Chief Executive Officer
Join to apply for the Chief Executive Officer role at Station South.
Station South CIC - A People-Powered Place
About Station South: Station South is a restored Victorian railway station turned cycle café, bar, garden and community venue on the Fallowfield Loop in Levenshulme. We’re independent and very proud of the community that has grown around this place.
* Bring people together around good food, good music, bikes, nature and neighbours
* Champion active travel, sustainability and local culture
* Keep this beautiful old building buzzing with life, ideas and opportunity
We’re now looking for a CEO who can help write the next chapter of Station South – someone who cares deeply about community, creativity and culture, and who can also keep an eye on the numbers so we’re still here in 5, 10, 20 years’ time.
The Role in a Nutshell
* Holds the big picture vision for where Station South is going next
* Makes sure the business is financially healthy and able to grow
* Looks after the people and culture so the team can thrive
* Builds relationships and partnerships that keep the place buzzing with activity
Who You’ll Work With
You’ll have direct line management responsibility for:
* General Manager
* Community Cycling Coordinator
* Maintenance & Technical Support Manager
* Events & Communications Coordinator
You’ll also work closely with:
* Our bar, café, bike workshop, kitchen and events teams
* Volunteers and community collaborators
* External partners, funders and local organisations
1. Vision, Culture & Organisational Leadership
* Lead, support and inspire the Station South team and volunteers – championing a culture that’s kind, creative, inclusive and fun to work in.
* Hold and evolve the long-term vision for Station South, building on what’s already working while being brave enough to try new things.
* Make sure our values show up in everyday decisions – from programme choices to pricing to who we partner with.
* Support senior colleagues to do their best work, with clear goals and plenty of trust.
2. Financial Sustainability & Fundraising
* Lead the development of a sustainable business model that blends café/bar income, events, venue hire and grant-funded projects.
* Keep a close eye on budgets, P&L and cashflow, and work with the Board to make sure we’re on solid financial ground.
* Design and deliver a fundraising strategy that might include grants, partnerships, sponsorship, crowdfunding and imaginative “Station South-style” fundraising ideas.
* Build and nurture relationships with funders, sponsors and philanthropic partners who understand and back our mission.
3. Governance, Safeguarding & Doing Things Properly
* Ensure Station South meets all relevant legal, governance and reporting requirements as a CIC.
* Report clearly to the Board on finances, risks, strategy and impact – in a way that helps everyone make good decisions.
* Oversee policies and procedures around health & safety, GDPR, safeguarding and inclusion, so the venue is safe and welcoming for everyone.
4. Business Development, Partnerships & Community Connections
* Lead on partnership development with local authorities, community organisations, active travel partners, arts and cultural organisations, and local businesses.
* Work with Comms and Events to ensure our programme and brand reflect who we are: grassroots, independent, creative and welcoming.
* Develop Station South as a hub for cycling, walking, gardening and green space – including the long‑term development of Station Green.
* Make sure the customer/guest experience feels special – from daytime coffee regulars to festival‑style events and private parties.
5. Operational Oversight
* Support the General Manager and other leads to keep day‑to‑day operations running smoothly across café/bar, events and site.
* Encourage good systems, training and processes so the team can work efficiently and safely.
* Back community engagement initiatives – from cycling and walking programmes to gardening, biodiversity projects and events – and make sure they join up with the bigger picture.
* Help create an environment where staff feel valued, have room to grow, and feel like they can bring ideas to the table.
Person Specification
We know not everyone will tick every box. If you feel excited reading this and can show you’ve done similar things, we’d love to hear from you.
* Leadership experience – around 3+ years in a senior role where you’ve led people and projects (this might be in the arts, community, hospitality, social enterprise, charity, or similar).
* Proven fundraising experience – you’ve written successful funding bids and/or brought income into an organisation (grants, partnerships, sponsorship, etc.).
* Strong financial literacy – confident working with budgets, P&L and financial reports.
* A track record of building and nurturing teams with a positive workplace culture.
* Excellent relationship‑building skills – with community members, partners, funders
* Planning and delivering programmes from start to finish
* Knowledge or lived experience of the active travel / cycling / walking world, or community development.
* Experience delivering projects with volunteers and community‑led projects.
* Background in events, hospitality, marketing or comms – or a strong interest in these areas.
* Experience of policy development and/or working within a regulated environment (safeguarding, H&S, etc.).
The Kind of Person We Think Will Thrive Here
* Light up at the idea of a venue that’s part café, part bar, part garden, part bike hub, part arts space.
* Love talking to people – from local residents and staff to councillors, funders and collaborators.
* Can hold a vision for the future while staying grounded in the practicalities of running a busy venue.
* Excited for new experiences every day, across an interesting and varied workload
* Believe that independent, grassroots spaces like Station South make cities better - and want to help protect and grow them.
What we offer
* 30 days annual leave per year (including 8 bank holidays)
* Cycle to Work scheme
* Food and drink when at work
* 30% off food and drink with friends and family
* 50% off bike repair, parts and accessories
Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Station South CIC is an equal‑opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to building an inclusive environment for all employees.
We are working to ensure the accessibility and equity of our job application process. If there is any reason why you might experience additional challenges in completing our application process and would like support please do let us know how we might be able to help.
How to Apply…
For an initial informal chat about the role, responsibilities, and Station South, reach out to Abigail Pound (current CEO) or Florence Morton (Chair, Board of Directors) on board@stationsouth.co.uk.
To apply for the role, please send a CV and Cover Letter to board@stationsouth.co.uk, with “Application for CEO” in the subject line. The Cover Letter should be a maximum of 1 side of A4, and should outline how you meet each of the “Essential” criteria from the job description.
Applications close: 8pm, 10th January 2026
Candidates will be notified of the outcome of their application (including any invitation to interview) by 22nd January 2026. Interviews will be held during the day on Tuesday 27th January 2026 at Station South.
References will be requested once an offer is made. No references will be contacted prior to a successful offer.
Seniority level
* Executive
Employment type
* Full‑time
Job function
* Business Development and Sales
* Hospitality
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