CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Appointment brief
April 2026
WELCOME
Dear Candidate,
Thank you for your interest in the role of Chief Executive Officer at Spring Impact.
Spring Impact was founded on a clear idea: that proven social solutions should be able to reach far more people, more effectively and more sustainably. Over the past decade, we have established a strong track record supporting non-profits, funders and social enterprises to scale their impact. Through advisory work, multi-client programmes and practical tools, Spring Impact has helped hundreds of organisations expand their reach while strengthening the quality and durability of what they deliver.
Today, Spring Impact occupies a distinctive position combining the discipline and rigour of a consultancy with a deep commitment to social impact. It operates internationally, with a talented team and a growing network of partners and funders. The organisation is values-driven, financially sound, and well positioned for its next phase.
We are now seeking a new CEO to lead that next stage of our development.
This is a truly unique role that requires a leader who can both lead and evolve an already high-performing organisation, as well as contribute meaningfully to the wider field of social impact and systems change globally. The next CEO will build on strong foundations, sharpening strategy, strengthening financial resilience, and ensuring continued delivery of highquality work across a complex and global portfolio.
At the same time, they will represent Spring Impact externally with credibility and influence: deepening relationships with funders and partners, contributing to how the sector thinks about scaling, helping to shape an ecosystem in which effective solutions can grow more rapidly and sustainably, and nurture the collaborative culture of excellence within the organisation.
The context for this work is increasingly urgent. Across sectors, from climate to health to education, the challenge is not only to innovate, but to scale what works. Spring Impact has an important role to play in meeting that challenge: bringing practical expertise, strategic insight and a focus on execution that supports real-world impact at scale.
The Board is committed to supporting the incoming CEO and to ensuring that Spring Impact continues to be an inclusive, high-performing and mission-driven organisation. We believe this is a truly exciting and significant opportunity to lead an organisation with a strong track record and the potential to extend influence and impact further.
If this aligns with your ambitions, please do get in touch with our recruitment advisors at Prospectus for a confidential conversation.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Peter Freedman Chair
SPECIALISTS IN SCALING IMPACT
ABOUT SPRING IMPACT
SPRING IMPACT IS A GLOBAL NON-PROFIT
CONSULTANCY THAT HELPS MISSION-DRIVEN ORGANISATIONS SCALE THEIR IMPACT
It was founded out of frustration that world-changing social and environmental innovations often fail to reach the people who need them most.
Believing that effective solutions to social problems should be widely adopted, we partner with charities, social enterprises, funders, and public sector bodies to unlock their potential for replication and growth. Our vision is a world where effective social innovations are scaled to achieve lasting change. We equip organisations with the tools, strategies, and confidence to scale what works, ensuring impact is both deep and far-reaching.
While we started with a single focus on social franchising, and later on replication, we’ve now grown to provide support on all forms of scaling – from building a movement to open sourcing.
We’ve also expanded our work to include:
• An Academy aimed at demystifying scale and making it affordable and accessible to all.
• Integrated Lean Impact principles across all of our work, to help our partners test plans in the real-world and move confidently into action.
• Collaborating with funders and key players to transform the impact ecosystem so that it works in favour of scale.
With offices in the UK and US, a broad pool of associate consultants globally, Spring Impact has supported more than 1000 mission driven organisations in more than 50 countries. We bring deep expertise in scaling strategy, partnership development, and implementation support. Our approach is collaborative and pragmatic, tailored to each organisation’s context and ambition.
OUR WORK IS GUIDED BY FOUR CORE VALUES:
A questioning nature:
We are problem-solvers at heart, always curious to find better ways of getting things done. Our work is not just about “what” but “why.” We should be sceptical of received wisdom, dogma and the status quo.
Putting people first:
We look out for each other, have fun together and enjoy the work they do. We should all do work that personally motivates us and excites us, as individuals and as a team.
A systematic approach:
We bring structure and rigour to complex issues, solving problems and answering questions. This way we can achieve consistency, and constantly build on the work we have done.
Working in partnership:
We know we are only as good as those we work with. We will meet with people, teams and organisations where they are — working with rather than for.
Spring Impact exists to ensure that good ideas do not stay small. By helping organisations move from intention to scale, we enable more people to benefit from what works. You can read here about how we measure our impact through the achievements of our partners.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION
WE HAVE FOCUSSED ON DEI AND JUSTICE – NOT JUST AS AN EMPLOYER BUT ALSO AS A SOCIAL SECTOR PLAYER STRIVING FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE.
Over the last few years, companies and established structures have been rightly pushed to look inwards and address the historically unaddressed challenges of diversity, inclusion, equity and justice in the workplace. At Spring Impact too, our journey to be more inclusive has been shaped and challenged by our team members and the many partners we work with. We have focussed on diversity, equity, inclusion and justice – not just as an employer but also as a social sector player striving for social justice.
Being an inclusive and equity-centred employer means to us that our organisation allows everyone within it to engage as their authentic selves to the extent that they want to bring
FINANCES
Spring Impact operates with a strong commitment to financial sustainability, organisational health, and strategic growth. With an annual income of £3.7M last financial year, and healthy reserves, the organisation is well-positioned for continued development having delivered consistent income growth during the past years. The CEO provides overarching leadership - alongside the Director of Finance
them. As a social sector player, we want to show up as antiracist, anti-colonialist, and actively leverage our power to advance equity.
On the advice of several experts, we’ve challenged ourselves to look inwards and consider long-term changes that involve the team and focus on culture, rather than focusing on the quick wins that we know aren’t sufficient for overcoming issues that are so embedded in our society.
You can read more here about the steps we’ve taken and the steps we still need to take.
and Operations - of the organisation’s financial strategy, ensuring robust budgeting, long-term financial planning, clear performance oversight, and effective resource allocation that supports mission delivery.
For more information, please view our accounts here.
ORGANISATION CHART
ROLE DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE
Chief Executive Officer
SALARY
Circa £150,000
LOCATION
London with national and international travel
REPORTING TO Board of Trustees
DIRECT REPORTS
Managing Director; Partnerships Director (US based); Director of Finance and Operations
PURPOSE
Spring Impact’s CEO will provide strategic, operational and cultural leadership, ensuring the organisation delivers on its mission to scale social impact globally.
Building on a period of strong growth and credibility, the CEO will lead the next phase of the organisation’s evolution - deepening impact, maintaining strategic focus and strengthening organisational resilience, amidst continuing change within the global social innovation ecosystem.
The CEO will be an inspiring external ambassador, develop key partnerships and funding relationships, and enable a highperforming Senior Leadership Team.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategy, Vision & Governance
• Lead the evolution and delivery of Spring Impact’s strategy, maintaining a clear focus on scaling impact and organisational sustainability.
• Ensure alignment of vision and priorities across teams, geographies, programmes and partnerships.
• Provide organisational leadership that is both strategically rigorous and operationally grounded.
• Work closely with the Board to ensure strong governance, regulatory compliance and effective decision-making.
• Establish clear performance frameworks, ensuring highquality reporting on impact, financial health and strategic progress.
External Leadership, Influence & Growth
• Serve as Spring Impact’s principal external ambassador, building credibility and influence across philanthropy, global development and social innovation sectors.
• Develop and steward senior relationships with major funders, partners and collaborators globally.
• Drive a diversified and sustainable income model, spanning consulting, philanthropy, multi-client programmes and new initiatives.
• Strengthen Spring Impact’s global profile, particularly in priority growth markets (US, Africa and Europe).
• Lead the organisation’s role within the wider ecosystem, identifying partnerships, opportunities and risks that enhance impact.
• Represent Spring Impact through thought leadership, public speaking and strategic communications.
People Leadership & Culture
• Lead and develop a high-performing, values-driven Senior Leadership Team with clear accountability and shared ownership.
• Foster an inclusive, collaborative and mission-driven culture where staff are supported to perform at their best.
• Ensure strong organisational capability through effective talent development, performance management and succession planning.
• Embed diversity, equity and inclusion across leadership, culture, recruitment and global delivery.
Organisational & Financial Stewardship
• Oversee financial strategy, budgeting, forecasting and organisational risk management.
• Ensure robust systems, processes and controls across finance, HR, impact measurement and operations.
• Maintain organisational resilience through disciplined resource allocation and planning.
• Provide transparent, high-quality reporting to the Board on performance, risks and opportunities.
• Support Board development and succession planning to ensure the right balance of skills, diversity and engagement.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE & CAPABILITIES
• Proven senior leadership experience (CEO, Executive Director, Managing Director or equivalent), ideally within social impact, philanthropy, consulting or global development contexts.
• Demonstrable success in building and sustaining highvalue external relationships, particularly with major funders, foundations, or institutional partners.
• Strong track record of acting as an external ambassador and ecosystem builder, shaping partnerships and influencing the wider field.
• Experience leading and developing diverse, highperforming teams, with a clear commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Significant experience shaping and delivering organisational strategy within complex, evolving environments.
• Strong financial and operational acumen, including budgeting, forecasting and risk management oversight.
• Experience working across international contexts, including in Sub-Saharan Africa and with multi-country teams, programmes or partnerships.
DESIRABLE
• Experience scaling organisations, business models or programmes.
• Experience contributing to systems change or influencing public narrative.
• Familiarity with US philanthropy and/or US regulatory environments.
PERSONAL QUALITIES
• Deep commitment to social impact and alignment with Spring Impact’s mission.
• Strategic and entrepreneurial mindset, comfortable operating in a dynamic, growth-oriented organisation.
• Inclusive and empathetic leadership style, with high emotional intelligence.
• Collaborative and low-ego approach, with the ability to build trust across diverse stakeholders.
• Resilient and adaptable, able to navigate ambiguity, complexity and change.
• Curious and reflective, with a willingness to challenge and evolve thinking.
• High integrity, sound judgement and strong personal accountability.
BENEFITS
• Pension contribution (6%).
• Flexible Working approach, trust-based with opportunity to flex your time.
• Significant investment in Personal Development & growth opportunities through dedicated £2k annual budget per person.
• Focus on Mental Health & Wellbeing (EAP in UK, Spill in US).
• Increase of annual leave allocation with length of service.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply for the role, please upload your CV together with a supporting statement (of no more than 1000 words) onto the Prospectus website via the link.
For guidance on formulating your supporting statement, please review our guide here.
Please ensure that you have included a telephone number, as well as any dates when you will not be available or might have difficulty with the recruitment timetable.
If you wish to apply using an alternative format please contact Prospectus on +44 (0)20 7691 1920 or email: executive.admin@prospect-us.co.uk
Applications via the Prospectus website should be made at: https://prospect-us.co.uk/job/194325
At Prospectus we believe passionately that a truly inclusive workplace leads to increased social impact. We are committed to supporting our clients build more inclusive teams. To understand how we are performing, we ask that you kindly complete the brief equal opportunities questionnaire when you submit your application via our website. Please be assured that your responses are kept confidential, separate from your candidate record, are not part of any application you make, and that the consultants never see individual responses to the questionnaire.
RECRUITMENT TIMETABLE
Deadline for applications 13th May
Interviews with Prospectus 18th - 20th May
Interviews with Spring Impact w/c 25th May
QUERIES
If you wish to have an informal discussion about the opportunity, please contact our retained advisors Rhys Barber or Borge Andreassen at Prospectus on +44 (0)20 7691 1920, or email:
rhys.barber@prospect-us.co.uk borge.andreassen@prospect-us.co.uk
