Chief Executive Officer

Overview

Organisation:

Merton Chamber of CommerceLocation:

Wimbledon, London Borough of Merton, UKReports to:

Chair of the Board of Directors and is accountable to the Chamber’s membersSalary:

£55k to £60k pro rata per annum depending on experienceHours:

Part-time 24 hours per week with some flexibility for hybrid workingAbout Merton Chamber of CommerceMerton Chamber of Commerce is a long-standing, area-based Chamber in London with a proud history of serving the local business community. With over 11,000 businesses across the borough, we actively engage with approximately 2,500 and have a membership base of over 650.Our mission is to foster a thriving, sustainable and inclusive local economy that empowers businesses to grow, innovate and contribute to the prosperity of the borough.The Chamber works closely with local stakeholders including Merton Council, South Thames College, local universities, Business Improvement Districts and the Merton Voluntary Service Council. At a regional level, we collaborate with the London Chamber of Commerce, neighbouring local chambers and the South London Partnership.Job Purpose

The CEO is the strategic and operational leader of Merton Chamber of Commerce. Reporting to the Chair and Board of Directors, the CEO is responsible for delivering the Chamber’s mission and business plan - ensuring Merton continues to be a place where businesses thrive, innovate, and feel supported whilst strengthening the financial resilience of the Chamber.As the Chamber’s most senior representative, the CEO will lead efforts to expand engagement, grow membership, enhance the Chamber’s visibility and reputation, and build meaningful partnerships that deliver value to the business community and the borough’s wider economy.The role requires a dynamic, visionary leader — someone who builds strong relationships, inspires collaboration and is a local business champion. You will lead a small, dedicated team and coordinate external partners to ensure seamless, high-quality operations, events and services, including the Chamber’s annual flagship event – the Merton Best Business Awards.The ideal candidate will combine entrepreneurial thinking with strong leadership, political and commercial insight, financial prowess and excellent communication and marketing skills to deliver meaningful impact for businesses across Merton.Key Objectives

Lead and deliver the Chamber’s strategic vision , ensuring all activities align with its business plan and core values.Secure the Chamber’s long-term financial resilience

by developing diverse and sustainable income streams, including membership, sponsorship, partnerships and relevant funding opportunities.Enhance member and stakeholder value

through the delivery of high-quality services, events and initiatives.Amplify the voice of Merton’s business community

in the wider South London economy by building strategic relationships with neighbouring Chambers, local government, and regional business policy networks.Inspire, manage and develop a small, dedicated team

to deliver operational excellence and measurable impact.Position the Chamber as Merton’s go-to business hub

– building its profile, influence and reputation while driving collaboration, innovation and inclusive economic growth across the borough and beyond.Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Planning

Develop and implement a rolling 3-year strategic business plan, including measurable annual objectives aligned with the Chamber’s mission.Lead on the Chamber’s contribution to borough-wide and regional business strategy, influencing key stakeholders and ensuring business priorities are represented.Drive service development and innovation, including exploring the use of AI and digital tools to enhance delivery and efficiency.Board Governance and Compliance

Schedule and organise meetings of the Board, Finance, and HR Committees, ensuring accurate reports, KPIs and minutes are delivered.Organise the Annual General Meeting in line with constitutional requirements.Ensure compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements including Companies House, HMRC and The Pensions Regulator.Recruit and induct new Board members as required.Finance and Resource Management

Prepare the annual operational budget and monitor financial performance, reporting regularly to the Finance Committee.Work with the Chamber’s external bookkeeping and accountancy services firm to ensure financial information is accurate and up to date.Lead income generation strategies, including membership, sponsorship and grant funding contracts.Develop and implement an annual sponsorship plan.Operations and Service Delivery

Oversee the Chamber’s core services, including:The Merton Best Business AwardsAnnual events and workshops programmeMembership services and customer careMerton Giving – a local charitable giving initiativeReport on service performance in line with contract and sponsorship requirements.Regularly review processes to achieve operational efficiency, paying particular attention to the membership journey (and renewals) and other key stakeholder journeys.Commit to a process of continuous improvement for services, ensuring core services meet the needs of local businesses.People Leadership and HR

Lead and manage a small team comprising employed staff and external resources.Oversee recruitment, development and performance management processes.Work with the HR Committee on employment terms, salary reviews and pension compliance.Marketing, Communications and Profile

Develop and deliver an annual marketing and communications plan, including brand, content and event promotion.Oversee the Chamber’s website, ensuring effective management by external providers and timely updates by the team.Oversee the implementation of our brand guidelines and Communication Strategy.Oversee the development of all comms, including bi-monthly newsletter and social media.Act as the public face of the Chamber and seek opportunities to raise the profile of our work, through public speaking, media engagement and strategic forums.Partnerships and Membership Engagement

Develop and sustain relationships with key stakeholders including the Council, education providers, local BIDs, community partners and regional bodies.Work closely with the London Chamber of Commerce and the South London Partnership to amplify Merton’s business voice.Increase membership through targeted engagement, events and outreach.Conduct business surveys and research to guide service development.Person Specification

EssentialDemonstrated leadership and project management experience, with the ability to inspire and manage teams.Strong understanding of small business needs and challenges, ideally within a local economy context.Confident financial manager, with experience of setting and monitoring budgets and achieving income targets.Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to lead public events and workshops.Strong negotiation skills and the ability to build trust with senior business stakeholders and sponsors.DesirableKnowledge of Merton’s business environment and stakeholder landscape.Experience of working with or securing public sector funding.Familiarity with governance and compliance in a not-for-profit or membership-based organisation.Tech and social media savvy.Terms and Application

This is a part-time position based in Wimbledon, with some flexibility for hybrid working. The role involves attending meetings, events and networking opportunities across the borough and London. Some events are breakfast meetings whilst others may be held in the evening. Attendance at most of these events is a prerequisite for the role. As such, the hours are not fixed and some overtime may occasionally be required.To apply, please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role and alignment with the Chamber’s vision and values.Deadline to apply:

30 September, ..... full job details .....