Founding Director

Job Title:

Founding Director – Big Sister London

Location:

Hybrid – London-based with flexible working

Salary:

£65,000–£70,000 (depending on experience)

About Big Sister London

Big Sister London is a soon-to-launch not-for-profit organisation with a bold mission: to break cycles of trauma, disempowerment and systemic neglect for underprivileged teenage girls in London. Founded by a female entrepreneur who has lived through the very realities this charity seeks to address, Big Sister London will deliver retreat-based experiences and long-term mentorship to girls affected by exclusion, the care system, early pregnancy, and socio-economic disadvantage.

This is not charity for charity’s sake. This is lived experience turned into purpose.

The Role

We are looking for a Founding Director who will work alongside the Founder to bring Big Sister London from vision to reality. This is a unique opportunity to build a new charity from the ground up—its structure, programmes, partnerships, and long-term funding model.

You’ll need the confidence to operate independently, the drive to turn a seed of an idea into a scalable model, and the emotional intelligence to do it with deep integrity.

Your Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Programme Design
• Translate the Founder’s vision into a structured, scalable pilot programme
• Design and launch a flagship retreat + mentorship model for vulnerable girls
• Build out operational and safeguarding frameworks from scratch

Partnership Building
• Establish relationships with schools, local authorities, social services, and referral pathways
• Identify and secure venues, facilitators, and mental health support networks

Charity/Foundation Setup
• Lead the legal and structural setup (CIO, CIC, or registered charity)
• Work with legal advisors to ensure compliance, governance, and safeguarding policies

Fundraising & Financial Sustainability
• Identify and apply for grant opportunities
• Design a fundraising strategy targeting major donors, corporate partners, and trusts
• Set up financial systems and impact reporting for sustainability beyond Year 1

Operational Oversight
• Set up internal systems (safeguarding, volunteer onboarding, logistics, data management)
• Recruit and manage any freelance or volunteer support needed for delivery

About You

Required Experience:
• You have launched a youth-focused charity, foundation, or programme—not just managed one
• 7+ years in the charity, education, youth, or social impact space
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding, trauma-informed support, and working with vulnerable populations
• Proven ability to write and/or secure grant funding (e.g. Lottery, borough-level, or foundation grants)
• Experience liaising with schools, boroughs, care teams, or social services

Who You Are:
• A builder, not just a manager—you know how to create something from nothing
• Strategic, emotionally intelligent, and purpose-driven
• Comfortable working with a fast-moving founder in a startup-style environment
• Confident setting up processes, policies, and partnerships with minimal hand-holding
• Committed to empowerment over saviourism; you honour lived experience

What You’ll Get:
• Autonomy to shape a movement from day one
• Partnership with a visionary founder who brings deep credibility, reach, and authenticity
• A strong founder-led funding base for Year 1, with your help needed to secure future sustainability
• The opportunity to do work that actually changes lives—not performative charity

To Apply:

Please send your CV and a short cover note (written or video) explaining:
• What excites you about this mission
• A project you’ve launched that you’re proud of
• What you would prioritise in your first 90 days

Deadline: Rolling applications, interviews starting early June 2025.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £60,000.00-£70,000.00 per year

Benefits:
• Sick pay
• Work from home

Schedule:
• Monday to Friday

Work authorisation:
• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in London W1G 0PH