Secretary General for the National Rifle Association (NRA) – Chief Executive Officer for the National Shooting Centre Limited (NSC)

About us:

The National Rifle Association of the UK (NRA) is a registered charity with a Royal Charter and our current patron is His Majesty the King, who continues a long history of Royal patronage.

We greatly value our military heritage and close links with the UK Armed Forces which align to the NRA’s charitable objectives to promote and encourage marksmanship throughout the King's dominions in the interest of defence and the permanence of the volunteer and auxiliary forces, naval, military and air.

With over 90 members of staff and numerous volunteers the NRA represents some 53,000 marksmen and markswomen across its membership and affiliated organisations. The 4,000-acre Bisley Estate is home to the NRA; the charity had consolidated income in excess of 10 million in 2023.

Andrew Mercer, the current Secretary General and Chief Executive, will be retiring in 2025 after 12 successful and rewarding years with the charity.

Job Summary:

As Secretary General of the NRA and Chief Executive of the National Shooting Centre Limited, the NRA’s commercial enterprise subsidiary, you will be responsible for leading the management and operations of the organisations, as well as implementing the overall vision for the charity working with the Trustees. The role involves a high level of responsibility, with pivotal decision-making that affects the future of the charity and its beneficiaries.

Working closely with the NRA Board of Trustees and NSC Board of Directors you will develop the long-term strategy, and business plans of both entities and ensure they comply with the law and regulations applicable to each, but in particular the relevant Charities legislation.

As the main driver of the organisation, the Secretary General is ultimately accountable to the NRA’s council of trustees and works closely with them to achieve the charity's objectives.

Within this role, you will be expected to oversee all operations, including financial management, programme development, and stakeholder engagement. The Secretary General and Chief Executive will also be expected to develop and approve strategies for the charity and communicate them to internal and external audiences.

Acting as ambassador for the NRA and NSC, you will provide and be the public face for campaigns and build relationships with stakeholders in national and local government, the wider shooting community, media and business.

You will play a key role in motivating and engaging staff, membership, volunteers, and affiliated organisations.

What’s on Offer:

Competitive package including salary £110,000 – £125,000 dependent on experience

Benefits:

Excellent benefits package including 20 days per year + bank holidays + 3 days leave between Christmas and New Year, 5% employer pension contribution, colleague discounts on food, accommodation, and shooting.

Main Duties:

• Lead the development and execution of strategic plans, aligning objectives with annual budgets.
• Build and manage relationships with political, military, and governmental stakeholders.
• Monitor key performance indicators to assess financial health and organisational impact.
• Oversee all operations, including financial management and HR policy adherence.
• Represent the NRA and NSC as a national governing body and an important voice for the shooting community.
• Represent the NRA and NSC at public events and media opportunities.
• Ensure staff and volunteers are focused on the charity’s mission and objectives.
• Deliver business plans and strategies to increase revenue and reduce expenses.
• Make major decisions regarding operations and resources, ensuring the NRA’s growth and sustainability.

Personal Responsibilities / Duty Holdings:

• Range Safety Certificates: Oversee the safety of the Bisley rifle ranges with guidance from professional staff.
• Competency & Training Certificates: Ensure shooters’ qualifications on Bisley and MoD ranges.
• Registered Firearms Dealer / Explosives Licence: Manage the possession and use of firearms, ammunition, and components. The successful candidate will need to meet the application requirements in line with relevant firearms and health and safety legislation, including police background checks and medical assessments.
• Home Office Authorities: Maintain permissions for specialised firearms use.
• Member Director, British Shooting: Represent the NRA in the Olympic and Paralympic Shooting activities.
• Council Member, British Shooting Sports Council: Represent NRA interests in the wider shooting community.

About You:

The successful candidate will have a commitment to the NRA’s mission, emotional intelligence, and the ability to work collaboratively with the Board, senior leadership, and external stakeholders.

Knowledge / Experience

Essential:

• Degree in a relevant field (e.g., finance, business)
• Proven track record of managing medium to large organisations
• Substantial experience developing organisational strategy, driving growth, and managing change
• Experience working collaboratively with Boards
• Risk identification and management
• People management, especially senior management teams
• Engagement and relationship management with key stakeholders

Desirable:

• MBA
• Experience running a not-for-profit or charity

Essential Key Skills

• Strong leadership: Ability, to inspire, motivate, and delegate to staff
• Advocacy, engagement, and communication: Effective public and private representation of the NRA and its aims
• Excellent interpersonal skills: Able to engage with members, staff, senior government officials, military, and police
• High business acumen: Ability to generate new revenue streams and identify effective cost management strategies that do not materially weaken the efficacy of the organisation
• Quick learner: Ability to rapidly understand NRA and NSC issues and challenges
• Resilience: Capable of making difficult decisions under pressure
• Strategic thinker: Able to see the big picture and long-term vision
• Attention to detail and strong organisational skills

The role demands flexibility, including weekend work, to meet the expectations of stakeholders and volunteers.