Interim Chief Executive Officer (maternity cover)
Salary: £90,000 – £95,000 per annum pro rata, dependent on experience
Location: Hybrid working with 2–3 days per week, in London – occasional short‑notice visits
Deadline: Wednesday, 17th December 2025
Interviews: Between 8th and 16th January 2026
Start date: Ideally Monday, 23rd March 2026
Contract and hours: Fixed‑term, 9 to 12 months maternity cover. Full working week 37.5 hours. 0.8–1.0 FTE. Core hours 9:30‑16:00. Flexible working.
About the opportunity
Action Tutoring is the largest tutoring charity in the UK, working to close the attainment gap for disadvantaged pupils. In 2025‑26 we will support 7,000 pupils with 80 staff and 2,500 volunteer tutors. We need an inspiring, strategic Interim CEO to lead through annual school sales, an AI testing project and set up for the new academic year.
Duties and Responsibilities
* Maintain high performance of the charity and deliver key strategic goals.
* Lead the organisation through its annual school sales process (Spring 26).
* Oversee a key strategic project testing AI in the delivery model (Summer and Autumn 26).
* Set the organisation up for success in a new academic year (Autumn 26).
* Work with the Board to implement the vision and mission.
* Implement the agreed strategy.
* Provide overall people and cultural leadership, empowering the team and maintaining a positive working culture.
* Ensure operational excellence across the organisation.
* Represent Action Tutoring externally to stakeholders (school leaders, policymakers, media, funders). Raise profile of the charity.
* Maintain constructive working relationships with other education charities.
* Oversee financial management (supported by the Director of Finance & Operations). Lead fundraising with the Head of Philanthropy to meet targets.
* Direct line management of the Senior Leadership Team (3 Directors), Head of Impact & Quality and Head of Philanthropy, covering five departments.
Person Specification & Qualification Criteria
* Right to work in the UK.
* Proven track record as a CEO in a not‑for‑profit organisation; interim CEO experience desirable.
* Experience in a delivery‑based organisation and ensuring quality, efficiency and impact.
* Commercial mindset with proven fundraising or sales achievements.
* Experience overseeing pilots of new delivery modes, applying a theory of change.
* Experience developing and executing strategic plans and complex projects.
* Strong communication skills and experience representing organisations externally.
* Understanding of the education sector and stakeholder needs.
* Ability to diagnose complex problems and encourage scalable solutions.
* Experience empowering senior leaders and the wider organisation.
* Ability to foster a positive working culture aligned with values.
* Strong financial management skills.
* Knowledge of governance structures and experience working closely with a board.
* Comfortable with data and committed to driving impact.
Attributes
* Passion for addressing educational disadvantage and closing the attainment gap.
* Collaborative mindset, building strong relationships with other charities.
* High ethical standards and personal integrity, commitment to transparency and accountability.
* Resilient and adaptable, thriving in evolving external environments.
* Strong commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion.
Benefits
* Hybrid working – flexible combination of office and home.
* 25 days holiday + UK public holidays; 1 extra day for each complete year of service up to 5; 3 additional days between Christmas and New Year.
* Flexitime and TOIL for early or late hours.
* Team away days – whole team meets three times a year.
* Pension scheme with 3% employer contribution.
* Paid and unpaid sabbatical leaves for long‑standing colleagues.
* Culture of celebration – regular thanks, monthly recognition.
* Knowledge sharing – policy briefings, shadowing, peer‑to‑peer development.
* Team socials – team days, lunches and other activities.
* Proofreading team support for external communications.
* Ad‑hoc projects via working groups (policy, diversity, curriculum, data, etc.).
Seniority Level
Executive
Employment Type
Temporary
Job Function
Management
#J-18808-Ljbffr