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- Tasks: Lead Literacy Pirates in scaling literacy support for children across the UK.
- Company: Join a values-driven charity dedicated to improving children's literacy.
- Benefits: Generous leave, flexible working, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while leading impactful growth.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in scaling organisations and strong financial acumen.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team committed to equity and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 85000 ÂŁ per year.
Literacy Pirates is a literacy charity working to ensure that children who are falling behind in class due to socio-economic disadvantage develop their reading and writing skills, confidence and perseverance, so they can succeed at school and beyond. Today, Literacy Pirates is a values‑driven, evidence‑led organisation working with around 650 children annually through a distinctive volunteer‑powered model that combines rigour and joy. Our Virtual Ship now enables us to reach children beyond London, and we are working to scale nationally to reach 3,000 children annually by 2030, while maintaining impact and reducing cost per child. We are a financially sustainable and growing organisation, with a clear long‑term strategy and secure foundations. This is an exciting time to join us as we continue to expand our reach and deepen our impact for the children who need us most.
The opportunity
This is not a turnaround role, but nor is it a stewardship‑only role. We are looking for a CEO to lead the next ambitious phase of Literacy Pirates’ journey: building on strong foundations to deliver a disciplined, digitally enabled phase of national growth. The successful candidate will not be expected to reinvent the mission or abandon the existing strategy. They will be expected to sharpen execution, increase momentum, strengthen the growth engine, and lead the organisation through the next phase of scale. The CEO will work closely with a strong Senior Leadership Team and Board to scale the Virtual Ship, strengthen partnerships and income, protect what is distinctive about Literacy Pirates, and ensure the organisation is operationally and financially ready for sustained growth.
Role purpose
- Scale the Virtual Ship nationally in line with the 2030 strategy
- Maintain impact while improving the organisation’s economics and operating model
- Build the partnerships, income and organisational capacity needed for long‑term success
- Protect and evolve the culture, values and quality that make Literacy Pirates distinctive
CEO role Key responsibilities
- Strategic leadership and scale
- Lead delivery of Literacy Pirates’ 2030 strategy, translating long‑term ambition into a clear, disciplined growth plan
- Drive national scale through the digital, Virtual Ship model, ensuring growth is evidence‑led, financially sustainable and operationally credible
- Work with the SLT and Board to identify the major choices, risks and milestones required to move from the current phase to the next
- Ensure the organisation remains focused on the right strategic priorities and digital development, and does not become distracted by too many competing demands
- Growth, partnerships and momentum
- Build and steward the partnerships that will drive the next phase of scale, including schools, MATs, funders, corporate & digital partners and other strategic allies
- Strengthen the organisation’s external profile and reputation as a rigorous, joyful and increasingly scalable digital literacy charity
- Bring energy, pace and clarity to the organisation’s growth agenda
- Work with the team to build repeatable approaches to growth, not just one‑off wins
- Income growth and financial sustainability
- Lead, with the Head of Development and wider team, an ambitious income strategy across trusts and foundations, corporates and major donors
- Personally cultivate a small number of high‑value strategic funders and partners
- Ensure resources are aligned to strategy and that growth improves long‑term sustainability
- Work closely with the Director of Finance and Board to ensure robust budgeting, forecasting and decision‑making. Bring discipline to the relationship between impact, scale and cost
- Leadership, culture and organisational development
- Ensure young people and the communities we serve continue to shape the organisation’s thinking and priorities
- Lead and develop the SLT, building clarity, accountability and confidence across the organisation
- Support the organisation through change in a way that is both empathetic and ambitious, humane and performance‑oriented
- Protect and evolve Literacy Pirates’ values‑led culture as the organisation grows and changes
- Inspire staff, volunteers and stakeholders with a clear and compelling account of where the organisation is going and why
- Governance, safeguarding and risk
- Build a strong, high‑trust relationship with the Chair and Board
- Provide clear, timely reporting on strategy, impact, finance and risk
- Ensure robust safeguarding, compliance and risk management across the organisation
- Help the Board navigate the next stage of growth with confidence and clarity
Person specification
Essential experience
- Significant senior executive or CEO‑level experience in a scaling organisation
- Experience leading, or being a central part of, substantial organisational growth, ideally from around £1‑2m to £5m+
- Experience growing a digitally enabled service, programme, platform or organisation
- Strong track record of leading teams through growth, change and increasing complexity
- Experience in a purpose‑led or social impact charity or organisation
- Demonstrable experience of building partnerships and opening up growth opportunities
- Credible experience of income growth, strategic fundraising or commercial‑style partnership development
- Strong financial literacy, including budgets, forecasting, sustainability and value for money
- Experience using data, insight and evidence to drive performance and decision‑making
- Experience working effectively with a board or equivalent governance body
Essential capabilities
- Strong strategic growth instinct: able to turn ambition into practical priorities and momentum
- Able to lead a scaling organisation with discipline, pace and judgement
- Strong outward‑facing presence: compelling with funders, partners, schools, corporates and other stakeholders. Able to inspire, align and challenge teams
- Strong people leadership: able to build trust, clarify accountability and lead through change
- Belief in Literacy Pirates’ digital‑first strategy and the judgement to evolve it rather than reset it
- Deep mission alignment and the intellectual curiosity to understand, own and champion Literacy Pirates’ model, even if not from the education sector
- Values‑led leadership with a strong commitment to inclusion, respect and diversity
Essential personal qualities
- Warm, credible and emotionally intelligent
- Ambitious for children and for the organisation
- Resilient, adaptable and calm under pressure
- Curious, thoughtful and evidence‑led. Able to bring people with them while maintaining momentum
- Comfortable being an intentionally incomplete CEO who works through and with a strong SLT
Desirable
- Experience in education, literacy, children’s services, tutoring or youth sector
- Experience with volunteer‑powered or volunteer‑intensive models
- Experience of regional or national partnership development
- Experience working with communities affected by socio‑economic disadvantage
Benefits of Working at Literacy Pirates
- Be part of a committed, inclusive organisation that supports its team to thrive. We value each member of our team’s professional development and provide training to make sure you have the chance to develop your skills and grow your experience as part of our team.
- Enjoy a generous annual leave allowance. 25 days annual leave (increasing with service), plus bank holidays and 3 additional days off between Christmas and New Year so you can properly rest and recharge.
- Work in a way that fits your life. We offer flexible, hybrid and remote working where possible, recognising the importance of balancing work with other commitments.
- Take time to give back. We offer paid volunteering time each year so you can support causes that matter to you.
- Feel supported at every stage of family life. We offer enhanced maternity and adoption pay, paid paternity leave, and paid time off to care for a sick child, alongside support when returning to work.
- Plan for your future with a workplace pension. We automatically enrol eligible staff into a pension scheme and contribute to help you save for the future.
- Gain 24‑hour access to qualified counsellors for yourself and your immediate family. Through the Wellbeing Solutions Employee Assistance Programme, you and your immediate family can receive free 24‑hour access to qualified counsellors.
Chief Executive Officer in City of London employer: The Literacy Pirates
Contact Detail:
The Literacy Pirates Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Executive Officer in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, attend events, and connect with potential partners. The more you engage, the better your chances of landing that CEO role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your vision! When you get the chance to chat with stakeholders or during interviews, share your ideas on how to scale Literacy Pirates. Make them see your passion for the mission!
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared for tough questions! Brush up on your knowledge about financial sustainability and digital strategies. You want to impress them with your insights and readiness to lead.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Literacy Pirates team.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Executive Officer in City of London
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 literacy and how your values align with ours. Don’t just list your achievements; tell us your story!
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific role of CEO at Literacy Pirates. Highlight your experience in scaling organisations and how you can contribute to our mission. Show us you understand what we’re all about!
Show Your Strategic Thinking: We’re looking for someone who can lead us into the next phase of growth. In your application, demonstrate your strategic mindset by outlining how you would approach our 2030 goals. Give us a glimpse of your vision!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Literacy Pirates
✨Know the Mission Inside Out
Before stepping into the interview, make sure you fully understand Literacy Pirates' mission and values. Familiarise yourself with their current strategies and how they aim to scale nationally by 2030. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you articulate how your experience aligns with their goals.
✨Prepare for Strategic Discussions
As a potential CEO, you'll need to demonstrate your strategic thinking. Prepare to discuss how you would translate Literacy Pirates' long-term ambitions into actionable plans. Think about specific examples from your past where you've successfully led growth or change in a similar organisation.
✨Showcase Your Partnership Skills
Partnerships are key to driving growth at Literacy Pirates. Be ready to share your experiences in building and nurturing partnerships, especially in the education or charity sectors. Highlight any successful collaborations that have led to significant outcomes, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Emphasise Financial Acumen
Given the importance of financial sustainability in this role, brush up on your financial literacy. Be prepared to discuss budgeting, forecasting, and how you've previously aligned resources with strategic goals. This will reassure the board that you can manage the organisation's finances effectively while pursuing growth.