Chief Executive Officer (CEO) - Essex + travel

Outdoor Learning; Chelmsford; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading nature conservation charity is seeking a Chief Executive Officer to guide the organization into its next chapter of impact and sustainability. The role requires strong strategic leadership and experience in nature-based education, ensuring operational and financial viability. The CEO will act as the principal ambassador, inspiring trust and fostering relationships with stakeholders. This position is pivotal in shaping initiatives that connect people with nature, protecting wild places, and advocating for transformative experiences.

Qualifications

• Proven experience at Chief Executive or equivalent senior leadership level.
• Demonstrable success in leading and developing organisations.
• Strong strategic leadership with the ability to inspire trust.

Responsibilities

• Provide inspirational leadership and a clear strategic vision.
• Lead, motivate, and support a skilled staff team.
• Oversee financial planning and ensure long-term viability.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Financial acumen

Relationship-building

Experience in nature-based education

Fundraising expertise

Job description

Contract type Full time / Permanent

Closing date 01 Feb 2026 12:00 AM

Location: Chelmsford, Essex (with national engagement and travel as required)
Salary: £60,000 to £70,000 pa, DOE
Closes: 1/2/26

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Wilderness Foundation UK

Contract: Full-time, permanent

About Wilderness Foundation UK

Wilderness Foundation UK is an award-winning charity dedicated to transforming lives through nature. We work with young people and adults using nature-based education, wilderness and nature-based therapy, and the conservation of wild placesto support wellbeing, resilience, leadership, and long-term social change.

Rooted in evidence-based practice and delivered by experienced practitioners, our programmes reconnect people to nature and to themselves, while actively protecting wild environments for future generations. We believe that when people encounter wild nature meaningfully, lives shift and landscapes are safeguarded.

The Role

We are seeking an exceptional Chief Executive Officer to lead Wilderness Foundation UK into its next chapter of impact, influence, and sustainability.

This is a pivotal leadership role for a values-driven, visionary CEO who can inspire people, shape strategy, and steward the charity’s mission with integrity and ambition. You will work closely with the Board of Trustees, senior leadership team, staff, volunteers, partners, and supporters to ensure the organisation thrives operationally, financially, and culturally.

The CEO is both the strategic compass and the public voice of the charity, holding the big picture while remaining deeply connected to the people and places at the heart of our work.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Provide inspirational leadership and a clear, compelling vision aligned with the charity’s mission and values
• Develop and deliver a long-term strategy that strengthens impact, reach, and sustainability
• Lead organisational growth while safeguarding programme quality and ethos

Organisational Leadership

• Lead, motivate, and support a skilled and passionate staff team
• Foster a healthy, inclusive, and high-performing organisational culture
• Ensure robust governance, risk management, and regulatory compliance

Finance & Sustainability

• Oversee financial planning, budgeting, and performance to ensure long-term viability
• Drive income diversification through fundraising, partnerships, grants, and trading activity
• Work closely with the Board on financial strategy and accountability

External Relations & Advocacy

• Act as the principal ambassador and spokesperson for Wilderness Foundation UK
• Build and maintain strong relationships with funders, partners, commissioners, and stakeholders
• Represent the charity within the nature, conservation, wellbeing, and youth sectors
• Ensure the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based nature and wilderness programmes
• Champion innovation in nature-based education and therapy
• Uphold strong monitoring, evaluation, and learning to demonstrate impact

Person Specification

Essential Experience & Skills

• Proven experience at Chief Executive or equivalent senior leadership level
• Strong strategic leadership with the ability to inspire trust and commitment
• Demonstrable success in leading and developing organisations, ideally within the charity or social impact sector
• Sound financial acumen, including budgeting and income generation
• Experience working with or alongside Boards of Trustees
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• Experience in nature-based education, wilderness or nature-based therapy, conservation, wellbeing, youth work, or related fields
• Fundraising and partnership development experience
• Understanding of safeguarding, trauma-informed practice, or therapeutic environments

Personal Attributes

• Purpose-led, authentic, and values-driven
• Visionary yet grounded, able to balance inspiration with delivery
• Comfortable leading in complexity and change
• Deep respect for people, nature, and the transformative power of wild places

Why Join Us

This is a rare opportunity to lead a respected and impactful organisation where nature is not a backdrop, but the catalyst for change. As CEO, you will shape lives, protect wild places, and guide a charity that stands at the intersection of wellbeing, education, and conservation.

If you are a leader who believes that nature can heal people and people can protect nature, we would love to hear from you.