Director

Position description

At our sanctuary (Finsbury Park, North London) for those in suicidal crisis, we offer a potentially transformative experience with a once-only 4-night stay at our non-medical, family-style house. Through respite, time and space for reflection and compassionate and nurturing care, our Volunteer Befrienders and staff team support an opportunity for the revival of hope and resilience.

Our values – trust, respect, openness, empathy, non-judgement, equity – are paramount in all our thoughts and actions.

The Role and Responsibilities

The role of “The Director” is to lead the charity ‘hands-on’ in the delivery of its unique 24/7 crisis service, to be responsible for the charity’s business functions, and to build and sustain a culture of relationships with staff, volunteers, funders, and other stakeholders that exemplify Maytree’s values day to day.

A full-time position requiring visibility and some flexibility of hours to accommodate evening or weekend events, and occasional gaps in cover.

Responsibilities;

• Report and be accountable to the Co-Chairs and Trustees.
• Collaborate with Co-Chairs in formulation of strategy and business plans/goals.
• Take ownership of the Maytree model as established by the Trustees, in collaboration with the staff team of Lead Befrienders.
• Responsible for delivery of the model including its culture and values, and for commitment and achievement of goals.
• Lead and manage the day-to-day operational team of “Lead Befrienders”, overseeing their responsibilities for referrals, assessments, and befriending of guests, and their guidance and support of Volunteer Befrienders. This includes oversight of reflective practice and professional supervision.
• Responsible for managing house administration, volunteer resources, fundraising, finance, IT support, media/external relations, and the recruitment of appropriate staff where necessary.

Person specification

Essential

• Passionate commitment to and understanding of Maytree’s model, its vision, culture and values.
• Resilient and resourceful, comfortable to take, hold and contain risk.
• Prior training in a mental health profession and/or significant experience as a volunteer working with/befriending the suicidal.
• Natural qualities of compassion, empathy, calm, containment; a good listener.
• General management experience covering business functions.
• Leadership skills: team player, collaborative style of trust, openness, support.
• Excellent communication skills in multiple contexts, e.g. with funders, referral partners, external events.

Desirable

• Qualification in psychotherapy, psychoanalytic understanding, or some academic background and interest in mental health.
• Experience in working with, training and supervising volunteers.
• Corporate Governance.
• Fundraising.
• Established networks in suicide prevention, NHS, third sector, funders.
• Experience addressing audiences at conferences, media, and fundraising events.

We encourage applications from the BAME and LGBTQ+ communities and are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment.

If this opportunity is of interest to you, please send your C.V and a cover letter via the button below. If you would like to discuss the role further or have any questions, including about the Maytree model, you can also email ‘[email protected]’ with your queries and we will be in touch.

Actively interviewing.

Applications close 31/10/25 at 00:00

Application instructions

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