Chief Executive Officer

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 thefull appointment brief. For an informal and confidential conversation about this position, please contact Jenny Hills at Harris Hill at executive@harrishill.co.uk 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.