Interim Chief Executive Officer

Interim Chief Executive Officer, Inner Spark

Job Description and Person Specification | October 2026

• Role: Interim Chief Executive Officer (maternity cover)
• Organisation: Inner Spark, an independent charity founded with the support of the Goyal Foundation
• Contract: 12 months, full-time, from January 2027
• Salary: £85,000 per annum (full-time, interim period)
• Location: Remote working, with online and London-based meetings as required
• Reports to: The Chair and Board of Trustees of Inner Spark
• Safeguarding: Enhanced DBS check (or overseas equivalent) required before appointment

About Inner Spark

Inner Spark is a programme of work that helps young people raise their aspirations, build resilience and develop the drive to shape their own futures. Through workshops and inspirational leaders, it works with young people in schools at a time of real challenge for them, especially in the job market. Investment in young people now helps shape a more inclusive and vibrant society in the future.

In March 2026 the Goyal Foundation board agreed to set up an independent charity to lead and deliver the Inner Spark programme. The Charity Commission approved the application in September 2026. The Foundation has appointed a CEO Designate, who leads the development of Inner Spark from 1 September 2026 and prepares the new charity for its launch in 2027. The CEO Designate will become the substantive CEO from 1 January 2027, reporting to the new charity's board once the Inner Spark staff team transfers.

We are now recruiting an interim CEO to provide maternity cover for the CEO for 12 months from January 2027.

The moonshot

Inner Spark's purpose is to transform the lives of 100 million young people by 2035 and to create a leading brand in the empowerment of future generations worldwide. The goal is to reach young people in the UK, India and other countries, with phased milestones (for example by 2027 and 2030), supported by a theory of change and an impact evaluation framework so that progress can be measured and reported year on year.

The charity has high expectations of itself and of the young people it supports, and it needs a leader who shares them.

Job purpose:

To lead Inner Spark through the creation and launch of the independent charity, and to progress its ambition of reaching 100 million young people by 2035, by:

• leading and developing the Inner Spark programme, and planning and delivering the creation of the independent charity
• developing and implementing strategic and delivery plans to meet the moonshot target, with phased milestones, a theory of change and an impact evaluation framework
• creating sustainable plans for fundraising, income generation and human resources, working with a small team, associates and partners
• ensuring that Inner Spark is transformational and informed by the experiences of young people, education professionals and evaluation
• acting as the key spokesperson and ambassador for Inner Spark, alongside trustees, donors, ambassadors and other supporters
• ensuring the charity fulfils its legal and financial responsibilities
• ensuring robust safeguarding is embedded throughout Inner Spark's work with children and young people

Key objectives for 2027

The interim CEO will be expected to deliver the following during the 12-month appointment:

1. Complete the preparations for the new charity, including finance, fundraising and team development.
2. Continue to improve the delivery and reach of Inner Spark, meeting the 2027 milestone of reaching over half a million young people.
3. Develop the strategic, delivery and launch plans for the new charity.
4. Deliver the key fundraising and income generation events and activities needed to meet income targets in 2027.
5. Build good relationships and influence with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
6. Ensure the new charity meets all its financial and legal obligations.
7. Work effectively with the Chair and the board of the Inner Spark charity.

Key responsibilities

The CEO works in partnership with the board of trustees across three areas: leadership, management and delivery.

1. Leadership

• Develop the vision and strategic plan for Inner Spark.
• Oversee implementation of the strategic plan and report progress to the board.
• Identify the financial, human and IT resources needed to deliver the plan.
• Work with a board of dynamic and ambitious trustees and with key stakeholders, partners and funders.
• Act as the key ambassador and communicator for Inner Spark.
• Ensure young people's voices and experiences shape the programme, alongside the insight of education professionals and evaluation findings.

2. Management

People and partners

• Build and manage a strong team to deliver Inner Spark in partnership with associates and partners in the UK, India and elsewhere.
• Establish the appropriate legal and operating model in each country (for example subsidiary, local partner or franchise).

Finance and fundraising

• Make effective use of limited financial and human resources through planning, budgeting and reporting to trustees and statutory agencies.
• Ensure an effective fundraising and income generation strategy that meets targets.

Technology and data

• Make the best use of technology, AI, CRM and other management systems to liaise with schools, record delivery and feedback, evaluate and promote Inner Spark, and provide follow-up resources.
• Develop a scalable digital delivery channel that can reach the moonshot target beyond in-person school delivery.
• Ensure compliance with data protection law in every jurisdiction of operation, including UK GDPR and India's DPDP Act.

Brand

• Protect and register the Inner Spark brand and trademarks in every jurisdiction of operation.

3. Delivery

• Oversee all aspects of charity management and delivery, setting priorities and ensuring key tasks are completed with the team and with partners and associates.
• Lead internal and external communications, relationship building, networking, key messaging and branding with schools, young people and key audiences.
• Maintain a risk register covering safeguarding, financial, reputational and operational risk across all delivery countries, and report principal risks to the board.

Safeguarding

• Ensure robust safeguarding is embedded throughout Inner Spark's work with children and young people.
• Ensure there is a nominated Designated Safeguarding Lead.
• Ensure mandatory vetting (DBS or equivalent) for all staff, associates and partners in contact with young people.

Governance, legal and financial responsibility

• Ensure the charity meets its legal and financial responsibilities in every country in which it operates.
• Work with the Chair and trustees to support effective governance and board decision-making.
• Report accurately and on time to trustees and statutory agencies.

Person specification

Inner Spark characteristics

The CEO will embody the five characteristics at the heart of Inner Spark:

• Self-awareness
• Purpose
• Accountability
• Resilience
• Kindness

Essential skills, knowledge and experience

Candidates must evidence the following at a senior level.

Leadership and character

• Dynamic leadership and ambition, with an entrepreneurial mindset and a track record of leading by example
• Passion for, and role modelling of, young people's positive futures
• Determination and drive
• Attention to detail and a willingness to fix issues

Strategy and delivery

• Strategic planning
• Project planning, priority setting and delivery to deadlines
• Team management and delegation

Finance and income

• Financial management
• Fundraising and income generation

Governance and safeguarding

• Charity board management, and legal and financial responsibilities
• Safeguarding and child protection leadership at an organisational level

Technology

• Strategic and practical use of technology and AI

Influence and communication

• Communication skills with a range of audiences and channels
• Networking and relationship building

Terms and conditions

• Salary: £85,000 per annum for the full-time interim post.
• Duration: 12 months from January 2027, providing maternity cover for the substantive CEO.
• Working pattern: Full-time, remote working. Interviews will be held online and in London.
• Vetting: The successful candidate must complete an enhanced DBS check (or overseas equivalent) before appointment, given the post's direct responsibility for services to children and young people.
• Equality, diversity and inclusion: The Goyal Foundation and Inner Spark welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion in charity leadership.

How to apply

Please submit:

1. A CV
2. A statement of no more than two pages covering why you are a suitable candidate for the post, how you would approach your first 100 days, and any areas for development

Key dates

• Closing date: 9 November 2026
• First-stage interviews: 17 November 2026
• Final-stage interviews: 23 November 2026

Further details of the interview format and locations will follow.

We reserve the right to close the advert early if we receive a sufficient number of responses.