Cerebra is the national charity dedicated to improving the lives of children with neurological conditions and their families. We provide vital research, support, and practical solutions that empower families facing complex challenges.
With an annual income of £3 million and a headcount of 68 employees, we have ambitious plans to double our income between 2025 and 2027, ensuring we can extend our impact, reach more families, and drive real change. To achieve this, we are investing in fundraising innovation, income generating ventures, and strategic partnerships, alongside enhancing our brand to increase our national recognition.
Our work is underpinned by our values ensuring that everything we do aligns with our mission to create a better world for children with neurological conditions.
This is an incredibly exciting time to join Cerebra, as we are preparing to launch our new strategy and brand. The COO is a vital leadership role that will support the drive towards even greater impact for children and families across the UK.
Our Services
Sleep Advice Service
Cerebra understands that if you have a child that doesn’t sleep, the whole family suffers. Many children with neurological conditions suffer from disrupted sleep. Our sleep advice service provides bespoke advice and support so that everyone can get a good night’s sleep.
Legal Rights Service
Our Legal Rights Service provides help and support to families of children with neurological conditions when they are faced with barriers and difficulties in accessing statutory support services they are entitled to. The service provides information on their legal entitlements.
Book and Toy Library Service
Our specialist postal lending library contains a wide range of books for both adults and children, plus a selection of sensory toys specifically chosen for children with a neurological condition.
Innovation and Product Design Service
Our Innovation Service designs and builds bespoke products that cater to the specific needs of children with neurological conditions. The aim of the service is to make products that are desirable and exciting, therefore promoting social inclusion, peer acceptance and enabling children to participate in everyday activities that are so often close to them.
Information Products
Cerebra publishes different information products to help families with a child with a neurological condition. Our information products offer comprehensive, up-to-date support and research-driven strategies to assist families with a wide range of issues.
Buzgi and Toy Adaptation Service
Cerebra designs and builds bespoke assistive equipment for disabled children, this includes creating custom mobility aids, switch‑adapted toys, and other innovative solutions to help children access play, learning, and independence.
The Bugzi - a mini powered wheelchair for children offers many children their first experience of independent mobility. It uses either a joystick or switches and adaptable seating for complex needs, and helps develop spatial awareness, confidence, and early mobility skills. The Bugzi is available through a national loan scheme.
Additionally, we operate commercial services (including a web shop) to supplement our income to support children and their families.
Our services are provided to families free of charge.
Job Title:
Chief Operating Officer
Reports To:
Chief Executive Officer
Direct reports:
3 senior managers (Finance (headcount of 3), HR (headcount of 1), IT (headcount of 5))
Purpose of the Role:
The Chief Operating Officer will play a vital role in supporting the Chief Executive Officer, Board and Leadership Team to deliver Cerebra’s vision and ambitious strategic aims. The Chief Operating Officer will provide strategic leadership and operational management across key areas within Cerebra including:
- Operational Systems
- Governance
- Compliance
- Finance and Growth
This is a pivotal executive leadership role, responsible for driving organisational performance, sustainability and growth. The COO will translate Cerebra’s strategic ambitions into effective operational delivery, ensuring robust governance, financial stewardship and a high-performing, values-led culture.
As a trusted advisor to the CEO and Board, the COO will lead core operational services and commercial activity, enabling the charity to maximise impact and generate sustainable income in support of its charitable objectives.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic & Executive Leadership
- Partner with the CEO and Board to deliver strategic priorities, growth and long-term sustainability
- Collaboration with the Director’s Group to ensure strategic alignment across the charity. The Director’s Group consists of:
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Operating Officer
Director of Fundraising, Marketing and Communications
Director of Research and Support Services
- Provide expert advice on finance, operations, commercial performance and organisational risk
- Lead organisational planning, business continuity, and operational resilience
- Foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability and inclusion
Finance, Commercial & Sustainability
- Lead financial strategy, planning and performance, ensuring long-term sustainability
- Oversee budgeting, forecasting, cashflow and financial controls
- Lead and develop Cerebra’s strategy for commercial income , ensuring alignment with charitable objectives
- Support funding growth through strong financial insight and business case development
- Ensure robust financial governance, audit and compliance
Operations & Infrastructure
- Lead and strengthen operational functions including HR, IT, governance and administration
- Ensure effective systems, processes and infrastructure that enable growth, efficiency and impact
- Oversee procurement, contracts, facilities, and organisational compliance
- Drive innovation and value for money across operations
People & Culture
- Champion a positive, inclusive and high-performing organisational culture
- Oversee HR strategy, workforce planning and leadership development
- Ensure compliance with employment law and best practice
- Promote wellbeing, engagement and organisational effectiveness
Digital & Technology
- Provide strategic oversight of IT, data and digital development
- Ensure systems are secure, resilient and aligned to organisational needs
- Leverage data and technology to improve insight, decision-making and organisational impact
Governance, Risk & Compliance
- Ensure effective governance frameworks, risk management and regulatory compliance
- Support the CEO and Board with high-quality reporting and strategic insight
- Lead safeguarding, data protection and organisational risk strategy
- Drive a strong culture of accountability and ethical practice
Leadership & Management
- Lead and develop a small senior team across finance, HR and IT
- Build capability, strengthen performance, and embed a collaborative culture
- Model Cerebra’s values and leadership behaviours
Key Attributes
- Strategic and commercially minded leader with strong operational delivery experience
- Strong financial leadership and business acumen
- Proven track record of driving income growth, sustainability and organisational performance
- Skilled in governance, risk and stakeholder engagement
Please see attached job description for the Person Specification.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
About the role
The Trusts & Statutory Fundraising Manager will play a key role in delivering Sands’ ambitious income growth plans and strengthening long-term philanthropic partnerships that support Sands’ work to save babies’ lives and support bereaved families.
Reporting to the Senior Philanthropy Manager and sitting within the Partnerships & Philanthropy Team, the role will lead the development and growth of a strategic portfolio of trusts, foundations and statutory funders, securing significant multi-year income and building long-term relationships with supporters and partners.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and relationship-driven fundraiser to help shape and grow a high-potential area of fundraising at Sands. The postholder will work closely with senior colleagues across research, training, bereavement support and engagement teams to develop compelling funding propositions aligned to Sands’ strategic priorities.
The role combines strategic planning, relationship management and high-quality bid writing, alongside leadership of the trusts pipeline, stewardship activity, cross-team collaboration and line management of a Trusts Fundraiser.
The successful candidate will be a strong communicator and strategic thinker with experience securing five and six-figure grants, developing funder relationships and translating complex programmes into compelling, impact-led cases for support.
Includes line management of one Trusts Fundraiser.
Main Responsibilities
The overall aims of this role are to:
- lead and grow Sands’ trusts, foundations and statutory fundraising programme, securing significant multi-year income in support of Sands’ strategic priorities
- build and manage a sustainable pipeline of trust, foundation and statutory prospects, developing long-term relationships and identifying opportunities for growth
- lead the development of Sands' corporate grant and corporate foundation fundraising programme, bringing experience of securing corporate grant funding to establish an expanded area of income growth
- develop compelling, evidence-led funding propositions that translate Sands’ work into clear, engaging and donor-focused cases for support
- collaborate closely with colleagues across Research, Bereavement Support, Training, Communications and Engagement teams to shape strategic funding opportunities
- strengthen organisational understanding of trusts and statutory fundraising, bringing insight, innovation and strategic thinking to funding approaches
- provide supportive line management and development to the Trusts Fundraiser, fostering strong performance and collaboration
- ensure excellent stewardship, compliance, reporting and grant management across all trusts and statutory activity
- contribute to a culture of ambitious, relationship-led and insight-driven fundraising across Partnerships & Philanthropy
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Management & Income Growth
- Develop and deliver Sands’ trusts and statutory fundraising strategy, aligned to organisational priorities and long-term income growth ambitions.
- Manage and grow a strategic portfolio of charitable trusts, foundations, lottery and statutory funders, securing five- and six-figure grants and multi-year partnerships.
- Lead trust-funded matched giving appeals (including Big Give), coordinating cross-organisational campaign activity across Philanthropy & Partnerships and Individual Giving teams, while collaborating with Engagement & Communications to develop compelling campaign assets and drive income growth.
- Lead pipeline development and prospecting activity, identifying new funding opportunities and prioritising prospects with the highest strategic potential.
- Work collaboratively across the organisation to shape compelling propositions and articulate clear, evidence-led cases for support.
- Develop thematic and strategic funding propositions aligned to Sands’ work across research, training, bereavement support, inequalities and systems-change activity.
- Contribute insight and sector knowledge to strengthen organisational understanding of trusts and statutory fundraising opportunities and trends.
- Support the diversification of income through innovative approaches to partnership development, restricted and unrestricted funding, and strategic engagement opportunities.
Trusts, Foundations & Statutory Fundraising
- Lead the development of high-quality funding applications, proposals, bids and reports for charitable trusts, foundations and statutory bodies.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with existing and prospective funders, ensuring excellent stewardship and long-term engagement.
- Develop tailored cultivation and stewardship plans that strengthen funder relationships and maximise opportunities for renewal and multi-year support, including leading and contributing to cross-charity stewardship initiatives and engagement campaigns involving trust funders, such as donor thankathons, impact events and bespoke recognition activities.
- Work with internal stakeholders to identify fundable projects and package work into compelling donor-focused narratives and propositions
- Manage the trusts and statutory funding pipeline, ensuring accurate forecasting, reporting and tracking of opportunities and deadlines.
- Maintain oversight of trust or statutory restricted funding, ensuring compliance with grant conditions and timely reporting on impact and outcomes.
- Represent Sands confidently in meetings, presentations and funder discussions, acting as an ambassador for the organisation and its work.
Team Management
- Line manage the Trusts Fundraiser, providing coaching, support, professional development and clear strategic direction.
- Foster a collaborative, supportive and high-performing team culture.
- Conduct regular line management responsibilities including 121s, supervision and performance check-ins, and contribute to annual appraisal and development processes.
- Support knowledge sharing and continuous improvement across the Partnerships & Philanthropy team.
Governance, Insight & Performance
- Lead forecasting, budgeting and KPI management for trusts and statutory income streams.
- Use CRM systems, fundraising data and prospect research to support strategic decision-making, pipeline management and stewardship planning.
- Ensure compliance with fundraising regulation, GDPR, grant conditions and ethical fundraising standards.
- Develop and maintain robust systems and processes to support efficient grant management, reporting and donor stewardship.
- Monitor sector trends, funding opportunities and emerging areas of interest relevant to Sands’ strategic priorities.
General
- To undertake other duties as required by the Senior Philanthropy Manager and Head of Partnerships & Philanthropy
- To work flexibly and proactively with other members of the team.
- To maintain confidentiality over personal information relating to staff.
- Abide by all Sands Policies and Procedures.
- Undertake all mandatory training as required.
- Participate in annual appraisal and personal development review.
- The post holder must familiarise themselves with matters relating to Health & Safety Management, as affecting themselves, their department and the organisation as a whole.
- Promote the Sands vision and values at all times.
Personal Specification: Skills & Experience
Fundraising Expertise
- Proven track record of securing five- and six-figure grants from charitable trusts, foundations and statutory funders.
- Strong experience developing and managing sustainable fundraising pipelines and securing multi-year funding partnerships.
- Experience identifying corporate foundation prospects and securing funding from corporate foundations.
- Experience developing compelling, evidence-led and donor-focused cases for support.
- Experience of developing funding applications involving multiple stakeholders and complex programme areas.
- Strong understanding of trusts and statutory fundraising landscapes, trends and opportunities.
Strategic & Relationship Skills
- Excellent relationship-builder, confident engaging with funders, senior stakeholders, clinicians, researchers and external partners.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex information into compelling and accessible narratives.
- Strategic thinker with strong judgement, able to identify opportunities and balance long-term relationship building with day-to-day delivery.
- Ability to work collaboratively across teams and influence stakeholders to support fundraising priorities and opportunities.
Management & Operational Capability
- Experience managing, mentoring or supporting colleagues to achieve strong performance and professional development.
- Strong planning, forecasting, organisational and project management skills.
- Experience using CRM systems and fundraising data to support pipeline management and decision-making.
- Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and perform effectively within a fast-paced environment.
Personal Specification: Core Competencies
- Builds collaborative and credible relationships internally and externally, acting with professionalism and integrity.
- Communicates clearly and persuasively, adapting style for different audiences and translating complex information into compelling narratives.
- Demonstrates strategic thinking and sound judgement, balancing ambition with practicality and delivery.
- Uses insight, evidence and data to inform planning, prioritisation and fundraising approaches.
- Demonstrates resilience, adaptability and a solutions-focused mindset when managing competing priorities or challenges.
- Works collaboratively across teams to strengthen organisational impact and supporter experience.
- Demonstrates a commitment to inclusive and equitable fundraising practices aligned to Sands’ values and strategic priorities.
Registered Charity
51 - 100
We are here to support everyone touched by pregnancy loss or the death of a baby. Always.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.