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.

However, our work is needed more than ever. Our vision is a world free from the fear of heart and circulatory diseases, and we passionately believe that raising funds to support cutting-edge research will bring us closer to achieving it.

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. We have £410 million of BHF-funded research underway, and an ambition to fund in excess of £1 billion over the next decade.

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.

Chief Scientific and Medical Officer

At a time of growing BHF resources and ambition, and building on the legacy of our Medical Director, Professor Sir Nilesh Samani we are now seeking to appoint a Chief Scientific and Medical Officer (CSMO) to set an inspiring vision for our research and health activities that shapes how we invest in strategic initiatives, scientists, programmes and projects in the years ahead.

The CSMO will be a key member of the BHF’s Executive Group and will be a strategic leader of a talented team that operate across academia, government, health systems, and the wider life sciences ecosystem to drive progress for patients. As the CSMO for one of the world’s leading funders of cardiovascular research, this high-profile role will also play a critical influencing role with senior stakeholders within the cardiovascular community across the UK and beyond. As an ambassador for the BHF, the CSMO will also play a vital role in inspiring support for our work to save and improve lives.

The successful candidate will be a respected leader from within the research community with extensive experience of working across the life sciences and health ecosystem. You will be an established clinical scientist with a personal track record of research excellence, bringing expert knowledge of research strategy and funding. You will have experience of setting and implementing organisational strategy at scale, complemented by a proven track record as an inspirational senior leader of high performing, empowered teams.

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 below quoting reference 6616 in your application.

The deadline for applications is 9:00 BST Monday 19th June 2023.

Applications will be considered by the Selection Committee in late June. Longlisted candidates will be invited to interview with Perrett Laver during week commencing 26th June and the BHF Selection Committee will subsequently meet to decide upon a final shortlist for the post on w/c 3rd July. Informal Interviews will be held during w/c 10th July and the Formal Interview will take place in person Monday 17th July.

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.

This role is being led by Goran Gregorovic, Partner & Head of UK Research, Technology and Innovation and Arabella Chichester, Global Senior Partner at Perrett Laver. 

For any questions regarding your application or for an intial conversation please do contact Annabel Holt Annabel.Holt@perrettlaver.com

Should you require access to these documents in alternative formats, please do contact Mandy Wedgwood at mandy.wedgwood@perrettlaver.com

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