Chief Officer, Children and Families

Press Tab to Move to Skip to Content Link

Job Title: Chief Officer, Children and Families

Chief Officer, Children and Families

Salford - Bridge House

Job Closing Date: 24th October 2025

THE ROLE JOB DETAILS

JOB BAND: SL
CONTRACT TYPE: Permanent, Full-time
DEPARTMENT: BBC Children in Need
LOCATION: Flexible but with regular travel to Children in Need HQ in Salford and other BBC/Children in Need sites as required

Children in Need has engaged an executive search firm, Starfish Search, to manage the selection process for this role. Please note that your application will be handled by Starfish Search, who will have access to your CV and personal details solely for the purpose of this vacancy. This means we will need to share your application with them. Please confirm your consent for this by selecting YES or NO. (If 'NO' is selected, we will be unable to progress the application.)

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

This is a key a Chief Officer level role for BBC Children in Need (CIN), leading on all matters affecting Children and Families. Responsible for translating charity strategy into long-term plans to broaden and deepen our impact for children and young people. The role will work closely with the Chief Officer Group, Board, Trustees, and the BBC to lead and design a long-term influencing and funding strategy, and work alongside the CEO as a senior spokesperson for the charity.

YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT

• Developing and owning the strategy for Children and Families and articulating the change we want to see for children.
• Providing strategic leadership of our funding and grant making strategy, with senior sponsorship of our all our direct impact work with children and families.
• Providing strategic leadership of our influencing, partnership and collaboration work. This includes developing and delivering our influencing strategy for CiN, working closely with policy makers, and establishing strategic funding partnerships and collaborations in support of our strategy.
• Providing strategic impact guidance to the Chief Officer Group, Board and the wider organisation, ensuring it is fully informed of developments in children and families' services, support and the wider funding environment.
• Identifying, understanding and making the case for new opportunities to deliver change for children and families that will enable CiN to take its strategy forward.
• Representing the Charity at the highest levels, engaging credibly, dynamically and charismatically internally and externally, including charity funding partners and stakeholders, members of the Media and Government.
• Providing exceptional leadership to a large staff team, fostering a culture of belonging, support and inclusion whilst driving high performance.

YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Part One
Knowledge and experience

• A proven leader at Executive Board level
• Demonstratable, deep specialist knowledge of the issues affecting children and young people in the UK and the systems and structures that support them.
• An experienced leader of people and change with broad and comprehensive understanding of theories, systems and practices relevant to leading and developing a high-performing team.
• Experienced spokesperson who will be comfortable in a range of settings including with the media and government.

Part Two
Skills and abilities

• Able to act as a strategic leader, bringing deep specialist knowledge, and inspiring and motivating your team to deliver against strategic objectives.
• Able to be a convincing and persuasive communicator, influencing at the highest levels and establishing effective and collaborative relations across the sector and the BBC.

Part Three
Leadership style and behaviours

• Demonstrate exceptional leadership, communication, and engagement skills to drive a culture of impact within the organisation.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Before your start date, you may need to disclose any unspent convictions or police charges, in line with our Contracts of Employment policy. This allows us to discuss any support you may need and assess any risks. Failure to disclose may result in the withdrawal of your offer.

DISCLAIMER

This job description is a written statement of the essential characteristics of the job, with its principal accountabilities, incorporating a note of the skills, knowledge and experience required for a satisfactory level of performance. This is not intended to be a complete, detailed account of all aspects of the duties involved.

BBC Group and Public Services, Broadcasting House, Portland Place, London, United Kingdom, W1A 1AA. BBC Studios Distribution Limited, company no: , registered address: 1 Television Centre, 101 Wood Lane, London, United Kingdom W12 7FA.