scale mandate. You'll have the autonomy and backing to create a nationally respected organisation that redefines quality in children's residential care. If you're a strategic, values-driven leader ready to step up into a CEO position and build something extraordinary, we'd love to hear from you.
Chief Executive Officer employer: Fifteen Network Ltd
Contact Detail:
Fifteen Network Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Executive Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend relevant events, and engage with professionals on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that CEO role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company inside out. Understand their mission, values, and recent developments. We want you to walk in there ready to show how your vision aligns with theirs and how you can drive their growth.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership style! Be ready to discuss your past experiences and how they’ve shaped your approach to leading teams and driving change. We believe that demonstrating your values-driven leadership will resonate well with potential employers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. We’re here to help you every step of the way, so let’s make this happen together!
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Executive Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the CEO role. Highlight your achievements in children's care, strategic growth, and leadership to show us you're the right fit.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to tell us why you're passionate about this opportunity. Share your vision for the organisation and how your values align with ours. Make it personal and engaging!
Showcase Your Leadership Style: In your application, give us a glimpse of your leadership style. We want to know how you inspire teams and drive operational excellence. Use examples from your past roles to illustrate your approach.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates during the process.
How to prepare for a job interview at Fifteen Network Ltd
✨Know Your Numbers
As a potential CEO, you need to be on top of your financial game. Brush up on the company's P&L statements, understand their current financial standing, and be ready to discuss how you can drive operational excellence and financial performance.
✨Showcase Your Vision
This role is all about shaping the group's vision and strategy. Prepare to articulate your vision for the organisation and how you plan to lead its growth. Think about specific examples from your past that demonstrate your ability to inspire and develop a high-performing team.
✨Understand the Regulatory Landscape
Given the focus on children's care, it's crucial to have a deep understanding of Ofsted regulations and safeguarding practices. Be prepared to discuss how you've navigated these areas in previous roles and how you would ensure compliance while driving quality care.
✨Demonstrate Cultural Alignment
This position requires a values-driven leader. Research the company's culture and values, and think about how your leadership style aligns with them. Be ready to share examples of how you've built trust and aligned cultures in past mergers or acquisitions.