MND Scotland seeks new Chief Executive

We are looking for an experienced and ambitous Chief Executive to lead us through a new period of growth and development.

This year we are celebrating our 40th anniversary, and while we reflect back on how far we have come in this time, we are also looking towards the future and where we need to go. This is an exciting time for a new Chief Executive to take the reins and lead our charity to reach its full potential. 

With an annual turnover of £2.6 million and fewer than 30 employees, MND Scotland has already achieved many milestones in the past 40 years, and we couldn’t have done this without all of our incredible supporters. 

A huge leap was taken in research when we funded the UK’s biggest MND clinical drug trial in a generation. Services which were non-existent are now provided for free, to make living with MND easier, and real change has been created at the political level, such as fast-tracking people with MND for certain benefits. 

Awareness of the disease has reached new heights, with the phenomenon of the ice bucket challenge in 2014, the release of the block buster movie The Theory of Everything and the many brave individuals who have shared their stories with the world. 

However, there is still so much to be done. MND is brutally fast. People can rapidly lose their ability to walk, talk, eat and breathe unaided. Statutory services are needed quickly but too often can’t keep up with the speed of deterioration, leaving people with MND and their families to struggle on. Tragically, some never receive what they need in time.

People with MND are still dying. There is no cure and or effective treatment. The average life expectancy from diagnosis is less than two years, so continuing to fund MND research is a top priority for us, while we continue to provide vital support to those living with MND right now.

Working with our dedicated and passionate team, the Chief Executive will spearhead MND Scotland’s strategy and ensure efforts are focused where they are most needed, to impact real change for families affected by MND in Scotland, and to bring us closer to our vision of a world without MND.

Adrian Murphy, who was appointed as Chair of MND Scotland in 2020, said: “This is an extremely exciting time to join MND Scotland’s team and lead the charity’s strategic direction at this pivotal point.

“Over the past 40 years we have come a long way, and that is a true testament to our incredible fundraisers, staff, volunteers and partners, but our fight is not over.

“We are looking to the future and the role of Chief Executive provides a unique opportunity for someone to harness the progress already made and elevate our charity and cause to the next level.”

For more information about the role and how to apply visit www.mndscotland.org.uk/jobs.