CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Kairos Community Trust
London |  £75,000 subject to experience

Lead an organisation where community, practical support and a belief in change help people rebuild their lives.

For more than three decades, Kairos Community Trust (Kairos) has stood alongside people affected by addiction and homelessness, offering the structured services, relationships and opportunities that make recovery possible. As Chief Executive, you will lead an organisation with strong roots, committed people and a clear understanding that nobody should be defined by their past.

The opportunity

You will be joining Kairos at an important point in its journey. The organisation has a proud history, a distinctive community ethos and services that make a tangible difference. The opportunity now is to protect what makes Kairos special while bringing the confidence, vision and drive needed for its next chapter.

This role offers real breadth. You will have the space to shape strategy, strengthen financial sustainability, develop partnerships and income, support an experienced team and ensure people with lived experience have genuine voice, choice and influence. You will also work with an engaged Board that wants the next Chief Executive to bring openness to innovation, honest challenge and inclusive leadership.

For the right person, this is the chance to combine strategic leadership with meaningful human impact. You will see the difference the organisation makes and have the opportunity to extend that impact to more people.

About Kairos

Kairos began with the Kilburn Night Shelter, established in 1988 to support people experiencing homelessness. Its early development brought together people from different Christian traditions. As the work developed, a stronger focus on the need for recovery, rehabilitation and supported housing emerged. Founded in 1991, it became Kairos Community Trust in 1994.

Today, Kairos is an independent and inclusive charity. People of all faiths and none are welcomed. What unites the organisation is a shared commitment to dignity, recovery, mutual care and the belief that change is possible.  This focus, alongside its organic historic development, is the foundation of its ethos.

The Board and staff team include people with a range of religious beliefs and non-religious worldviews, alongside varied cultural backgrounds and lived experiences. This breadth of perspective strengthens Kairos and supports informed, compassionate decision making.

The role

As Chief Executive, you will be accountable to the Board for the leadership, performance and long-term sustainability of Kairos. You will be visible and approachable, equally comfortable discussing strategy with trustees and funders, supporting colleagues across services and listening carefully to the people Kairos exists to serve.
•    Provide inclusive strategic leadership and clear organisational direction, translating strategy into practical priorities and measurable impact.
•    Provide clear, inclusive and supportive leadership and line management, nurturing an inclusive culture in which colleagues and volunteers can contribute, learn and thrive.
•    Develop sustainable funding and responsible income opportunities, maintaining proportionate financial controls and supporting long-term organisational sustainability.
•    Build trusted relationships with funders, partners and the wider community.
•    Ensure that services are safe, effective, financially sustainable and shaped around the rights, aspirations and outcomes of the people we support.
•    Provide the Board with timely advice, clear reporting and support for effective governance.
•    Raise the profile and influence of Kairos across statutory, voluntary and community sectors.
•    Oversee development and maintenance of the charity’s housing stock.
•    Work with managers in the application of relevant legislation and regulation.

The person we are looking for

You will be an experienced, thoughtful and compassionate leader who combines strategic leadership with sound operational oversight. Substantial experience of strategic or senior leadership in a relevant environment, such as a charity, social enterprise, housing, homelessness, recovery, health, social care or community organisation. Evidence may have been gained through different professional or community routes.

You do not need to have followed one particular career path. Experience in homelessness, addiction, housing, health, social care or community services would be valuable, but we are equally interested in the quality and transferability of your leadership skills. What matters is that you can demonstrate:
•    Strategic and operational leadership in a complex, purpose led organisation.
•    Strong financial judgement and the ability to support long-term organisational sustainability.
•    Experience of leading and developing people through change.
•    The confidence to build relationships, influence others and create opportunities.
•    A collaborative approach to governance and a constructive relationship with a Board.
•    A genuine commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and valuing lived experience.
•    A credible, reflective and accountable leader who invites challenge and learns from feedback.

Salary and package

Salary: £75,000 subject to experience
Access to a company car or alternative travel arrangements will be considered where appropriate.
Annual leave in accordance with organisational policy. Pension scheme: Kairos Community Trust contributes 3% when the employee contributes 5%.
On site in London, with regular visits across other sites in London

How to apply

To apply, firstly, please follow this link: EDI monitoring link to complete our Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion form. Secondly, please send a CV/Profile and a supporting statement answering the following questions to seniorappointments@charitypeople.co.uk by 12pm on Monday 30thNovember 2026:
•    Why Kairos? – Why are you interested in leading Kairos, and what skills, experience and perspective would you bring? (500–800 words max, OR 3 minutes video/audio)
•    Leading through change – Tell us about a time you led experienced people through change. How did you balance empathy, accountability and progress? (500–800 words max, OR 3 minutes video/audio)
•    Financial and organisational leadership – Give an example of how you strengthened financial performance, managed risk or improved long term sustainability. What was your contribution and impact? (500–800 words max, OR 3 minutes video/audio)

Recruitment timetable

Webinar: 6.30pm, Wednesday 11th November 2026. Please register your interest in attending this webinar via this link: Webinar sign-up.

Please submit questions in advance to seniorappointments@charitypeople.co.uk by 5pm on Wednesday 4th November to ensure all of your queries are answered. Any further questions can be submitted via the Q&A function during the Webinar.

Closing Date: 12pm, Wednesday 30th November 2026 
Longlist interviews with Charity People: w/c 14th and 21st December 2026
Interviews: w/c 18th January and 25th January

An inclusive and accessible process
We are committed to making the application process inclusive. If you need adjustments at any stage of the process, please tell us what would help. Applications are warmly welcomed from people of all backgrounds, particularly those whose perspectives and experiences remain underrepresented in senior leadership.

The successful candidate will be subject to the pre-employment checks appropriate to the role, including references, right to work verification and an enhanced DBS check.

If you are looking for a Chief Executive role with purpose, humanity and the freedom to make a lasting difference, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.

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Chief Executive Officer – Safe in Sussex

Location: Ferring, West Sussex | Hybrid – 3 days onsite
Salary: In the region of £55,000
Hours: 37 hours per week (a nine-day fortnight may be considered)
Type: Full-time

About Safe in Sussex

Safe in Sussex is a specialist domestic abuse charity helping its service users live free from abuse and fear. For almost 50 years, the organisation has provided refuge accommodation, community-based support and trauma-informed services across West Sussex. The charity operates within the wider Women's Aid network and remains committed to providing a safe space for those in need.

As the charity approaches its 50th anniversary and prepares for the retirement of its long-serving CEO, Safe in Sussex is entering an important new chapter. Financially stable, with strong local partnerships, the organisation is well positioned for its next phase of development and impact.

This is a chance to lead a respected organisation during a period of transition, helping to shape its future while building on a legacy of compassion, resilience and life-changing support.

What You Can Look Forward To

As Chief Executive, you will provide strategic, compassionate and accountable leadership to the charity while working closely with staff, trustees, service users, partners, funders and commissioners.

You will:

• Shape the next organisational chapter
• Strengthen leadership capacity, support cultural evolution and create sustainable structures for the future.
• Ensure services remain safe, trauma-informed, survivor-centred and responsive to need.
• Oversee financial planning, income generation and long-term sustainability.
• Lead with empathy and accountability
• Represent the charity externally and strengthen relationships

About You

We are seeking a strong and values-led leader who combines emotional intelligence, strategic thinking and operational credibility.

Skills and Experience

• Senior leadership experience in a charity, public service or other values-led organisation
• Experience of leading organisational change, development or cultural transformation.
• Strong safeguarding, risk management and trauma-informed leadership knowledge.
• Financial leadership experience, including budgeting, planning and organisational sustainability.
• Understanding of income generation, commissioning, funding or fundraising.

Personal Attributes

• Deep commitment to the safety and empowerment of service users.
• Compassionate, resilient and emotionally intelligent.
• Able to balance empathy with challenge and accountability.
• Strategic, thoughtful and future-focused.  
• A strong communicator with credibility across diverse audiences.
• Comfortable operating through complexity, ambiguity and change.
• Committed to visible, long-term leadership within West Sussex and the surrounding area.  

You May Not Tick Every Box

If this opportunity excites you, but you are not sure that you meet every criterion, we would still love to hear from you. We are interested in your potential, experience, perspective and commitment to our mission, not simply a perfect match against a checklist.

Occupational Requirement

Because of the nature and context of the role and, as some of Safe in Sussex's safe spaces are women-only, this post is only open to women. This is an occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010.

Recruitment Timeline

To ensure equitable access to information and support an inclusive recruitment process, Safe in Sussex will host a candidate Q&A webinar in place of individual informal discussions. We encourage all interested candidates to submit questions in advance, which will be addressed during the session. Please register your interest in attending this webinar on Tuesday 22^nd September 2026 6-7pm and we will send you a link.

Application Deadline: 5pm, Friday 2 October 2026
First interview: w/c 2^nd November

Second Interview: w/c 9^th November

How to Apply

Charity People Ltd is acting as a recruitment agency advisor to Safe in Sussex on this appointment. Interested candidates are invited to submit a CV to seniorappointments@charitypeople.co.uk and request a candidate pack in the first instance.

For an informal conversation about the role or if you have further questions prior to applying, please contact Fabrice Yala on 07563 030595 or seniorappointments@charitypeople.co.uk

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability, and potential; please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so we can help make the application process work for you.

Charity People actively promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion. We match charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates, irrespective of age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we know greater diversity will lead to even greater results for the charities with which we work. 

Safe in Sussex welcomes applications from women of all backgrounds and particularly encourages applications from those whose perspectives are currently underrepresented in charity leadership.