Chief Executive Officer
Closing Date: 5pm on Monday 13 April.
Interviews: End of April and early May
This is a rare and exciting opportunity to take on the executive leadership of a highly respected and effective charity working within and around Cambridge. CPPF has made a positive difference to Cambridge’s development over the past 98 years and is needed now perhaps more than ever before, to ensure that Cambridge’s accelerating development is done in a way that benefits the landscape, wildlife and people who live and work in this special place. With sound finances and a small but effective staff team, we are looking for an inspirational and supportive leader who has the experience and knowledge required to help CPPF flourish and rise to the opportunities and challenges of the coming years.
Full-time: This is a full-time post (37.5 hours per week) but the Trustees are open to discussion of a part time option (minimum 30 hours per week) or job-share for the right candidate(s).
Location: CPPF Head Office, Wandlebury Country Park, CB22 3AE
Salary: £65,000-£75,000 dependent on skills and experience
Reports to: Chair of the Board of Trustees
Line manages: Directly manages 5 senior managers, the heads of: Estates, Finance & Organisation Development, Communications & Membership, Fundraising, and the Planning Officer. There are currently 14 permanent staff, plus some seasonal wardens and field teachers.
Role Summary
Cambridge Past, Present & Future (CPPF) works to protect, enhance and celebrate the landscapes, heritage and green spaces that shape the character of Cambridge. As an independent charity, we play an important civic role, helping ensure that development across Greater Cambridge respects nature, history and the needs of the communities who live here.
Working closely with the Board of Trustees, the Chief Executive will lead the organisation through its next phase of development. The role combines strategic leadership, organisational development and external advocacy, guiding a small but highly effective team while strengthening CPPF’s influence and impact across the region.
The Chief Executive will ensure that the charity’s strategy is translated into practical delivery, supporting the care of the landscapes and historic sites we manage, growing engagement with members and supporters, and building the partnerships and resources needed to meet the challenges facing Cambridge in the years ahead.
About Cambridge Past, Present & Future (CPPF)
Founded in 1928, Cambridge Past, Present & Future was established to safeguard the distinctive landscapes, heritage and character of Cambridge during a period of rapid expansion. Nearly a century later, the city once again faces significant growth and change, making the organisation’s work as relevant as ever.
Today, CPPF combines practical land stewardship with civic influence and community engagement. We care for some of the area’s most valued landscapes and historic sites, including Wandlebury Country Park, Coton Countryside Reserve, Grantchester Meadows and the Cambridge Leper Chapel. Across these places we restore habitats, protect wildlife, conserve historic buildings and create opportunities for people to connect with the natural and built environment.
Alongside this work, the charity plays an active role in shaping the future of Greater Cambridge. We contribute to planning and development discussions, champion thoughtful approaches to growth, and work in partnership with local organisations to promote landscape-scale nature recovery.
CPPF also delivers a wide-ranging programme of education, public events and volunteering opportunities, enabling people of all ages to explore and contribute to the landscapes and heritage that surround the city.
The organisation is supported by 14staff, more than 100 volunteers and specialist advisers, alongside a growing membership and patron community. Together, they contribute to a combination of conservation, advocacy and community engagement that has helped protect what makes Cambridge distinctive for nearly a century.
