Role: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Salary: UCL Non-clinical pay scale: spine point 42-49 currently £51,325 – £62,346 per annum (dependent on experience)
Contract: Permanent. Full time, 37.5 hours per week – a flexible, part-time role will be considered for an exceptional candidate.
Location: Royal Historical Society office at University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT – an option for a proportion of remote working will be considered for an exceptional candidate (We are currently working remotely due to COVID-19 but please note there will be an expectation to return to the office once we are able to do so.)
Start date: October 2021 – early January 2022
About the Royal Historical Society
The Royal Historical Society is a learned society, membership organisation and charity with a 150-year history, comprising nearly 4500 fellows, members and early career historians, active in the UK and worldwide. This makes the RHS the UK’s largest membership organisation for professional historians of all kinds, and from all walks of life — held in high regard by historians internationally, and a partner to many similar organisations overseas. These national and international connections are led by the Trustees, academics who make up the RHS Council and the small central team based at University College London, which is the home of the Society.
See the CEO Recruitment Pack for further information on the RHS and its work.
The Role
We are looking to recruit our first Chief Executive Officer to work closely with our Trustees in order to shape and implement the aims and ambitions of the Society.
We are seeking a creative and dynamic individual to help us better equip the Society for today’s challenges and build resilience for those of the future in order for the Society to realise its goals in the 2020s.
As we look to develop the RHS through the 2020s, the Chief Executive Officer will expand and modernise our structures and ensure effective collaboration across the Society’s central team, Trustees, and wider membership. Working closely with a range of key stakeholders the Chief Executive Officer will have responsibility for allocating and prioritising resources so that the Society can continue to extend its remit as the nation’s foremost authority and advocate for the discipline: working for History and historians of all kinds.
This is an exciting opportunity to be a lead advocate for the Society, and work closely with the President, Council and other members of the RHS Senior Management Team to shape and implement the Society’s vision. Together you will oversee the Society’s strategic development, and be responsible for ensuring this is realisable and attained.
The Chief Executive Officer will be responsible for the operational side of the RHS with primary responsibility for budget setting, financial and membership management, as well as the development of new funding opportunities and engagement with prospective supporters to make the RHS a more diverse, inclusive and vibrant members organisation.
The role would suit an individual who is prepared to be actively ‘hands on’ and pragmatic in their approach, and to undertake daily tasks, especially in relation to the Society’s operations and organisation.
See the CEO Recruitment Pack for further details of responsibilities and full specifications.
Who we are looking for
This is an exciting opportunity for someone with considerable experience of running or helping to run a membership organisation or close equivalent.
To be successful in this role you will bring expertise in strategic planning, operational management and financial development within a membership organisation, to ensure the Society’s programme and ambitions are achieved and sustainable.
This role requires financial, operational and strategic input, so we are seeking someone with high levels of financial acumen, business planning, budget setting and operational resource management. Previous successful line management is essential.
Applicants who wish to speak informally about the role, have queries on any aspect of the role, or need more information please contact: Professor Emma Griffin, President of the Royal Historical Society at president@royalhistsoc.org before 11 August 2021.
See the CEO Recruitment Pack for further details of responsibilities and full specifications.
To apply
To apply please submit a CV along with a covering letter (of no more than 3 sides of A4) explaining why you are interested in this post, how you meet the job specification, and what relevant skills and experience you can offer particularly against the person specification. Please also provide a statement, in no more than 500 words, on how you would seek to grow the Society’s membership and income over the next 2-3 years.
Please apply via the Royal Historical Society Jobs Portal
Closing date: 11:59pm on Wednesday 11 August 2021
Shortlist notified: Week commencing Monday 6 September 2021
Interviews: To be held on the afternoon of Tuesday 28 September 2021
The Royal Historical Society is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.
No agencies please.
Registered charity number: 206888.