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Community Action Suffolk (CAS) is the county’s infrastructure organisation for the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector. We exist to ensure our sector, and its volunteers are supported, safe and sustainable and that our communities are active and resilient.
Our values of collaborative, enabling, person centred, responsive and trusted are the golden thread which runs through who we are and how we operate, and we aim to make them real every day.
About the role
Community Action Suffolk has an exciting new vacancy to support the Chief Executive drive forward its vision and services.
We are looking to recruit a strategic leader as the Chief Operating Officer.
As part of the Executive Team this role will provide strategic leadership across the charity and subsidiary companies operations.
The successful candidate will have a passion for the VCFSE sector and champion community action and volunteering. You will be an excellent communicator at all levels, able to write and speak persuasively to a diverse range of groups. You will provide inspiration and strategic leadership, enabling and supporting all parts of Community Action Suffolk to successfully engage in delivering its strategic objectives. You will need to be driven, pro-active, flexible and resourceful, and capable of embracing change with open arms.
Contributing to the implementation of CAS’s core strategy, annual budget, business plan and strategic priorities, you will be responsible for leading and motivating staff, and will work with the Deputy Director of Operations and Business Development to support provision across the county and generate sustainable forms of income. You will be expected to continually and ambitiously seek further funds to support our priorities and help develop CAS as the ‘go to’ organisation for the VCFSE sector in Suffolk.
You will foster a culture of accountability, transparency, and high performance ensuring alignment between functions to improve collaboration and drive results and will identify operational risks and develop mitigation strategies to ensure business continuity.
You will be a natural influencer with the ability to persuade, guide and motivate. Innovation plays a significant role in everything we do at CAS and your ideas will play a pivotal role in CAS’s future. In addition to deputising for the Chief Executive when required, you will also need to be able to work operationally to support the wider management team problem solving and dealing with issues, obstacles and opportunities as they arise. So, if you are ready for a challenge, enjoy accountability and have plenty of ideas we welcome your application.
If you would like to have an informal discussion about the role, please contact Belinda Couldridge on 01473 345371 who would be pleased to arrange an informal conversation with the Chief Executive.
We are a friendly organisation, committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive culture in all that we do, and welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds. We aim to create a workplace which is welcoming, fair, and inclusive, where people can be themselves and contribute to our vision and values.
We are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments individuals may require in the recruitment process, or on commencement of post.
What we offer
You will work within a reputable charity which offers its employees benefits which include:
· Blended working where role allows
· Flexible working options to support work/life balance
· 33 days (FTE) increasing to a maximum 36 (FTE) annual holiday which includes an allowance for bank holidays
· Up to 4% matched pension contribution
· 2 days pro rata volunteering days to support volunteering in Suffolk
· Staff Discounts Scheme for a range of retailers including; shopping, holidays, insurance, eating out and health and leisure activities
· Company Sick Pay Scheme
· Continued Professional Development for job related development
· Family Friendly policies and practices
· Tailored induction
For more information, please visit http://www.communityactionsuffolk.org.uk/vacancies/ for a copy of our application pack. Alternatively, please contact Louise Bradshaw on louise.bradshaw@communityactionsuffolk.org.uk
Closing date: Applications for this role will be reviewed and considered on an ongoing basis until the role is filled. Interviews will be arranged according to availability. The final closing date for applications is 9am on Monday 28th July 2025.
We therefore encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment, as we reserve the right to close this job listing once a successful candidate is appointed.
Interviews: First stage interviews will take place throughout July, with a second stage interview day in August. Upon submitting your application, a receipt will be issued and you will hear within 7 days if you have been selected for the first stage interview to arrange a mutually convenient time. Due to anticipated volume of applications, if you do not hear from us within this timeframe, please assume you have not been successful.
Completed applications should be sent to louise.bradshaw@communityactionsuffolk.org.uk or via post to Louise Bradshaw, at Community Action Suffolk, 160 Hadleigh Road, Ipswich, IP2 0HH by the above closing date.