Chief Executive Officer

The Role

The Board of Oxford Head Injury Services (OHIS formerly Headway Oxfordshire), is seeking to appoint a CEO based at the Activity and Rehabilitation Centre (ARC) in Kennington Oxfordshire, to implement our 3 year strategic plan, as we continue our next phase of growth and development to expand services, develop different partnerships, and extend the range of funding streams.

This is an exciting opportunity for a Chief Executive or an aspiring senior manager from the public, commercial or not-for-profit sector to lead the charity, and ensure we achieve our challenging goal to double the number of those we support over the next 2 to 3 years. This is an externally facing role requiring strong influencing, networking and development skills.  Success will depend on our ability to fundraise and raise awareness of what we do, develop our range of innovative services, engage with other charities, set up more corporate partnerships, work with major donors and build credibility by offering education about acquired brain injury.

Our Purpose
We were established 35 years ago to support those who had suffered a brain injury and their carers. This includes head injury from traumatic incidents such as road accidents, violence, and sports, or from neurological problems including encephalitis, haemorrhage, tumours, and stroke. There are in the region of 3500 to 4000 incidences of acquired brain injury that require hospitalisation every year in Oxfordshire alone. There are many more cases that are categorised as "minor head injuries", (such as concussion), whereby individuals experience significant effects but are not admitted for treatment. Lives and relationships can be significantly affected by acquired brain injury (ABI) and the types of support services that OHIS provides, are essential to maximise recovery, adjustment, independence and enjoyment of life.

Support we Offer
The first point of contact is usually through our ABI Navigators working within a hospital setting to identify individuals and families who require support at the earliest stages of their condition. We help individuals and carers to navigate the complex journey of recovery and make referrals to our own or other community-based services as required.

Our activity and rehabilitation centre, the ARC, includes a well- equipped gym, with exercise professionals on hand to support individuals to regain their physical strength. Those spending a day at the centre may choose from a schedule of fun, practical and stimulating activities such as yoga, tai chi, quizzes, board games, art, crafts, music, singing, creative writing and storytelling as well as special interest talks. With all of these opportunities, we seek to promote social interaction, peer support, independence, and general wellbeing.

Further, our Head Injury Buddies offer 1-1 support in the home and/or community, helping individuals to tackle everyday challenges associated with living with brain injury, promoting resilience and signposting to specialist services.

Skills and Experience we Need

Some experience within the charity sector, or of working closely with the NHS, local government or not for profit organisations. A warm personality, good humour, and ability to develop new and existing relationships, and collaborate with a range of organisations, service commissioners, corporate partners, sponsors, funders and users of our services. Ideally a sound understanding of the care or health sector. Financial management experience including budget setting and variance reporting. Understanding of fundraising streams, grant applications or income generation. Experience of negotiating contracts or presenting a case, engaging new clients and partnerships. A collaborative, supportive leadership style and ability to think creatively. Strong oral and written communication skills, demonstrating influence and diplomacy. Strategic, consultative, analytical and decisive with good judgement. Ability to prioritise and overcome setbacks to achieve results. A work history showing progression at management levels. A track record of motivating teams to deliver excellent outcomes. An understanding of acquired brain injury and empathy with the demands facing our clients as well as carers of all ages and their support needs.

How to Apply

​​We welcome applications from all sections of the community, and we value differences. We offer equal opportunities for everyone: employees, trustees, volunteers, clients and carers.

We aim to build a culture based on respect, reliability, and recognition. We will consider one or 2 days a week working from home.

If you are ready for this exciting challenge, please send your CV and a one page covering letter explaining your interest and describing your strengths, which you believe are most relevant to success in this role.

The closing date for receiving applications is midnight on 21st February 2025. All applications will be acknowledged.

There will be several days, towards the end of February when we will ask shortlisted candidates to have prepared their own questions and to conduct an online interview session with the Chair of the Board of Trustees to whom the CEO reports.

Final panel interviews will take place in person with members of the Board of Trustees over the week ends 1st/2nd March and 6th /7th March.