The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI)

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is a unique and much-loved organisation founded almost 200 years ago to enable communities to save lives at sea. Today, the RNLI’s world-class 24-hour search and rescue lifeboat service around the UK and Ireland is delivered from 238 lifeboat stations. We also have over 1,600 professional lifeguards providing a seasonal patrol service on more than 240 beaches, and hundreds of water safety experts and champions spreading our lifesaving messaging. Our vision is to save every one. Drowning is preventable, and we believe that even one person drowning is one too many. More than 144,000 people have owed their lives to the courage and professionalism of our volunteers and staff.

Remarkably, 97% of our frontline lifesavers are volunteers, and thousands more dedicated volunteers raise funds, run our shops, museums and visitor centres, build awareness of water safety in communities, undertake education work in schools and colleges, and advise on a range of specialist functions. In addition, the RNLI employs more than 1,850 staff to support our operations and give shape and direction to the service. Next year, the RNLI will be celebrating its bicentenary; this is a significant opportunity for our charity to celebrate the achievements of all those who have given their time and support, as well as inspire and engage a new generation of supporters to secure our lifesaving services for the next 200 years.

At this significant milestone, we are looking for our next Chief Executive – an exceptional leader to guide our unique and complex organisation into the future, and to lead the execution of our 2030 strategy. Our next CEO will build on a strong legacy, developing the need for new audiences, volunteers, ways of funding and will ensure our organisation is agile and fit for the future in a rapidly changing world.

We are looking for a Chief Executive who can provide outstanding personal leadership, inspire trust and confidence in all who are involved in the RNLI, model our values and lead on culture. The successful candidate will have a track record of leading complex organisations, with the strategic and operational skills to deliver our agreed direction and build on our values, to lead our Executive Team and work closely with our Trustee Board. We will be looking for someone with strong operational strategic leadership and communication skills, who is resilient under significant public scrutiny. Candidates will bring commercial acumen and an understanding of running a multi-faceted, complex organisation, alongside an affinity with our work and our volunteering ethos. Candidates will share our commitment to living our RNLI values to be trustworthy, courageous, selfless, and dependable.

We are an inclusive organisation and welcome applications from everyone who shares our passion for our work and can bring the leadership needed for this role. The RNLI is committed to safeguarding and appointments will be subject to relevant employment checks.

 Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to the RNLI on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit www.saxbam.com/appointments using reference ULNJ. Alternatively telephone +44 (0)20 7227 0880 (during office hours). Applications should be received by noon on 25th September 2023.