CEO

The Vivensa Foundation, formerly The Dunhill Medical Trust, is the only UK charitable funder focused entirely on supporting the remarkable research and radical social innovation needed for ageing well. As the steward of a substantial endowment of c£175 million, we provide an annual grants budget of £5-6 million and have ring-fenced a further £5 million for social investment purposes. This means we are uniquely positioned to act as a catalyst for systems change at the intersection of health, care, research, and community. As we move into a new strategic phase, we are looking for a visionary and collaborative leader to help us deepen our impact and extend our influence for lasting change.

As Chief Executive, you will lead the delivery and iterative development of Vivensa’s strategy, working closely with the Board and a small, expert team. You will provide clear and values-led leadership, ensuring our resources, partnerships and profile are aligned for maximum social impact. This is a rare opportunity to lead a foundation with the independence and capital to take risks, shape thinking, and convene diverse actors around a common purpose. You will, with the Board of Trustees, own the strategy and oversee governance, finance and operations, while also playing an active role in representing Vivensa externally and facilitating cross-sector collaboration.

We are seeking a confident and reflective leader with experience of driving change in complex or multi-sector environments. You will bring strong strategic and financial acumen, the ability to inspire and empower a small team, and credibility across sectors such as research, health, government, investment, philanthropy or civil society. Equally important is your commitment to collaboration, systems thinking, and inclusive leadership – alongside a passion for the potential of research, innovation and community action to shape a better future for ageing.

Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to the Vivensa Foundation on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit the Saxton Bampfylde website using reference ZBRWA. Applications should be received by noon on Wednesday 4th June.