CEO

Job Title: Chief Executive Officer

Reporting to: Board of Trustees

Hours: Part-time appointment. 21-28 hours per week with flexible working. The CEO may be expected to work occasional evenings and weekends as required to perform the role effectively or attend external events.  

Salary: Circa £50,000 annually, pro rata

Holiday: 25 days per annum + 8 bank holidays pro rata

Pension: FEAST’s pension plan is optional. It is provided by NEST, with auto-enrolment after 3 months of employment.

Location: Hybrid working. There will be some travel within London to visit local councils, community partners and hostels and centres for mental health where we provide service.

Contract: Permanent.

FEAST With Us - Feeding and Empowering All Sustainably Together

FEAST’s mission is to address food poverty sustainably. The charitable objectives are to improve nutrition and build community for and with people vulnerable to food poverty, and reduce food waste. FEAST achieves its mission through the provision of community meals, and is newly developing the ‘Healthy Eating on a Budget programme to support people to make informed nutrition decisions and have practical food experiences, and ultimately promote independence from food aid services.

Today FEAST works with multiple hostels for homeless people and day centres for vulnerable people and offers healthy community meals and food experiences to a growing number of people across North London. FEAST is a leader in Camden, steering the Food Poverty Alliance initiatives towards a world without food poverty, working closely with the Camden council to meet its 2023 Food Mission.

We have an effective and scalable model of community meals and healthy eating programming, and its services are increasingly needed more urgently than ever to reduce the rising cases of food poverty. 1.9 million Londoners endure food poverty with 32% of families attending food banks. Elderly and diverse ethnic groups are over-represented in food aid services, along with lone parents and single men (The Food Foundation). Numbers are likely to have grown in the last year following the Covid-19 Pandemic and Cost of Living Crisis (Sustain), impacting FEAST service users and volunteers alike.

In response to the growing need, FEAST’s income has grown, and as such we have ambitious plans to expand our service to support those enduring food poverty. We are fortunate to be supported by loyal and new funders. 2023 is a transformative period for FEAST as we introduce new sustainable solutions promoting independence with nutrition, and complete research unveiling the specific dietary recommendations for vulnerable people. Our new CEO will join us at a pivotal moment. You will have the ambition and strategic ability to steer FEAST through the fight against food poverty and food waste.

Job description

The Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) will provide excellent leadership and clear direction for FEAST staff. The CEO will enable the charity to achieve its objectives through effective organisation and implementation of the strategy, working dynamically with the Board of Trustees (“the Board”). FEAST is on the brink of significant growth as it addresses dietary inequalities in the UK, and is looking for an outstanding leader to secure our future success. 

Key Responsibilities:  

Strategy, Planning and Performance Management: 

·      Implementation of the Board’s strategic plans, objectives and financial targets to meet both short and long-term organisational aspirations.  

·      Ensure the financial probity of the organisation and provide this assurance to the Board.

·      Conduct regular risk management reviews and put in place mitigating actions.  

·      Take overall responsibility for performance management against targets in all areas of the charity’s operations.  

Income Generation & Commercial Agreements:

·      Ensure an effective income generation strategy is in place, to provide sufficient funding for FEAST’s operations and to secure its long-term financial viability.  

·      Contribute an active role in the delivery of FEAST’s core services. Work with the Fundraising Coordinator to build engaged and active relationships with high-level donors and partners.

Leadership:

·      Provide leadership for staff, developing an engaged, high-achieving and collaborative team, operating in a supportive environment, with the capability to deliver charitable objectives.

·      Uphold and promote the values of FEAST and foster an inclusive culture that attracts, retains and motivates staff to perform and deliver the organisation’s goals.  

·      Maintain our people and development strategy and supporting systems to achieve the organisation’s objectives including safeguarding.   

Board & Governance:

·      Ensure the Board can operate effectively and make informed decisions through the provision of timely, accurate and up-to-date information on relevant issues.  

·      Report regularly to the Board on performance against goals and the strategy, together with any other matters which are relevant to the discharge of the Board’s responsibilities.  

·      Foster a productive and open relationship with the Board, especially the Chair.  

·      Ensure FEAST complies with all legal and regulatory standards of a company limited by guarantee and by the requirements of the Charities Commission.  

External Relationships & Communication:

·      Be the principal spokesperson for FEAST, including with media, donors and other stakeholders, presenting professional and compelling messages aligned with FEAST’s vision and reinforcing that we are a leader in food poverty prevention. 

·      Foster and maintain strategic partnerships to help FEAST to meet its objectives

·      Foster productive relationships with central and local government, politicians, think tanks, education providers, and other policy-makers to advocate and influence funding for food poverty, food policy and legislative decisions with nutrition science at their core.

·      With other team members, develop and maintain strong, effective relationships with our partners and community leaders.   

Person Specification – Essential:

·      Passion for FEAST’s vision to eradicate food poverty.

·      Ambitious and aspirational for the charity.

·      A dynamic, inspirational and confident leader with a proven ability to lead and motivate teams, including developing high-performing staff.

·      High levels of personal and professional integrity; personal values aligned to FEAST. 

·      The credibility and impact to articulate the vision and ambition to external audiences in a compelling way and skilled at undertaking a high-profile ambassadorial role.

·      Previous experience in successfully scaling up an organisation, putting in place the right resources, team and capabilities to deliver growth.  

·      Significant experience in income generation, fundraising or the equivalent experience of major collaborations and partnerships.

·      Financial and risk management acumen. 

·      Ability to scan the external landscape, proactively spot opportunities and respond quickly within a changing environment. 

·      Policy and advocacy experience, including successfully influencing policymakers and government.

·      Able to balance strong strategic leadership with overseeing operational delivery and efficiencies. 

Person Specification – Desirable: 

·      Experience working with vulnerable people enduring food poverty.

·      Experience working in the nutrition industry.  

·      Experience in senior leadership within a charity. 

·      Experience in growing an organisation through fundraising, collaboration and government tenders. 

·      Experience in working effectively with a Board and knowledge of what constitutes good Governance.  

·      Knowledge of benefits and social welfare.

·      Experience in commercial/partnership contract negotiation and management.  

·      Experience in optimizing digital marketing and communication strategies.  

Application Process & terms of appointment

Opening date: 10th February 2023

Closing date: 24th February 2023

First Round Interview date: week commencing 27th February 2023

Second Round Interview dates: to be confirmed as required

Probation: There will be a probationary period of six months during which time one month’s notice will apply on either side. 

Notice: After successful completion of the probationary review, a minimum of three months’ notice on either side. 

Terms: The appointment will be subject to references and an enhanced DBS check 

Equal Opportunities

FEAST is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all staff and diverse applicants. We aim to create a working environment in which all individuals are able to make the best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment, and in which all decisions are based on merit. We aim to ensure that no applicant suffers discrimination because of any of the protected characteristics. Our recruitment procedures are reviewed regularly to ensure that individuals are treated on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities.