Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a children's care home group, 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 by building a respected organisation in children's care.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in children's care, strategic acumen, and M&A experience.
- Other info: Opportunity to redefine quality in children's residential care and drive meaningful change.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 168000 £ 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 home group 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
Contact Detail:
FIFTEEN 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 discuss how your vision aligns with theirs — show them you’re the perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You need to clearly articulate your leadership style and how you plan to drive growth and operational excellence. We suggest rehearsing with a friend or mentor to get comfortable with your delivery.
✨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 support you every step of the way in landing that dream job.
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 residential care and any relevant M&A experience 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 out on any important updates during the process.
How to prepare for a job interview at FIFTEEN
✨Know Your Vision
Before the interview, take some time to articulate your vision for the organisation. Think about how you would shape the group’s strategy and culture. This will show that you’re not just a fit for the role but also have a clear direction for its future.
✨Demonstrate Your Experience
Be ready to discuss your previous successes as a CEO or senior executive in children’s care. Prepare specific examples of how you've scaled operations, integrated businesses, and driven performance. This will help the interviewers see your capability in action.
✨Understand the Regulatory Landscape
Brush up on Ofsted regulations and safeguarding practices relevant to children's residential care. Being able to speak knowledgeably about these topics will demonstrate your commitment to compliance and high standards, which are crucial for this role.
✨Engage with Purpose
Show your passion for the mission-driven aspect of the role. Discuss how your values align with the organisation's goals and how you plan to inspire and develop a high-performing leadership team. This will highlight your suitability as a compassionate and decisive leader.