Chief Executive Officer

The Regional Studies Association seeks to appoint a new Chief Executive.

We are an independent, global and multi-disciplinary learned society, based in the UK. We support the fields of regional studies and regional science. Our community includes those from policy and practice in addition to researchers from the fields of business and management, economics, geography, political science and planning. We have a strong policy facing tradition.

The Association supports its international membership (85 countries) and wider community of researchers and policymakers in regional development and policy through a range of publishing, conferences, grant funding and advocacy activities. Our charitable aims and objects are to support the field, to provide a platform for the effective dissemination of research findings and to encourage discourse and engagement.

Key Details

Role: Chief Executive, Regional Studies Association

Primary Location: Brighton (hybrid working usually three days a week in the office)

Salary: Competitive, including pension, depending on experience

Contract: Permanent, full-time, six months of probation

Travel: This role will involve travel both in the UK and abroad

Amongst other criteria, the successful candidate will have:

• Proven experience of managing and leading a multi-skilled professional team and working effectively with an international community of researchers and policy makers
• Knowledge and appreciation of the international higher education landscape and /or membership organisations
• Demonstrable ability to multi-task managing a complex and busy portfolio of activities, many of which are time sensitive
• Practical understanding of organisational finances
• Understanding of company, charity, contract and employment law as it applies to the learned society sector
• Excellent interpersonal, written and spoken communication skills
• Eligibility requirements to work in the UK

To receive an information pack on this role with details on how to apply, please send an expression of interest and a (optional but appreciated) CV or professional profile in confidence to Sally Hardy c/o samantha.wannop@regionalstudies.org via the 'Apply' button above. For an informal and confidential conversation about this position, please contact Sally Hardy on sally.hardy@regionalstudies.org with suitable times to talk.

Closing date for applications: 9am GMT, Monday, 30th November 2026

We are an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All employment decisions—including recruitment, hiring, training, and promotion—are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual merit, without regard to age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates.