Managing Director

Overview
The Managing Director, with working title “The Director”, will lead Maytree, a charity providing 24/7 brief residential support for individuals in suicidal crisis. This hands-on leadership role combines both Clinical Lead in respect of its service, and responsibility for all operations and functions, ensuring alignment with Maytree’s mission, strategic goals and core relationship-based values of containment, care, and compassion. The Director will work closely with Trustees, staff, volunteers, donors, and community partners to enhance the charity’s reach and recognition and support the sustainable expansion of its unique service.
Responsibilities
1. Leadership & Operations
• Lead and be accountable for all activities and functions of Maytree, ensuring effective management of the charity’s day-to-day operations, staff, and facilities.
• Serve as the clinical lead for Maytree’s 24/7 crisis intervention service, managing the Lead Befrienders, ensuring high standards and adherence to clinical protocols.
• Collaborate and work as an additional Lead Befriender as necessary to ensure 24/7 service.
• Collaborate with the House Administrator on volunteer recruitment, training, development and review, with a focus on motivation, quality standards and operational efficiency.
• Oversee all organisational functions, including fundraising, finance, legal, human resources, IT and media, ensuring compliance and optimal performance.
• Foster an organisational culture deeply rooted in Maytree’s values, building and sustaining relationships of trust, care, and compassion for all staff, volunteers, and guests.
2. Clinical Leadership
• Act as Service Manager and Clinical Lead, making informed decisions, risk assessment, and providing expert guidance.
• Oversee and facilitate supervision and self-reflective practice with Lead Befrienders, ensuring continuous professional development and support.
• Contribute to suicide prevention initiatives, clinically informed intervention models and development of effective risk management strategies.
• Lead and oversee informed relationships and collaboration with referring agencies and influencers.
• Promote Maytree’s model, including in clinical and academic circles.
• Initiate research programs for evidence-based evaluation of the Maytree model, identify service gaps, clinical improvements and contribute to general suicide prevention strategies as opportunities allow.
3. Strategic Development
• Work with the Board of Trustees to develop and propose strategic plans, operational frameworks and budgets that align with the charity’s mission, values, and objectives.
• Identify service gaps and propose strategies to expand support to new demographics in need.
• Engage with Trustees and stakeholders to secure long-term funding, including from public sector and identify opportunities for sustainable growth.
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Person Specification
Values & Commitment
• Demonstrates strong alignment with Maytree’s core values: trust, care, and compassion, and incorporates these into all relationships, internal and external.
• Acts as a role model in fostering an inclusive, respectful, and empathetic environment.
• Passionate about Maytree’s mission to support those in suicidal crisis, motivating others similarly.
Experience & Skills
Essential:
• Clinical Background: Psychoanalytic or psychodynamic qualification, with significant experience in clinical settings or crisis intervention.
• General Management: some experience in general management, demonstrating an ability to oversee diverse operations and functions.
• Leadership & Communication: a proven leader with the abilities to manage, mentor, and motivate staff and volunteers.

Desirable:
• Strategic Planning: competence in strategic planning, budget management, and stakeholder engagement.
• Public Speaking & Advocacy: good communication and presentation skills, with the ability to engage a range of audiences including funders, trustees, and the wider community.
In summary: the role requires a compassionate and very good leader with a strong commitment to suicide prevention and alignment with Maytree’s mission. The ideal candidate will combine clinical expertise with strategic acumen and operational experience to deliver, develop and extend its service and its positive impact on those in suicidal crisis.