The opportunity

Join us to accelerate research that saves lives.

For over sixty years, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) has been one of the world’s largest independent funders of heart and circulatory research, powering progress that has saved countless lives.

Despite the progress we’ve made, our work is needed more than ever. Our vision is a world free from the fear of heart and circulatory diseases, where everyone has a healthier heart for longer. We passionately believe that raising funds to support cutting-edge research will bring us closer to achieving this.

We are proud to invest in an exceptional network of world-class researchers and ideas to make a difference for the millions of people living with heart and circulatory diseases in the UK and around the world. With over £400 million of BHF-funded research in progress, we have an aspiration to invest in excess of £1 billion in research by 2030.

We’ve led and delivered ground breaking programmes of work which include The Circuit, the national defibrillator network, which provide the NHS ambulance services with vital information about defibrillators across the UK, as well as supporting a national programme, in partnership with the NHS and the Coronial Service, to identify families affected by sudden cardiac death (SCD) due to inherited heart conditions and provide access to genetic testing and specialized cardiac care.

As we look to the future, we’re poised to exploit the potential of transformational technological advances to make the life-changing breakthroughs that patients urgently need, and we are working with a broad range of partners and alliances to ensure they happen faster.

As the UK’s leading heart charity, our research also informs the vital information and support we give to millions of people and their loved ones when they need it most, and it fuels our campaigning to ensure a healthier world for everyone.

Director of Health

We are now seeking to appoint a Director of Health to work with, and reporting to, the Chief Medical and Science Officer (CSMO) and contribute to the development and delivery of the Medical Directorate’s ambitious and transformative strategy for health. This role will direct the team responsible for the delivery of BHF’s strategic activities in cardiovascular health including BHF’s information services and implement innovation programmes. As a key member of the Medical Directorate, the Director of Health will work closely with the CSMO to develop and implement a Directorate strategy and evaluate its effectiveness.

The successful candidate will bring substantial expertise in cardiovascular health and a strong track record of delivery of clinical health programmes. They will have knowledge and understanding of BHF, and a commitment to the importance of science and innovation in driving improvements in cardiovascular health. The appointee will be an inspirational leader of high performing, empowered teams, and show a genuine appreciation of and champion BHF’s values. Vision and drive will be essential so they can effectively support the CSMO and work collaboratively with the broader organisation in the development and implementation of an ambitious agenda for health.

We are looking for an exceptional leader to help us make even more of an impact for people affected by heart and circulatory diseases, capitalising on our growing ambitions and building on six decades of incredible heritage. If you share our ambition, you can apply or download further information on the required qualifications, skills and experience for the role at https://plusportal.perrettlaver.com quoting reference 8027.

The deadline for applications is 9am BST on Monday 20th October.

To get in touch confidentially about this opportunity, please contact Lucy Roper on [email protected].

Applications will be considered by the Selection Committee in late October. Longlisted candidates will be invited to interview with Perrett Laver in early November and the BHF Selection Committee will subsequently meet to decide upon a final shortlist for the post in the week commencing November 10th. Informal Interviews and first round interviews will be held during w/c 17th November and the Formal Interview will take place in person in w/c 24th November.

The BHF offices are based in Greater London House, London NW1 7AW. BHF have adopted a flexible working model where employees can work both in the office as well as at home. This position is available on a full-time basis or a part-time appointment of minimum 0.6 FTE. We are open to considering an appointment on a secondment basis or being employed directly by BHF.

The salary is commensurate to the seniority of the appointment.

British Heart Foundation is a registered Charity in England and Wales (225971) and in Scotland (SC039426) Registered as a Company limited by guarantee in England & Wales No. 699547.

If you require any reasonable adjustments to assist you in the selection process, please advise us of these so that we can make appropriate arrangements.

Accessibility statement

BHF values and respects every individual’s unique contribution, celebrate diversity, and make inclusion part of what we do every day.

BHF’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy, Igniting Change, along with their internal EDI group, Kaleidoscope, and a growing number of employee network help us create an environment where all our colleagues and volunteers can succeed.

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Help us fund life saving science