Your guide to becoming a charity CEO - Peridot

How to write a strong charity CEO CV

Your CV needs to show leadership, impact and readiness for the top role. The board and recruiters look for clear evidence that you can influence change, grow income, build strong teams and deliver a positive impact for beneficiaries. Numbers and outcomes are especially persuasive, so focus on measurable achievements.

Strong examples might include:

• Increased annual fundraising income by 40% over three years by diversifying income streams and securing multi-year grants.
• Led an organisational restructure that delivered £250k annual savings reinvested into frontline services.
• Built and developed a senior leadership team of six, fostering a culture of accountability and collaboration.
• Oversaw the delivery of a digital strategy, expanding online engagement by 150% within two years.

Keep your CV concise (no more than two pages), tailored to each role, and focus on what you achieved and the impact you made. Use active language that shows your leadership while reflecting the charity’s mission.

For aspiring CEOs, a compelling CV is your first opportunity to demonstrate the impact you’ve had and the leader you can be.