Interim CEO (Maternity cover)

About Creative Mentor Network

People from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are not fully represented in the creative workforce, and we exist to change this. Our range of mentoring programmes are designed so that everyone wins: supportive careers guidance for young people; training and development for mentors; access to an amazing diverse talent pool for creative businesses.

About the Role

The Interim CEO will lead the organisation, providing direction and leadership in accordance with the mission, vision, values and objectives.

You will be responsible for ensuring the organisation meets its legal, financial & charitable obligations, supporting socioeconomic diversity in the creative industries alongside the organisation's HR objectives to ensure Creative Mentor Network is an inclusive and accessible organisation.

Alongside leading the organisation you will also be responsible for creating long-term partnerships to ensure that Creative Mentor Network is financially sustainable.

We are looking for an experienced business development professional and senior leader with an excellent track record of securing corporate partnerships. You’ll be an enthusiastic, proactive and relationship-focussed individual confident to work towards driving growth within the charity. You’ll work alongside the core team and CMN’s board of trustees to increase the number of partners we work with.

Details

Start date: April - May 2025

Salary: £64,000

Benefits: 25 days holiday (plus office closure at Christmas), flexible working (opportunity to work remotely 3 days a week, compressed hours), 4pm Friday finish

Location: London Victoria / remotely

Hours: 37.5 hours per week. Flexibility may be required for events over the evening.

Contract: 12 months (maternity cover)

Responsibilities

Line management, people management and culture

• Lead a team of five in achieving the goals of the organisation
• Maintain a positive company culture at CMN so that the charity is inclusive, the work environment is accessible and staff feel valued.
• Oversee programmes & outreach team to ensure that programme and outreach targets are met
• Line manage and provide appraisals for all direct reports (COO, Finance & Governance Director, Head of Marketing & Head of Programmes)
• Ensure HR policies are up to date and adhered to with consultant/SL & Board support

Partnerships and new business

• Achieve the charities new business and renewals target (approx £200k)
• Create long-term, trusting partnerships with our partners in the creative industries to deepen their involvement with CMN and ensure they renew their partnerships with us, year on year.
• Own partner relationships to deliver exceptional customer service. Be the lead communicator with partners, supporting CMN’s programmes team to deliver highly impactful programmes that meet each partner's bespoke needs.
• Proactively generate leads and foster new partnerships with companies across the creative industries. Pitch CMN’s offering, write proposals and negotiate to create high revenue partnerships that deliver on CMN’s charitable mission
• Keep up to date with industry change, competitors and potential collaborators

Strategy, finance and operations

Work with the Finance Director and Senior Leadership team to:

• Create and implement budgets to maximise income and drive growth.
• Report into the Board of Trustees to provide a clear picture of CMN’s financial position.
• Identify and manage potential risks.

Profile, thought leadership & marketing

Work with the Head of Marketing & Senior Leadership team to:

• Act as an ambassador for the charity to the wider industry at events
• Proactively position CMN at the forefront of the DEI conversation through thought leadership
• Promote CMN and be the spokesperson for media communication
• Keep up to date with industry change, competitors and potential collaborators
• Introduce and be the leadership presence at CMN events

Governance

Work with the Chair of Trustees to:

• Oversee the organisation's compliance with legal requirements including HR, safeguarding, GDPR, annual reporting to the Charity Commission to ensure it meets its governance responsibilities
• Ensure the Board of Trustees is fit for purpose in conjunction with the Chair of Trustees
• Ensure Trustee oversight is effective and timely

Skills and experience

Essential:

• Passionate about diversity, equity & inclusion and supporting young people.
• Experience in strategically achieving income targets especially working with corporate partners
• Experience in a senior operations or leadership role.
• People skills with the ability to establish and develop key business relationships in a variety of situations
• Strong communication skills, in writing and in person.
• Commercially focused, with a track record of over-delivering sales targets. Able to pitch confidently to clients, and assertive enough to chase opportunities.
• Highly organised, attention to detail, with a proactive approach to improving processes
• Committed and motivated to succeed and meet objectives, both personal and business related
• Strong presentation and public speaking skills
• Strong influencing and negotiating skills
• Account management experience

Desirable:

• Strong knowledge of the creative industry
• Strong knowledge of the DEI / third sector
• Experience of applying for funding/grants

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:

• Aware of the importance of DEI practices within an organisation
• Act with empathy & sensitivity to all colleagues & stakeholders, irrespective of cultural background or protected characteristic, (Equality Act 2010)