Chief Executive Officer
Join to apply for the Chief Executive Officer role at Embercombe.
We are looking for an exceptional leader to take Embercombe into its next chapter.
This is a pivotal moment in Embercombe’s story. In 2024 we celebrated our 25th anniversary, and hundreds of alumni and volunteers returned to the land to mark a quarter century of rewilding people and place. Now, we’re looking ahead to the next 25 years and seeking a leader to help set our course.
We have a motivated, experienced team, a strong sense of purpose, and an ambitious development plan with opportunities for philanthropic funding.
What we need is on‑ground leadership.
You’ll be a voice for social and ecological change in the country at a pivotal time, amplifying Embercombe’s work and bringing it to wider and more diverse audiences.
You’ll play a role in cultivating relationships with supporters and potential funders, helping to unlock philanthropic income aligned with our mission.
This is a rare opportunity to lead a place that changes lives, to steward its legacy while shaping its future, ensuring Embercombe continues to inspire hope, courage, and connection for generations to come.
The Role
We are seeking a leader who can hold both the soul and the structure of this organisation. You’ll report to the board of trustees and oversee the leadership of Embercombe as a centre, the development of our offerings and partnerships, the ongoing rewilding of the land and maintenance of our site, and the flourishing of our team.
* Understand what drives a retreat centre (occupancy, experience) and, while you don’t need to be a marketer, instinctively know how to communicate our programmes to the right audiences and fill our programmes.
* Ensure that our finances, operations, and partnerships are aligned with our mission.
* Lead our highly experienced team and facilitators—build relationships, set priorities, coach and support.
* Oversee the stewardship of our 50‑acre site—support and empower those who manage it.
Who You Are
First and foremost, you’re someone who walks the twin trail—constantly and deeply reflective about yourself (inner work) and the impact you have on the world.
You may have come across Mac’s teachings or taken part in The Journey, our flagship personal leadership programme. Perhaps you’ve found yourself drawn to doing meaningful work in the world.
But you’re not only a dreamer or visionary; you’re exceptionally practical and hands‑on when it comes to running a small charity or business.
You know how to read a P&L and are not scared of being responsible for raising revenue.
You know how to get the best out of a small team and inspire volunteers.
You make good decisions under pressure, with limited resources.
Whether you come from the corporate world—where you’re likely a business owner or a P&L owner—or from the charity world, you’re equally practical and focused on outcomes.
Either way, you’re hungry to see change in a world fraying at the edges and have a track record of balancing the books and achieving measurable outcomes. Throughout your career, you’ve been an entrepreneur through‑and‑through, managing small teams with limited budgets and delivering results.
Our Team
You’ll be working with people who are genuine experts in their field. Embercombe’s rewilding programmes are unique in the UK, and our 25‑year history of personal development programmes is routinely described as life‑changing.
You’ll join a small, dedicated team and a wide circle of alumni, volunteers, and friends who care deeply about Embercombe’s future.
Leadership here isn’t about ego; it’s about enabling others to do their best work. You’ll need to be a relationship‑builder: a listener, a communicator, and an organiser of exceptional ability.
Position Details
Title: CEO
Location: Embercombe, near Dartmoor (with 3‑4 days per week on‑site presence expected)
Type: 4 days per week, permanent
We warmly welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds, life experiences, and identities, and especially those whose perspectives can broaden and deepen our work.
Further detail on our website: https://www.embercombe.org/vacancies
How To Apply
In this age of AI‑generated CVs and perfectly optimised cover letters, we’re choosing a more human approach. We invite you to complete our short application form (link below). It helps us understand you in your own words and manage applications fairly and efficiently. You don’t need to be perfect – we’re looking for a sense of your connection to Embercombe’s purpose and why this unique role might be a fit for you.
If you’d find it helpful to speak with one of our trustees before applying—to understand the role, the context, or simply whether this might be the right move for you—you’re very welcome to get in touch and we’ll arrange a conversation.
The deadline for applications is 25 January 2026.
Once applications close, we’ll move quickly. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an initial conversation (around 20 minutes), followed by opportunities to meet members of the team. Final stage conversations will take place with the Board of Trustees. Throughout, our intention is to run a warm, transparent and timely process while giving you a genuine feel for who we are and how we work together.
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