Link to Change is an award-winning charity dedicated to protecting children and young people from exploitation, abuse and harm. We work alongside children, families, professionals and communities to create safer futures and stronger outcomes.
Now entering an exciting new phase of growth across Bedfordshire and surrounding areas, we are seeking an exceptional Chief Executive Officer to lead the organisation into its next chapter.
For over a decade, Link to Change has developed a reputation as a trusted specialist in tackling child sexual exploitation, criminal exploitation, online harms and violence affecting children and young people. Our work has influenced policy and practice, supported thousands of children and families, and amplified the voices of young people with lived experience.
We are ambitious about the future. We want to reach more children, strengthen our influence, grow our services, and continue driving meaningful change within safeguarding systems and communities.
As Chief Executive Officer, you will provide strategic and operational leadership to the charity, ensuring we remain financially sustainable, well governed and focused on achieving the greatest possible impact for children and young people. Working closely with our Board of Trustees, staff team and partners, you will lead organisational development, strengthen relationships across sectors, champion safeguarding excellence and help shape the future direction of the organisation.
This is a unique opportunity to lead a respected, award-winning charity with a passionate team, a strong reputation and a clear sense of purpose.
We are looking for a values-driven leader who can inspire others, build strong partnerships, navigate complexity and lead with confidence and compassion. You will share our commitment to safeguarding, trauma-informed practice and ensuring that the voices of children and young people remain at the heart of everything we do.
If you are passionate about improving outcomes for vulnerable children and young people and want to lead an organisation that is making a genuine difference every day, we would love to hear from you.
Join Link to Change and help create a future where every child and young person is safe, heard and free from exploitation.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential
Qualifications
- Educated to degree level or able to demonstrate equivalent experience in a relevant field (e.g. social care, youth work, criminal justice, public health, business, or similar).
- Evidence of continuing professional development relevant to leadership, safeguarding, or organisational management.
- Leadership or management qualification (e.g. ILM, CMI or equivalent).
Experience
- Significant senior leadership experience within a charity, public sector, or related organisation.
- Experience of leading organisational strategy, growth and development.
- Strong experience of safeguarding practice with vulnerable children and young people.
- Experience of working in partnership with statutory, voluntary and multi-agency stakeholders.
- Experience of financial management, including budgeting, reporting and financial oversight.
- Experience of leading, managing and developing staff and teams.
- Experience of overseeing service delivery and performance within a regulated or safeguarding-focused environment.
Knowledge
- Strong understanding of safeguarding frameworks, policy and practice.
- Knowledge of issues affecting vulnerable children and young people, including exploitation and abuse.
- Understanding of governance and working effectively with Boards of Trustees,
- Awareness of trauma-informed practice and approaches,
- Understanding of financial management processes within a charity or small organisation.
Skills & Abilities
- Ability to provide clear strategic leadership and translate vision into delivery.
- Strong decision-making skills, with the ability to manage risk and complexity.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence a wide range of stakeholders.
- Ability to build and sustain effective partnerships.
- Strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise and manage competing demands.
- Ability to lead through others, providing oversight while maintaining accountability.
- Competent in IT systems, including Microsoft Office and financial/administrative systems.
- Ability to contribute to external communications, including social media and organisational profile-building.
Desirable
Qualifications
- Relevant professional qualification in safeguarding, social work, youth work, leadership, management, or a related discipline.
- Safeguarding or child protection training at advanced level.
- Financial management or business management training/qualification.
Experience
- Experience of working within the charity sector.
- Experience of income generation, fundraising, commissioning or contract management.
- Experience of influencing policy, systems or practice at a local or national level.
- Experience of embedding lived-experience approaches within service design and delivery.
- Experience of undertaking or overseeing operational finance functions (e.g. payroll, invoicing, reconciliations, preparation of accounts).
- Experience of working within or alongside safeguarding partnerships.
Knowledge
- Specialist knowledge of child sexual exploitation, criminal exploitation, trafficking or related areas.
- Knowledge of the Bedfordshire and surrounding system landscape.
- Understanding of communications, branding and digital engagement within a small organisation.
Personal Attributes
- Values-driven, with a strong commitment to safeguarding and the rights of children and young people.
- Resilient, adaptable and able to work effectively under pressure.
- Collaborative, inclusive and approachable leadership style.
- High levels of integrity, professionalism and accountability.
- Proactive, solutions-focused and able to lead through change.
- Passionate about improving outcomes for vulnerable children and young people.
- Willing to be hands-on where required within a small and developing organisation.
Other Requirements
- Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
- Willingness to work flexibly as required.
- Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle (if required for the role).
Closing Date: 31st July @5pm.
To make an application, please submit:
- Up to date CV (no more than 3 pages).
- A supporting statement (no more than two sides) that sets out why you think this role is the right move for you and how you meet the knowledge and experience criteria. Please also state any dates that you would be unavailable for interview if shortlisted.
- Please advise us of any dates in August and September when you would be unable to attend an interview, if successfully shortlisted.
Pay: £45,500.00-£47,500.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
