Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Are you looking for an empowering role that truly impacts lives? We are looking for a committed and highly motivated CEO who is confident and excited about leading a small ambitious national Charity which povides support to PKD patients, their carers and renal clinicians in the UK.

In recent years the PKD Charity UK has expanded its funding of supporting our Community with a world class support service and innovative research through its own fundraising efforts and by leveraging strategic partnerships. We are now launching a consortium with key partners which will further enhance our ability to support groundbreaking research which may one day lead to genuine disease modifying treatments for PKD.

Our organisation is supported by a dedicated team of staff and trustees including several patients with PKD and individuals with family members affected by PKD. The job opening sadly results from unexpected passing of our former CEO who led the organisation with distinction for the last 12 years. Currently, we are operating under an interim management arrangement. 

You will be driven by a desire to work with our team, partners and trustees to ensure the success of the charity and by communicating the level of activity and successful leveraging of resources into addressing PKD.

The role is primarily remote with a requirement to travel to events and meetings mainly in the UK with occasional travel throughout Europe and other regions.

As the CEO, you will be responsible for:

• Strategic Leadership: Providing visionary leadership and direction for the charity.
• Team Management: Motivating and leading the staff to achieve our mission.
• Representation: Acting as the primary spokesperson for PKD Charity UK to supporters, healthcare professionals, and partner organisations.
• Support Services: Ensuring the delivery of our world-class support services.
• Research Leadership: Leading and proactively involving yourself in our research initiatives.
• Patient Involvement: Ensuring first-class patient involvement in our research programmes.
• Networking: Liaising with and representing our charity within European and worldwide rare disease partner networks.

Qualifications:

• Proven leadership experience.
• Strong understanding of medical research and patient advocacy.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain partnerships.
• Experience in strategic planning and financial management.

We are flexible in considering part time working options from 3 days a week to full time for this role with salary pro rated. 

About the PKD Charity.

Founded in 2000, we’re the first and only UK charity solely dedicated to improving the lives of an estimated 70,000 individuals and their families affected by polycystic kidney disease (PKD) in the UK.

PKD is a range of life-threatening inherited conditions that can cause kidney failure and affect other organs in the body such as the liver, brain, heart and bowels. Most people with PKD live with an uncertain prognosis, intermittent pain and infections, and then have to undergo life-saving dialysis or transplant in their 50s. A few babies have a rare form of PKD which results in death during pregnancy or shortly after birth; surviving children often have to have either a kidney or liver transplant before the age of 10.

We provide reliable, accredited information, advice and personalised support. We raise awareness of the burden of PKD, both clinical and psychosocial. We fund research aimed at understanding more about PKD and the discovery of therapies that will improve quality and longevity of life.

The Board of Trustees are committed to providing equal opportunities for everyone and encourage applications from all sections of the community.

How to Apply

If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of those affected by PKD and have the skills and experience to lead our charity to new heights, we would love to hear from you. Please send your CV and a cover letter detailing your suitability for the role by clicking the Quick Apply button below.