The Alliance for Youth Justice (AYJ) is looking for a new Chief Executive to lead the next phase of the AYJ's development, when our current Chief Executive steps down after five years in March 2024.

The AYJ works to drive positive change in youth justice in England and Wales, for the benefit of children, young people, and society. We bring together 80 diverse organisations ranging from grassroots community groups to national charities, providing a powerful and member-led voice. We aim to amplify the views of children and young people, and centre their interests, promoting widespread understanding about the underlying causes of children coming to the attention of the criminal justice system and championing approaches that enable them to reach their full potential.

AYJ's first Chief Executive, Pippa Goodfellow, was appointed in 2019 and has since overseen a significant programme of strategic development to create a more engaging, sustainable and effective organisation. We are looking to find an ambitious and talented Chief Executive to build on this work and lead the AYJ's management and development, when Pippa steps down from the role in March 2024. It is our intention that the appointed candidate will meet with Pippa several times between February - March 2024 to facilitate a smooth handover.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead the AYJ through the next stage of our growth, working alongside a talented staff team, Board and network of organisations at an extremely important time for children and youth justice.

About the role

We are seeking to appoint a passionate and visionary leader who who shares our vision and values to shape the AYJ in the next phase of its development. We have ambitious plans for growing the scale and impact of our work and are looking for a new Chief Executive to lead the organisation towards realising those aims. They will provide inclusive and collaborative leadership, working with the Board, staff team, members, partners and young people to deliver on the AYJ's mission and vision. The Chief Executive will act as the primary spokesperson and public face of the AYJ, be accountable for delivering the strategy, business plan, sustainability plan, and managing the AYJ's staff team and resources.

With a strong track record of working with, or on behalf of, children and young people affected by youth justice, or a related area, the ideal candidate will be ambitious and motivated to build on our success to date and develop new opportunities. We are looking for a forward-thinking leader who is also able to get involved in the day-to-day delivery of our strategic ambitions. At the AYJ, the role of Chief Executive includes taking a leading role in nurturing relationships and developing strong partnerships with a wide range of individuals and organisations across the sector. We aspire for racial justice to be at the forefront of our agenda and the Chief Executive must share our commitment to develop our anti-racism work.

For full details download the AYJ Chief Executive Recruitment Pack:

Salary: GBP63,000 p.a. including London weighting (will be calculated pro-rata if part-time).

Contract: Permanent, subject to a six-month probationary period.

Hours: The role is advertised as a full-time post (35 hours per week), but there is flexibility for the right person. We are open to applications from candidates looking for part-time, job sharing and flexible options, so please include details of your preferred working pattern in your application. Occasional attendance at evening meetings may be required.

Location: The role is currently hybrid, and AYJ has a flexible working policy. The Chief Executive will have a regular presence in the office (Hackney) and for meetings in London, and some travel around the UK will also be required. We are open to applications from candidates who would prefer to be primarily home-based.

Interested in applying?

We recognise that some potential candidates, particularly those from marginalised groups, may choose not to apply for a role they could be brilliant for because they don't see themselves in every single element of the person specification. If you are interested in applying but aren't sure that you have all of the skills and experience listed, please do still apply.

The closing date for applications is 11.59pm on Sunday 21st January 2024. To apply, please send a copy of your CV (no more than three sides) and a supporting statement (no more than two sides) outlining how you meet the person specification. Please email these marked 'AYJ Chief Executive Application' - via the button below.

First stage interviews will be held via Zoom on Tuesday 30th January 2024. Second stage interviews will be held in person in London on Tuesday 6th February 2024. If you cannot make those days, please indicate this when sending in your application. If you have access needs and would like us to make reasonable adjustments, please advise us within your application.

If you would like to have an informal conversation about the role, please email current AYJ Chief Executive, Pippa Goodfellow: or AYJ Chair, Lesley Tregear: .

For more information see the AYJ Chief Executive Recruitment Pack: