Chief Executive Officer

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Reporting To: Board of Directors

Location: Dublin 2.

Hours of Work: Flexible

Remuneration: Circa €100,000 per annum - Depending on Experience (DOE)

Probationary Period: 6 months

- Hybrid Working Policy (1 to 2 days in the office)

- Financial support for further education

- 25 days Holidays per annum

- 2 x Positive Mental Health Days per annum

Balmer Dawson Executive Search is thrilled to announce a fantastic new opportunity with spunout for a Chief Executive Officer. We are seeking a dynamic, committed, and visionary leader to drive the organisation's mission and shape its future direction. The successful candidate will be passionate about empowering young people, leading with integrity, and fostering positive change within the community. This is a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact while leading a highly respected and impactful mental health charity.

About spunout

spunout is Ireland's youth information and support platform, working towards an Ireland where all young people (age 16-34) are supported and empowered to thrive. spunout has a range of accessible and free services that are there for whenever young people need them. If it matters to a young person, it matters to them.

Through their platform and channels, spunout shares factual information on mental health and wellbeing. They provide immediate, free services for young people whenever they need them. They share the stories and experiences of young people across Ireland to amplify their voices, and so that they all feel a little less alone. They can also connect young people to trusted services and resources around the country for further support.

Their aim is to support young people to be informed, feel empowered and heard, and to support their peers to access opportunities and services to help them achieve their full potential.

spunout is by young people, for young people and they work collaboratively with other young people to support their mental health and wellbeing. A community of young contributors and volunteers powers their services, guides the work they do, and ensures they stay true to their values and mission.

About the role

The CEO will lead the mental health charity, driving forward their mission ensuring young people feel informed, empowered, and heard. As CEO, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of their organisation, leading strategic fundraising growth, providing leadership and support to all employees, and strengthening their impact.

This is an exciting opportunity to be at the heart of an innovative and collaborative community, where your leadership and fundraising expertise will help expand opportunities and services that enable young people to reach their full potential.

Key Duties & Responsibilities:Strategic Leadership & Governance

Provide visionary leadership, working with the Board to shape the organisation's strategic direction and implement the strategic plan 2024-2027. Act as a key advisor, ambassador, and spokesperson, fostering collaboration between the Board, leadership team, volunteers and stakeholders.

Develop and manage budgets, secure new sources of unrestricted funding, and lead fundraising efforts. Ensure financial sustainability through generation of new funding streams, close monitoring of the organisation's financial performance, best practice in management accounting & reporting, and compliance with relevant financial and charity regulations.

Oversee the effective delivery of programmes and services, ensuring alignment with organisational goals. Develop and implement policies, manage day-to-day operations, and maintain high standards of service quality and engagement.

People & Culture

Lead a high-performing Executive Leadership Team by fostering an empathetic, confident and curious workplace culture in line with the values of the organisation. Ensure a safe, inclusive, and legally compliant work environment for all staff and volunteers while maintaining an ethos of continuous improvement and accountability.

Community Engagement & Advocacy

Strengthen relationships with funders, policymakers, and community organisations. Represent and advocate for the organisation, ensuring its mission remains impactful and responsive to the needs of young people.

Risk & Compliance Management

Identify and mitigate organisational risks related to people, finances, and operations. Ensure compliance with legal, financial, and governance requirements, safeguarding the organisation's reputation and sustainability. And any other reasonable tasks as may be assigned by the Chairperson of the Board from time to time.

Qualifications / Experience:

• Third level qualification in a relevant field (Business, Social Studies, Psychology, Marketing, Communications etc.)
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive leadership experience as CEO or as a member of a senior leadership team

Skills & Abilities:

• Ability to engage authentically with young people and represent spunout as a thought leader in youth mental health.
• Experience in leading high-functioning teams with empathy.
• Financial management expertise with strong commercial acumen.
• Proven track record of achieving financial targets.
• Track record in project management and delivering measurable results.
• Strong understanding of relevant government legislation, including employment, human rights, health & safety.
• Proven leadership and management experience in the non-profit or voluntary sector.
• A proven track record in fundraising, particularly in corporate and community fundraising, with an ability to demonstrate past performance in meeting ambitious targets.
• Experience in motivating communities of volunteers.
• Strong understanding of charity regulations.

Personal Attributes:

The CEO should demonstrate competence in some or all of the following areas:

• Strategic & Adaptive Leadership – Lead with vision, making informed and timely decisions while adapting to a changing environment.
• Ethical & Values-Driven – Uphold and promote ethical behaviour and business practices aligned with the organisation's mission.
• Relationship Building & Collaboration – Foster strong internal and external partnerships to advance organisational goals.
• Effective Communication – Speak, write, and listen clearly and persuasively across diverse audiences.
• Innovation & Problem-Solving – Develop creative solutions to enhance operations and create new opportunities.
• Client & Community Focus – Anticipate and respond to the needs of young people and stakeholders.
• Team Leadership & Development – Inspire, guide, and support teams to collaborate and achieve shared objectives.
• Organisational & Planning Skills – Set priorities, manage resources effectively, and track progress toward goals.
• Strategic Thinking & Decision-Making – Assess risks, identify opportunities, and implement plans that drive impact.

Applications and Queries:

To apply, please submit your CV and Cover Letter (maximum one page), in Microsoft Word format, outlining how your motivation, experience and skills are a fit for this role profile. Please make your application for the attention of BOTH Gilly Balmer and Zena Dawson to the following email address: info@balmerdawson.ie

Any queries should be directed to Gilly Balmer and Zena Dawson at info@balmerdawson.ie

Closing Date:

The closing date for applications is Thursday 3rd April at 5pm (GMT)

Please be advised that any offers are subject to reference checks and Garda clearance.

spunout is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

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