At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic founder-led brand and drive its growth strategy.
- Company: Exciting premium consumer brand with a strong customer following.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, equity, and hybrid work model.
- Other info: Fast-paced entrepreneurial environment with genuine ownership opportunities.
- Why this job: Be the commercial leader shaping a brand's future and making a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in scaling consumer brands and leading teams.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 120000 £ per year.
We're partnered with one of the UK's most exciting founder-led premium consumer brands on the search for a Chief Executive Officer / Managing Director to lead the next chapter of its growth. Already profitable, highly loved by customers and built without external funding, the business has created a distinctive premium brand with genuine momentum. The founders have built an exceptional product and brand, and are now looking for someone to take the operational reins and scale the business towards a significant exit.
The Opportunity
This isn't a traditional CEO role inside a corporate business. It's an opportunity to step into a founder-led scale-up and become the commercial leader responsible for turning an exciting challenger brand into a category leader. Working closely with the founders, you'll own the day-to-day running of the business while shaping the long-term growth strategy. You'll lead across:
- Commercial strategy & business growth
- DTC & omnichannel expansion
- Subscription & recurring revenue
- Operational excellence & supply chain optimisation
- Team leadership & organisational design
- Retail, international & new channel growth
- Preparing the business for long-term value creation and exit
The creative vision is already incredibly strong. Your role is to build the commercial engine that unlocks its full potential.
About You
We're looking for someone who has already helped scale a founder-led consumer business and knows what great looks like. You'll be commercially driven, highly operational and comfortable making decisions across every part of the business. You'll likely bring experience of:
- Scaling a premium consumer brand through rapid growth
- Leading an omnichannel business across DTC, retail and marketplaces
- Building recurring revenue or subscription models
- Optimising operations, margins and commercial performance
- Leading founder-led businesses through periods of significant scale
- Building businesses with long-term exit value in mind
Experience could come from lifestyle, beauty, wellness, premium consumer goods, food & drink or another modern consumer brand. More important than category experience is the ability to combine strategic thinking with hands-on execution, inspire teams, and build businesses that customers genuinely love. This is a role for someone who enjoys working at pace, thrives in entrepreneurial environments and wants genuine ownership over the future of a business.
Details
Location: Hybrid | London
Package: Competitive six-figure salary + bonus + equity
Interested? If you're excited by the opportunity to help build one of the UK's next standout consumer brands alongside ambitious founders, we'd love to hear from you.
Director/CEO in City of London employer: JD&Co
Join a dynamic and innovative founder-led premium consumer brand in London, where you will have the unique opportunity to lead its growth as CEO/Managing Director. This role offers a competitive salary, bonus, and equity, alongside a vibrant work culture that fosters creativity and entrepreneurial spirit. With a focus on employee development and a commitment to building a brand that customers love, this is an exceptional chance to make a meaningful impact in a fast-paced environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director/CEO in City of London
✨Get Involved in Startup Events
Dive into the local startup scene! Attend pitch nights, hackathons, and networking events. It's a great way to meet founders and like-minded folks. Plus, you never know who might put in a good word for you at a startup like JD&Co!
✨Show Off Your Creativity
Startups love unique ideas! Create a portfolio or a personal website showcasing your past projects, especially those relevant to startups. This personal touch can really make you stand out when you're applying for that full-time gig at JD&Co.
✨Leverage Startup Communities Online
Get active on platforms such as Indie Hackers, Startup Grind, or even LinkedIn groups focused on startups. Participating in discussions can increase your visibility and open up potential job leads, especially at buzzing companies like JD&Co.
✨Direct Applications are Your Best Bet
Don't shy away from applying directly through our website. Startups often check their own portals first before other job sites. Tailor your application to show how you can add value to JD&Co — a personal touch goes a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Director/CEO in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Entrepreneurial Spirit:When applying for a role in startups and entrepreneurship, it's crucial to highlight any experience you have with starting your own projects or businesses. We love seeing examples of your initiative, so sprinkle in stories of how you’ve taken risks or solved problems creatively—this is what makes you stand out!
Tailor Your CV for Impact:In the startup world, your CV should reflect not just your experience, but the impact you've made. Use quantifiable achievements to show your contributions, like percentage increases in growth or revenue. Remember, we’re looking for go-getters who know how to get results!
Craft a Provocative Cover Letter:Your cover letter is a chance to showcase your passion and motivation for working at JD&Co. Don't just list your skills—share your vision and what excites you about the entrepreneurial journey. Connect your personal aspirations with what we need, and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Keep Your Portfolio Handy:If you have a portfolio showcasing any past projects or entrepreneurial efforts, definitely mention it in your application. Though not always necessary for full-time roles, it can provide us with deeper insights into your work style and creativity. If you have a blog, products, or any innovation, we'd love to see it!
How to prepare for a job interview at JD&Co
✨Show Your Entrepreneurial Spirit
In startups, they love seeing passion and initiative. Be ready to share any personal projects or ideas you've worked on. This shows you’re not just about the 9-to-5, but you’re invested in creating value, which is key in this fast-paced environment.
✨Brush Up on Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect to be thrown some curveballs during the interview—startups often face unexpected challenges. Having a couple of examples up your sleeve where you’ve creatively solved problems will really impress them. It's all about how you think on your feet!
✨Know Your Stuff About the Industry
Since you're applying for a full-time role, they’ll want to see you've done your homework. Make sure you understand where the startup stands in its industry, including competitors and market trends. It’s a great way to show you're genuinely interested and can contribute from day one.
✨Show Flexibility and Adaptability
Startups can pivot quickly, so highlight your adaptability. Share examples of when you've successfully navigated change or taken on roles outside your comfort zone. This shows you’re ready for whatever comes your way, which is crucial in a startup atmosphere!
