At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a charity dedicated to preserving classic vehicles and inspire the next generation.
- Company: StarterMotor, a UK charity focused on classic and historic vehicle careers.
- Benefits: Make a real impact while enjoying a dynamic work environment and career growth.
- Other info: Based in Oxfordshire with opportunities for travel and event participation.
- Why this job: Turn your passion for classic vehicles into meaningful work that shapes future careers.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience and a passion for youth development in the automotive sector.
The predicted salary is between 37800 - 46200 £ per year.
Starter Motor is a UK-based charity dedicated to securing the future of the classic and historic vehicle industry by enabling the next generation to build meaningful careers within it.
Working in partnership with schools, colleges, employers, museums, clubs and industry leaders, we connect young people with opportunities that inspire, develop and launch careers across the industry.
Through careers education, mentoring, work experience and industry engagement, Starter Motor is helping to ensure the skills, knowledge and passion needed to sustain our automotive heritage continue for generations to come.
As the charity continues to grow, we are seeking an exceptional General Manager to lead the next stage of development.
This is a unique opportunity for someone with commercial acumen, entrepreneurial drive and a genuine passion for the classic and historic vehicle world to lead an ambitious charity with national influence.
The Role
Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the General Manager has overall responsibility for the leadership and management of Starter Motor Limited.
As the charity's senior executive, you will be responsible for delivering the organisation's strategy, ensuring excellent governance and financial stewardship, growing income, and developing partnerships to maximise impact.
This is a varied, hands‑on leadership role requiring someone equally comfortable presenting to major donors, developing strategic partnerships, managing budgets, attending industry events and supporting young people to develop their employability skills.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership
- Deliver the charity's strategic plan and work with the Board to shape future direction.
- Identify new opportunities for growth, innovation and long‑term sustainability.
- Ensure Starter Motor remains recognised as a trusted and influential organisation within both the charity and automotive sectors.
- Operational Leadership
- Lead the day‑to‑day management of the charity and its activities.
- Manage the Marketing and Events Specialist direct report (only other full‑time employee).
- Ensure the successful delivery of careers events, student mentoring, work experience opportunities and industry engagement.
- Develop efficient and effective systems, policies and processes that support sustainable growth.
- Monitor performance against agreed objectives and KPIs.
- Develop and deliver the charity's fundraising strategy.
- Secure income through grants, trusts, corporate partnerships, sponsorship, charity‑led fundraising and individual giving.
- Build long‑term relationships with donors, sponsors and strategic partners.
- Identify new commercial opportunities that strengthen the charity and supports its charitable objectives.
- Take overall responsibility for the charity's financial management, budgeting and reporting.
- Ensure robust financial controls, value for money and effective stewardship of charitable funds.
- Maintain full compliance with Charity Commission, Companies House, GDPR and other statutory requirements.
- Support the Trustees in meeting their governance responsibilities.
- Industry & Stakeholder Engagement
- Ensure that the charity has a strong public presence through a range of marketing and PR activities.
- Build productive relationships across the classic and historic vehicle industry and education sector.
- Represent Starter Motor at motor shows and exhibitions, conferences, industry events and networking opportunities.
- Promote the charity through public speaking, media activity and stakeholder engagement.
- Leadership & Culture
- Inspire, motivate and support the reporting staff member, volunteers and the charity’s young Ambassadors.
- Foster an inclusive, collaborative and ambitious organisational culture.
- Encourage continuous learning, professional development and innovation.
- Lead by example, demonstrating integrity, accountability and professionalism.
About You
You will be an experienced leader with strong commercial judgement and a genuine desire to make a lasting difference to the future of the classic and historic vehicle industry.
You will combine strategic thinking with a practical, hands‑on approach and enjoy working in a small organisation where every decision has visible impact.
- Proven leadership experience within the commercial, charity or automotive sectors.
- Strong commercial and financial acumen, including budget management and organisational planning.
- Demonstrable success in developing strategy and delivering organisational growth.
- Experience securing funding through grants, sponsorship, partnerships and fundraising.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the confidence to engage senior stakeholders throughout the industry.
- Strong organisational and project management skills.
- Self‑motivated with the ability to manage competing priorities.
- A passion for developing young people and helping them achieve successful careers.
- Knowledge of the UK charity sector and charity governance.
- Experience working with schools, colleges or educational organisations.
- Understanding of careers education, employability or skills development.
- Have existing networks within the classic and historic vehicle industry.
Personal Qualities
We're looking for someone who shares Starter Motor's values and ambitions.
You will be
- Passionate about preserving the future of the classic and historic vehicle sector.
- Enthusiastic about creating opportunities for young people.
- Entrepreneurial, proactive and commercially minded.
- Authentic, approachable and collaborative.
- Highly organised with excellent attention to detail.
- Resilient, adaptable and comfortable taking ownership.
- Committed to integrity, transparency and accountability.
Why Join Starter Motor?
This is more than a management role.
For someone who is passionate about classic and historic vehicles, this is a rare opportunity to turn that passion into meaningful work, helping to ensure the industry you hold dear has a future.
It is an opportunity to shape the future workforce of one of Britain's most distinctive industries, an industry with an annual turnover of £7.3 billion, employing 34,500 people supporting a car parc of over 1.9 million vehicles.
Every partnership developed, every pound raised and every young person supported contributes directly to preserving the skills, craftsmanship and businesses that define the UK's classic and historic vehicle community.
Additional Information
Starter Motor is an equal opportunities employer.
The role is primarily based at Bicester Motion, Oxfordshire, with occasional travel and weekend working to support events throughout the year.
A full UK driving licence is essential, together with a genuine enthusiasm for the classic and historic vehicle industry.
Application window closes Wednesday 30th September.
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General Manager in Bicester employer: StarterMotor Charity
StarterMotor is an exceptional employer that offers a unique opportunity to lead a charity dedicated to preserving the classic and historic vehicle industry. With a strong focus on employee growth, collaboration, and community impact, you will be part of a passionate team at Bicester Motion, Oxfordshire, where your contributions directly shape the future workforce of this distinctive sector. Join us to turn your passion into meaningful work while enjoying a supportive and inclusive work culture that values integrity and innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land General Manager in Bicester
✨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 StarterMotor Charity.
✨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 StarterMotor Charity.
✨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 StarterMotor Charity.
✨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 StarterMotor Charity. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace General Manager in Bicester
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 StarterMotor Charity. 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 General Manager, 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 StarterMotor Charity
✨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 StarterMotor Charity. 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!
