Chief Executive Officer

Kidney Research UK; Peterborough; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health charity is seeking a dynamic chief executive to guide its future growth and impact. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in strategic leadership, organizational development, and partnership-building. This pivotal role involves representing the charity, influencing health policy, and ensuring that funded research translates into tangible change in kidney health. If you are driven by impact and ready to lead with ambition and urgency, we invite you to apply.

Qualifications

• Track record of senior leadership in a relevant field.
• Experience in health, research, or patient-focused settings preferred.
• Ability to energize and lead a talented team.

Responsibilities

• Lead the organization into the next phase of growth.
• Shape the charity’s future and ensure impactful research.
• Represent the charity externally and amplify patient voices.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Organisational development

Partnership-building

Influencing policy

Job description

Kidney disease is rising rapidly across the UK, affecting an estimated 7.2 million people. At Kidney Research UK, we are driving bold, innovative research with one clear vision: a future where everyone lives free from kidney disease.

Following more than a decade of exceptional leadership from Sandra Currie OBE, we are now seeking an outstanding new chief executive to lead us into the next phase of our growth and impact. This is a pivotal moment for the charity. Building on strong foundations, an ambitious strategy, and a passionate community of researchers, clinicians, patients, staff and volunteers, you will shape the organisation’s future and ensure we can meet the scale of the challenge ahead.

We are looking for an inspirational, strategic and purpose-driven leader who can bring clarity, ambition and energy. You will steward a talented leadership team, work closely with a committed Board, and represent the charity externally, amplifying patient voice, influencing policy, forging powerful partnerships, and ensuring the research we fund leads to real-world change.

You will bring a track record of senior leadership, strategic delivery, organisational development and partnership-building. Experience in health, research or patient-focused settings is welcome but not essential. Above all, you will share our passion, urgency and determination to transform kidney health for the better.

At Kidney Research UK, our values guide everything we do: Ambition, Bravery, Passion and Urgency. If you are driven by impact and motivated to lead an organisation with purpose and momentum, we would be delighted to hear from you.

For more information and to apply
Please visit https://starfishsearch.com/jobs/kuk-ceo/

Closing date:Friday 16th January 2026
Preliminary interviews:w/c 26th January 2026
Interviews with Kidney Research UK:w/c 9th February and w/c 16th February 2026

C1EO