Chief Executive Officer - The Brain Charity
Location: Liverpool-based - occasional travel across Merseyside and the UK
Salary: £75,000 per annum + 10% company pension
Contract: permanent, full-time
Are you ready to lead a values-driven charity that supports people affected by neurological conditions and their families across Merseyside and nationally?
The Brain Charity is a Liverpool-based national charity supporting adults, children and their families affected by any of more than 600 neurological and related conditions. Founded in 1993 by neurologists at The Walton Centre, we have grown a centre-based offer, hospital liaison roles and a national information, training and support service - from practical welfare and legal advice, counselling and rehabilitation (Neuro Gym) to peer connection via The Brain Food Café and employer/school training. We put lived experience, co-production and neuro-inclusive practice at the heart of everything we do: more than half of our staff and many of our volunteers have lived experience of neurological conditions.
As our next Chief Executive, you will:
- Strategic leadership: Develop and deliver a 3–5 year strategy and an operational plan with clear priorities that secures the charity’s long-term impact and sustainable growth.
- Values leadership: Model and embed the charity’s person-centred, inclusive and co-productive values across services and culture.
- Growth & income diversification: Lead development of diverse income streams — fundraising, legacies and commercial activity — to strengthen financial resilience.
- Partnerships & advocacy: Strengthen senior relationships with NHS partners, local authorities, commissioners and wider stakeholders; amplify the charity’s voice in neuro-health and community settings.
- Service quality & impact: Embed rigorous outcome measurement, quality assurance and contract compliance so our impact drives commissioning and service development.
- People leadership: Stabilise staff morale, lead and develop a high-performing Senior Leadership Team, and promote wellbeing and inclusive working practices.
- Governance & financial stewardship: Provide timely, high-quality reporting to the Board; oversee budgeting, forecasting and risk management to safeguard financial sustainability.
Who you are:
- An experienced Chief Executive or senior director with a minimum of three years’ experience at CEO or equivalent level.
- Proven track record of winning and managing commissioned contracts and delivering against local authority or health contracts.
- Skilled at building strategic partnerships and commanding credibility with senior stakeholders across health, local government and the voluntary sector.
- Confident at leading turnaround and financial sustainability work - experienced in budgeting, forecasting and making difficult decisions when needed.
- A values-led, collaborative leader with high emotional intelligence, resilience and a commitment to co-production and inclusion.
Why The Brain Charity?
- Lead a respected, person-centred organisation with a unique, wide-ranging offer across advice, emotional support, rehabilitation, social connection and national training.
- A high-impact role where you can stabilise the organisation, professionalise fundraising and scale services strategically.
- Liverpool-based centre with hybrid working and national reach — a chance to influence neuro-health practice and commissioning across the UK.
For full details of the role including how to apply, please download the full appointment brief. For an informal and confidential conversation about this position, please contact Jenny Hills at Harris Hill via the apply button with times to speak and (optional but appreciated) a CV or professional profile which will be treated with the strictest confidence.
Closing date for applications: 9am, Monday 19th January 2026
As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.
Recruitment Agency 
21 - 50
Thank you!
About us
We’re Breast Cancer Now, the research and support charity. We’re the place to turn to for anything and everything to do with breast cancer. However, you’re experiencing breast cancer, we’re here.
The brightest minds in breast cancer research are here. Making life-saving research happen in labs across the UK and Ireland. Support services, trustworthy breast cancer information and specialist nurses are here. Ready to support you whenever you need it. Dedicated campaigners are here. Fighting for the best possible treatment, services and care for anyone affected by breast cancer.
About the role
Do you live in Edinburgh or the surrounding area?
As a senior community fundraiser, you’ll be an important part of the team building Breast Cancer Now’s presence in Scotland, with a particular focus on Edinburgh and the surrounding areas.
We’re looking for someone who is an experienced relationship builder, someone who can find and develop new supporters. You’ll need excellent local knowledge, and the enthusiasm to develop a brand-new fundraising region.
The successful candidate will also be part of the team working on our large-scale project supporting and growing Asda Tickled Pink, our award-winning partnership with Asda and CoppaFeel! which has already raised over £100 million.
You’ll work directly with passionate colleagues across Asda stores in your region driving new fundraising initiatives, inspiring communities and celebrating incredible successes.
No 2 days will look the same as you travel, connect and engage supporters to help us grow income to deliver our mission.
The role is initially offered as an 18-month contract with the potential to become permanent
About you
You’re confident in approaching new contacts and are experienced in developing new relationships from scratch. This may currently be in a customer service, account management or stewardship role.
You’re experienced in managing and building new and established relationships with a focus on retention and income growth.
You’re enthusiastic, proactive, organised and unafraid to test and try new ideas.
You’re required to be involved being out and about in the community that you’re building, so you must be able to work independently outside of the office in varying locations and enjoy being busy.
Previous experience working in a charity is not required.
Job description and benefits
Please download the job description and our attractive benefits package.
Primary location of role
This is a remote role, and the candidate will need to be based in the Edinburgh area with unlimited access to their own car. Regular travel will be required to meet supporters and visit Asda stores in your region, as well as occasional travel to our London, Sheffield or Glasgow office.
When applying
We hope you choose to apply for this role. To support your application, you’ll be asked to submit your anonymised CV. Please refer to the essential criteria on the person specification and clearly provide as much information as you can with examples, to demonstrate how and where you meet the criteria. If you’ve any immediate questions please contact the Breast Cancer Now Recruitment team.
Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion
We’re committed to promoting equity, valuing diversity and creating an inclusive environment – for everyone who works for us, works with us, supports us and who we support.
Closing date Tuesday 6 January 2026 9am
Interview date Tuesday 13 January 2026
We reserve the right to close this advert early. Therefore, to avoid disappointment please submit your application as soon as possible, if you’re interested in this opportunity.
