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- Tasks: Lead a charity focused on tackling poverty and financial hardship in Liverpool.
- Company: St Andrew’s Community Network, dedicated to social justice and community support.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible hours, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a vital charity and empower local communities.
- Qualifications: Experience in senior management within community or welfare organisations.
- Other info: Join a passionate team committed to justice, unity, and compassion.
The predicted salary is between 38000 - 48000 £ per year.
Salary: £38,000–£48,000 (full-time equivalent, 37.5 hours). Pro rata based on contracted hours. Initial: 22.5 hours per week (0.6FTE) increasing to: 37.5 hours per week (FTE). We are committed to transparency in pay. The figures above show both the full-time equivalent salary and the actual salary based on contracted hours.
Line Manager (Following Transition): Chair of Trustees
Hours: 22.5 (increasing to 37.5 within 3 months, subject to agreement)
Contract: Permanent (with intention to confirm as substantive Chief Executive role subject to Board review, organisational sustainability and satisfactory performance)
Line Management Responsibilities: Debt Team Coordinator, Income Maximisation Team Coordinator, Finance Lead, Development Lead
Main Stakeholders: Internal staff and volunteers, Trustees, Funding partners and commissioners, Liverpool-based advice networks, Local Authority Officers, Regulatory Bodies
About the role
The CEO Designate is appointed as part of a planned and structured leadership succession process. The postholder will work alongside the current CEO during an agreed transition period, progressively assuming executive leadership responsibility. Subject to Trustee completion of a successful 3-month probationary period, the role is expected to transition into the substantive Chief Executive position. This phased model ensures:
- Continuity of governance
- Orderly transfer of executive authority
- Financial and operational stability
- Proportionate leadership aligned to organisational scale
The appointment reflects the charity’s commitment to sustainable leadership and robust oversight as its service model continues to evolve.
Organisational Context
St Andrew’s Community Network delivers services addressing financial hardship and poverty, including:
- Debt advice
- Welfare benefits support
- The development of North Liverpool Foodbank
The charity operates within a dynamic operating environment in Liverpool, working alongside organisations such as:
- Citizens Advice Liverpool
- Vauxhall Law Centre
- Liverpool City Council
The local environment is shaped by:
- Increased demand linked to Universal Credit migration and cost-of-living pressures
- Greater emphasis on commissioning and contract-based income
- Strong regulatory frameworks including AQS and FCA oversight
- Heightened scrutiny on governance, safeguarding and data protection
- Integrated referral pathways across the voluntary and statutory sectors
The organisation periodically reviews its operating model to ensure that services remain sustainable, mission-aligned and compliant with regulatory and funding requirements. The post holder will play a central role in supporting this ongoing development.
Purpose of the Role
This is a delivery-focused executive leadership role with clear accountability. The emphasis is on:
- Operational performance
- Regulatory compliance
- Financial stewardship
- Partnership credibility
- Organisational resilience
The role requires disciplined, proportionate leadership rooted in governance integrity and financial realism.
Key Responsibilities
- Executive and Operational Leadership
- Lead the day-to-day delivery of SACN’s advice and Foodbank services.
- Oversee performance across regulated advice functions.
- Ensure compliance with FCA permissions, AQS accreditation and internal quality standards.
- Maintain effective supervision, file review and quality assurance systems.
- Ensure robust monitoring, evaluation and impact reporting.
- Assume increasing executive responsibility during the transition period.
- Governance and Regulatory Accountability
- Ensure compliance with Charity Commission requirements and company law obligations.
- Maintain oversight of safeguarding, GDPR, risk management and internal controls.
- Provide accurate and timely reporting to Trustees and relevant sub-committees.
- Work closely with the Finance Lead to ensure strong financial control systems.
- Review and maintain policies and procedures appropriate to the charity’s service portfolio.
- Upon completion of the transition phase, the postholder will hold ultimate executive responsibility for regulatory compliance.
- Financial Leadership and Commissioning
- Lead organisational financial planning in collaboration with the Finance Lead and Development Lead.
- Support income diversification, grant management and commissioned service delivery.
- Develop constructive working relationships with officers at Liverpool City Council and other commissioners.
- Ensure service delivery aligns with contractual and funding requirements.
- Present financial and performance information clearly to Trustees.
- Partnership and Sector Engagement
- Represent SACN within Liverpool advice and poverty action networks.
- Maintain collaborative relationships with partners.
- Promote effective referral pathways and partnership working.
- Ensure SACN contributes constructively within the wider local ecosystem.
- People Leadership and Culture
- Provide structured supervision and leadership to Coordinators and senior staff.
- Embed fair and proportionate performance management systems.
- Ensure professional standards and CPD requirements are maintained.
- Model leadership rooted in Justice, Unity and Compassion.
- Support long‑term leadership development and succession planning.
- Organisational Development
- Support the phased transfer of executive authority from the current CEO.
- Maintain operational stability during periods of organisational review or development.
- Ensure staffing structures and service delivery remain proportionate to income and risk profile.
- Work with Trustees to assess long‑term leadership and service configuration options in line with the charity’s objects and public benefit duties.
- This includes contributing to lawful, fair and consultative processes where organisational change is considered, in line with employment legislation and recognised best practice guidance.
Key Skills and Experience
- Significant senior management experience within an advice, welfare, debt or community organisation.
- Strong understanding of AQS, FCA and data protection requirements.
- Experience managing public sector grants or commissioned contracts.
- Demonstrable knowledge of charity finance and budgeting.
- Experience working constructively with local authorities or statutory commissioners.
- Ability to interpret performance and financial data.
- Experience leading professional staff teams.
- Experience operating within the Liverpool advice ecosystem.
- Experience contributing to organisational development or service review processes.
- Experience of tender writing or commissioning processes.
Personal Attributes
Our new leader will:
- Be driven by social justice and dignity.
- Exercise calm and balanced judgement under regulatory and financial pressure.
- Demonstrate integrity, discretion and transparency.
- Balance compassion with compliance.
- Lead proportionately, recognising scale and sustainability realities.
- Value collaboration over institutional ego.
Working with St Andrew's Community Network
The Network team is vital in achieving the charity's purpose: to resource churches and community organisations to design out poverty. Our values are:
- Justice – Advocating for systemic and individual change.
- Unity – Working collaboratively across communities.
- Compassion – Walking alongside people with dignity and respect.
Strategic Rationale
This appointment:
- Forms part of a planned leadership succession process.
- Provides continuity and governance stability.
- Supports the ongoing review and development of the charity’s service model.
- Embeds executive accountability proportionate to organisational scale.
- Strengthens commissioning credibility and regulatory assurance.
- Supports long‑term sustainability within Liverpool’s evolving advice infrastructure.
Why This Role Matters
St Andrew’s Community Network occupies a trusted position within the communities it serves. The organisation has strong relationships with:
- local churches
- community groups
- statutory partners
- advice organisations across Liverpool
The Head of Charity / CEO Designate will have the opportunity to build on these foundations and guide the charity through its next stage of development. This is a role for a leader who combines operational discipline with compassion, strategic awareness with humility, and who is motivated by the opportunity to support communities facing significant challenges.
Recruitment Timeline
Applications for this role close on 19th April 2026, with interviews scheduled to take place week commencing 20th April 2026. A transition period will allow for:
- Stage 1: Shadowing and immersion
- Stage 2: Progressive delegation of responsibilities
- Stage 3: Formal transfer of executive authority.
Full transition to CEO authority is expected by September 2026.
Head of Charity / CEO Designate in Liverpool employer: St Andrew's Community Network
Contact Detail:
St Andrew's Community Network Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Charity / CEO Designate in Liverpool
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the charity sector. Attend local events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to current or former employees of St Andrew’s Community Network. You never know who might have the inside scoop on the role!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the organisation thoroughly. Understand their mission, values, and recent projects. This will not only help you answer questions but also show your genuine interest in leading the charity towards its goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! Think of examples from your past that showcase your experience in managing teams, handling financial oversight, and ensuring compliance. Be ready to discuss how you can bring these skills to the Head of Charity role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at St Andrew’s Community Network. Let’s make a difference together!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Charity / CEO Designate in Liverpool
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Authentic: When you're writing your application, let your true self shine through. We want to see your passion for social justice and how your values align with ours. Don't be afraid to share personal experiences that have shaped your journey.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant experience in charity leadership and financial stewardship. We’re looking for someone who understands the unique challenges of our sector, so show us how you fit the bill!
Showcase Your Skills: Use your application to demonstrate your key skills and experiences, especially those related to governance, regulatory compliance, and partnership engagement. We want to know how you've successfully led teams and managed projects in the past.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure it gets to the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our organisation there!
How to prepare for a job interview at St Andrew's Community Network
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you thoroughly understand the charity's mission and the specific challenges it faces in Liverpool. Familiarise yourself with the key stakeholders, such as local authorities and advice networks, so you can speak confidently about how you would engage with them.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to discuss your leadership approach, especially in terms of compassion and collaboration. Think of examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led teams through challenging situations while maintaining a focus on social justice.
✨Be Ready for Regulatory Talk
Since this role involves significant regulatory accountability, brush up on your knowledge of AQS, FCA, and data protection requirements. Be prepared to discuss how you would ensure compliance and maintain high standards within the organisation.
✨Demonstrate Financial Acumen
As financial stewardship is a key responsibility, come equipped with examples of how you've managed budgets or secured funding in previous roles. Be ready to explain how you would approach financial planning and income diversification for the charity.