Role description
Chief Executive Officer
Salary: £60,000 - £70,000, depending on experience
Location: London, Victoria – preference for majority of time to be on site
Reporting to: Chair and the board of Trustees
Direct Reports: Deputy-CEO
Purpose of the role
The CEO will provide strategic leadership for Unfold’s vision, mission, unique value proposition and overall organisational direction. They will work closely with the Board of Trustees to develop Unfold’s long‑term strategy, budget and business plan, ensuring strong governance and full compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. As Unfold’s ambassador, the CEO will represent the organisation publicly, lead campaigns and build relationships across politics, the media, business and the wider community. They will motivate and engage volunteers, staff, beneficiaries and prospective donors, while holding responsibility for the organisation’s administration and financial management. Crucially, the CEO will uphold and strengthen Unfold’s co‑governance model, ensuring that lived‑experience leadership, shared power and participatory decision‑making remain central to how the organisation operates and evolves.
Key responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Organisational Direction
Provide clear, values‑led leadership that advances Unfold’s mission and supports people facing the greatest barriers to inclusion.
Lead the development, implementation and ongoing refinement of Unfold’s long‑term strategy, ensuring alignment with the Strategic Framework and workstream strategies.
Bring flexibility and adaptability to a changing environment (stakeholders, local/government policies, etc.) with ability to identify/seek new opportunities that align with Unfold mission and vision
Work closely with the Board of Trustees and Deputy CEO to translate strategic priorities into operational plans, management rhythms and decision‑making processes.
Maintain organisational clarity, stability and confidence through the leadership transition and into the next phase of growth.
Funding, Income Growth & External Partnerships
Maintain and grow Unfold’s strong base of multi‑year funding, ensuring financial sustainability and diversification without mission drift.
Provide strategic leadership on fundraising strategy, including trusts and foundations, corporate partnerships, individual giving and local authority relationships.
Act as a compelling ambassador for Unfold, building relationships across politics, local government, business, philanthropy and the wider community.
Identify and pursue new opportunities for growth - whether geographic expansion, new partnerships, or innovative funding models.
Operational Leadership & Organisational Performance
Ensure high‑quality delivery of mentoring, peer support and advocacy programmes, with outcomes for service users at the heart of all activity.
Oversee organisational systems, policies and processes to ensure effective, compliant and values‑aligned operations.
Establish and monitor key indicators of impact, financial health and organisational performance.
Lead and inspire a diverse staff team, fostering a collaborative, inclusive and relational culture.
Participatory Governance & Lived‑Experience Leadership
Uphold and strengthen Unfold’s co‑governance model, ensuring that the Women’s Advisory Council (WAC) and Youth Advisory Council (YAC) hold meaningful influence over strategy, priorities and accountability.
Treat lived experience as strategic expertise, welcoming challenge and embedding participatory decision‑making into organisational culture.
Ensure governance processes remain accessible, relational and grounded in the realities of the communities Unfold serves.
Build strong, trusting relationships with advisory council members and ensure their voices shape key decisions.
Financial Management & Organisational Stewardship
Hold accountability for Unfold’s financial management, budgeting and resource allocation, supported by external HR and finance consultants.
Ensure robust financial controls, risk management and compliance with all legal, regulatory and governance requirements.
Provide clear, timely reporting to the Board of Trustees and subcommittees.
Advocacy, Influence & Public Voice
Shape and oversee Unfold’s advocacy strategy, ensuring it reflects the lived realities and priorities of service users.
Create platforms for direct representation by people with lived experience, amplifying their voices in local and national conversations.
Represent Unfold in the media, at events and in public forums, strengthening the organisation’s profile and influence.
Leadership of People, Culture & Collaboration
Lead alongside a strong Deputy CEO, ensuring clarity of roles, decision‑rights and shared leadership.
Invest in second‑tier leadership capacity and support the development of staff across the organisation.
Protect Unfold’s relational, responsive and values‑driven culture as the organisation grows.
Model humility, transparency and strong ethical leadership in all interactions.
Person specification
Leadership & Strategic Experience
Significant senior leadership experience in a complex, values‑driven organisation (not necessarily large in scale).
Proven ability to lead through ambiguity, make sound judgements, and explain trade‑offs transparently.
Demonstrated success in developing and delivering organisational strategy, with experience of growth that protects culture and values.
Experience operating across multiple domains simultaneously - programmes, funding, advocacy, governance and organisational development.
Ability to lead alongside a strong Deputy CEO, investing in second‑tier leadership and creating clarity around roles and decision‑rights.
Funding, External Relations & Advocacy
Experience maintaining and growing income, ideally including multi‑year funding relationships.
Ability to represent the organisation compellingly to funders, partners, local authorities, political stakeholders and the media.
Skilled at building and sustaining partnerships across sectors, with the credibility to act as Unfold’s public ambassador.
Understanding of the funding environment for community‑based, youth, family or social justice organisations.
Operational & Organisational Capability
Strong financial acumen, with experience overseeing budgets, financial planning and organisational risk.
Ability to ensure effective operational performance in partnership with the Deputy CEO and senior team.
Experience establishing organisational systems, policies and processes that support quality, compliance and impact.
Skilled at leading diverse teams, fostering an inclusive, collaborative and supportive culture.
Commitment to Participatory Governance & Lived‑Experience Leadership
Deep alignment with Unfold’s co‑governance model and belief that lived experience is strategic expertise.
Experience practising shared power under real pressure - not just endorsing participation in principle.
Ability to work confidently with user‑led structures such as the Women’s Advisory Council and Youth Advisory Council, welcoming challenge and embedding their insights into decision‑making.
Values, Judgement & Personal Qualities
Strong ethical instincts, emotional maturity and a relational leadership style that builds confidence in others.
Humility, transparency and a non‑hierarchical approach to power.
Deep commitment to racial justice, gender justice and equity.
Empathy, compassion and the ability to hold authority without hoarding it.
Passion for Unfold’s mission and belief in the potential of people facing the greatest barriers to inclusion.
Sector Knowledge & Contextual Understanding
Understanding of the communities Unfold serves, including the realities of poverty, racial inequality, gender inequality and structural barriers.
Experience in youth work, community development, social mobility, family support, mentoring, or adjacent fields is advantageous but not essential.
Knowledge of Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea and neighbouring boroughs is desirable.
