Director / Chief Executive

Director / Chief Executive

If your skills, experience, and qualifications match those in this job overview, do not delay your application.

Location: Sussex-based or genuinely Sussex-commutable, with flexible / hybrid working and regular travel across the county

Salary: £60,000 – £70,000 FTE, pro rata

Contract: Permanent, 3–4 days per week

A rare chance to shape the future of Sussex’s countryside.

About the charity

This charity is the countryside charity for Sussex. An independent county charity and part of the wider network, we have a respected county-wide voice and strong local roots, alongside the support of a national environmental conservation and planning charity.

Our work brings together planning influence, campaigning, membership, volunteering, events and practical countryside projects. From responding to major developments and local plans to building public support through communications and community activity, the charity plays a visible role in shaping the future of place across the county.

This is a significant moment for the organisation. Following a period of change, new staff capacity and recent investment, the charity is building on growing confidence, a stable financial platform and renewed momentum. The next Director / Chief Executive will help translate that foundation into greater influence, stronger cohesion and more sustained impact.

As our next Director / Chief Executive, you will:

• Strategy & Impact: Work with trustees to turn the charity’s mission into clear priorities, practical plans and measurable outcomes.

• Governance & Finance: Provide confident oversight of governance, compliance and reporting, while ensuring resources are directed to the greatest effect.

• Operational Leadership: Lead a small, part-time and distributed team with clarity, pace and good judgement.

• Income Generation: Strengthen membership, supporter engagement and fundraising to build a more resilient, diversified income base.

• Community & Partnerships: Build trusted relationships with communities, partners, local authorities, public bodies, elected representatives and volunteers.

• Brand & Profile: Act as a visible and credible public voice for the charity

• on planning, countryside and environmental issues, and position us as the leading countryside charity for Sussex.

• People & Culture: Maintain alignment and focused, constructive working relationships across trustees, staff, volunteers and external supporters.

• Change & Development: Help shape the next phase of organisational development following a period of transition and growth.

Who you are

• A seasoned senior leader with strong commitment to the charity’s mission and purpose.

• A credible external representative, comfortable engaging with media, decision makers, partners and supporters.

• Experienced in leading people, projects or organisations through change and transition.

• A thoughtful communicator with sound judgement, diplomacy and strong interpersonal skills.

• Confident working with boards or trustees and supporting robust governance.

• Commercially aware, with an instinct for membership, supporter development and financial sustainability.

• Organised, practical and able to direct finite resources to where they will have greatest impact.

• Experience of campaigning, planning, environmental or public policy work would be highly desirable, alongside strong digital confidence and/or charity fundraising exposure.

Why this charity?

• You will be joining a respected Sussex charity with genuine relevance to planning, land use and countryside protection.

• There is strong momentum to build on, including a stable membership base, recent public profile growth and visible practical projects.

• The organisation has substantial reserves and recent investment in capacity, providing a strong platform for the next phase.

• You will work with a committed board, engaged staff and active volunteers who care deeply about the charity’s future.

• This is a rare opportunity to shape both an organisation and the wider countryside debate across Sussex.

Closing date for applications: 9am, Monday 13th July 2026

For full details of the role including how to apply, please download the full appointment brief. For an informal and confidential conversation about this position, please contact Jenny Hills at Harris Hill at with times to speak and (optional but appreciated) a CV or professional profile which will be treated with the strictest confidence.

As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. xwzovoh We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.