Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Organisation: World Abilitysport Federation

Salary: from £55,000 (dependent on experience)

Location: Aylesbury (Buckinghamshire, UK), with flexible/remote working

Contract type: Permanent (Full time)

Closing date: 30 September 2026

Job Description

Job Title: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Functional Relationships: Reports to President and World Abilitysport Governing Board.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is a full time, permanent position, working a 37.5 hour week, and responsible for the overall leadership, management, and performance of World Abilitysport Federation. The CEO is responsible for implementing the Strategic Plan, ensuring sound governance, maintaining financial sustainability and leading the delivery of World Abilitysport's events.

The CEO is the senior representative of World Abilitysport and is responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with members, as well as all other involved stakeholders including, but not limited to, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), International Federations, National Paralympic Committees, National Federations, partners, future sponsors and other stakeholders.

As the executive lead of World Abilitysport, the CEO is also responsible for the International Federation activities, providing executive leadership for World Para Fencing, World Para Dance Sport and Powerchair Hockey. In all aspects of the role, the CEO will ensure that the interests and welfare of athletes remain central to decision making.

Key Responsibilities

The CEO is accountable for:

• Monitoring the implementation of Governing Board's decisions and directives.
• Delivering the Strategic Plan, budget, and overall organisational performance.
• Providing effective leadership and management of World Abilitysport, its employees, and resources.
• Ensuring good governance, legal and regulatory compliance, and effective management of organisational risk.
• Ensuring the long-term financial sustainability of World Abilitysport through sound financial management, while diversifying income streams and identifying and developing fundraising and commercial partnership opportunities.
• Developing and supporting employees, promoting a positive, inclusive, efficient and harmonious, working environment and culture.
• Strengthening the global membership and maintaining effective relationships with members and key stakeholders.
• Providing senior executive leadership for World Para Fencing, the Federation's Paralympic sport, together with World Para Dance Sport and Powerchair Hockey as development sports, by supporting with governance, development and international programmes and projects.
• Overseeing the successful planning and delivery of the World Abilitysport Games and other international competitions and events.
• Representing World Abilitysport with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), International Organisations of Sport for the Disabled (IOSDs), members, partners, sponsors, and other external stakeholders.
• Ensuring that safeguarding, athlete welfare and athlete-centred decision-making underpin all aspects of World Abilitysport's work.

Experience and Qualifications

Essential:

• Fluency in English.
• 5+ years' experience in sports management and Para/disability sports.
• Experience leading a team, in a senior leadership role and in working at Board level.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.
• Must be able to undertake regular international travel.

Desirable:

• Proficiency in other languages.
• Experience in UK Charity Commission governance framework.

Benefits

Salary range from £55k (dependent on experience).

25 days annual leave (plus UK bank holidays).

Occupational pension scheme (NEST).

World Abilitysport offers a flexible working structure.

Remote working, with occasional travel to the office (Buckinghamshire, UK).

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

We welcome applications from applicants with disabilities and are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Applicants with disabilities who meet the essential criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview. If you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please indicate this on your application.