Role description
Chief Executive Officer
Salary: £70,000
Location: Merthyr Tydfil (hybrid)
Reporting to: Chair of Trustees
Direct reports: Head of Policy (Poverty); Project lead (access to justice); Finance officer; Communications and marketing officer
Purpose of the role
To provide strategic leadership to the Bevan Foundation, advancing its mission to end poverty and inequality in Wales. The CEO will serve as the organisation’s ambassador, strategist and fundraiser - ensuring its policy impact, financial sustainability and operational effectiveness.
Key responsibilities
Strategic leadership
Lead the implementation of the Foundation’s three-year vision and strategy, with flexibility to adapt to political and funding shifts.
Provide vision and drive around the organisation’s role in influencing devolved and UK-wide policy agendas, particularly around poverty, inequality, and community inclusion.
Be a thought-leader an innovator in driving policy solutions for Wales.
Ensure a strong Welsh footprint while identifying opportunities for UK-level influence where appropriate.
Ambassadorial and external engagement
Act as the primary spokesperson and ambassador for the Foundation, engaging with senior politicians, funders, media, and civil society.
Represent the Foundation in the media and at public forums, including interviews, events and policy discussions.
Strengthen relationships with the Senedd, Westminster stakeholders, Welsh Government, local authorities, funders and partner organisations, while also challenging and pushing decision makers towards our aims and values.
Income generation and financial sustainability
Drive forward a sustainable funding model through a combination of trusts, foundations, grants, and earned income.
Lead or support the development of project proposals and funding bids aligned with strategic priorities.
Maintain effective oversight of budgets, financial forecasting, and income targets with the support of the finance officer.
Organisational management
Lead and support a small, high-performing team, currently working across Wales on a hybrid basis.
Ensure high standards or research and inquiry.
Build a positive, inclusive organisational culture with high levels of autonomy and collaboration.
Ensure full compliance with legal, regulatory, and governance requirements, maintaining the Foundation's reputation and integrity.
Ensure systems and processes enable efficient delivery, risk management, and compliance.
Governance and board collaboration
Work closely with the Chair and Trustees to ensure effective governance.
Support the development of board capacity and support succession planning for future board leadership.
Keep the Board informed on performance, risk, and progress towards strategic objectives.
Person specification
Essential experience and knowledge
Senior leadership experience ideally in a policy, research, campaigning, or think-tank environment.
Deep understanding of the Welsh political and social landscape.
Proven track record of influencing decision-makers and shaping public policy.
Strong public profile or demonstrable experience in being a visible and credible spokesperson.
Experience in fundraising from trusts, foundations, or statutory bodies.
Experience leading small teams, ideally with distributed or hybrid working patterns.
Desirable experience
Familiarity with devolved policy and constitutional issues in the UK.
Welsh language proficiency (desirable, not essential).
Experience working with lived experience-led or grass roots organisations.
Attributes and values
A strategic thinker and policy innovator with the ability to see emerging trends and opportunities.
Evidenced commitment to social justice, equality, in line with the Foundation’s core mission.
Collaborative and emotionally intelligent leader.
Capable of navigating complexity and uncertainty with confidence.
Entrepreneurial approach to funding, partnerships and communications.
Key competencies
Strategic vision - Ability to shape and deliver a strategic agenda aligned with mission and funding environment.
Policy influence - Confident engaging with senior political stakeholders; evidence-based yet persuasive.
Fundraising - Proven ability to secure income and manage multi-year funding relationships.
Public leadership - Skilled communicator across media, panels and high-profile platforms.
Team leadership - Builds inclusive, high-performing, and motivated teams.
Cultural sensitivity - Understands and respects Welsh identity, language, and devolved governance.
Risk awareness - Manages organisational risk, legal duties and reputational issues effectively.
Financial acumen - Understands budgets, funding cycles, and resource management.
Values-led - Embodies and upholds values of integrity, fairness, equality and independence.
