Chief Executive Officer

We are seeking an experienced, dynamic, and compassionate leader to serve as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of our non-profit organisation.

The CEO will be responsible for the overall strategic, operational, and financial leadership of Appeer, at an exciting phase of our growth. The ideal candidate will have a strong commitment to our mission, a deep understanding of the challenges faced by people with hidden disabilities, and a proven track record of leadership in a similar setting. The postholder will lead Appeer into its next phase of growth and develop sustainability into the future. See detailed job description and person specification.

Location: Home Based with travel to Woking, Surrey, and surrounds for some meetings and Sessions

Contract: Permanent, 0.8-Full-time (negotiable based on candidate profile)

Salary: £41,000 per annum  pro rata

Key Responsibilities of the CEO:

Leadership and Strategy:

●       Develop and implement the strategic vision and direction for the organisation in collaboration with the Board of Directors

●       Foster a culture of inclusivity, innovation, support and continuous improvement

●       Represent the organisation publicly, serving as a passionate advocate for our community

Operational Management:

●       Oversee the day-to-day operations, ensuring efficient and effective delivery of services.

●       Develop and implement policies and procedures aligned with our mission and goals

●       Ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and best practices including but not limited to safeguarding, employment law, GDPR and finance

●       Ensure compliance with internal policies and procedures and stakeholder contracts and agreements.

●       Act as Appeer’s Equality Lead and oversee Appeer’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy and procedures

Financial Oversight:

●       Develop and manage the annual budget in conjunction with the Board of Directors, working as part of the Finance Committee

●       Ensure the financial health and sustainability of the organisation through sound fiscal management and oversight

●       Oversee effective pursuit and management of funding, including grants, donations, corporate sponsorship, commissions and partnerships and coordinate large fundraising bids

Stakeholder Engagement:

●       Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, including beneficiaries, families, staff, funders, and community partners

●       Work collaboratively with the Board of Directors to support governance and strategic roles

●       Provide excellent donor stewardship and nurture strong relationships with funders

●       Identify new opportunities for engagement with the wider community to raise awareness and support for the organisation’s mission

Team Management:

●       Lead, mentor, and develop the management team and staff, fostering a positive and inclusive work environment

●       Direct line management of Programme Managers, Engagement Manager and Business Manager

●       Ensure appropriate staffing levels and development opportunities for employees

●       Promote a culture of collaboration, respect, and accountability

●       Act as Appeer’s Equality Lead and oversee Appeer’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy and procedures

About Us:

Appeer is a Community Interest Company (CIC) set up to deliver services that support autistic girls and women (and those assigned female at birth) to connect with peers, to develop their life/work skills and to support their wellbeing.  We provide in person and online activity groups and programmes, alternative provision, events and resources for those in the community that we serve, their parents/carers and other professionals. We are not a therapeutic setting and as such do not offer clinical support or 1:1 supervision. We were established in 2019 and have since grown rapidly from a small startup to a robust small-medium  enterprise with a turnover of £250k and serving well over 400 beneficiaries a year.  

All our work is firmly rooted in a ‘positive peer approach’, providing an enjoyable, pressure-free and beneficiary-centred space for connecting with others and exploring interests and hobbies in a place they can truly be themselves. We also facilitate light touch exploration of autism and the discovery and sharing of helpful tools and approaches for navigating the neurodivergent experience.

Our aim is to safeguard and enhance our beneficiaries’ wellbeing, build on their strengths, foster peer support and social networks and promote a positive outlook, whilst never dismissing the challenges they may face. We categorically reject a deficit-based view of neurodivergence and work on the basis that all brains are different and deserve equal respect, freedom and scope for expression.

Appeer is led by lived-experience staff and volunteers, and we strive to maintain an inclusive, supportive and creative working environment where everyone feels supported to do their best. 

Application Process:

Interested candidates are invited to submit a CV and cover letter outlining their interest, suitability and vision for the role by 5pm on 12th August  2024. We encourage early application as we reserve the right to close the application window sooner than 12th August 2024 if a suitable shortlist of candidates has been identified.

Appeer is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We are also committed to ensuring a fair and equitable recruitment process for all vacancies.

Please let us know if you require any reasonable accommodations in order to effectively access the recruitment process.

If you would like any further information about the role or application process, please contact: Claire Livingston who may arrange a conversation with the CEO or a director with you.

This job is funded in part by a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund which will be funding 24 hours per week of this role.

This job is subject to a criminal records check with the Disclosure and Barring Service.