Chief Executive Officer

Job Title: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Organisation: 21 Together Location: Maidstone, Kent (Hybrid working available) Salary: From £48,561 FTE, dependent on experience  Contract: Permanent or Fixed Term (flexible) Working Hours: Part-time or Fractional (minimum 3 days per week) Closing Date: 5th January 2026 Interview Date: Early January 2026  About 21 Together At 21 Together, we believe every person with Down’s syndrome has the right to live a happy, rich and fulfilling life. Based in Maidstone and working across Kent, we support children and young people with Down’s syndrome, their families, and the professionals who work with them. We are a small but impactful charity looking for an inspiring Chief Executive Officer to lead us through the next phase of our growth.  The Role As CEO, you’ll provide strategic leadership, oversee operations, and drive income generation to ensure our long-term sustainability. You’ll work closely with our committed Board of Trustees, lead a passionate team, and act as the public face of the organisation. We’re open to part-time or fractional working arrangements (minimum 3 days/week) to attract the right person.  Job Purpose21 Together is a local charity based in Maidstone with reach across Kent with the simple aim:we believe that every person with Down’s syndrome has the right to live a happy, rich andfulfilling life. We are looking to appoint a new CEO, who will drive the realisation of theorganisation's Vision and Mission, set forth by the Board of Trustees. Your role is accountablefor strategic leadership, financial management, securing fundraising income, establishingdirection, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the 'big picture', and fosteringmotivation among staff and volunteers. You will lead a senior team, exemplify organisationalvalues, maintain accountability of stakeholders and staff, monitor key indicators, andfacilitate decision-making processes.You will oversee the implementation of the charity's objectives as directed by the Board ofTrustees, and lead on the development of specific projects where needed, including riskassessments, impact evaluations, and strategic relevance assessments. Additionally, you willact as the primary liaison for the Trustee Board, serving as a spokesperson for the charity, andfostering exceptional engagement with both external and internal stakeholders.Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic Leadership• Lead the development and implementation of the charity’s vision, mission, and long-term strategy.• Identify and pursue opportunities for growth, innovation, and increased impact inservice delivery and income generation.• Foster a clear organisational direction, supported by strong leadership and teamalignment.Governance & Compliance• Work closely with the Chair and Board of Trustees, providing timely and accurateinformation to support strategic decision-making.• Ensure full compliance with all legal, regulatory, and ethical standards, including theCharity Commission, Companies House, and GDPR.• Uphold high standards of governance and accountability across the organization.Operational Management• Oversee the day-to-day operations, ensuring efficient and effective delivery of allservices.• Lead and support staff and volunteers, fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing organisational culture.• Manage risk, resources, and operational planning to support the charity’ssustainability and resilience.Financial Management & Income Generation• Ensure financial sustainability through robust budgeting, forecasting, and financialoversight.• Lead and support fundraising strategies across grants, donations, partnerships, andcommercial activities.• Build and maintain strong relationships with donors, funders, and sponsors, ensuringtransparency and stewardship.• Explore and implement new income streams to diversify funding.Stakeholder Engagement & Advocacy• Act as the public face of 21 Together, representing the charity at external events, withmedia, and to key stakeholders.• Build and maintain strong, trusted relationships with families, partners, funders, andthe wider community.• Advocate for high-quality, inclusive services for individuals with Down’s syndrome.Monitoring, Evaluation & Impact• Set and monitor KPIs to measure performance and impact across all areas of work.• Report clearly and accurately to the Board, funders, and external stakeholders.• Lead on mechanisms for gathering and responding to feedback from service users.• Embed a culture of learning, reflection, and continuous improvement.Person SpecificationSkills, Experience & Knowledge• Proven experience in senior leadership and strategic planning• Strong financial acumen, with experience managing budgets in a grant-fundedenvironment.• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to engageeffectively with families and professionals.• Experience of developing and delivering impactful services for a diverse community.• Proven track record in income generation, including fundraising, grants, andpartnerships.• Strong operational and project management skills.• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and develop high-performing teams.• Knowledge of charity governance, regulation, and working effectively with a Board ofTrustees.• Understanding of the challenges and opportunities in sectors such as health,education, and social care.• Ability to work empathetically and sensitively with vulnerable individuals and families.Desirable• Knowledge or lived experience of Down’s syndrome and associated support needs.Personal Attributes• Integrity, empathy, and emotional intelligence.• Resilience, adaptability, and calm under pressure.• A strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.• Passion for the mission, values, and community of 21 Together.Key Responsibilities About You We’re looking for someone who is: An experienced leader with a strategic mindsetFinancially astute, with a track record of managing budgets and securing incomeA confident communicator with excellent stakeholder engagment skillsCommitted to inclusion, learning and supporting vulnerable communitiesDesirable: Experience or understanding of Down’s syndrome and/or learning disabilities.What we offerFlexible working (minimum 3 days a week)Hybrid arrangements available Supportive and values-led cultureOpportunity to make a meaningful, visible differenceApply via LinkedIn.