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The British Society for Heart Failure (BSH) is seeking an experienced senior leadership professional to join our Board as the Appointed Trustee for Operations and the CEO link – a vital role to join the eminent Heart Failure clinical experts that make up our Board, in our mission to reduce heart failure mortality and improve patient care across the UK.

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Trustee of the British Society for Heart Failure (BSH), the leading UK charity dedicated to improving care for people living with heart failure. Our work supports education, research, collaboration, and national awareness - all aimed at improving outcomes for the nearly 1 million people in the UK living with this serious condition and the further 400,000 estimated to be undiagnosed.

We’re at an exciting stage of growth, with a new team, a new strategy launching this summer, and bold plans for the future.

As Appointed Trustee, you will provide strategic leadership oversight to a respected national charity with an annual income of £1.5 million. You will play a key role in supporting our flagship strategic commitment, 25in25, which aims to reduce deaths from heart failure by 25% in the year following diagnosis over the next 25 years. 

We are seeking an experienced senior operations professional with a recognised qualification or extensive experience and a strong track record in senior leadership roles in successful organisations. You’ll have excellent communication skills and be confident supporting strategic decisions at board level. Charity experience is desirable but not essential. 

BSH is a registered charity and professional membership organisation governed by a Board of Trustees, mostly elected from our 1,300 members - heart failure clinicians including doctors, nurses, and pharmacists. The Trustee is a co-opted position, appointed for their senior leadership expertise.

Our team is small and mostly remote, with occasional co-workling usually in London. The Board consists of 9 volunteers and is supported by over 50 active committee members working across education, research, and regulatory affairs.

Our Values

• Collaborative - we seek out experts, resources and influence to achieve more.
• Evidence-based - our work, our policy & our campaigning is grounded in quality research & robust evidence.
• Inclusive - we value and empower a diverse, UK-wide multidisciplinary community

Trustee Duties

All Trustees are expected to:

• Uphold BSH’s mission, values, and governance.
• Act in the charity’s best interests, ensuring compliance and minimising risk.
• Participate in Board meetings and contribute to at least one committee.
• Use personal expertise to add value and support innovation.
• Seek professional advice when necessary.

Additional Appointed Trustee - Operations and CEO Link Responsibilities

• Monitor the Charity's organisational health, ensuring systems, processes and organisational capabilities support delivery of the agreed strategy. Ensure robust reporting is in place. 

• Advise the Board on the organisational implications of strategic and operational plans.

• Monitor compliance with relevant governance, regulatory and employment requirements.

• As a Link Trustee, oversee, with the Chair, the performance management of the Chief Executive Officer.

• Chair the CEO Performance and Remuneration Panel.

• Provide guidance on the Charity’s people policies and practices.

• Offer expert insight on fundraising, policy, lobbying and commercial activity.

This is a voluntary, unremunerated position. The Board meets 4-5 times per year (2 in-person, in London). Average time commitment is 1-2 days per month. Trustees serve a three-year term, renewable once. Travel expenses are reimbursed, and full induction provided.

To apply, please provide:

• Your CV (max 3 pages, including 2 referees)

• A supporting statement (max 2 pages), outlining your motivation for applying and confirming that you meet the requirements in Part 1 of the Person Specification and detailing how you meet the criteria in Part 2 of the Person Specification

Timetable:

• Closing date:  Sunday 26th April 2026 (11.59pm) 

• Final interviews:  May 20th 2026 (digitally)

• Commencement of term:  May/June 2026 

• First formal Board meeting:  June 10th 2026