Role description
Chief Executive Officer
Salary: £85,000 - £90,000 per annum (pro-rated for part time hours). We are an accredited member of the Living Wage Foundation.
Location: Remote, with a minimum of one day a week based at Unseen's head office in Bristol.
Reporting to: The Board
Direct Reports: Senior Leadership Team
Purpose
The Chief Executive Officer will lead Unseen in its mission to tackle modern slavery, and support survivors to rebuild their lives. Building on the powerful legacy of the charity’s founder, the CEO will provide inspirational, confident, and values-led leadership to grow the organisation’s impact, influence, and sustainability.
The CEO will act as Unseen's principal ambassador, engaging credibly and persuasively with government and policy makers, staff, trustees, partners, media, and the wider public. They will balance strong external leadership and influence with rigorous internal excellence, ensuring that Unseen continues to deliver high-quality, business and survivor-centred services while remaining resilient, compliant, and well governed.
The CEO will ensure Unseen continues to be a leading authority in the fight against modern slavery.
In the initial 12 to 18 months, the CEO will focus on three core priorities to ensure Unseen continues to thrive and deliver on its mission:
Setting the Strategic Direction: Developing (with the Board) and articulating a clear strategic vision for Unseen that will guide the charity over the next three to five years, working closely with trustees, staff, and stakeholders to establish key objectives and ensure all activities are aligned with Unseen’s overarching mission and values.
Ensuring Long-term Financial Sustainability and Growth: Safeguard Unseen’s financial future by driving sustainable income growth, diversifying revenue streams and maximising funding opportunities and implementing robust financial planning to manage resources effectively. The CEO will oversee initiatives to secure sustainable funding, ensuring the charity remains resilient and able to deliver its programmes and services well into the future.
Aligning Organisational Culture with Strategic Direction: Fostering a culture that is closely aligned with Unseen’s strategic direction, engaging and empowering staff, reinforcing core values (honourable, insightful, dynamic, collaborative, and ambitious), and nurturing an environment that supports innovation, collaboration, and the organisation’s commitment to survivor-centred outcomes.
Key responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
Lead the development and implementation of Unseen's mission, vision, and long-term strategy reinforcing Unseen’s commitment to delivering impactful and sustainable change in the fight against modern slavery.
Build on and honour the founder’s legacy while evolving the organisation to meet future challenges, identifying and leading on opportunities for growth, innovation, and increased impact.
Ensure that Unseen remains at the forefront of anti-slavery initiatives, integrating survivor-centred outcomes into all aspects of the organisation's strategy, ensuring that the voices and needs of survivors remain at the forefront of decision-making and public engagement.
Stakeholder Management and External Relations
Act as the public face of the charity, engaging confidently with government, policymakers, media and partners. Build strong, trusted relationships across sectors to enhance Unseen’s visibility and influence.
Play a pivotal role in elevating Unseen’s profile in national and international forums on modern slavery. Seek to shape legislation and policy frameworks that strengthen anti-slavery protections.
Build and sustain relationships with a range of key external stakeholders, including donors, corporate partners, NGOs and international networks that are closely aligned with Unseen’s values. Enhance the organisation’s capacity to deliver impactful services in the fight against modern slavery.
Advance Unseen’s recognition and credibility as a thought leader, ensuring its expertise and survivor-centred approach inform broader strategies and public understanding in the fight against modern slavery.
Organisational Culture and Leadership
Ensure the organisation maintains a clear understanding of Unseen’s purpose, values, and strategic direction. Foster a collaborative and inclusive culture where every member of staff feels valued and motivated. Create an environment that promotes high performance by encouraging individuals to work together towards shared goals and objectives.
Foster an organisational culture that values difference, ensuring all staff members feel respected and included. Tackle sensitive matters with discretion and authority, proactively champion diversity, and invest in staff development, wellbeing, and capability.
Drive and empower teams to deliver operational efficiency and financial sustainability by delegating authority appropriately, embracing constructive challenge, and promoting innovation. This will enhance service delivery and help achieve long-term sustainability.
Encourage a culture of continuous improvement by routinely reviewing organisational processes and systems. Ensure Unseen remains agile and responsive to emerging trends and challenges, thereby supporting the organisation’s resilience and growth.
Reporting and Governance
Work in close collaboration with the Board of Directors to uphold robust governance structures and provide comprehensive strategic oversight. Support trustees to fulfil their duties effectively, ensuring they are equipped with the necessary information.
Uphold full compliance with relevant charity and company law, and to all legal obligations. Maintain robust safeguarding measures to protect staff and survivors, embedding best practice throughout the organisation.
Oversee effective financial controls, guaranteeing transparency, accountability and responsible fiduciary management at all times.
Consistently champion the highest ethical standards across Unseen's activities, ensuring that all actions reflect the values and integrity expected of the organisation.
Ensure reporting practices are transparent, timely, and of the highest quality. Provide comprehensive updates on organisational performance, demonstrating the impact of activities and clearly articulating risk to foster trust among staff, trustees and external partners.
Person specification
Essential Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Significant senior leadership experience in progressive organisations across the charity, NGO, social justice, or public/private sectors is required. The ideal candidate will demonstrate empowering leadership with a strong commitment to ending modern slavery, clear direction for senior teams, and the ability to motivate and support colleagues. Applicants should provide examples of fostering growth, innovation, and collaboration in alignment with organisational mission and values.
Proven ability to provide strategic direction and oversight in complex organisations, with a track record of leading mission-driven teams through growth and change and influencing outcomes across diverse stakeholders.
Candidates must demonstrate an ability to grow Unseen’s fee-for-service consultancy income by offering consultancy, training, and advisory services to organisations addressing modern slavery in their operations and supply chains. The CEO will foster an entrepreneurial culture by encouraging innovative fundraising, empowering teams to pilot new initiatives, and promoting a results-driven approach across the organisation.
Proven experience as a strong advocate with the ability to effectively influence government and legislative processes and act as a trusted advisor where appropriate and engaging decision-makers to further the organisation’s goals. Strong candidates will show they can drive meaningful sector change by advancing policy and ensuring Unseen's voice is recognised at the highest level.
Experience of engaging the corporate sector and forming partnerships with organisations committed to human rights or sustainability to secure sponsorships.
Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with a track record of building effective relationships, for example, with donors, partner organisations, and government representatives. Successful candidates will show an ability to collaborate to support Unseen’s mission.
Candidates must show a consistent commitment to diversity and inclusion, actively supporting equality and respect for individual differences ensuring all voices are heard. Applicants should demonstrate how they have advanced inclusive policies and positively impacted organisational culture in previous roles.
Candidates should have experience working with or reporting to a board or similar body, including providing updates, supporting decisions, and maintaining strategic and governance standards. Applicants must demonstrate knowledge of governance best practices and effective communication with oversight groups to strengthen leadership and accountability.
Candidates must demonstrate strong financial and operational expertise, with a proven record in governance and organisational development. They must show evidence of good financial hygiene and efficient resource allocation, overseeing operations, maintaining regulatory compliance, and enhancing organisational systems. Applicants must evidence their role in strengthening governance frameworks, developing effective policies, and working with senior leadership to uphold best practices and mitigate risks.
Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Direct Experience in Anti-Slavery, Human Rights, or Survivor-Support Services: Candidates who have worked directly within anti-slavery initiatives, human rights organisations, or survivor-support services will bring valuable insight and practical understanding to the role.
Credible Media and Public Advocacy Experience: Applicants who can demonstrate experience in media relations or public advocacy, including representing organisations in the public sphere or raising awareness of key issues would be desirable.
Leadership in Fundraising or Income Diversification: Proven leadership in developing fundraising strategies or diversifying income streams is highly desirable.
Experience in International Collaboration and Partnerships: Experience in forming and nurturing international partnerships and collaborations is an asset. For example, working with organisations across borders to share knowledge, resources, and best practices, expanding Unseen's reach and impact.
Lived or Professional Experience of Trauma-Informed Practice/Working with Vulnerable People: Candidates who possess either lived experience or professional expertise in trauma-informed practice, or in supporting vulnerable individuals, will be valued.
Evidence of Working with Government: Applicants who can provide examples of working collaboratively with government bodies, which may include policy development, advocacy, or programme implementation to help expand organisational influence.
Track Record in Expanding Statutory and Grant Funding from Government Bodies and Foundations: Success in securing and increasing statutory and grant funding from government agencies and charitable foundations is highly beneficial.
