At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a community-focused charity to create job opportunities for young people with learning disabilities.
- Company: Team Domenica, a pioneering charity transforming lives through employment.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, impactful role, and the chance to shape national growth.
- Other info: Join a passionate team dedicated to empowering individuals and fostering inclusive workplaces.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people while driving commercial success.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in multi-site operations and income generation.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Could you lead a warm, community-centred charity that turns specialist education and hospitality enterprises into sustained employment for young people with learning disabilities?
About Team Domenica
Team Domenica exists to help young people with learning disabilities build independent, fulfilling lives through sustained employment. Founded in 2016 by Baroness Rosa Monckton, the charity combines a Department for Education-recognised Specialist Further Education college, employment coaching and long-term employer support to achieve unrivalled outcomes for young people with learning disabilities - around 80% of programme graduates move into paid work.
Over the last decade the organisation has supported more than 200 candidates and built a portfolio of social enterprises that provide genuine workplace training: Café Domenica and a coffee roastery. Most excitingly, we have recently opened The North Star pub. The North Star is a purpose-acquired, prime-location commercial venture adjacent to the Royal Pavilion, operating as a full-scale hospitality business (circa £1.3m turnover) and functioning as a peerless, day-to-day training environment for candidates while contributing vital unrestricted income.
Now that the pub is fully up and running, it presents a major opportunity for commercial development. Growth to date has been rapid and successful, but the organisation now needs a Chief Executive who will consolidate operational foundations, secure sustainable trading and fundraising, and protect the quality and culture that make Team Domenica distinctive as we prepare for further growth.
As our next Chief Executive, you will:
- Strategic Leadership & Direction - Set and deliver a strategy that balances growth, financial sustainability and strong employment outcomes for candidates.
- Commercial & Social Enterprise Performance - Lead the charity’s commercial enterprises, primarily The North Star pub, but also Café Domenica and the roastery - ensuring strong commercial performance and high-quality training opportunities.
- Fundraising & Income Growth - Diversify fundraising beyond founder-led networks, building sustainable income from trusts, corporates, major donors and individuals.
- Education & Programme Quality - Work with the Executive Director for Education to maintain high-quality, compliant specialist FE and supported internship provision.
- Organisational Leadership & Infrastructure - Strengthen operational foundations across finance, HR, systems and communications to support a growing, multi-site organisation.
- People & Culture - Provide visible leadership that supports staff, strengthens management and protects the charity’s candidate-centred culture.
- Partnerships & External Profile - Act as ambassador, building relationships with employers, partners and supporters to expand employment opportunities.
- Governance & Board Partnership - Work closely with trustees and the founder to strengthen governance and ensure long-term sustainability.
Who you are:
- Seasoned senior leader with experience of running organisations of similar scale and complexity, including multi-site operations.
- Proven strategist with a strong track record of delivering organisational change, restructuring and sustainable growth.
- Confident commercial leader with P&L ownership and demonstrable success improving trading performance in hospitality, retail or other trading businesses.
- Experienced income generator in the charitable sector - trusts, major donors, corporate partnerships and individual giving.
- Credible and committed to specialist education and employment pathways for people with learning disabilities.
- Strong communicator and public spokesperson, comfortable with high-profile fundraising and stakeholder engagement.
- Financially literate, resilient and emotionally intelligent; visible, hands-on and pragmatic as a leader.
Desirable: direct hospitality experience, experience scaling social enterprises or knowledge of FE regulation/Ofsted would be advantageous.
Why Team Domenica?
- A proven, distinctive model that delivers real, long-term employment outcomes for young people with learning disabilities.
- A rare leadership role that combines mission-driven practice with commercial stewardship across cafés, a roastery and a training pub.
- Hybrid working with regular on-site engagement at Pavilion Buildings and social enterprise sites, offering visible day-to-day impact.
- The opportunity to shape national growth, with London the priority for careful expansion and a high-profile platform to influence practice nationally.
For full details of the role including how to apply, please download the full appointment brief. For an informal and confidential conversation about this position, please contact Jenny Hills at Harris Hill at executive@harrishill.co.uk with times to speak and (optional but appreciated) a CV or professional profile which will be treated with the strictest confidence.
Closing date for applications: 9am, Monday 6th April 2026.
As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.
Chief Executive, Social Enterprise & Youth Employment in Brighton employer: Team Domenica
Team Domenica is an exceptional employer dedicated to empowering young people with learning disabilities through meaningful employment opportunities. With a strong community-centred culture, hybrid working arrangements, and a commitment to professional growth, employees can thrive in a supportive environment that values their contributions. The unique blend of social enterprise and educational initiatives, alongside the chance to lead impactful projects like The North Star pub, makes this role not only rewarding but also pivotal in shaping the future of inclusive employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Executive, Social Enterprise & Youth Employment in Brighton
✨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 Team Domenica.
✨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 Team Domenica.
✨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 Team Domenica.
✨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 Team Domenica. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Executive, Social Enterprise & Youth Employment in Brighton
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 Team Domenica. 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 Executive, Social Enterprise & Youth Employment, 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 Team Domenica
✨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 Team Domenica. 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!
