Chief Executive Officer

Baltic Ventures Limited; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 95,000; Full time

Job summary

A not-for-profit organization in Liverpool is seeking a Chief Executive Officer to lead its acceleration programme. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in early-stage investment and proven leadership skills. They will be responsible for governance, business development, and maintaining stakeholder relationships. This role offers a salary of £95,000, hybrid work conditions, and a comprehensive employment package.

Benefits

27 days annual leave

£2,000 annual training allowance

Qualifications

• Experience in early-stage investment either within a startup or as an angel investor.
• Experience with accelerator programmes as a participant, advisor, or mentor.

Responsibilities

• Accountable for the governance and successful delivery of funding agreements.
• Lead business development and strategic growth initiatives.
• Manage stakeholder relationships and represent the organisation.

Skills

Entrepreneurial drive

Commercial acumen

Strategic leadership

Interpersonal skills

Emotional intelligence

Stakeholder management

Job description

Chief Executive Officer – Baltic Ventures

Founded in 2023 in Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle, Baltic Ventures is a not‑for‑profit organisation (company limited by guarantee) on a mission to support ambitious founders who are building the solutions and businesses of tomorrow and to provide a platform to accelerate early‑stage tech businesses, helping to level the playing field for regional startups.

Following a successful first three years, and having established Baltic Ventures as a leading flagship UK accelerator, the founding CEO is looking to step‑down.

This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious new leader to take the reins and shape Baltic Ventures’ next chapter.

About Baltic Ventures

Baltic Ventures is a flagship UK accelerator based in Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle, backed by a £4m strategic investment from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. Its accelerator programme supports, and invests in, up to 12 early‑stage digital tech companies annually, with investment coming from its angel syndicates. To date, 33 angels have invested over £1m into 30 portfolio companies and helped them to raise eight‑figure follow‑on investment from angels, VCs and Innovate UK grants.

In addition to the Accelerator, Baltic Ventures also supports earlier‑stage founders to develop commercial traction as part of an investment‑readiness pipeline through its Launchpad programme and it supports the growth and vibrancy of the Liverpool City Region’s growing technology hub through a variety of community events and regional activities.

Our values lie at the core of all we do: community and collaboration; a positive environment for all; showing respect to everyone, regardless of who they are or where they come from; creating balance in everything we do.

CEO Roles and Responsibilities

• Accountable for Baltic Ventures, all its activities, its governance and the successful delivery of its grant funding agreement with the LCRCA, including all outputs and outcomes.
• Lead on business development and strategic growth of the organisation, including the development of new products, services and business models, winning new contracts and funding, and establishing organisational runway into 2028 and beyond.
• Represent the organisation to key stakeholders and manage stakeholder relationships, keeping everyone aligned to shared goals.
• Accountable lead of the Baltic Ventures Angel Syndicate, including successfully fundraising for the annual Accelerator programme, regulatory oversight and recruiting new angels to the syndicate.
• Develop and build relationships with partners including investors and corporates and expand the network of investors that follow on invest into portfolio companies.
• Oversee contracting arrangements with suppliers and partners and ensure the organisation is properly resourced.
• Manage and develop the Baltic Ventures core team and oversee day‑to‑day activities of the organisation.
• Oversee and evolve the Baltic Ventures’ brand, market positioning and culture.
• Promote the Accelerator’s activities to key stakeholders and groups and assist with cohort recruitment and selection.
• Support non‑exec Director Board meetings, project review meetings with funding partners and lead the Baltic Ventures’ Advisory Panel.

Experience and Skills

Preferred experience includes:

• Experience of early‑stage investment; either closing investment rounds within a startup or from within a VC, angel network or other similar early‑stage investment or entrepreneur support organisation; or as an experienced angel investor.
• Experience of accelerator programmes; either as a participant, as part of an accelerator team, as an advisor or board member, or as an involved mentor/coach.

Essential skills include:

• Entrepreneurial drive and strong commercial acumen.
• An exceptional leader and manager: demonstrated strategic leadership and interpersonal skills with the energy, drive, vision and commitment to successfully steer Baltic Ventures’ next chapter.
• The emotional intelligence and ability to skilfully manage a variety of diverse stakeholders including public sector, board / non‑executive directors, investors, delivery partners and sponsors, ecosystem stakeholders and mentors.

Permanent employment contract. Reports to Board of Directors. Line manager to Baltic Ventures Operations Manager and Programme Director.

Click “Apply” to submit an application. Include a cover letter that should outline why you are interested in this role and what you would bring to Baltic Ventures; applications without a cover letter won’t be considered. Applications close on 25th January 2026 (midnight). Second interview panel date (in‑person in Liverpool): 10th February 2026.

No recruiters please.

Employment Package

Salary: £95,000.

Hybrid with national and occasional international travel required – office, meeting, workshop and collaboration space in Baltic Triangle, Liverpool.

Annual leave: 27 days (+ public holidays).

Annual training allowance: £2,000.

Seniority level

• Executive

Employment type

• Full‑time

Job function

• Business Development and Sales
• Technology, Information and Internet

Referral program

Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Baltic Ventures by 2×.