Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) 

Salary - £50,000-£60,000 based on experience 

Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust (DCTT) are looking for a committed and highly motivated CEO, who is confident and excited about leading an ambitious and award-winning Charitable Trust and Cultural Heritage attraction. We have been in operation over 60 years, caring for and engaging the public with ancient scheduled monuments and industrial heritage, waterways and mines, by offering educational and entertaining guided boat trips underground below the heart of Dudley.  

In recent years we have expanded our offer to include catering, retail, and special events, as well as offering a range of local community initiatives and events to ensure everyone can engage with our unique underground site and offer. 

Our organisation is supported by a dedicated team of staff and trustees. We also work closely with neighbouring attractions, stakeholders, and partners such as Canal & River Trust and Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, as well as tourism and destination marketing organisations. 

You will be driven by a desire to work with our team, partners, and trustees to ensure the success of the charity, as well as develop its forward-looking plans and activities to ensure its ongoing sustainability and development. 

Responsibilities 

• Strategic Leadership: Providing visionary leadership and direction for the charity. 

• Team Management: Motivating and leading the staff to achieve our mission and objectives. 

• Financial Management: Forecasting and monitoring financial activities, and seeking funding opportunities. 

• Legislation Compliance: Ensuring compliance with numerous external body requirements. 

• Board Support: Supporting and working with the volunteer board of Trustees. 

• Representation: Acting as the primary spokesperson for DCTT to supporters, partners, and industry specialists and organisations. 

• Guardianship: Ensuring the care and conservation of assets and the Ancient Scheduled Monuments, which are part of the UNESCO Black Country Geo Park. 

• Networking: Liaising with and representing our charity and attraction within regional and wider networks, making connections and forging collaborations with a range of supporters, funders and advocates for DCTT. 

Person Specification 

The successful candidate should have the following attributes & skills: 

A proven track record of leadership, in an organisation with a turnover around £1 million.  

Experience of working with a volunteer Board.  

Experience of business objective delivery.  

Experience of team management.  

Expertise in developing and managing budgets.  

Experience of developing and monitoring Key Performance Indicators.  

Exceptional communication and advocacy skills.  

Familiarity with charity governance, charity law, company legislation and health & safety.  

Ability to think creatively and be a sound problem solver.  

Demonstrate sound judgement, in strategy, leadership and management.  

The ability to control personal time management and to effectively delegate.  

Show commitment to our vision, mission and aims.  

An ambitious and energetic leader who can see opportunities, and prepared to roll-up their sleeves when needed. 

The role is full time, 37.5 hrs per week, primarily office based in Dudley with the option for occasional work from home and flexible working as required, which will include some weekends, evenings and bank holidays. 

The Trust offers 28 days paid holiday and a contributory NEST Pension Scheme. 

The Board of Trustees are committed to providing equal opportunities for everyone and encourage applications from all sections of the community. 

Hybrid working is available for this role. Full details to be discussed at the interview stage