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.
- 37 hours per week
- £40,000 – £42,000 per annum plus 6% pension contribution
- Remote
Rape Crisis England & Wales (RCEW) is the national campaigns and membership body for a network of independent, community-based Rape Crisis Centres working to end child sexual abuse, rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment and all other forms of sexual violence.
The 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line is a national service led by Rape Crisis England & Wales and funded by the Ministry of Justice.
We are looking for a values-led professional with strong digital project skills and a deep commitment to survivor-centred, high-quality services.
Job Summary
As the Digital Project & Product Lead for the 247 Support Line, you will lead the transformation and continuous improvement of the organisation’s digital support line infrastructure, ensuring the technology and processes that underpin survivor support are effective, resilient, and user centred.
This role sits at the intersection of project delivery, product management, and a genuine commitment to the survivors RCEW serves. The right candidate will understand that technology is only as good as the humans who use it and will bring both rigour and empathy to everything they do.
You will be responsible for the end-to-end delivery which, includes defining the product requirements, technology evaluation, procurement, implementation, onboarding, and ongoing optimisation. Working closely with operational teams, suppliers, and stakeholders, you will ensure that our support line products enable support workers to deliver high-quality, accessible services.
Key Responsibilities
Programme Delivery
· Own and drive the support centre improvement programme from procurement through to live operation, ensuring delivery on time and within budget
· Manage supplier relationships, coordinate and input into the evaluation of bids, and identify, track, and mitigate risks throughout the programme
· Maintain clear, accessible project documentation and provide regular progress updates to senior stakeholders
· Coordinate across internal teams (services, technology, legal, finance) and external partners to keep work aligned and moving
Product & Solution Ownership
· Act as product owner for the support centre platform: defining requirements which meet the needs of support workers and service users
· As part of a team you’ll evaluate technology options against a set of agreed criteria, with a focus on fitness for purpose, data security and value for money
· Oversee the bespoke configuration of the chosen platform, working closely with the supplier
· Collaborate with the Head of Service to and I.T Lead to onboard and train the team, ensuring support line workers feel confident and prepared from day one
· Following go-live, take responsibility for the continued health and development of the support centre platform and identify improvement opportunities
· Champion best practice in digital service design and products across the organisation, building internal capability over time
Information Governance & Data Protection
· Work closely with RCEW's Data Protection Officer and Senior leadership to ensure all aspects of the programme comply with relevant data legislation
Person Specification*
· A proven track record of successfully delivering digital or technology projects on time and within budget
· Able to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously in a fast-paced environment with evolving priorities
· Ability to assess complex situations, identify blockers, and develop pragmatic solutions
· Ability to gather and translate user needs into product requirements; comfortable working with service design principles and working iteratively to develop or improve digital products
· Experience and understanding of contact centre software, CRM, and/or case management platforms
· Proven ability to work across diverse teams and communicate clearly with both technical and non-technical audiences
· Thorough knowledge of UK GDPR and able to handle highly sensitive personal data and engage with difficult subject matter with care and professionalism
· A team player who builds trust quickly and works effectively across organisational boundaries
· Self-starter who can work autonomously, flag problems early, and drive work forward without constant direction
· A genuine commitment to RCEW's mission to end sexual violence and support survivors
Personal Attributes
We are looking for a skilled and versatile digital professional who combines strong delivery skills with product thinking. You do not need to be a technical expert, but you do need to be confident working with technology suppliers, communicating with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, and making sound decisions under pressure.
Above all, we are looking for someone who understands the importance of the work RCEW does and has a strong track record of delivering digital projects effectively.
Success in the role of Digital Project & Product Lead for the Support Line is determined by the ability to lead and coordinate the successful delivery of digital projects that enhance the effectiveness, resilience, and user experience of the national 24/7 Support Line. Working collaboratively with suppliers, internal teams, operational colleagues, and key stakeholders, the role will ensure that digital solutions are implemented safely, on time, and in line with service requirements.
Key measures of success include:
- Strong supplier engagement and stakeholder collaboration result in agreed solution designs that meet the operational needs of the Support Line.
- A robust project plan is developed and managed in partnership with suppliers, with key milestones achieved within agreed timescales.
- Virtual Contact Centre (VCC) upgrades are configured and delivered in accordance with agreed specifications, supporting improved service delivery and performance.
- Integration testing with existing systems is completed successfully, with issues identified, resolved, and signed off before implementation.
- Operating procedures, user guidance, and supporting documentation are developed or updated to reflect new processes and system functionality.
- Comprehensive training materials are produced, enabling Support Line staff and delivery partners to effectively use new systems and features.
- Training is delivered to relevant colleagues and stakeholders, ensuring operational readiness and confidence ahead of implementation.
- A structured Go Live readiness review confirms that technical, operational, governance, and business readiness criteria have been met before deployment.
- The VCC upgrades are launched successfully with minimal disruption to Support Line operations, supported by effective implementation planning, monitoring, and post-launch issue resolution to maximise adoption and service benefits.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply, please submit a CV and a covering letter (no more than two pages) explaining why you are interested in this role and how your experience meets the person specification.
RCEW is committed to equal opportunities and actively encourages applications from people with lived experience of sexual violence, and from people from communities which are under-represented in our workforce, including Black and minoritised communities, disabled people, and LGBTQ+ people.
All roles at RCEW are subject to an enhanced DBS check. The post-holder will have access to sensitive data relating to survivors of sexual violence and must demonstrate the highest standards of discretion and data security.
Eligibility
Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Evidence of this will be required prior to appointment.
Additional Information
Please note: We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a sufficient number of applications. We therefore encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.
Due to the volume of applications received, only candidates selected for interview will be contacted.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Company Description
Marie Curie is the UK’s leading end-of-life charity. We are the largest non-NHS provider of end-of-life care in the UK, the only provider across all 4 nations, delivering community nursing and hospice care across the country, while providing information and support on all aspects of dying, death, and bereavement. Our leading research pushes the boundaries of what we know about good end-of-life, and our campaigns fight for a world where everyone gets to have the best possible quality of life while living with an illness, they’re likely to die from.
Team and role overview
At Marie Curie, our Case for Support team plays a vital role in the delivery of our strategy and supporting fundraising growth, by creating compelling cases for support and innovative propositions for our highest-value campaigns. Working alongside passionate, purpose-driven professionals, you’ll help us maximize impact and create meaningful connections with our supporters.
As a Case for Support Lead, you will be instrumental in developing impactful narratives that resonate with our supporters and drive our mission forward. Your work will provide essential, up-to-date information about our clinical services, research and policy work. This will support all fundraising teams to build accurate and inspiring fundraising campaigns. By identifying funding opportunities and crafting tailored cases for support, you’ll ensure that our high-value fundraising teams continue to achieve transformational impact.
What you will be doing:
- Create compelling case for support narratives about all aspects of Marie Curie’s work, articulating the need, solution, and impact for various audiences.
- Collaborate with service, policy, and research teams to gain a deep understanding of their work and goals, gathering insights to support funding applications and campaigns.
- Work closely with high-value income streams, supporting Trusts & Foundations, Philanthropy and Corporate teams by coordinating with internal stakeholders to develop compelling propositions.
- Provide all fundraising teams with accurate, self-service information, including writing narratives and interpreting data.
- Delivery of online Discovery Sessions with fundraising teams to improve their understanding of our cause.
What we are looking for:
- Proven experience in fundraising, service delivery, cause-led communications, or evaluation work.
- Creative thinker with an independent, autonomous approach to work.
- Strong communication skills to inspire others and positively influence opinions, with the ability to gain respect at all levels and drive practical, meaningful change.
- Skilled at understanding and interpreting complex information and data and articulating it in a compelling way, both in writing and verbally.
- Excellent people skills with a proven ability to integrate quickly into complex organizations.
- Financial literacy with experience in interpreting budget information.
Please see the full job description
Additional Information
Application & Interview Process
- As part of your online application, you will be asked for a CV and supplementary details. Please review both the advert and job description and outline your most relevant skills, experience and knowledge for the role.
- Close date for applications but may close early: 2nd July 2026
- Interviews due to take place 9th and 13th July2026
** Important we encourage you to apply early as we may close the job advert sooner after receiving a sufficient number of suitable applications**.
Salary: £36,900 to £39,900
Contract:Permanent Full-Time 35 hours per week
Based: Remote based within the United Kingdom, occasional travel may be required travel costs covered
Benefits you’ll LOVE:
- Flexible working. We’re happy to discuss flexible working at the interview stage.
- 25 days annual leave (exclusive of Bank Holidays)
- Marie Curie Group Personal Pension Scheme (we will match your contribution up to 7.5%)
- Loan schemes for bikes; computers and season tickets
- Continuous professional development opportunities.
- Industry-leading training programmes
- Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programmes
- Enhanced bereavement, family friendly and sickness benefits
- Access to Blue Light Card membership
- Subsidised Eye Care
At Marie Curie, our values are central to everything we do. They guide how we care for people, how we work together, and how we make decisions every day. We are committed to creating a workplace that is safe for everyone — staff and volunteers alike — supportive, inclusive and rewarding. We take stringent steps to ensure that anyone who joins our organisation are suitable for their roles and are committed to safeguarding all our people from harm. We actively consider our impact on the planet, embedding sustainability into everyday decisions to create a lasting, positive difference for the individuals we care for and the world we share.
We believe everyone should have the opportunity to thrive and fulfil their potential. Marie Curie is deeply committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, recognising both the social justice imperative and the strength a diverse workforce brings. We actively encourage applications from people of all cultures, perspectives and lived experiences.
We are happy to make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process. If you require any support, please contact us at .
Every application we receive is personally reviewed by a member of our Talent Acquisition team, and in return, we ask that your application authentically reflects you — your experience, perspective and voice.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
