Who we are

Oracle Head & Neck Cancer UKis the leading head and neck cancer charity in the United Kingdom. Our vision is to improve the quality of life and outcomes for head and neck cancer patients throughout the UK, addressing the current crisis in head and neck cancer care. We will achieve this by increasing awareness, knowledge, and understanding of Head and Neck cancers.

About the role

We are looking for a hands-on, delivery-focused Executive Director to lead Oracle into its next phase of growth. The strategy is established. The ambition is clear. What we need now is someone who can build a strong fundraising engine, deliver high-quality programmes, manage a growing team, and translate strategy into real-world impact.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a lean, high-energy environment, can confidently lead operations and delivery, and is motivated by building something lasting and impactful. You will work closely with a dedicated and ambitious Board of Trustees and lead a small delivery-focused team.

Leadership & management

• Provide day-to-day leadership to a small, committed team to ensure excellent operational delivery across Oracle’s programmes and campaigns.
• Embed a performance-focused, collaborative, and values-driven culture.
• Work closely with the Board to ensure good governance and bring them insight into delivery, risks, and opportunities.
• Develop and support the team as we grow – including mentoring and role development.

Fundraising & income generation

• Support the newly appointed Head of Fundraising to deliver a successful strategy and build a sustainable, diverse income pipeline.
• Lead on high-value fundraising (including major donors, trusts/foundations, corporate partners).
• Work collaboratively with the Board of Trustees to unlock and steward high-value fundraising opportunities, including networks, introductions, and strategic support.
• Support team members delivering individual giving, campaigns, and community fundraising.
• Ensure fundraising aligns with programme delivery needs and long-term sustainability.
• Maintain and ensure the highest level of financial stewardship, to ensure the growth of the charity meets its goals across its four strategic pillars.

Programme delivery & operations

• Lead delivery across Oracle’s four pillars (Research, Awareness, Collaboration, and Experience/Engagement) in line with the RACE strategy.
• Hold direct responsibility for the Collaboration and Experience/Engagement pillars, including external engagement with partners, clinicians, allied healthcare professionals, patients, and carers.
• Ensure project management excellence, budget control, and effective monitoring and evaluation of impact.
• Develop and maintain systems and processes that enable effective, scalable delivery.
• Maintain strong relationships with partners, funders, patients, and clinicians.

External profile & influence

• Be an effective spokesperson and ambassador for Oracle – in the media, with partners, and with funders.
• Represent Oracle in coalitions, working groups, and conferences where appropriate.
• Ensure we remain connected to patient voices and grounded in community needs.

Who we are looking for

We seek an exceptional operational leader with experience in a start-up or high-growth and mission-driven environment. You’ll lead a small team through an intentional and fast-paced growth strategy with a clear vision that delivers tangible results.

We seek an agile leader who leads from the front, so experience across team management, budgeting control and programme delivery is essential. Experience in income generation would be a substantial value add to work with the Head of Fundraising to ensure the development of new multi-year strategic funding opportunities that can expedite the charity’s growth trajectory.

Strong experience in developing strategic infrastructure to support growth, impact and governance is highly desirable, and you’ll be an excellent relationship builder who can establish trust with a diverse range of stakeholders that will include patients, clinicians, HNWI’s, strategic partners and the board.

If you have an entrepreneurial mindset, love leading a team through substantial growth in a nimble environment, with an incredible mission at its heart that will not only save many lives, but leave a lasting legacy in quality of care and support for patients with head and neck cancers in the UK, who’s voices you will champion and hold central to everything you do at Oracle HNCUK.

Please click "Apply on website" to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the job description and register your interest to apply.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Monday 6th October.