At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a charity supporting young people, ensuring high-quality services and strategic growth.
- Company: Just Drop-In, a respected charity dedicated to improving youth mental health.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible hours, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Join a passionate team with deep community roots and excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a beloved charity and impact the lives of young people.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience, strong communication skills, and a commitment to youth wellbeing.
The predicted salary is between 52500 - 62500 £ per year.
Lead a respected local charity that helps children and young people who are finding life hard. Just Drop-In is a highly successful, award-winning Early Help and Prevention charity supporting young people aged 11 to 24 who are finding life hard. For 25 years, we have been committed to improving the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people, helping them find their feet and fulfil their potential. Based in Macclesfield, we deliver high-quality Counselling, Mentoring, Wellbeing and Parent Support services across the north of Cheshire East, with our Counselling service being BACP accredited. With a dedicated team of 16 staff, the support of 60 volunteers, and an annual budget of just under £800k, we help around 1,000 children and young people every year.
We are now looking for an exceptional Chief Officer to lead Just Drop-In into its next chapter. This is a rare opportunity to combine strategic leadership, operational and income generation oversight, and public advocacy in a role that delivers real impact in the local community. We are seeking a leader who is values-driven, emotionally intelligent and credible, with the vision and energy to sustain and grow our work in an increasingly challenging financial environment.
As Chief Officer, you will be responsible for ensuring that Just Drop-In achieves its purpose and mission, and remains sustainable, effective and ambitious for the future. Reporting to the Chair of Trustees, you will work closely with the Board to shape and deliver the charity’s strategic direction while also overseeing day-to-day operations. You will lead the organisation across strategy, safeguarding, quality, finance, external relations, governance and people management. You will be the driving force behind our continued success, ensuring that our services remain high quality, responsive and centred on the voices and needs of children and young people. You will also act as the organisation’s Safeguarding Lead and be a visible and compelling ambassador for the charity with partners, funders, schools, donors, community stakeholders and the wider public.
What You Will Be Responsible For
- Strategic leadership: Working with the Board of Trustees to define and deliver the vision, mission, purpose and strategic plan for the charity, while monitoring performance, impact and organisational risk.
- Compliance, quality and safeguarding: Ensuring the charity operates within all relevant legal, regulatory and ethical frameworks, maintaining high standards of quality, and acting as Safeguarding Lead for the organisation.
- Financial sustainability: Leading financial planning, budget management and reporting, while overseeing the diversification and strengthening of income generation.
- External relations and profile: Building strong and collaborative relationships with funders, schools, government bodies, community organisations and donors, while leading communications and acting as the public face of the charity.
- Operational and people leadership: Overseeing day-to-day management, ensuring high-quality service delivery, valuing the voices of children and young people in service design, and creating a collaborative, high-performing culture for staff and volunteers.
- Governance: Working closely with Trustees to ensure effective governance, accountability and transparency, and providing the reporting and insight they need to fulfil their roles.
About You
We are looking for a leader who brings strategic capability, warmth, resilience and a strong commitment to the wellbeing of children and young people.
Person Specification
- Proven senior leadership experience, preferably in the charity sector, with the ability to lead strategically and operationally - Essential
- A strong track record in strategic planning and financial management, and preferably income generation too - Essential
- Strong strategic thinking, project management and problem-solving ability - Essential
- Experience of leading, motivating and developing staff, and preferably volunteers too. Outstanding communication, interpersonal, influencing and people management skills - Essential
- A high degree of emotional intelligence, with the ability to inspire trust, build relationships and lead through change - Essential
- Experience of working with children and young people, and have a genuine and deep rooted commitment to improving their mental health and wellbeing - Essential
- High-level safeguarding training and experience, with the confidence to take organisational lead responsibility - Essential
- The confidence and credibility to act as a compelling public spokesperson and advocate for the charity - Essential
- Experience of working effectively with a Board of Trustees and supporting strong governance - Essential
Why Just Drop-In
This is an opportunity to lead a respected and much-loved local charity with a strong reputation, a clear sense of purpose and a lasting impact on the lives of young people and families. You will be joining an organisation with deep roots in the community, a passionate team, committed volunteers and an engaged Board of Trustees. At a time when demand for support continues to grow, this role offers the chance to shape the future of an organisation that truly matters. With 5 direct reports, including a newly created Fundraising Manager role, the Chief Officer job is ideally offered on a full time basis of 37 hours per week, however we are open to considering a minimum of 30 hours per week for the right candidate. The salary range for full time is £52.5K - £62.5K per annum, dependent on skills and experience. The position is based in Macclesfield with the opportunity to work from home one day per week. Please note that the role will also involve attending meetings at our office in Knutsford and across our catchment area.
Just Drop-In seeks to demonstrate our commitment to promoting a diverse and inclusive community, and creating a place where everyone can be themselves and experience success. Safeguarding is given the highest priority at Just Drop-In and this priority is evidenced through both our words and deeds. We are committed to ensuring any personal data will be dealt with in a way that respects people's privacy and complies with legal obligations. The closing date for applications is 5pm on Mon 28th Sept. The date for interview for shortlisted candidates is Friday 23rd Oct.
Chief Officer in Macclesfield employer: Just Drop-In Youth Info and Advice Ltd
Just Drop-In is an exceptional employer, dedicated to improving the lives of children and young people in Macclesfield and beyond. With a strong focus on employee growth, a collaborative work culture, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the community, this role offers a unique chance to lead a passionate team committed to mental health and wellbeing. The organisation values diversity and inclusivity, ensuring that every team member can thrive while contributing to a cause that truly matters.
Contact Details:
Just Drop-In Youth Info and Advice Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Officer in Macclesfield
✨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 Just Drop-In Youth Info and Advice Ltd.
✨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 Just Drop-In Youth Info and Advice Ltd.
✨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 Just Drop-In Youth Info and Advice Ltd.
✨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 Just Drop-In Youth Info and Advice Ltd. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Officer in Macclesfield
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 Just Drop-In Youth Info and Advice Ltd. 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 Chief Officer, 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 Just Drop-In Youth Info and Advice Ltd
✨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 Just Drop-In Youth Info and Advice Ltd. 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!
