Application Guide

How to Apply for Chief Executive Officer

at Downright Excellent

🏢 About Downright Excellent

Downright Excellent is a 17-year-old charity focused on supporting individuals with Down syndrome, emphasizing nurturing the heart of the organization and its people. The company values leadership that balances creativity with prudence, seeking someone who can guide them into a brighter future while fostering a positive, developmental environment.

About This Role

As a part-time CEO (3-4 days per week), you'll lead this established charity remotely, managing governance, fundraising, finance, and team building both in-person and online. This role is impactful because you'll shape the charity's strategic direction, ensuring its sustainability and growth while supporting its mission.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve virtual meetings with the board or team to discuss governance and strategy, reviewing fundraising plans and financial reports, and engaging with the community online to nurture relationships. You'll balance creative brainstorming for new initiatives with prudent decision-making to ensure the charity's sustainability.

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🎯 Who Downright Excellent Is Looking For

  • Has proven experience in nonprofit management, governance, and fundraising, with a track record of building and nurturing teams and communities.
  • Demonstrates a unique blend of creativity, problem-solving, and prudent financial management, while being a positive leader and confidante.
  • Is adaptable to both in-person and online work environments, with the ability to be adventurous in strategy yet supportive in leadership.
  • Shows genuine interest in learning about Down syndrome and aligning with the charity's heart-centered mission, even without prior expertise.

📝 Tips for Applying to Downright Excellent

1

Watch the video from Chair James Davis on the company website (under 'meet the team' and 'current vacancies') and reference specific insights in your application.

2

In your 5-minute video, focus on storytelling: explain who you are, why you're suited for the role (highlighting the required skills), and your passion for the charity's mission.

3

Tailor your CV to emphasize remote work experience, part-time leadership roles, and achievements in governance, fundraising, and community building.

4

Submit your application by Saturday, 28 February 2026, ensuring your video is concise (exactly 5 minutes) and professionally presented.

5

Highlight how you balance being both 'prudent and adventurous'—give concrete examples of when you've managed risk while innovating.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Express your understanding of the charity's mission and how you plan to nurture its 'heart' and people, even without prior Down syndrome knowledge.", 'Provide specific examples of your experience in management, governance, fundraising, and building teams/communities in remote settings.', "Explain why you're drawn to a part-time, freelance CEO role and how you'll manage the 3-4 day weekly commitment effectively.", 'Demonstrate your ability to embody the listed traits (e.g., creative problem-solver, positive leader, confidante) with brief anecdotes.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Watch the video from Chair James Davis on the company website to understand the charity's culture and leadership expectations.
  • → Explore the charity's history, mission, and any public reports or updates to gauge its current challenges and opportunities.
  • → Research the charity's fundraising activities, community engagement, and online presence to identify areas for growth or improvement.
  • → Look into the broader context of Down syndrome support organizations to understand the landscape this charity operates in.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you approach learning about Down syndrome and integrating that knowledge into your leadership?
2 Describe a time you balanced being 'prudent and adventurous' in a previous role, especially in fundraising or governance.
3 How do you plan to build and nurture a remote team and community for a 17-year-old charity?
4 What strategies would you use to lead the charity into a 'brighter future' while maintaining its core values?
5 How have you handled being a confidante and supporter to team members in past leadership positions?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic application without referencing the charity's specific mission or the video from James Davis.
  • Focusing solely on management experience without addressing the unique blend of traits (e.g., creativity, prudence, adventurousness).
  • Overlooking the part-time, remote nature of the role or failing to explain how you'll manage the 3-4 day weekly commitment.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Downright Excellent!

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