Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive Officer of the
Global Business Initiative on Human Rights (GBI)

Part-time self-employed contracted appointment

Commitment: 50-60 days per annum
Location: Remote with some international travel. Must be based within two hours of GMT time zone and have reasonable access to cost-effective travel for in-person meetings.

Start date: By January 2027

The opportunity

Due to the planned retirement of our current CEO, the Global Business Initiative on Human Rights (GBI) is seeking to appoint a new candidate to the role by January 2027.

This is a senior appointment with responsibility for helping to secure the long-term strength, sustainability and impact of the organisation. Working closely with the Senior Management Team, Advisors and Steering Group, the CEO will provide strategic leadership, support organisational effectiveness, lead membership growth and engagement, and act as a key external representative.

This role will suit someone with strong business and human rights knowledge and who can combine strategic judgement with strong interpersonal instincts.

The role

The CEO will lead the development and delivery of GBI's vision and strategy and help guide the organisation to ensure its success.

Key aspects of the role include:

• providing strategic leadership and helping to shape organisational direction;
• supporting the long-term sustainability and effectiveness of the organisation;
• overseeing membership growth, recruitment and engagement;
• working closely with the Senior Management Team and core GBI Team to maintain oversight of priorities and delivery;
• representing GBI with members, partners and external stakeholders; and
• contributing to the planning and delivery of key member engagements, including twice-yearly peer learning meetings where the CEO is expected to make substantive expert contributions and provide elements of facilitation/moderation.

The role requires someone able to work collaboratively across a wide range of relationships while also bringing clarity, authority and sound judgement to decision-making.

Candidate profile

The successful candidate will bring substantial senior leadership experience and the credibility to represent the organisation confidently at a senior level.

They are likely to offer:

• experience in a chief executive, executive director, managing director or comparable leadership role;
• a strong track record in strategy, organisational leadership and stakeholder engagement;
• experience of working with boards, steering groups, advisory bodies or other senior decision-making groups;
• strong relationship-building, influencing and communication skills;
• the ability to lead through collaboration rather than hierarchy; and
• a thoughtful, credible and solutions-focused leadership style.

Experience in a company, membership organisation, network, alliance or mission-led setting would be advantageous, as would experience of international stakeholder engagement.

Personal style

The ideal candidate will bring:

• strong strategic judgement;
• credibility and professional presence;
• diplomacy and emotional intelligence;
• discretion and integrity;
• the ability to build trust with diverse stakeholders deeply and quickly; and
• a practical, calm, supportive and collaborative approach with a core GBI Team.

Terms of appointment

• Part-time self-employed contracted appointment;
• Approximately 50-60 days per annum (approximately 12.5-15 days per quarter, requiring some flexibility);
• £50,000-£60,000 per annum;
• Invoiced quarterly, subject to contract;
• Remote and flexible, with some travel required;
• Must be based within two hours of GMT time zone and have reasonable access to cost-effective travel for in-person meetings (kindly note there is no relocation package available for this role);
• Approximately 3 to 5 overseas trips per year;
• Reasonable travel and related expenses will be reimbursed in line with policy and agreed budgets;
• Additional projects may be commissioned separately and paid in addition to the core annual fee, where agreed in advance in an advisory capacity;
• On agreement, the CEO may also be involved in other organisations and projects provided these are not seen as a conflict of interest or contrary to GBI's work and values, and the CEO role takes clear priority.

How to express interest

Candidates should provide the following via the button below by 30 June 2026:

• A CV with particular focus on exemplifying evidence of the above criteria.
• A short cover letter setting out their interest in the role, how they perceive the role of GBI in the current context, and the relevance of their experience.

Deadline for applications: 30 June 2026

GBI is proud of its respectful, inclusive and supportive team culture, where diverse backgrounds and life experiences are actively encouraged, everyone has opportunities for professional growth and intellectual curiosity, and all positions are accessible regardless of race, colour, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, assigned gender, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation or identity, religion or creed, marital or parental status.

Initial interviews will be carried out remotely. If we invite you to interview for this position, GBI will reimburse all reasonable related carers' costs or IT access costs incurred to participate in the interview. Please email to ensure we can accommodate any access or support needs.

Access more about GBI and what we do on our website and below

About GBI

The Global Business Initiative on Human Rights (GBI) is a highly respected global, cross-industry and business-led organisation focused on advancing corporate respect for human rights around the world. GBI works to shape practice, inspire commitment and build capability to implement respect for human rights, in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Our vision is that all companies respect human rights throughout their business operations and value chains.

GBI comprises a committed group of multinational corporations operating in diverse industries and regions. GBI members convene multiple times per year, in person and remotely, through a unique programme of peer learning and global engagement work that supports them to deepen, strengthen and share their progress. In addition to member meetings in countries where our members are headquartered, GBI organises, participates in and contributes to business and human rights meetings and workshops in different parts of the world in order to facilitate peer learning discussions and promote cross-sectoral exchanges. Our work is supported by our core GBI Team and network of Advisors , bringing decades of experience and expertise to our work.

GBI engages regularly with others across business, government and civil society where members and the core GBI Team can add unique insights and deep experience to address governance gaps and promote corporate respect for human rights. The organisation is known for its high-quality peer learning and global engagement, supported by internationally recognised experts, and for the in-depth learning and trust between members. These enable discussions that focus on practice at very granular, as well as strategic levels, and the exploration of sensitive real-time challenges.