What you’ll do: 

As the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), you will hold the reins of our strategy, leadership, management, performance, and the delivery of our impactful activities. You’ll be expected to lead us through continued and managed growth, bringing system’s thinking to a growing organisation. 

You will be accountable to our Board of Trustees and report directly to our Chair. 

You will directly line manage our Strategic Leadership Team who are responsible for the 4 departments of our charity, Operations, Finance & Resources, Marketing & Fundraising and People & Culture. 

We are an ambitious charity and we need you to help us shape the operational and strategic direction of Green Light Trust.   

The Key Responsibilities in this role include: 

Strategic Leadership: 

• Lead with a strategic, values-centred approach to ensure the safety and effectiveness of GLT's projects and services. 

• Overseeing the activities of the organisation, deputising to your Strategic Leadership Team department specific objectives and guide them in crafting and executing annual business plans aligned with organisational priorities 

• Collaborate with the Board of Trustees to shape ongoing strategic priorities.

Impact and Relationships: 

• Spearhead GLT's reputation and impact for the benefit of our communities, forging robust relationships with Employees, stakeholders, commissioners, funders, and VCSE organisations. 

Governance: 

• Ensuring that Green Light Trust fulfils all of its legal, statutory, and regulatory responsibilities both as a charity and in the delivery of our contracts.  

Financial Sustainability:  

• Ensure the enduring financial health of GLT, employing innovative methods to diversify income streams and cultivate strategic relationships. 

• Taking responsibility for cost management – having an eye on the details ensuring that every penny is used to add value to our organisation and our Participants 

Environmental Sustainability: 

• Holding the organisation and our partners to account with a focus on sustainable and ethical practices, keeping front of mind that our work must be delivered in partnership with, not in spite of, the environments we’re fortunate enough to work in 

Representation and Collaboration: 

• Be the face of GLT, representing us at a system and sector level regionally and further afield if required, cultivating strategic partnerships across the region. 

• Actively engage with the ICB, fostering collaboration with Health, Social Care and Education across the EoE 

Who we’re looking for: 

Essential Skills/Experience: 

• Demonstrate senior strategic and operational experience, grounded in values-based leadership. 

• Possess adept people and performance management skills. 

• Showcase a successful track record in developing and implementing strategies, achieving business goals, and managing stakeholder relationships. 

• Exhibit influencing, negotiation, and organisational development skills. 

• Navigate robust risk management and exhibit expertise in income generation through diverse sources. 

• Communicate effectively, adeptly networking and developing business opportunities. 

• Demonstrate knowledge of charity governance, compliance, financial management, and budgeting. 

• Showcase experience in communications, campaigns, and media relations. 

Desirable Skills/Experience:   

Professional Background 

• A track record of overseeing senior staff in a leadership capacity within a service-orientated organisation for a minimum of three years. 

• Experience in social care, mental health, or VSCE services or a related field. 

• Accomplishments in fundraising and project development. 

Alignment with Values 

• A deep understanding of our values and their organisational implications. 

• Encouraging others to work according to our values, displaying them in every interaction with their colleagues, our Participants and our stakeholders  

Leadership 

• Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire team members. 

• Successfully managed change and uncertainty within a shifting environment 

• Strong negotiation skills with a proven track record in a competitive setting. 

Financial Acumen 

• Familiarity with the principles of sound financial projection and control. 

• Proficiency in understanding, interpreting, and generating financial information. 

• A strategic perspective on financial matters. 

Strategic Vision 

• Proficiency in developing and executing a strategic plan with annual leadership/department plans. 

• Initiative and capability to drive and implement change. 

• Effectiveness in collaborating with a diverse range of stakeholders, including Employees, volunteers – including our Board of Trustees, Participants, commissioners, grant funders, provider partners, and NHS and Local Authority personnel. 

• Skill in developing and leveraging networks and alliances for organisational benefit. 

• An ability to deliver strategic plans with a focus on outcomes, compliance and quality assurance 

Our Values 

• We are brave, adaptive, responsive, and fleet of foot: We respond we don’t react, we’re adaptable and at the cutting edge.  

• We create calm and inspiring communities: We’re person centred, we enhance wellbeing whilst offering challenge and inspiration.  

• We welcome and accept everybody: We’re inclusive, we’re accepting, we’re non-judgemental and we see beyond the external.  

• We support individuals to be themselves in the long term: We’re about more than one-off interventions, we provide individualised solutions, we help people to find themselves and build their confidence.  

• We really believe in what we do and demonstrate it through our actions, we’re authentic, we look after our own wellbeing whilst helping others to look after theirs, Green Light Trust is not just a job to us, we believe in the healing power of nature.  

Why Green Light Trust? 

Founded in 1989 as a conservation charity, Green Light Trust is now a leading provider in East Anglia of education and wellbeing programmes for the most disadvantaged in society; mostly those in the lowest 5% in terms of their wellbeing and integration.  

As a charity Green Light Trust (GLT) has grown 200% over the past 2 years and we have a real sense of purpose and truly believe in our aim to help create a society where everyone has equitable access to the power of nature. We have helped and continue to help thousands of people to improve their mental health through nature, teaching them skills (such as woodwork, cooking, life skills) and strengthening self-esteem and confidence of children and adults who find themselves facing challenge in life. We help motivate a huge number of people seeking employment opportunities or an escape from their addictive or abusive pasts. We really do help people change their lives.  

What’s in it for you:  

• Technology – Cloud based everything with a laptop and all the bits you need to work where suits you best – including remote IT support.  

• Proper holiday - 25 days annual leave + bank holidays as well as that time between Christmas and New Year you always forget to book.   

• Flexible working as standard from day one – Work from home or at our carbon neutral HQ (sit next to the wood burner) or a combination of what brings out the best in you.   

• Rewards and support - Enhanced employee rewards package, no questions access to counselling support. Time out in the woods to be at one with nature. Supported time off when you need it most.   

• Genuine development - Regular performance reviews, support, and progression opportunities.  

• Training and coaching – Where do you want to be? What do you need to get there? Answer those questions and we’ll find a way to make it happen with training and amazing coaching with Alitus!