Ambition Aspire Achieve
Salary: £60,000 to £65,000 per annum
Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Location: Newham, East London
Closing date: Wednesday 9 September 2026, 5pm
Interviews: Week commencing 21 September 2026
Anticipated start date: Ideally December 2026, subject to the successful candidate’s notice period

Ambition Aspire Achieve is seeking an exceptional, values-led Chief Executive Officer to lead our much-loved children and young people’s charity into its next chapter.

Founded in 2016 by Kevin Jenkins OBE, Ambition Aspire Achieve is rooted in Newham, East London, and works to provide inclusive opportunities for children and young people, particularly those facing disadvantage, additional needs, disability, vulnerability or risk.

Today, AAA supports nearly 1,000 children and young people each year through its hubs, with many more reached through outreach, schools-based work and community programmes. Our provision includes after-school clubs, holiday programmes, youth clubs, SEND activities, mentoring, outdoor learning, sports, family days, residentials, detached youth work, schools-based youth safety work, community events and targeted family support.

Our main delivery spaces are the Terence Brown Arc in the Park in Canning Town, the Glyn Hopkin Abbey Hub in Stratford, and the Kevin Jenkins OBE Outdoor Learning Centre.

This is an exciting and important moment in AAA’s journey. Following a period of growth, the charity is now focused on consolidation, quality and long-term sustainability. We are looking for a Chief Executive who can provide clear, steady and values-led leadership; support and develop the staff team; work effectively with trustees; strengthen fundraising and income generation; maintain strong partnerships; and ensure children and young people remain at the heart of every decision.

As AAA does not currently have a dedicated senior fundraising post, the Chief Executive will play a central role in securing and maintaining the income needed to sustain and develop the charity’s work. This will include trusts and foundations, statutory funding, corporate partnerships, individual donors, appeals and wider supporter engagement.

You may already be a Chief Executive, or you may be an experienced senior leader ready to step into your first Chief Executive role. What matters most is your ability to lead with clarity, care and resilience, build trusted relationships, secure income, uphold strong governance, champion safeguarding and inclusion, and keep AAA’s values at the centre of how the charity works.

AAA’s values are Committed, Caring, Collaborative and Creative. We are looking for a leader who can live these values and help ensure AAA remains strong, responsive and ambitious for the children, young people and families who need us most.

How to apply

Candidates should read the full candidate pack before applying.

Download the candidate pack: See below
Apply using the online application form: See below

Your application should include:

• an uploaded, up-to-date CV

• a supporting statement of no more than 1,000 words explaining why you are interested in the role and how you meet the person specification

• a completed equal opportunities monitoring form

• contact details for two referees, one of whom should be your current or most recent employer

Referees will not be contacted without permission.

For questions about the recruitment process, please contact:

Tracey Pease, Deputy Chief Executive/Finance Manager
tracey@theaaazone.com

For an informal discussion about the role prior to application, please contact:

Christine Bowden, Chair of Trustees
07984 465705

Safeguarding, equality and safer recruitment

Ambition Aspire Achieve is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people in its care. This role is subject to an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references, right to work checks and other safer recruitment procedures.

AAA is an Equal Opportunities employer. We particularly welcome applications from candidates whose background, experience and perspective reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 9 September 2026 at 5pm.