CXK seeks a dynamic Director of Services to drive impactful service delivery that empowers individuals facing barriers to education and employment.
* Location: Ashford, Kent (with regular travel across the South East)
CXK is a charity dedicated to empowering individuals through careers information, advice and guidance (CIAG), targeted youth and adult programmes, and employability services across the South East and South of England.
As CXK continues to expand its reach, we’re searching for a Director of Services to drive operational excellence and quality across our diverse portfolio of services.
The Director of Services will lead CXK’s full suite of operational services to young people and adults across diverse contracts, including the National Careers Service, targeted support programmes, and employability initiatives.
This role is crucial in driving high-quality delivery, managing performance against contract KPIs, and ensuring that all services meet CXK’s standards and have a real impact on our beneficiaries.
You’ll be a visible, passionate leader – engaging teams, managing relationships with commissioners, and providing strong oversight on quality, financial sustainability, safeguarding, and compliance across all service areas.
The ideal candidate will bring senior-level leadership experience, a strategic vision, and the ability to inspire and lead geographically dispersed teams. This is an opportunity for a passionate leader to make a difference by supporting young people, adults, and those facing barriers to education and employment.
As a proven leader, you will deliver impactful, high-quality services in a fast-paced, purpose-driven environment. If you’re ready to bring energy, expertise, and a passion for CXK’s mission, we’d love to hear from you.
Who we are
CXK is an established, trusted charity working across the South of England to provide individuals with the tools, support, and opportunities they need to thrive. Through innovative programmes, we help young people and adults make informed career choices, achieve personal growth, and access meaningful education and employment opportunities.
CXK’s services reach communities across Kent, Medway, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire, West Berkshire, in addition to wider provision in the South West and East Anglia — impacting lives through high-quality, supportive information, advice, guidance and employability provision.
With a strong commitment to social impact, we collaborate with schools, job centres, communities, and local authorities to create lasting change and foster confidence, employability, and self-reliance in our beneficiaries.
About the role
The Director of Services will lead CXK’s diverse portfolio of operational programmes, ensuring that every service meets high standards of quality, accountability, and tangible impact.
Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, this role requires a focus on performance and quality across all service areas, meeting KPIs and keeping CXK’s mission front and centre.
The Director will oversee two Assistant Directors, empowering their teams to deliver consistently excellent service.
Representing CXK as a visible and proactive leader, the Director will strengthen relationships with commissioners, local authorities, and other key stakeholders, ensuring CXK’s reputation remains strong.
Additionally, this role involves overseeing compliance, safeguarding, and health and safety across all services. The Director will also be responsible for mobilising new contracts and collaborating closely with the Director of Business Development to drive growth and innovation in CXK’s provision and services.
This is a hands-on role suited to a leader who is passionate about making a meaningful impact on individuals and communities, primarily across the South East and the South of England.
Who we are looking for
We’re looking for an inspirational leader with a strong track record of managing complex, multi-service staff teams and programmes across the charity, education, or government sectors.
The ideal candidate will bring senior-level operational experience, particularly in services for youth, adults or vulnerable groups, alongside a deep understanding of government contracts and performance-driven programmes.
This role demands excellent skills in staff leadership, stakeholder engagement, relationship-building, and collaborative working, with the ability to communicate with clarity and confidence, inspiring both internal teams and external partners.
Financial acumen and experience in budgeting and strategic financial planning are essential to ensure sustainability and growth.
If you are resilient, resourceful, and motivated to make a difference, we would love to hear from you.
The benefits of working with CXK include:
* Defined contribution pension scheme (matched by CXK up to 10% depending on length of service criteria)
* Death in service life assurance policy (3 x annual salary)
* Generous sick leave benefits
* Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
* Comprehensive training and development programmes
* Mental health first aiders
* Home and Tech scheme
* Cycle to work scheme
* Interest free season ticket loans
* Interest free parking permit loans
* AXA Be Supported – Employee Assistance Programme
For further information about the role or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultants at Peridot Partners:
If you would like to know more about this role please contact Clare Chesworth.
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