Location: Cornwall, UK
Salary: circa £75,000 p.a.
Our mission is to defend the health of our oceans and waterways, helping people thrive. The ocean is in danger, and we don’t have much time to save it. At Surfers Against Sewage (SAS), we create inspired, motivated ocean activists everywhere, each one of us committed to protecting the ocean and all it makes possible. We shout loudly for the ocean, gathering the evidence and giving voice to the issues that hold leaders to account. Today we are more than surfers. It’s about more than sewage. We’re here because of the ocean.
As CEO it will be your job to make sure SAS knows where we’re going, what we need to do to get there, and that we’re constantly pushing for positive change and impact. That means working with our staff team (especially leadership) to keep SAS financially sustainable in the long-term, balancing financial and operational needs, ensuring we’re bringing in enough income while also acting as the steward of our culture, and making sure we’re an inclusive, open place to work. The charity has grown significantly in recent years and benefited from good interest from funders and even a royal patronage – it’s time to consolidate, deliver and demonstrate growing impact.
While we are open to different styles of leadership, we and the causes we work on have benefitted from our brand and presence in significant policy discussions, media debates and grassroots activism. We are known as one of the UK’s foremost marine conservation and campaigning charities, a trusted source of reliable information, and we need to maintain this strong reputation, whether that’s in the media, through our networks, through collaboration or otherwise. Similarly, external thought leadership would be beneficial here, although we know deeper knowledge can be developed over time; and there is a passionate and knowledgeable staff team as well as members, reps and volunteers who bring valuable advocacy to draw on and bring to the forefront. Please note that we are looking for our CEO to work from our HQ in St. Agnes, Cornwall.
What you’ll do as part of our team
External responsibilities:
- Live our mission, helping not just our current supporters but the wider public bridge the gap between people and purpose
- Lead oversight of our campaigns and community projects with our Director of Campaigns and Communities, in alignment with our Ocean Impact Plan (3-year strategic plan)
- Fundraising and resource mobilisation across a variety of income streams, including philanthropy, corporate and from the public
- Act as an effective ambassador for SAS in the media and in our networks
- Build and maintain positive, impactful relationships and partnerships with a wide variety of stakeholders, from politicians and business leaders to community groups, activists, other environment organisations, and the adventure sports industry.
- Attend and speak at relevant events as a key representative and actor in the fight to save the ocean, or at least ensure our presence at such events
Internal responsibilities:
- Lead a passionate, effective, motivated team, ensuring staff and volunteers are aligned with and enthusiastic about our strategy and the impact they are having
- Play a key role in building a supportive, coaching culture of inclusion, integrity and participation throughout SAS, ensuring that we are representative of the communities we work with and serve
- Lead oversight of the charity’s operations and budget
- Ensure SAS is utilising donors’ and supporters money wisely, for impact
- Work closely with the Board of Trustees and Leadership Team to ensure governance structures and processes support good decision-making
- Compliance with charity legislation and relevant best practice guidance e.g. for a campaigning charity
- Recruitment as needed
- Undertake travel within and occasionally outside the UK. Given the nature of our organisation, there is likely to be some outside-hours work including evenings or weekends. For example, beach cleans often take place on weekends, and parliamentary events can be held in the evening.