Chief Executive
The scale of our operations can be surprising: we deliver services from 60 different sites across the UK, as part of a large number of Integrated Care Systems. The complexity of the commissioning landscape requires significant attention, as does the relationship with regulators and other stakeholders. As well our principal work of delivering abortion advice and treatment, we also undertake research into reproductive healthcare, and undertake a policy / advocacy role in protecting and extending women’s reproductive rights and choices.
In common with many charities which provide face to face services, we were severely affected by the pandemic and lockdowns. This led us to address a number of structural financial challenges in the financial year 2021/22, which are detailed in our Annual Report. With the successful resolution of these issues, our financial position is stable and positive. This creates welcome headroom for creativity and innovation as we prepare for the decade ahead.
Earlier this year, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) published a review of governance and leadership, which found that action was needed to strengthen oversight of risk and better support staff in their delivery of care. We recognised that – following a period of significant growth at a service level – we needed greater focus on ensuring that our policies, procedures, and structures are commensurate with the size and scale of the charity we have become. This work is well underway at service, executive and board levels.
This is a full-spectrum Chief Executive role, so you should be able to quickly master a brief that includes finance, estates, governance, fundraising and advocacy. However, we are fundamentally a healthcare provision charity, so experience of running a comparable service would be a distinct advantage, as would a detailed practical understanding of the regulatory framework in which we operate.
Strong candidates will additionally have a sophisticated grasp of how online strategy will continue to transform our work, plus relevant direct experience of channel-shift and digital product development. An outstanding networker, with the appetite and skillset to become a go-to public voice on a range of issues around women’s rights, you will relish the opportunity to lead an organisation with limitless potential, and a collective hunger to make the world a better place. And it goes without saying that you must share our unshakeable commitment to a woman’s right to choose abortion.