Chief Executive Officer in City of London

Join to apply for the Chief Executive Officer role at Institute for Social Value

Salary: circa £80,000 (Final figure dependent on experience, with review after first year)

About ISV

The Institute for Social Value (ISV) is the only independent, non-profit distributing organisation dedicated to advancing social value in the UK. Formed with support from leaders across government, business, and civil society, ISV exists to bring clarity, credibility, and professionalism to an increasingly fragmented space.

Social value has entered the mainstream—but the sector risks losing direction amid competing definitions, commercial interests, and advocacy noise. ISV provides the independence needed to set standards and professionalise practice. We bring together members, practitioners, and partners who believe in doing social value well—with integrity, evidence, and impact.

ISV already convenes a set of active working groups, bringing together practitioners, commissioners, academics and other stakeholders to co‑design standards, learning pathways and integrity mechanisms for the field. These working groups are a key asset and will be central to how the new CEO develops and delivers our five‑year vision.

The Opportunity

We’re seeking a CEO to lead ISV’s next phase—consolidating standards and accreditation, growing membership and partnerships, and amplifying professional practice across sectors. You’ll convert strong goodwill into a clear offer and sustainable model, steward a capable team, and work closely with an engaged Board and our working groups.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Translate ISV’s vision—\”This is what good social value looks like\”—into a practical, credible programme of standards, accreditation, and membership.
• Shape ISV’s positioning away from general advocacy towards standards, professionalisation, accreditation and more focused advocacy, while maintaining positive collaboration with sector advocacy bodies.
• Lead the refinement of ISV’s business model, ensuring balanced growth between membership income, training delivery, and corporate partnerships.
• Consolidate the UK’s role as an international leader in social value through Social Value International (SVI), and build relationships with UK-based organisations such as HACT, Social Value Portal, universities and others to align standards while retaining ISV’s independence.

Delivery & Growth

• Finalise and launch a baseline Social Value Standards Framework in collaboration with existing working groups.
• Design and implement accreditation pathways for organisations and practitioners.
• Grow membership base—focusing on larger, long‑term organisational members and engaged practitioner cohorts.
• Reconnect with alumni of ISV and SROI training to rebuild engagement and credibility.
• Oversee high‑quality training and CPD in partnership with universities and accredited providers.
• Work closely with ISV’s existing working groups, strengthening and coordinating their activity so that they become a core engine for co‑designing standards, pathways and policy positions.

Governance & Management

• Lead a small, high‑performing team and embed a culture of accountability and collaboration.
• Ensure strong financial management, risk oversight, and reporting to the Board.
• Establish robust performance indicators (financial, operational, and reputational).
• Nurture staff development and review salary structures as ISV grows.
• Work effectively with a volunteer, non‑executive Board in a membership organisation – providing clear executive leadership while remaining accountable to, and well‑supported by, a diverse group of sector leaders.

Representation & Influence

• Act as the public face of ISV—engaging confidently with senior stakeholders across government, corporates, and the voluntary sector.
• Build strategic alliances with complementary organisations such as Social Value International, Social Value Portal, and others to align standards while retaining ISV’s independence.
• Champion professionalism and ethical practice in social value across policy and procurement landscapes.

Person Specification

Essential Experience & Skills

• Proven senior leadership in a standards, accreditation, professional body, or membership‑based organisation (or similar environment).
• Strong record of income generation and business development, ideally in a small or scaling organisation.
• Deep understanding of impact management, social value, or ESG practice, or the proven ability to learn and lead quickly in a complex policy environment.
• Demonstrable experience of defining organisational identity and focus—moving from ambiguity to clarity.
• Excellent stakeholder‑management and influencing skills at senior levels.
• Track record of motivating small teams and delivering through partnerships.
• Proven experience of working with (or reporting to) a non‑executive board, charity trustees or similar governance body, ideally in a membership or professional institute context.
• Technical understanding of SROI, impact measurement, or related methodologies.
• Experience of building professional standards, accreditation, or CPD frameworks.
• Knowledge of UK public‑sector commissioning, social procurement, or social value policy.

Personal Qualities

• Laser‑focused and action‑oriented – able to make decisions and execute at pace.
• Commercially minded with social purpose – balancing mission and sustainability.
• Collaborative and transparent, with high integrity and emotional intelligence.
• Resilient and pragmatic – comfortable leading in uncertainty and rebuilding trust.
• Credible and confident communicator, able to represent ISV as the authority in its space.

Terms

• Salary: circa £80 DOE, with scope for review after successful growth.
• Location: Hybrid; regular London presence expected.
• Contract: Permanent, full‑time.
• Reports to: ISV Board (via Co‑Chairs).
• Start date: Early 2026 (flexible with notice).

How to Apply

Please submit a CV and responses to the pre‑qualification questions below via our secure application form linked from this advertisement. Your application will be shared only with the ISV Board members involved in recruitment.

Applications close on Friday, 13 December 2025.

The interview process will begin in mid‑December, with the aim of confirming an appointment before the end of the year.