At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic growth and operational excellence for a community-focused food charity.
- Company: Made In Hackney, a plant-based cookery school and food education charity in London.
- Benefits: Opportunity to shape impactful programmes and work with a passionate team.
- Other info: Join us in creating a healthier food system and championing social change.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in food justice and sustainability while leading an innovative organisation.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in charities, fundraising expertise, and a commitment to community empowerment.
The predicted salary is between 59400 - 72600 £ per year.
Made In Hackney is at an exciting point in its development. We are looking for an ambitious, values-led Executive Director to help us grow our impact, strengthen our financial sustainability and take our work to the next level.
We are a London plant-based community cookery school and food education charity on a mission to create a healthier, more sustainable and fairer food system. We work in London and internationally through our education and peer learning programmes. We believe food can be a powerful force for change. Through our programmes, partnerships and campaigns, we support people and communities to access, grow, cook and enjoy nutritious plant-centred food, while connecting food with wider issues of health, sustainability, food justice and community wellbeing.
We have built a strong reputation for innovative, practical and community-led work, and our reach and influence continue to grow. We now have an exciting opportunity to build on this foundation and shape our next chapter.
The opportunity
As Executive Director, you will provide the strategic and operational leadership to help Made In Hackney realise its ambitions over the next three to five years. Working closely with the Board of Trustees and a talented team, you will lead the delivery of our strategic priorities, strengthen our organisational resilience and help us increase both the scale and depth of our impact.
A key part of the role will be developing a sustainable and diversified income model. You will provide strategic leadership to fundraising, build high-value relationships and identify new opportunities for earned income, partnerships and entrepreneurial activity. You will bring the confidence to spot opportunities, develop compelling propositions and turn relationships into long-term support.
You will also help us consider how we can grow our programmes and reach while protecting what makes Made In Hackney distinctive: our values, our community-led approach and our commitment to meaningful impact.
We are looking for someone who can see the bigger picture but is also comfortable getting into the detail. Someone who can inspire people around a compelling vision, make difficult choices when resources are limited, and bring people with them through change.
What you'll bring
You will be an experienced senior leader with a track record of leading a charity or purpose-led organisation, ideally through a period of growth, change or development. You will bring:
- Strong strategic leadership and experience developing and delivering organisational strategy.
- A proven track record of securing significant voluntary income and developing diverse income streams.
- Strong financial, governance and risk management experience, with confidence working alongside a Board.
- Experience leading and developing diverse teams and creating inclusive, empowering organisational cultures.
- An entrepreneurial and outward-looking approach, with the ability to identify and develop new opportunities.
- Excellent communication, influencing and storytelling skills, with the credibility to represent Made In Hackney externally.
- A genuine commitment to sustainability, food justice, health and community empowerment.
You don't need to have followed a conventional career path or have experience in every aspect of the role. We are particularly interested in people who can demonstrate impact, leadership, curiosity and the ability to bring people together around a shared purpose.
This is a rare opportunity to lead an organisation with a distinctive mission and an established reputation, at a moment when the need for our work has never been greater.
You will have the opportunity to:
- Shape and deliver Made In Hackney's next phase of growth and development.
- Work with an engaged Board and talented, passionate team.
- Build new partnerships and significantly increase our reach and influence.
- Develop innovative and sustainable approaches to income generation.
- Champion food as a route to better health, environmental sustainability and social justice.
- Help shape the future of a food system that works better for people and planet.
If you are excited by the opportunity to combine strategic leadership, fundraising, organisational development and social change, we'd love to hear from you. Made In Hackney is committed to equity, inclusion and anti-racism across our organisation and believe that diversity of experience, perspective and lived experience makes us stronger.
Senior Director/Executive Director in London employer: Made In Hackney
Made in Hackney is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead a dynamic charity dedicated to tackling climate change and promoting health through plant-based living. With a hybrid working model based in London, employees benefit from a supportive work culture that prioritises diversity, equity, and inclusion, alongside generous holiday allowances and a commitment to staff wellbeing. The role of Executive Director not only allows for personal and professional growth but also empowers you to make a meaningful impact in the community and beyond.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Director/Executive Director in London
✨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 Made In Hackney.
✨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 Made In Hackney.
✨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 Made In Hackney.
✨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 Made In Hackney. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Director/Executive Director in London
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 Made In Hackney. 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 Senior Director/Executive Director, 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 Made In Hackney
✨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 Made In Hackney. 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!
