Chief Executive Officer

Following a strategic pause to reset the organisation with the help of an interim senior management team, we are now ready to recruit our long-term Chief Executive Officer. 

Self Help UK (SHUK) provides holistic support and knowledge via close interaction with local communities, peer groups and volunteers to a) prevent long-term health conditions and b) help those with existing conditions to feel more confident, informed and supported in navigating their health journey in a way that works best for them. 

Our values are empowering others, putting people first, acting with integrity and showing compassion.

We are looking for a Chief Executive Officer to take us into the next phase of growth, with the following responsibilities:

• Forming relationships with local charities and funders in Nottinghamshire and wider East Midlands region, and building relationships within the Deaf community, locally and nationall
• Representing SHUK across relevant forums, networks, and platform
• Bringing funding into core/central functions and securing ongoing funding for existing and future projects
• Managing the operations of SHUK via a senior leadership team of managers and function leads
• Ensuring SHUK is compliant with charity and employer regulations, ensuring high standards of governance, transparency, and integrity
• Ensuring overall financial control of the organisation, supported by the Finance Manager, keeping a regular eye on the core and restricted cashflow
• Supporting the Board of Trustees by ensuring they are making decisions based on accurate information and context
• Ensuring all members of staff and volunteers are supported and developed
• Ensuring SHUK’s services are of high quality and have a positive impact on those who use them
• Driving continuous improvement in quality, standards, image, and reputation

The personal qualities this role needs are:

• A dynamic leader, with ideas and principles that align with those of SHUK
• Enthusiasm to take on a challenge, focused on ensuring SHUK has long-term sustainability
• Clear management abilities at all levels in order to challenge, engage, address issues and provide support
• Able to communicate a clear vision and strategy, with proven ability to translate vision into business plans
• Demonstrable understanding of charity finances, with strong budget management, financial planning skills and the ability to diversify income
• Experience of working in the voluntary sector, with direct experience of fundraising
• Knowledge of the current NHS plans, and the significance of health inequalities – able to make a case for its importance during bids
• Knowledge/understanding of the Deaf Community
• Experience of managing change and stabilising an organisation
• Business development/networking skills
• Able to pivot between strategy and transactional or work with others to provide those skills, leading through empowerment
• Active interest in and knowledge of the Nottingham/Nottinghamshire locality.
• Able to work in Nottingham at least one day per week

Background:

SHUK is a leading peer support organisation with over 40 years of experience in developing and delivering peer-led services. Our mission is to empower individuals and communities by embedding peer support principles into health and wellbeing initiatives. We have created a range of innovative programmes that help people living with cancer and other long-term health conditions to navigate challenges and take control of their health and wellbeing.

We work in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support on projects that make a real difference. These include national and local initiatives for the Deaf community, volunteer-led support for anyone affected by cancer, and prehabilitation services for those facing complex treatment. We are collaborating with our Integrated Care Board (ICB) on cancer projects, and work within our Integrated Care System (ICS) to strengthen partnerships and synergies with local health and care delivery, improve health literacy and increase cancer screening uptake among underserved communities in Nottingham. Looking ahead, we are exploring a new direction to position SHUK as a holistic, person-centred support provider, embedding peer support and volunteer-led activity at the heart of everything we do. Our vision is to challenge health inequalities and enable people to feel confident, informed, and supported in shaping their own health journey.

A selection of causes covered by SHUK:

• Peer support
• Long-term health conditions
• Cancer diagnoses and prevention
• Voluntary sector support
• Health inequalities, including the deaf community
• Under-served communities