Chief Operating Officer : HF752

An outstanding opportunity to apply your leadership and organisation skills in a fast-paced, dynamic national charity.

Action for M.E. supports people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E., also sometimes called Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or CFS) to secure the care and support they need, while raising understanding of the disease and investing in research to develop a greater understanding of the illness. Founded in 1987, it has merged with three other M.E.-related charities in the last six years and played a leading role in advising the government to commit to developing a national delivery plan for M.E. earlier this year.

The staff team is approximately 40 strong, and income typically exceeds £1 million per annum - providing services directly to those with the illness through information, direct medical interventions, and support. The environment is incredibly fast-paced and characterized by significant change, with the head office near Bristol and the team based flexibly and remotely across the UK.

THE ROLE

• Lead, support, and inspire the senior leadership team of up to five to drive the day-to-day operations of the charity.
• Employ strategic financial acumen to ensure the charity fulfills its purpose sustainably and that all financial procedures are robust.
• Refine and adjust the implementation of the communications and public affairs strategy as circumstances demand.
• Support the CEO with an extensive and demanding external stakeholder engagement programme.

THE CANDIDATE

• Extensive leadership and management experience, ideally in the charitable sector, with the ability to inspire and manage a diverse team across a range of functions.
• A proven ability to provide strategic financial commentary to the Trustee board, possibly as a qualified accountant.
• Expertise in communications and public affairs to drive awareness of an issue is an advantage.
• An empathy with the purpose and cause of the charity.

REWARDS

Very competitive salary plus benefits, flexible location.