Chief Executive Officer in London

Chief Executive Officer in London

London Full-Time 136000 - 184000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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Sustrans Hub

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the movement for walking, wheeling, and cycling across the UK.
  • Company: Join Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, a pioneer in sustainable travel.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, and generous leave.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on public health and the environment.
  • Qualifications: Proven leadership experience and passion for active travel.
  • Other info: Be part of a dynamic team dedicated to positive change.

The predicted salary is between 136000 - 184000 £ per year.

Location: UK – flexible. Regularly to Bristol and London, and extensively across the UK to teams, projects, events and stakeholders.

Full-time: 37.5 hours per week, flexible working available.

£160,000 per annum.

Closing date: 23:59 on 15th March 2026.

Do you share our passion to make it possible for everyone to walk, wheel and cycle? Could you lead the next part of our journey?

We are stepping confidently into the future as Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, building on nearly 50 years of impact as Sustrans, the charity that helped to pioneer the UK's sustainable travel movement. Our purpose is beautifully simple: To make it possible for everyone to walk, wheel and cycle, because it changes everything. Our health. Our wellbeing. Our world. And we are more ambitious than ever.

We are now seeking a new CEO to help us shape and deliver the future of movement in the UK. You will be part of a dynamic, committed team of 500 staff and 2,000 volunteers across the UK's four nations.

The successful candidate will have substantial leadership experience as a CEO (or aspiring CEO) and will bring values-driven leadership, energy and drive. You will be comfortable building high-trust relationships with a wide range of stakeholders in active travel, including government ministers, senior civil servants, policy makers and strategic partners. You will be able to inspire and lead our brilliant management team and colleagues. You will have a proven track record of leading change in a complex, purpose-driven, multi-stakeholder organisation. You will have had success growing income through fundraising, grant funding, commercial activity and strategic partnerships.

If ensuring that walking, wheeling and cycling are safe, accessible and joyful for everyone, everywhere excites you, and you have the qualities needed to lead and inspire people-powered movement, we look forward to hearing from you.

About the role:

  • Work with the Board to set the charity's strategic direction, build the conditions for long-term success, and ensure that purpose, performance and culture are consistently aligned to ensure operational and impactful delivery of the strategy.
  • Provide visible, values-driven leadership to leaders and colleagues across the organisation, ensuring strong delivery, collaboration, and accountability across walking, wheeling, and cycling programmes.
  • Lead the development and execution of the Trust's long-term strategy to grow active travel, improve public health, and reduce carbon emissions.
  • Oversee robust performance management, impact evaluation, and evidence-based learning to strengthen credibility and influence.
  • Ensure sustainable funding through diversified income streams, including government grants, contracts, fundraising, memberships and partnerships.
  • Act as the Trust's principal public advocate and media spokesperson on walking, wheeling, and cycling.
  • Demonstrate the importance of serving diverse communities and embed a strong culture of inclusion, accessibility, and equity across all activities and services.

About you:

  • Demonstrable success in developing and delivering a compelling vision and strategy for an organisation.
  • Significant experience as a CEO or aspiring CEO in a large, complex, or multi-stakeholder organisation.
  • Proven track record of leading organisations and teams through substantial change, growth and/or transformation.
  • Strong experience of influencing, engaging, and aligning diverse internal and external stakeholders around shared objectives.
  • Established record of building effective, high-trust relationships with trustee or non-executive Boards.
  • Demonstrated success in growing organisational income through fundraising, grant funding, commercial activity and strategic partnerships.

Our values:

  • Always learning
  • Championing equity
  • Taking ownership
  • Delivering together

To apply for this role, please provide the following documents:

  • An up-to-date CV.
  • A supporting statement outlining your interest in Walk Wheel Cycle Trust and the CEO role.
  • A completed diversity monitoring form on the application link.

Why work for us?

At Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, you will be part of a movement to make it easier for people to walk and cycle. We believe including everyone is central to who we are and what we want to achieve. We welcome difference and pride ourselves on creating a culture where you can be yourself and where your wellness is supported.

What we offer:

  • 28 days leave per annum plus bank holidays for full-time working.
  • Ability to buy an extra week of annual leave.
  • 24/7 free, impartial and confidential support service.
  • Group Personal Pension scheme with a 6% or 7% of basic salary contribution being matched by Walk Wheel Cycle Trust.
  • Flexible Working practices.

Chief Executive Officer in London employer: Sustrans Hub

At Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, we are dedicated to creating a healthier, more inclusive society where everyone can walk, wheel, and cycle with ease. Our flexible working environment, commitment to employee wellness, and strong focus on community engagement foster a vibrant culture that empowers our team of passionate individuals to drive meaningful change across the UK. With competitive benefits, including generous leave, pension contributions, and opportunities for professional growth, joining us means being part of a movement that values diversity and champions equity.
Sustrans Hub

Contact Detail:

Sustrans Hub Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Chief Executive Officer in London

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to folks on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its mission. Understand their values and how they align with yours. This will help you articulate why you're the perfect fit for the CEO role at Walk Wheel Cycle Trust.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to share your vision for the future of active travel and how you can lead the charge. Make it engaging and inspiring – remember, you want to motivate others to join your cause!

✨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 the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust team and making a difference.

We think you need these skills to ace Chief Executive Officer in London

Leadership Experience
Stakeholder Engagement
Strategic Planning
Fundraising
Change Management
Performance Management
Public Advocacy
Relationship Building
Communication Skills
Political Awareness
Organisational Development
Data-Driven Decision Making
Inclusivity and Diversity
Resilience
Negotiation Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the CEO role at Walk Wheel Cycle Trust. Highlight your leadership experience and any relevant achievements that align with our mission of promoting active travel.

Craft a Compelling Supporting Statement: Your supporting statement is your chance to shine! Use it to express your passion for walking, wheeling, and cycling, and how your vision aligns with our goals. Keep it concise but impactful!

Showcase Your Stakeholder Engagement Skills: We value strong relationships with stakeholders. In your application, mention specific examples of how you've successfully engaged with diverse groups, especially in the transport or community sectors.

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your documents correctly and can review them promptly.

How to prepare for a job interview at Sustrans Hub

✨Know Your Vision

Before stepping into the interview, make sure you have a clear vision for the future of active travel in the UK. Think about how you can align your ideas with the charity's mission to make walking, wheeling, and cycling accessible for everyone. Be ready to share specific strategies that demonstrate your understanding of the sector.

✨Build Relationships

As a potential CEO, you'll need to show that you can build high-trust relationships with various stakeholders. Prepare examples of how you've successfully engaged with government officials, community leaders, or other organisations in the past. Highlight your ability to inspire and lead teams through collaboration.

✨Showcase Your Track Record

Be prepared to discuss your previous leadership experiences, especially those involving change management and growth. Share concrete examples of how you've increased income through fundraising or strategic partnerships, as this will be crucial for the role. Numbers and outcomes speak volumes!

✨Emphasise Inclusion and Equity

The charity values diversity and inclusion, so it's essential to demonstrate your commitment to these principles. Discuss how you've championed equity in your previous roles and how you plan to embed a culture of inclusion within the organisation. This will resonate well with the interviewers.

Chief Executive Officer in London
Sustrans Hub
Location: London
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