Chief Executive

Job Description  The main purpose of the role is to lead Design Council, to ensure the strategy is robust and the operations will deliver all the agreed objectives in year. Additionally, the postholder will champion the role of design especially with government, and working with the Chief Design Officer across key commercial and public sectors. […]

Job Description 

The main purpose of the role is to lead Design Council, to ensure the strategy is robust and the operations will deliver all the agreed objectives in year. Additionally, the postholder will champion the role of design especially with government, and working with the Chief Design Officer across key commercial and public sectors.

Governance

The Chief Executive is the lead officer for all engagement with trustees, and is directly responsible for working with trustees to develop:

• ​The vision, strategic plan and values.
• Effective governance structures.
• Effective oversight of operations on a quarterly basis.

Senior Leadership

The Chief Executive leads the executive team, and is directly responsible for building a high performing team by:

• Proposing the annual objectives for the organisation and the targets for each Director
• Ensuring all staff understand and abide by our policies, procedures and values
• Reviewing progress with objectives on a quarterly basis.

Strategy Development:

• The Chief Executive is directly responsible for strategy, and leads in particular for:
• Contributing an awareness of areas of potential work and influence with Government
• Ensuring the strategy builds on historic successes and meets the major challenges facing society Supporting the development of cross organisation systems to support delivery.

Government and External Relations

The Chief Executive is the lead officer for our work for Government, and for a number of national influencers, and leads external relations in order to build brand and reputation especially in terms of:

• The ongoing funding agreement with the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).
• Discussions with all/any other government departments or major public bodies including UK Research and Innovation, Arts and Humanities Research Council, Innovate UK, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Department for Business and Trade, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
• Delivering speeches or similar with national or international coverage.

Accounting Officer 

The Chief Executive is the Accounting Officer at the Design Council, and so has to:

• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and the accuracy of all records.
• Work with Directors to build a sustainable business model ensuring that all major business development opportunities are seized.

Impact

The Chief Design Officer holds the design practice and leads in terms of producing the annual Impact Report, but the Chief Executive will have a close oversight of this work.

Risk

The Chief Executive leads the process to capture risks, design mitigations, report these to Trustees and ensure all mitigating actions are effectively delivered.

Person Specification 

The current Chief Executive will be stepping down next year after 5 impactful years in the role. We are looking for a Chief Executive who is inspired by our Design for Planet mission and can help attract the funding we seek to deliver maximum impact. Understanding of sustainability issues and design’s role in creating a regenerative future is important, and someone who has experience in catalysing sectoral and economic growth would be beneficial.

The Design Council is a small organisation so this is very much a sleeve rolled up role. There are a lot of evening events and speaking requests. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and ages and encourage underrepresented groups to apply.

Essential Leadership Competencies 

Strategic, Commercial  and Organisational Leadership:

• Strategic Vision & Execution: Ability to simplify complexity, bring coherence to organisational priorities, and translate vision into action.
• Financial Oversight: Strong grasp of financial management, especially in hybrid and not-for-profit funding environments.
• Innovation Mindset: Future-oriented thinking, with awareness of digital technology and AI as drivers of change in design and education.
• Inclusive & Purpose-Driven Culture Building: Embeds values-led leadership and fosters a high-performing, mission-aligned team.
• Experienced People Leader: Skilled in team building and cultivating strong internal and external relationships.

Sector & Stakeholder Credibility 

Design Sector Gravitas: Recognised and respected within the design and built environment communities. Brings authority, influence, and sectoral presence.

• Government & Public Sector Engagement: Well-networked and experienced in navigating public policy, government advisory roles, and funding landscapes.
• Partnerships for Impact: Skilled at building strategic alliances across sectors to deliver societal value, understands the role of Design Council as a bridge between research, industry needs, education, and design expertise.
• International Perspective: Understands global design challenges and opportunities, with potential to elevate Design Council’s international profile and influence.

Desirable Attributes:

• Track record in public and private sector commissions & consultancy
• Commercially focused not-for-profit sector experience
• Education sector experience

Behaviours:

• Dynamic, proactive and highly organised with a proven ability to deliver under pressure.