Overview
East Sussex Community Voice (ESCV) are seeking an outstanding and empathetic leader to become the Chief Executive Officer of ESCV, working with our directors, staff, and volunteers to further develop our organisation and make a real difference for people across East Sussex.
As an ambitious Community Interest Company (CIC), we seek someone with strong leadership qualities who can ensure ESCV continues to be an effective and independent agent of local change, whilst diversifying and evolving our business.
Since 2013, ESCV has enabled people in East Sussex to have their voices heard in the design, commissioning, and delivery of services by putting communities at the centre of everything we do. Our work includes delivering an award-winning Healthwatch, leading large-scale public engagement and community development projects, and hosting the East Sussex Voluntary, Community & Social Enterprise (VCSE) Sector Alliance.
With imminent changes to Healthwatch and national legislation, we are entering a period of transformation. We are looking for an experienced and inspiring leader who can guide our team through this change, someone who empowers others, builds confidence, and sustains a positive, collaborative culture.
You will be a strategic thinker and relationship builder at a senior level, with a track record of delivering strategies, operational plans, and projects that achieve tangible outcomes. You will also bring excellent interpersonal skills, experience in leading high-performing teams, and the ability to manage staff effectively.
In addition, you will have experience managing and developing high-level relationships with key decision makers and demonstrate extensive knowledge of public engagement, the health and social care landscape, company governance, business development and income generation, and financial control.
If you share our passion for empowering communities and want to lead a dedicated team making a real difference across East Sussex, we would be delighted to receive your application.
Responsibilities
* Lead ESCV as Chief Executive Officer, working with directors, staff, and volunteers to develop the organisation and make a difference across East Sussex.
* Provide strategic leadership to ensure ESCV remains an effective, independent agent of local change while diversifying and evolving the business.
* Guide the organisation through transformational changes in Healthwatch and national legislation, fostering a positive, collaborative culture.
* Act as a strategic thinker and relationship builder at a senior level, delivering strategies, operational plans, and projects with tangible outcomes.
* Lead high-performing teams, with strong people management and interpersonal skills.
* Develop and manage high-level relationships with key decision-makers; demonstrate knowledge of public engagement, health and social care, governance, business development, income generation, and financial control.
Qualifications
* Experience leading organisations at a senior level with a track record of delivering strategic outcomes.
* Strong leadership qualities, empowerment of teams, and ability to sustain a collaborative culture.
* Extensive knowledge of public engagement, the health and social care landscape, governance, business development, income generation, and financial management.
* Excellent interpersonal skills and experience managing high-performing teams and staff development.
How to apply
Closing date: 22 February 2026
Interview date: Week commencing 02 March 2026 at the ESCV offices in Eastbourne
How to apply: For further details about this exciting opportunity and an application pack please visit www.escv.org.uk/work-with-us and download the Job Description/Person Specification for this post and follow the instructions posted. Applications require a CV and a personal statement (maximum of 500 words) and only applications with both will be reviewed. Please upload these via the ESCV job application link provided for the post you are applying for. If you require an application in another format, please do get in contact using the details below. In your personal statement please refer to the job description & person specification to tell us about any relevant skills and experience and why you are applying for the role.
Who to contact if you have a query: Veronica Kirwan, ESCV Chief Executive, via veronica.kirwan@escv.org.uk or call 07794 100 291.
For any further information or queries related to the application process please contact Tahlia Lippett, Business Support Officer, via Tahlia.Lippett@escv.org.uk or call 07794 097 713.
East Sussex Community Voice
Unit 31
The Old Printworks
Eastbourne
East Sussex
BN21 3XQ
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