The Marketing Academy Foundation began as a program in The Marketing Academy, the globally renowned marketing leadership development organisation. Established as an independent Registered Charity in 2017, our mission is to enable talented young adults from tough backgrounds to start careers in the marketing industry. Our focus is on breaking down barriers for those from lower socio-economic homes and who are bright, entrepreneurial, resilient and anything but entitled, tackling the industry's lack of diversity in every context.

By providing opportunities for such young people, we aim to harness untapped talent and drive better industry performance through diversity.

Our ambition is to help 100 individuals from low-opportunity backgrounds start careers in marketing each year, and we're close to achieving this goal. We achieve our goal through two key programmes:

• Apprenticeships and Internships: Partnering with organisations such as Amazon, British Heart Foundation, Hotel Chocolat and WM Grant and Sons to provide year-long, fully salaried entry-level opportunities.

• BeTheOne Bootcamp: Conducting day-long events that equip participants with the skills to secure roles in marketing. Just under a third of attendees secure a job within four months.

Our team consists of three part-time permanent staff members, a small number of contractors, five Trustees, and around 40 dedicated volunteers. We operate virtually and prioritize outcomes over outputs, focusing on high-impact, personalized interventions.

About the Role

As our CEO, you will replace Daryl Fielding, who co-founded the charity and who will transition to the Chair role. Sherilyn Shackell will remain as the Founder and a Trustee. Reporting to the Chair, you will be the public face of our charity, delivering and driving its mission, sustaining partnerships, attracting funds, and leading strategic innovation. You will manage a small, virtual team and work closely with the Trustees to maximize their expertise and experience.

Key Responsibilities:

• Fulfil the general requirements of any charity CEO. Link to our website.  

• Grow the charity’s impact and its legacy of diverse talent in the marketing industry.

• Champion the cause publicly and raise the charity’s profile.

• Sustain and create partnerships, attract funding, and engage volunteers.

• Lead strategic innovation to expand our impact.

• Manage and motivate a small, experienced virtual team.

• Collaborate openly with Trustees and support the Chair’s leadership.

Remuneration and Time Allocation:

• Part-time role (2-3 days per week) across minimum 4 days with flexibility.

• Salary range: £25k - £40k pa depending on time commitment and experience.

• Salary is in the upper quartile for CEO roles in similar sized charities.

About You

You are passionate about young people and inclusion, especially regarding class-ism. You thrive on developing talent and are aligned with our values: Determined, Irrepressible, Kind, Open, Humorous. You’ll have held a senior role in marketing, sales, recruitment, journalism, or academia, and have a strong industry profile and network.

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Full accountability for running an organization or division, including financial performance.

• Deep understanding of the marketing landscape.

• Ability to engage with senior marketers and CEOs.

• Strong operational and financial management skills.

• Low ego, high commitment to teamwork, and operational excellence.

• Outcome-oriented with a growth mindset and curiosity.

• Excellent communication and listening skills, especially with beneficiaries.

Desirable Skills and Experience:

• Experience in the charity sector.

• Digital ecosystem expertise.

• Active engagement with contemporary marketing events and networks.

• Lived experience of growing up in a lower-income home.

Diversity Commitment

We believe in equality of opportunity for all, irrespective of race, ethnicity, sexuality, gender, religion, or physical ability. We particularly welcome applications from candidates who are from backgrounds commonly underrepresented at CEO level.

How to Apply

Interested in leading our mission? In the first instance, send us a link to your LinkedIn profile and a 200-word statement about why you’d be a cracking choice for us.

We will then send a fuller job spec to a shortlist for a fuller application. We try to be kind to people’s time and to ours!

Application Deadline: Sunday 18th August

Please send your applications to daryl@tma-foundation.org

Interview Timeline:

• Shortlisted candidates invited to submit fuller application by Friday 30th August.

• First round interviews early September.

• Final round interviews mid-September.

• Candidate appointment by end September.

• Start date: Between Oct 1st and Jan 1st depending on notice period.

Applications will be confidential and reviewed by the CEO, staff, and Trustees. Note any confidentiality sensitivities in your application.

Join us and lead the way in transforming the lives of amazing young talent and the marketing industry!

Thank you for your interest, and good luck with your application!