Chief Executive Officer - Big Issue Invest

Come and be a leader in the social investment sector.

Big Issue Invest is looking for a Chief Executive Officer to join one of the leaders in the social impact investing sector and help shape the future of our social investment plans.

As CEO, you will work across stakeholder groups to develop and lead on strategy and execution with the aim of delivering meaningful investment into social enterprises that have impactful social purpose.

You will be an outgoing, energetic, and entrepreneurial commercial leader with a demonstrable proven track record in management and growth of a financial services business – ideally in fund management and direct investment.

You can be a leader and ambassador for the whole social investment sector who can shape the external perception of an organisation, mobilise people around a vision and business plan, and demonstrate an understanding of the drivers behind the social finance sector and social impact investment.

About the role:

• Strategic: Working with stakeholders, define and execute the BII strategy in line with BIG mission, updating the business plan annually for discussion and agreement with stakeholders.
• Governance: Be a member of the BII and BIIFM boards; the BIIFM investment committee; the BII Lending Committee; and the BIG Senior Leadership Team.
• Commercial: Manage the product portfolio and BII P&L in line with desired commercial and impact outcomes, driving financial sustainability to fund future innovation and create operational resilience.
• Investments: Take the lead on innovative investment product development in line with sector needs, leveraging relationships with social lenders and grant makers to construct relevant financing solutions.
• Fundraising: Drive fundraising activity from both commercial investors and central/local government and related agencies, identifying and securing investment into the business and its investment vehicles.
• Relationships: Manage strategic relationships with external stakeholders including investors and funding agencies, acting as an ambassador for BII and the wider Group.
• Leadership: Manage the senior management team of BII and provide motivational and cultural leadership to the wider BII organization, fostering inclusivity, diversity, and skills development.
• Operations: Set appropriate business objectives, metrics, organization, and risk management framework to monitor and manage high standards of operational delivery.
• Reporting: Provide effective internal management reporting to stakeholders including BII and BIG boards and the group’s SLT, establishing an efficient Investor Relations function to deliver high-quality and comprehensive investor reporting.

Qualifications

Being entrepreneurial and demonstrating belief in the Big Issue:

• You believe in The Big Issue and support our social objectives.
• You have strong personal impact and credibility.
• You are a self-starter who makes timely, appropriate, and rigorous decisions.

Impact investing and financial services:

• You have a demonstrable track record in the management and growth of a financial services business, ideally in fund management and direct investment.
• You understand the drivers behind the social finance sector and social impact investment.
• You can raise investment finance from a diverse range of investors for various investment vehicles.
• You are qualified to be an FCA SMF1 and SMF3 (Chief Executive and Executive Director) approved person and can accept the responsibility of becoming BII’s key approved person under the Senior Managers and Certification Regime.

Driving strategy and execution:

• You are strong on strategy and have led a business (not necessarily as CEO) through a period of growth and product development.
• You can deliver outcomes to a variety of stakeholders in line with expectations, strategic goals, and wider brand values.
• You can evidence the ability to use judgment and make considered, reasoned decisions with due consideration to all stakeholders.

External leadership:

• You can be a leader and ambassador for the whole social investment sector.
• You are a good networker and brand ambassador for BII and the wider BIG.
• You can shape the external perception of an organization with key stakeholders.

Internal Leadership & management:

• You can mobilise people around a vision and business plan.
• You provide clear, consistent leadership with an open, motivating, collaborative, and inspirational style, building trust with staff and stakeholders.
• You are an influencer and persuader of people, both inside the organization and externally.
• You can delegate appropriately and effectively.
• You can manage and control substantial budgets, demonstrating decision-making, and having due regard for financial implications and competing priorities.

When applying, please quote GIIN when asked where you have applied from.

If you would like any further information or have any questions, please contact: talent@bigissue.com

Big Issue Invest is one of the UK’s leading social impact investors. Investment operations comprise four FCA regulated Funds, three focused on growth social enterprises (particularly to diverse-led organisations) and one investing in outcomes-based contracts. There is a parallel lending business, focused on small loans to charities and social enterprises and a community-led housing facility. All this is backed up by an award-winning impact team.