Executive Director

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Reports to: The Board of Trustees
Salary: £65,000 during probation | £70,000 after successful completion of probation

Hours: 35 hours per week | Possible hybrid or compressed working options available

Benefits:  32 days holiday per year (including 8 public holidays)

Location: 379–381 High Road, Willesden, London NW10 2JR

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Job Description

Brent Mencap has been passionate about building a healthier and fairer Brent since 1979. We’ve developed and run successful housing, employment, health, advice, wellbeing and self-advocacy services. During austerity and Covid we diversified, successfully taking on NHS work with people with long-term health conditions. We provide social prescribing support and health and wellbeing coaching to patients for Brent GPs. In 2024-5 we helped over 18000 people. We’re a leading partner on the Brent Health Educators Programme. Recently we’ve focused on developing and retaining a much larger staff group, using our data better and improving our marketing.

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Brent Mencap offers fantastic free creative and wellbeing activities for people with a learning disability, autism and long-term health conditions. These have flourished since Covid. People love yoga, poetry, singing, gardening, Breathe and Move, self-advocacy, campaigning, awareness raising, CREATE art activities for young people, external trips and parties. Small grants, donations and our reserves fund this while we get longer term funding. Our self-advocates want us to focus on paid employment, youth services and making Brent Council use accessible information properly. People with a learning disability, neurodiversity and their family carers are inclusively supported by social prescribers for advice and by health educators/coaches for health-related matters if needed.

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Our current Executive Director, who has led Brent Mencap so well for 25 years wants to retire. The successful candidate will build on Brent Mencap’s history, current success and potential so our long-term passion for a healthier and fairer Brent can evolve and improve the lives of Brent People. Are you the amazing successor to lead and inspire our talented, committed team? 

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We are looking for someone who:

• Has relevant voluntary sector experience, vision, determination and leadership skill

• Is committed to supporting and developing a diverse staff group

• Can see the bigger picture but also focuses on the important details

• Supports our ethos of person-centred service delivery and activities

• Can communicate well with users, partners, staff, trustees and funders

• Enjoys influencing and raising awareness

• Is entrepreneurial, savvy, confident and can maintain our current  financial stability and diversify our income streams

• Understands the lived experience of disability, long term health conditions and inequality  and wants to improve their lives

• Understands the importance of marketing and data to challenge inequality, promote positive change and attract new funds.

• Can prioritise reviewing and improving our data collection

• Can develop funding project plans that includes staffing for enhanced  wellbeing and creative activities, for  young people, employment  related support and other identified needs 

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They will also be required to:

• Work with the Board of Trustees and staff to develop our vision, implement strategic plans and  deliver agreed objectives 

• Be able to ensure all aspects of our work are done safely, legally, in line with our articles/constitution  and able to assess risks and mitigate them

• Be responsible for staff development, management and all aspects of the administration of the organisation

• Be an ambassador for Brent Mencap, meeting and working with leaders with statutory and voluntary sector, Royal Mencap and local Mencaps

• Represent the lived experiences and voices of people with learning disabilities, neurodivergence, long term conditions and their families who inform our work and the work of others in Brent 

• Work late occasionally, attend evening events, meetings and occasional weekends and undertake any other necessary tasks as required to ensure Brent Mencap functions safely.

• In order to deliver services effectively, a degree of flexibility is required and the post holder may be required to perform work not specifically referred to above. This job description will be subjected to review with the post holder, from time to time to ensure it accurately reflects the duties and range of the post. 

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Please note: Our office is on the first floor of a Victorian building with steep stairs.

 

This post is:

• Subject to an Enhanced DBS Disclosure

• Subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. It will be necessary for a disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and barring Service for details of any previous criminal convictions.

• Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK

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Person Specification

Essential attributes, skills, and experience:

1. Substantial experience of voluntary sector experience in a complex, urban area with a diverse community with high rates of deprivation

2. Experience of successfully bidding for/managing large contracts and also generating other income from different funding streams from 5k to 120k+

3. Can demonstrate a proven track record of organisational and project budget development , quality assurance and the ability to combine/use different revenue streams to maintain services 

4. Ability to demonstrate comprehensive experience of recruiting, managing and supporting a diverse staff group

5. Extensive experience of using problem-solving skills creatively, quickly and fairly to address a wide range of challenges, Eg. from individual staffing issues to larger operational concerns 

6. Extensive experience of managing data and marketing an organisation and its successes 

7. Ability to develop and deliver on strategic plans with staff and trustees, using evidence, best practice, financial awareness and SMART targets 

8. Able to show resilience and stay calm and focused in a high-pressured environment and make quick decision when required 

9. Ability to demonstrate a forensic attention to detail as well as see the big picture 

10. Ability to understand all relevant documentation, including small print, contract clauses, policies, and documents, to mitigate risks and ensure compliance   

11. Can actively communicate  with and listen to colleagues, stakeholders, and clients, 

12. Deep knowledge of, and ability to keep up to date with, employment, equality, charity, health and safety legislation etc ensuring policies and procedures comply

13. Knowledge of health and social developments and sector changes and the ability to ensure organisation remains agile, compliant and well-informed 

14. Extensive knowledge and experience of safeguarding and anti-discriminatory practices: including experience supporting vulnerable people and challenging statutory services about delays and failures

15. Experience of challenging inequality and discrimination in all forms.

16. Commitment to values of compassion and inclusivity, ensuring that Brent Mencap’s actions and decisions reflect this

17. Experience and knowledge about how charities can further sustainability and social responsibility 

18. Experience in managing relationships with trustees or other similar external groups

19. Excellent written and verbal communication skills including confidence in presenting to diverse audiences 

20. Competent IT skills for report writing, email, presentation, research, and database use

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How to Apply

To be shortlisted, candidates must:

• Complete the official application form in full

• Clearly demonstrate how their experience and knowledge match all aspects of the person specification, with real examples

• Submit their completed application form to info@brentmencap.org.uk by 9:00am on 28th August

• Note: CVs will not be accepted​

• Be available for an informal meeting with key staff and self-advocates before the interview

• This can be arranged as a face-to-face meeting (Wednesdays only) or a 60–90-minute Teams call. Contact Simon at info@brentmencap.org.uk to arrange this

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Interview Process

• Final interviews will be held on either Friday 5th or 12th September 2025 at Brent Mencap

• The interview will consist of four parts: senior staff, self-advocates, operational managers, and trustees

• Candidates will receive a paper-based scenario the day before and must submit it ahead of the interview

• We anticipate the full interview will last approximately 2.5 hours, with a short break