Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Wilderness Foundation UK

LOtC Quality Badge; Chatham Green; On-site; GBP 60,000 - GBP 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An impactful charity organization based in Chatham Green seeks a dynamic Chief Executive Officer to drive its mission forward. The successful candidate will offer visionary leadership, a strong strategic direction, and robust financial oversight to ensure long-term sustainability. This role demands exceptional communication skills and a proven track record in organizational development, particularly within the charity or social impact sector. The CEO will work closely with the Board and a passionate team to transform lives through nature-based education and therapy.

Qualifications

• 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 organizations within the charity sector.

Responsibilities

• Provide inspirational leadership and a clear vision aligned with the charity’s mission.
• Develop and deliver a long-term strategy to strengthen impact.
• Oversee financial planning and budgeting for long-term viability.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Fundraising and partnership development

Excellent communication

Financial acumen

Relationship-building skills

Experience in nature-based education

Job description

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Wilderness Foundation UK

Salary: £60,000 to £70,000 per annum, depending on experience
Contract Type: Full time
Hours: 40 per week
Length of employment: Permanent
Location: Chatham Green, Chelmsford, Essex, CM3 3FE
Closing date of vacancy: 31 st January 2026

About Wilderness Foundation UK

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

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

About the role

The Wilderness Foundation 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, funders, 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