At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a mental health charity, shaping strategy and fostering an inclusive culture.
- Company: Independent mental health charity dedicated to supporting individuals facing challenges.
- Benefits: Pension scheme, hybrid working, training opportunities, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and collaboration with a dedicated team.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in mental health advocacy and support for those in need.
- Qualifications: Experience as a CEO or senior leader in the voluntary sector with strong financial acumen.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 100000 £ per year.
Our client is an independent mental health charity that supports people facing mental health and wellbeing challenges. Part of a national mental health charity network and a regional partnership, their goal is to ensure that individuals do not face mental health issues alone and can live free from stigma and discrimination.
This role offers an excellent opportunity for an empathetic leader to shape their strategy and cultivate a culture of continuous learning, inclusion, and support, fostering a spirit of celebration for achievements across all teams. Your leadership will shape the strategic vision and deliver the operational plans, ensuring robust governance and championing diversity and inclusivity. You will spearhead the efficient, effective, and safe management of the organisation, in line with their mission, strategy and values. Committed to mental health advocacy, you will elevate their impact for service users through meaningful co-production of services and by your ability to build effective relationships with partners and commissioners. Collaborating closely with their dedicated Board of Trustees and experienced Senior Leadership team, you will oversee resource management, finances, and operations, upholding the highest standards throughout and ensuring their growth and long term sustainability.
About you
- Experienced as a CEO/senior leader in a similar sized (or larger) voluntary organisation or an organisation delivering services into the sector or working closely with the voluntary sector
- Passionate about our client's mission of ensuring that people do not face mental health and emotional wellbeing issues alone and are free from stigma and discrimination
- Demonstrable experience as a values-led, resilient and people-centred leader
- Experience of supporting teams through change
- Strong financial acumen, able to develop and monitor/evaluate financial plans, budgets management accounts etc.
- Experience of building a culture that promotes continuous learning, inclusion, collaboration, and accountability
- Proven track record of successful business development/fundraising
- Able to balance strategic oversight with operational grip
- Experience of the demands of governance and compliance, including working with Boards of Trustees/NEDs
- Excellent communication and influencing skills
- Understanding of challenges affecting the voluntary sector
Benefits
- Auto-enrolment Pension scheme with 3% contribution from the organisation
- Opportunities for hybrid working after an initial embedding period
- Training and development opportunities
- A commitment to providing wellbeing opportunities in support of staff, including an Employee Assistance Programme
How to apply
Our client is being supported by a recruitment partner in the recruitment for this role. Please apply by submitting your CV and a cover letter. You are welcome to send your cover letter in writing, or as a video or audio clip, alongside your CV. Please respond to the following areas in your cover letter:
- Your familiarity with mental health and wellbeing challenges and how this resonates for you
- Your experience/knowledge in relation to the Person Specification
Please note that the focus will be on your demonstrable experience and potential in the areas listed under the Person Specification and candidates are not expected to have experience in all responsibilities outlined in the Job Description. Our client would discourage you from deselecting yourself if you are in doubt about meeting all the criteria. If you have specific questions about the role, please contact the recruitment team handling this vacancy.
Interviews
The closing date for applications is noon on Monday July 27 2026, and the candidate assessment schedule is anticipated as follows:
- Longlisting interviews will be held throughout the advertising phase up to and immediately after the above closing date – online
- First interviews with our client will be held on Friday August 7 or August 14 in-person at their offices
- Final interviews with the Board are planned for Friday August 14 or, week commencing August 24 2026 – online
Candidates are encouraged to apply early for the role where possible.
Inclusion
Our client wants you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential. If you have a disability or require reasonable adjustments during the application/interview process, please contact them so they can support you appropriately.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land CEO in Rochdale
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Hireful.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Hireful.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Hireful.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Hireful. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace CEO in Rochdale
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Hireful. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like CEO, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hireful
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Hireful. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
