Job Details
Who we are
Headway East London is a unique, diverse and creative community of people living with brain injury and their families. Working across 13 London boroughs, the organisation offers specialist support and services including therapies, advocacy and family and community support.
We are a buzzing community where people connect, collaborate, and participate. We support our members (as we call our service users) to develop self-identities — friend, artist, dancer, singer, chef, domino player that are located in the present and future rather than the past.
Brain injury can affect anyone, and our members often experience multiple forms of discrimination because of the intersection between their disability and other parts of their identity including race, gender, sexuality or age. We work with marginalised groups that are disproportionally affected by the cost-of-living crisis and are often reliant on a complex and unfair benefits system.
At Headway East London, members can access the support they need whilst being recognised as individuals. Our volunteers, members, their families, and carers are the experts of brain injury. Together we work in partnership to achieve transformative change for survivors – to build a world in which people with brain injury are valued, respected and able to fulfil their potential.
Our work is guided by the principle of co-production. Projects aim to be co-produced in response to our members’ needs, desires, and ambitions. Through steering groups, catch-up groups and regular opportunities for conversation and feedback, members are actively involved in developing new ideas and helping to make decisions.
About the role
This is an exciting leadership position in a unique organisation.
As the CEO, you will be responsible and accountable for the effective leadership and delivery of Headway East London’s strategic aims and operational plans, with a focus on financial growth and stability. You will be an effective ambassador for the organisation and its members.
Working closely with the Senior Management Team, you will ensure that the Board receives appropriate advice and guidance to fulfil its governance responsibilities.
You will have a wide range of skills and experience with a passion for social justice and a drive to create a fairer society for people with Acquired Brain Injury.
Above all, you must demonstrate a deep commitment to our values and lead in a collaborative way, in line with the principles of coproduction, which guide the organisation.
Welcome from the members
Dear potential applicant,
We asked our members and volunteers to help us give you an idea of what Headway East London is like and what we are looking for in our next CEO.
Type of Person
We are looking for a people person, approachable, good at interacting with members. Someone patient and empathetic who wants to get involved. You should be driven and passionate, skilled at being visible and go out there and speak on behalf of members.
It should not be possible to tell that you are the CEO at first sight. A familiarity with neurodiversity and brain injury would be ideal and you should be committed to continued learning on the job. You should be happy to sit amongst us members, chat, listen and be open to all our suggestions of co-production. You’ll be surprised by what we can teach you. When you get two people with brain injury together, they won’t stop talking.
What we would like them to achieve
We’re not sure it’s appropriate to set out your achievements – that’s for you to bring to us with your skills.
However, you must remember when you think about this that we are a ‘family business’. You need to keep the family together, build on it, develop by listening to us. Treat Headway East London like a tree, develop its roots so the tree can flourish.
What Headway is like
It’s colossal. It’s a brilliant organisation. It’s very difficult talking to people who don’t understand brain-injury. Headway East London is a large community of people discovering the fullness of life after the shock of brain injury. It’s a place to come together to go through the journey together. It’s not easy, but Headway makes it easier, it’s relaxing, I switch off, and the stress comes off my shoulders.
The Headway community gives us all an opportunity to find a previously hidden creativity, giving our lives a purpose we thought was lost. It is an amazing magical place, a joint enterprise with staff, members and volunteers working together, looking forward not back. Life hasn’t ended after brain injury; it’s a new beginning. We are understood and not judged and encouraged on our new journey feeling warmth, security and understanding. Peaceful – not quiet? Home from home like a pair of warm slippers. We are a family.
We look forward to welcoming you into our community.
