Job Description - British Heart Foundation

Appointment of
Chief Executive

Executive summary
British Heart Foundation (BHF) is the nation’s heart charity. Its vision is a world where people don’t die prematurely from heart
disease. It was founded in 1961, and has grown to be the dominant charity in the cardiovascular sector, with an annual income in
excess of £120 million, an employee base of some 3,000, and supported by a further 25,000 volunteers.
The life-saving work of the BHF is critically advanced through
deep investment in medical research. Of equal importance is
the BHF’s work in prevention, education,
direct patient care and policy advocacy. While much has
been achieved, heart disease remains the UK’s greatest
cause of premature death.
Its sources of income are growing, well-balanced and
diverse. These include many local and national
fundraising activities (notably the flagship
London to Brighton bike ride), the UK’s most
successful charity retail operation of
750 shops, a strong base of legacy
income as well as a special
“Mending Broken Hearts”
appeal, to support a major
new investment in
regenerative
medicine.
Following the announcement of Peter Hollins’ retirement after
nine highly successful years as Chief Executive, the Board of
Trustees is now seeking to appoint his successor.
The successful candidate will be an experienced leader
with the strategic vision to ensure the BHF remains
a leading force in the field of cardiovascular
research and care. In addition they will bring
significant experience of leading large, complex
organisations, excellent ambassadorial
skills and the ability to build strong
relationships across a complex
stakeholder map. They will bring a
passion for the cause, personal
integrity and inspirational
leadership.
The BHF | Appointment of Chief Executive 1

About The BHF
The BHF celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2011.
Today it is the nation’s heart charity and the biggest funder
of cardiovascular research in the UK. In addition to funding
pioneering research it also commits a significant proportion
of its income to prevention and care of heart disease and
seeks to influence Government agenda and establish
policies that minimise the risk of developing heart and
circulatory disease.
Our vision is a world in which people do not
die prematurely of heart disease.
Our mission is to play a leading role in the fight
against disease of the heart and circulation so
that it is no longer a major cause of disability
and premature death.
Our objectives are:
• To pioneer research into the causes of heart disease and
improved methods of prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
• To provide vital information to help people reduce their
heart health risk.
• To press for government policies that minimise the risk of
heart and circulatory disease.
• To help attain the highest possible standards of care and
support for heart patients.
• To reduce the inequalities in levels of heart disease
across the UK.
Research
Objective: To pioneer research into the causes of heart
disease and improved methods of prevention, diagnosis and
treatment.
The BHF is the single biggest independent funder of
cardiovascular research in the UK – from new discoveries
about how the heart develops in the womb, to developing the
treatments that could mend broken hearts in the future.
In the year April 2010 to March 2011 the BHF awarded grants
totalling just under £120 million for research into the causes,
prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the heart
and circulation. It funds scientists at more than 50 different
research centres in the UK – from Bristol to Belfast, Cardiff to
Cambridge, and Edinburgh to Essex.
It is funding hundreds of researchers on around 1,200 projects.
It aims to find new, better treatments for people with heart
and circulatory diseases, or develop new ways to better
prevent or diagnose it.
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About The BHF (continued)
Information
Objective: To provide vital information to help people reduce
their own heart health risk.
It aims to achieve this by understanding what information
people most need to help them live with a healthy heart;
piloting services that help people identify their personal risk
of cardiovascular disease; and emphasising the importance
of a heart healthy lifestyle through national social marketing
campaigns.
Recent successes include the Angina Monologues, a comedy
event hosted by Victoria Wood to increase awareness of
the risk of heart disease in women. Heart Matters, the BHF’s
dedicated programme to support people with heart disease
or a significant risk factor, currently has 290,000 members and
its Heart Helpline answers over 20,000 phone calls and 13,000
emails a year.
Campaigning
Objective: To press for Government policies which minimise
the risk of heart and circulatory disease.
It aims to achieve this by asking people affected by heart
disease what issues impact them the most, and how they
would like to get involved in campaigning for change;
lobbying with partner organisations; working in partnership
with charities, the Department of Health and Government;
and identifying opportunities to influence the Government
agenda on emerging issues, such as the role of charities in
providing services in the NHS.
Lobbying successes include the total ban on cigarette vending
machines across the UK and the decision not to allow product
placements for foods high in sugar, fat and salt or tobacco
accessories and to ban product placement in children’s
programmes.
Care
Objective: The BHF seeks to attain the highest possible
standards of care and support for patients.
It aims to achieve this by understanding the day-to-day
needs of people living with heart disease, equipping patients
and carers to maximise patient heart health and quality of
life, and training and supporting more specialist healthcare
professionals.
In 2010-2011 the BHF funded or part-funded 621 healthcare
professionals to help heart patients. The BHF healthcare
professionals play a front line role in delivering care and
support for heart patients.
For more information about the strategy and achievements
underpinning the BHF’s goals, these can be found at:
www.bhf.org.uk/publications/view-publication.aspx?ps=1000525
www.bhf.org.uk/about-us/our-annual-review/
annual-review-2012.aspx
The BHF | Appointment of Chief Executive 3

income and expenditure
Our income 2011–12
Total income £128.5 million
Our income 2010–11
Total income £125.2 million
Legacies
Fundraising
Retail (profit)
Investments
Our charitable expenditure 2011–12
Total charitable expenditure £124.2 million
Our charitable expenditure 2010–11
Total charitable expenditure £155.1 million
Research
Prevention and Care
Research excl. £20.2 million adjustment
Prevention and Care
* Of the total spend on research during the year, £20.2 million is an adjustment to the way Programme Grants are accounted for.
These are now recognised for the full five years at inception, rather than up to a mid-term review as in previous years.
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The role
The Chief Executive reports to a board of external Trustees
and is responsible for all aspects of the running of the
charity, relying on a professional executive team (SMT), who
are supported by experienced non-executives (Trustees).
The position currently has ten direct reports, with the SMT
comprising of a Medical Director, a Fundraising Director,
a Finance Director, a Director of Policy and Communications,
a Retail Director, and a HR Director.
Purpose of the job
• To provide inspiring leadership to the BHF in the
development of its strategic direction and implementation
of plans.
• To position the BHF so that it remains a leading force in the
field of cardiovascular science and study.
• To manage the BHF in such a way that its resources are used
as effectively and efficiently as possible.
Key results area
• To develop a long term ambitious strategy which articulates
the vision and ambition of the BHF, and measurable
objectives against which that vision can become a reality.
• To ensure that the overall strategy is translated into exciting
and meaningful business and operational plans.
• To promote and represent the BHF externally and to
develop and maintain good relations with relevant
stakeholders.
• To continue to develop the BHF so that the organisation is
dynamic and fit for purpose with structures, systems and
people who deliver best in class results.
• To be responsible for the overall financial health of the BHF,
to exploit its diverse streams of income and to maximise the
overall income potential of the charity.
• To create a disciplined approach to budgeting and
expenditure so that resources are managed effectively and
efficiently, with the aim of achieving value for money in all
the charity does.
• To ensure that the BHF has a consistent set of principles and
values on which it is run and to enable the BHF to articulate
these, both externally and internally, in a consistent way.
• To create a high performing environment within the BHF, a
leadership culture which is challenging but supportive, and
where continuous improvement is a key part of the culture.
• To build a highly effective senior management team,
ensuring that each individual is performing at the optimum
level, and that the team as a whole functions effectively.
• To ensure the governance structure in the BHF is
appropriate and proportionate, to allow the BHF to operate
effectively and efficiently in line with charitable aims and
Charity Commission requirements.
• To support the Chair in optimising the processes of
engagement, involvement and interaction with the Trustees.
• To maintain effective networks with all stakeholders and to
find innovative methods of engaging and involving them in
the work of the BHF.
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Person specification
Candidates for the role will be required to demonstrate a
range of skills and competencies for the post and will ideally
draw upon prior experience of successful leadership within
complex and substantial organisations. Ideal candidates will
have experience of management across both charitable and
commercial organisations. In order to fulfill the demands of
the role, the Chief Executive will demonstrate strength in
the following areas:
Skills
• Strong, inspirational leadership skills with a facilitative
leadership style.
• Strategic vision with the ability to deliver transformational
organisational change.
• Financial acuity and the ability to manage resources
effectively and to a budget, drawing from experience of
managing substantial and diverse revenue streams across
arrange of corporate contexts or situations.
• Highly developed relationship building skills and the ability
to engage with external and internal stakeholders, including
academics, politicians, staff, volunteers etc.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Experience
• A proven track record of leading and delivering results in
multi-million pound, complex, distributed organisations.
• Successful responsibility for high-level external stakeholder
relationships and network-building.
• Understanding and appreciation of the value of medical
research.
Personal attributes
• Empathy with the cause and a commitment to the BHF
vision and mission.
• High levels of personal integrity.
• High level of intellectual capacity.
• Some understanding of the constraints and opportunities of
working for a charity.
• Dynamic and bold personal style with an appetite to
innovate.
• Highly credible with diverse groups of people.
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Appointment process and how to apply
The Chief Executive will be appointed by a selection panel
chaired by Philip Yea, Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
The BHF has retained the services of Perrett Laver to help identify
the widest possible field of qualified candidates and assist in the
assessment of candidates against the requirements for the role.
An executive search exercise is being undertaken alongside the
public advertisement of the post.
Applications should consist of a curriculum vitae (including
comprehensive details of key achievements and
responsibilities) along with a covering letter addressing the job
description and person specification. Completed applications
should be uploaded at www.perrettlaver.com/candidates
quoting reference number 1099. The closing date for
applications is noon (BST) on Monday 17th September 2012.
Longlisted candidates will be invited for interview with Perrett
Laver in October and following these interviews a shortlist will
be agreed. Shortlisted candidates will then be invited to make
informal visits to the BHF and formal panel interviews for the
position will take place on Wednesday 7th November 2012.
For a confidential discussion about the role please contact
Jill Stewart, UK Charity Lead Consultant at Perrett Laver on
0207 340 6200.
The BHF | Appointment of Chief Executive 7

© British Heart Foundation 2012,
a registered charity in England
and Wales (225971) and in
Scotland (SC039426)
Perrett Laver
8-10 Great George St
London SW1P 3AE
United Kingdom
T +44 (0) 20 7340 6200
www.perrettlaver.com
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