About the Organisation
School of Hard Knocks (SOHK) is one of the UK's leading education charities, working in 29 secondary schools across England, Scotland and Wales. Using rugby as a key delivery tool, SOHK supports young people who are struggling to engage in early secondary education — often because of anxiety, low confidence, disrupted home lives, or behavioural challenges rooted in trauma.
The SOHK Schools Programme is a two-year intervention working with cohorts of around 20 pupils from Year 7 through to Year 9, selected by schools as typically among the hardest to reach young people. Each week, SOHK delivers half a day of rugby training and classroom sessions built around its 3Cs framework — covering growth mindset, goal setting and decision-making — alongside monthly one-to-one sessions with every pupil. Ninety percent of participants report feeling more confident and more engaged with school after taking part, with long-term effects on attendance, attainment and life outcomes.
Since 2023, SOHK has partnered with Impetus, a charity that invests in and supports organisations helping young people from disadvantaged backgrounds succeed, combining investment with strategic and organisational development support. SOHK's four-year strategic plan targets significant growth, aiming to bring its programme to hundreds more young people each year.
About the Role
The CEO is the public face and leader of SOHK, responsible for the charity's overall strategic direction, vision and management — ensuring SOHK meets its mission and strategic objectives while maintaining strong relationships with Trustees, staff, supporters and the wider SOHK community.
SOHK is looking for a mission-driven charity leader and effective fundraiser, capable of building a sustainable growth model as the organisation moves into its 2026–30 strategy.
What You'll Do
Strategy and Direction
Act as the face and voice of the charity — its principal ambassador
Lead the development and periodic review of SOHK's strategy with the Trustees and Senior Management Team
Translate the 2026–30 strategy into organisational priorities, plans and goals
Ensure safeguarding, wellbeing and the lived experience of young people remain central to every decision and growth plan
Programme Delivery, Quality and Impact
Hold a high bar for programme quality and outcomes for young people
Line-manage and support the Director of Programmes, working with delivery teams and partners to build a world-class, evidence-based intervention
Ensure SOHK can evidence the impact of its programmes, with insights feeding back into constant improvement
Income Generation, Fundraising and External Relations
Lead income generation across trusts and foundations, corporate partnerships, individual giving, and challenges and events
Line-manage and support the Head of Fundraising in executing a comprehensive fundraising strategy
Hold senior relationships with funders and partners, building SOHK's brand, reputation and profile
Leading People, Culture and Operations
Build and lead a high-performing Senior Management Team
Foster a positive, inclusive, high-performing culture aligned with SOHK's values
Line-manage and support the Director of Finance & Operations, ensuring operational excellence
Governance and the Board
Act as the primary link between the organisation and the Trustees
Attend all Trustee meetings (held quarterly) and provide timely, accurate reporting
Ensure compliance with all legal, regulatory and Charity Commission requirements
What They're Looking For
Essential:
Proven senior leadership experience in the charity, education, youth or social impact sector — whether as CEO or as part of an executive team — including working directly with a Board of Trustees
Demonstrated success in building or significantly growing an organisation, programme or initiative
A collaborative and values-led leadership style, with the ability to inspire trust, hold people to account, and build high-performing teams
Strong track record of income generation, including securing significant funding from trusts, foundations, corporates or major donors
Experience of financial oversight, budgeting and organisational planning at a senior level
Strategic thinker, able to translate vision into clear plans and delivery
Strong relationship-builder and communicator, confident with a wide range of stakeholders
Desirable:
Previous charity CEO experience — a bonus, but not essential
Direct classroom, youth work or education leadership experience
Knowledge of the UK education system and youth policy landscape
Experience of scaling a multi-site delivery organisation and working with local authorities
Personal Attributes:
Deep commitment to improving outcomes for young people, especially those facing disadvantage
Resilient and persistent, able to work under pressure and navigate setbacks
Collaborative, open and reflective leader who seeks feedback and learns from it
Practical Details
Contract Type: Full-time, permanent
Location: Greater London, with offices in Edinburgh and Cardiff
Salary: £85,000–£90,000 per year, plus £5,000 PRP
Reports to: Chair of the Board of Trustees
Direct Reports: Director of Programmes, Director of Fundraising, Director of Finance & Operations
Travel: Regular UK travel, primarily to Edinburgh and Cardiff, plus occasional evenings for stakeholder engagement and fundraising events
Trustee Meetings: Quarterly, in London, in the evening, plus ad hoc subcommittees
How to Apply
Further details on how to apply can be found via School of Hard Knocks' recruitment channels.
Apply for this role →
School of Hard Knocks (SOHK) is one of the UK's leading education charities, working in 29 secondary schools across England, Scotland and Wales. Using rugby as a key delivery tool, SOHK supports young people who are struggling to engage in early secondary education — often because of anxiety, low confidence, disrupted home lives, or behavioural challenges rooted in trauma.
The SOHK Schools Programme is a two-year intervention working with cohorts of around 20 pupils from Year 7 through to Year 9, selected by schools as typically among the hardest to reach young people. Each week, SOHK delivers half a day of rugby training and classroom sessions built around its 3Cs framework — covering growth mindset, goal setting and decision-making — alongside monthly one-to-one sessions with every pupil. Ninety percent of participants report feeling more confident and more engaged with school after taking part, with long-term effects on attendance, attainment and life outcomes.
Since 2023, SOHK has partnered with Impetus, a charity that invests in and supports organisations helping young people from disadvantaged backgrounds succeed, combining investment with strategic and organisational development support. SOHK's four-year strategic plan targets significant growth, aiming to bring its programme to hundreds more young people each year.
About the Role
The CEO is the public face and leader of SOHK, responsible for the charity's overall strategic direction, vision and management — ensuring SOHK meets its mission and strategic objectives while maintaining strong relationships with Trustees, staff, supporters and the wider SOHK community.
SOHK is looking for a mission-driven charity leader and effective fundraiser, capable of building a sustainable growth model as the organisation moves into its 2026–30 strategy.
What You'll Do
Strategy and Direction
Act as the face and voice of the charity — its principal ambassador
Lead the development and periodic review of SOHK's strategy with the Trustees and Senior Management Team
Translate the 2026–30 strategy into organisational priorities, plans and goals
Ensure safeguarding, wellbeing and the lived experience of young people remain central to every decision and growth plan
Programme Delivery, Quality and Impact
Hold a high bar for programme quality and outcomes for young people
Line-manage and support the Director of Programmes, working with delivery teams and partners to build a world-class, evidence-based intervention
Ensure SOHK can evidence the impact of its programmes, with insights feeding back into constant improvement
Income Generation, Fundraising and External Relations
Lead income generation across trusts and foundations, corporate partnerships, individual giving, and challenges and events
Line-manage and support the Head of Fundraising in executing a comprehensive fundraising strategy
Hold senior relationships with funders and partners, building SOHK's brand, reputation and profile
Leading People, Culture and Operations
Build and lead a high-performing Senior Management Team
Foster a positive, inclusive, high-performing culture aligned with SOHK's values
Line-manage and support the Director of Finance & Operations, ensuring operational excellence
Governance and the Board
Act as the primary link between the organisation and the Trustees
Attend all Trustee meetings (held quarterly) and provide timely, accurate reporting
Ensure compliance with all legal, regulatory and Charity Commission requirements
What They're Looking For
Essential:
Proven senior leadership experience in the charity, education, youth or social impact sector — whether as CEO or as part of an executive team — including working directly with a Board of Trustees
Demonstrated success in building or significantly growing an organisation, programme or initiative
A collaborative and values-led leadership style, with the ability to inspire trust, hold people to account, and build high-performing teams
Strong track record of income generation, including securing significant funding from trusts, foundations, corporates or major donors
Experience of financial oversight, budgeting and organisational planning at a senior level
Strategic thinker, able to translate vision into clear plans and delivery
Strong relationship-builder and communicator, confident with a wide range of stakeholders
Desirable:
Previous charity CEO experience — a bonus, but not essential
Direct classroom, youth work or education leadership experience
Knowledge of the UK education system and youth policy landscape
Experience of scaling a multi-site delivery organisation and working with local authorities
Personal Attributes:
Deep commitment to improving outcomes for young people, especially those facing disadvantage
Resilient and persistent, able to work under pressure and navigate setbacks
Collaborative, open and reflective leader who seeks feedback and learns from it
Practical Details
Contract Type: Full-time, permanent
Location: Greater London, with offices in Edinburgh and Cardiff
Salary: £85,000–£90,000 per year, plus £5,000 PRP
Reports to: Chair of the Board of Trustees
Direct Reports: Director of Programmes, Director of Fundraising, Director of Finance & Operations
Travel: Regular UK travel, primarily to Edinburgh and Cardiff, plus occasional evenings for stakeholder engagement and fundraising events
Trustee Meetings: Quarterly, in London, in the evening, plus ad hoc subcommittees
How to Apply
Further details on how to apply can be found via School of Hard Knocks' recruitment channels.