Managing Director

Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland

About the Organisation

Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland (ACPGBI) is the leading professional body for colorectal surgeons, specialist nurses and allied health professionals working across Great Britain and Ireland. With a membership of more than 1,000 professionals, the Association exists to advance the science and practice of coloproctology and to improve outcomes for patients affected by bowel disease.

ACPGBI plays a central role in supporting the profession throughout every stage of a clinical career. Through education, training, research, professional development, clinical leadership and collaboration, the Association helps to shape the future of colorectal care whilst maintaining the highest standards of clinical excellence.

Our work spans:

• Education and Professional Development: delivering conferences, courses, webinars and learning opportunities that support the continuing development of colorectal professionals.
• Research and Clinical Excellence: promoting research, innovation and evidence-based practice that improve patient outcomes and strengthen the specialty.
• Professional Leadership and Standards: providing expert input on clinical practice, training, new technologies and emerging developments affecting colorectal care.
• Membership and Community: connecting clinicians and healthcare professionals across
• Great Britain and Ireland, creating opportunities for collaboration, networking and shared professional development.
• External Affairs and Stakeholder Engagement: working with healthcare organisations, Royal Colleges, patient groups, industry partners and other stakeholders to support the advancement of the profession and improve patient care.

ACPGBI is a highly respected organisation whose influence extends far beyond its size. Its elected Executive and Council bring together some of the most accomplished clinicians in the specialty, who give their time and expertise to the Association alongside their substantive professional roles. This combination of clinical authority, voluntary leadership and shared purpose enables ACPGBI to make a significant contribution to improving outcomes for patients and shaping the future of colorectal surgery. 

About the role

The Managing Director will provide executive leadership to the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland (ACPGBI), working in partnership with the President, Board, Executive Officers and committees to ensure the successful delivery of
the Association's strategic priorities. The postholder will translate strategic ambition into operational delivery, providing the organisational leadership, commercial oversight and operational discipline required to support a modern, effective and sustainable professional membership organisation.

They will be responsible for strengthening organisational capability, enhancing member value, developing key stakeholder relationships and ensuring that ACPGBI is equipped to fulfil its mission of advancing the profession and improving patient care.

Why Join ACPGBI

ACPGBI exists to advance the science and practice of coloproctology and improve outcomes for patients affected by bowel disease. Through education, training, research, innovation and professional leadership, we help shape the future of colorectal care across Great Britain and Ireland. This appointment represents a unique opportunity to make a lasting contribution to both the profession and patient care while helping to build the future executive leadership of a highly respected medical association. 

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Organisational Delivery:

• Serve as a trusted strategic partner to the President, Executive Officers and Board of Trustees, providing advice, challenge and leadership to support effective decision-making.
• Translate ACPGBI's strategic priorities into deliverable organisational plans, ensuring clear accountability, milestones and measures of success.
• Act as the principal coordinator of strategic initiatives, ensuring momentum is maintained across successive Presidential terms.
• Provide objective analysis of organisational priorities, capacity, risks and resource requirements, enabling informed decisions regarding future investment and activity.
• Support the development and periodic review of ACPGBI's strategic plan, helping to identify emerging opportunities, risks and priorities.

Operational Effectiveness and Organisational Development:

• Lead the modernisation of ACPGBI's operating model, ensuring the organisation has the systems, processes and ways of working required to support future growth and delivery.
• Review and strengthen organisational structures, resources and external support arrangements to improve efficiency, resilience and member experience.
• Embed effective project and programme management disciplines, ensuring strategic priorities are translated into practical plans, clear accountabilities and measurable outcomes.
• Identify opportunities to enhance operational capability through technology, automation, outsourcing and external partnerships.
• Ensure continuity, organisational memory and effective knowledge transfer across
• Promote continuous improvement across ACPGBI's operations, membership services and stakeholder engagement activity.

People and Secretariat Leadership:

• Lead, motivate and develop a high-performing and responsive secretariat function.
• Review organisational capability and recommend changes to structures, roles, resources and external support arrangements where appropriate.
• Develop a collaborative, flexible and member-focused culture aligned to ACPGBI's values and strategic objectives.
• Ensure effective management of staff, consultants, contractors and outsourced providers.
• Build organisational capability to support long-term sustainability and growth.

Membership, Education and Events:

• Lead the development and implementation of ACPGBI's membership growth, engagement and retention strategy.
• Work with clinical leaders to ensure ACPGBI delivers a compelling value proposition for members at every stage of their career.
• Develop initiatives that strengthen engagement amongst trainees, early-career clinicians and long-standing members.
• Oversee the successful delivery of ACPGBI's conferences, educational programmes, scientific meetings and digital learning activities.
• Ensure educational and membership activities continue to evolve in response to changing member needs and expectations.
• Drive the effective use of CRM systems, digital platforms and data to enhance member experience and inform decision-making.

Communication, Profile and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Develop and deliver a strategic communications and stakeholder engagement framework aligned to ACPGBI's objectives.
• Strengthen relationships with Royal Colleges, specialist societies, NHS organisations, patient groups, professional organisations and other key stakeholders.
• Support the President and Executive Officers in coordinating strategic stakeholder engagement activity.
• Enhance ACPGBI's profile, reputation and influence across the healthcare, professional and scientific communities.
• Ensure ACPGBI presents a modern, professional and consistent external profile.

Governance, Risk and Committee Effectiveness:

• Serve as the principal executive lead for governance, ensuring compliance with charity, legal and regulatory requirements.
• Support the President, Board of Trustees and Executive Officers in fulfilling their governance responsibilities.
• Develop governance frameworks, policies and reporting structures that support effective oversight and decision-making.
• Partner with Committee Chairs to establish clear objectives, workplans and delivery frameworks aligned to ACPGBI's strategic goals.
• Maintain and oversee the organisation's risk management framework and risk register.

Finance, Commercial Sustainability and Industry Partnerships:

• Lead organisational financial planning, budgeting and monitoring in partnership with the Honorary Treasurer.
• Ensure robust financial governance, controls and audit readiness.
• Develop financial models and business cases to support investment decisions and strategic initiatives.
• Strengthen ACPGBI's commercial sustainability through the development of sponsorship, partnership and revenue-generating opportunities.
• Lead the development of productive relationships with industry partners and corporate supporters, ensuring alignment with ACPGBI's values and objectives.
• Identify opportunities to maximise the return on ACPGBI's activities, events and commercial partnerships.

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

Essential:

• Experience of leading organisational modernisation or change, including the improvement of systems, processes, technologies or operating models.
• Experience of working closely with boards, trustees, committees or volunteer leaders, with a clear understanding of the relationship between governance, strategy and operational delivery.
• Demonstrable success in translating organisational strategy into practical plans, programmes and measurable outcomes.
• Experience of managing budgets, financial planning processes and organisational resources, with responsibility for supporting financial sustainability and good governance.
• Experience of developing productive external partnerships and stakeholder relationships, including commercial partners, sponsors, professional organisations or public sector stakeholders.

Skills & Capabilities:

• Strategic judgement and the ability to prioritise effectively in a complex, stakeholder-led organisation.
• Strong programme and operational discipline, with the ability to coordinate multiple initiatives and maintain delivery momentum.
• Financial and commercial literacy, including the ability to interpret management information, support investment decisions and identify opportunities to strengthen sustainability.
• Governance and risk awareness, with an understanding of the requirements of a charity, professional body or comparable regulated environment.
• Communication and influencing skills, with the ability to build credibility with senior clinicians, trustees, committee members and external stakeholders.
• Problem-solving capability in ambiguous environments, bringing structure, focus and practical judgement where there may not be an established roadmap.
• Ability to use data, systems and technology to improve decision-making, member experience and service delivery.

Leadership Style:

• Collaborative and inclusive leader who enjoys working in partnership with highly accomplished volunteer leaders and subject matter experts.
• Comfortable providing constructive challenge whilst maintaining strong and trusting relationships.
• Able to facilitate, coordinate and enable others to succeed rather than seeking personal ownership of every initiative.
• Capable of creating clarity, alignment and momentum across a complex committee and stakeholder structure.
• Adaptable and comfortable working within a flexible environment that requires occasional evening meetings and engagement with volunteers outside traditional working patterns.

Desirable:

• Significant senior leadership experience within a membership organisation, professional body, learned society, Royal College, charity, not-for-profit organisation, healthcare organisation or similarly complex stakeholder-led environment.

Working locations

• Home-based
• With regular travel across Great Britain and Ireland.

How to apply

• The preferred method of application is online
• To apply, please provide:
  • An up-to-date CV
  • A Supporting Statement outlining your interest in the role and relevant experience
  • Your current remuneration package and salary expectations
• Please note that information regarding current remuneration and salary expectations will be used for market benchmarking and administrative purposes only and will not be used to include or exclude applicants from consideration.
• For an informal discussion, please contact: Tom Ewen - [email protected] and Lisa Henry -[email protected]
• If you are unable to apply online, please email your application to [email protected]
• All applications will receive an automated response.
• All candidates are also requested to complete an online Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form, which will be found at the end of the application process.
• For detailed information on how we process your personal data, please review our privacy policy

Policies

In line with GDPR, we ask that you do NOT send us any information that can identify children or any of your Sensitive Personal Data (racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, trade union membership, data concerning health or sex life and sexual orientation, genetic and biometric data) in your CV and application documentation.

Following this notice, any inclusion of your Sensitive Personal Data in your CV/application documentation will be understood by us as your express consent to process this information going forward. Please also remember to not mention anyone’s information or details (referees) who have not previously agreed to their inclusion

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