Journeys to Becoming a CEO
A path to leadership – finding your charity CEO job
Navigating the path to leadership in the charity sector can be tricky —while many fundraisers are ambitious, often people are put off from becoming a charity CEO. Commonly quoted reasons including work/life balance, public scrutiny and managing Trustee Boards. Alongside this, the journey isn’t always well-defined. At Ashby Jenkins Recruitment, we recruit for senior appointments in charity sector like charity CEO jobs, and we aim to support our candidates throughout their career—from entry-level roles all the way to top leadership.
In this blog, we share insights and advice for current and aspiring sector leaders from a special event we hosted. We were delighted to feature distinguished charity sector leaders Louise Parkes (CEO, Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity) and Ali Orhan (CEO, Orchid Cancer Appeal). They joined us to discuss their journeys to becoming CEOs in the charity sector.
Our panellists shared their personal journeys to CEO and provided insightful tips for the audience:
- Take time to reflect – find opportunities to listen to the team, to hold a mirror up to yourself and consider both what you are doing well and what could be better. Self-awareness was identified as a key trait for leaders. Louise held listening sessions with staff to develop GOSH Children’s Charity’s first EDI strategy.
- Be true and kind to yourself – Ali reflected on how, whilst his profile wasn’t what the board at the time was used to or expecting, his diverse background and experience as a nurse was a crucial part of what has made him a success as CEO of a service-focused charity.
- Relationship between the Chair and CEO is crucial – this is the element that most candidates fear, however Louise suggested rethinking the dynamic between a CEO and Board. Trustees should be there to challenge you when things are going well and support you when they aren’t. Holding drop-in sessions so that charity staff can meet trustees and vice/versa can help smooth relationships and ensure you have good relationships with the Chair, but also a couple of other key trustees can help get decisions over the line.
- Have a plan and be prepared– becoming a CEO will not happen by accident or on a whim, map out your plan, what are the gaps you need to fill and how you will you address those. Ali advised find a mentor, especially in areas you don’t have as much experience. Louise noted the importance of building your network, joining special interest groups, taking advantage of opportunities to broaden your experience.
- Passion is key because of the intensity of the role – reflect and identify causes that you are passionate about. Ali reflected that being a charity CEO isn’t a job, it’s a vocation and can be all encompassing. Make sure you remain true to yourself and let your passion for making a change in the world carry you through the tougher times.
Summary
For many, the journey to CEO may seem daunting, but with the right mindset and approach, it’s completely achievable. Follow the advice from leaders like Louise and Ali, and you’ll be on your way to making a lasting impact in the charity sector.
If you’ve been inspired reading about our panellists insight and are thinking about your future, feel free to reach out for an informal chat. We have a strong track record of senior appointments in the charity sector and would love to support you. We would also recommend looking at ACEVO for additional advice and support.
Alongside your job search we can also facilitate introductions to other ambitious charity sector professionals helping you broaden your network.
If you are responsible for recruiting for senior appointments in the charity sector and want to get in touch, you can email us here.
At Ashby Jenkins Recruitment, we are a charity sector specialist agency recruiting specifically for fundraising, marketing and communications, and fundraising operations roles.
