Chief Executive Officer
Royal College of Anaesthetists
Central London
circa £150,000
The Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCoA) is the professional body and registered charity responsible for the specialty of anaesthesia throughout the UK and ensures the quality of patient care through the maintenance of standards in anaesthesia, intensive care, pain medicine, and perioperative care. Anaesthetists are specialist doctors who have undergone at least seven years of specialist postgraduate training. Anaesthesia is the largest single hospital specialty in the NHS, and we are the third largest medical royal college in the UK, with a combined membership of more than 24,000 fellows and members.
Our purpose is to ensure that patients benefit from the highest possible standards of care in anaesthesia, intensive care, pain medicine, and perioperative care. Our members make this possible. They work across the NHS to deliver high-quality and compassionate care, often under intense pressure. As their professional body, we have a responsibility to support, represent, and advocate for them with authenticity, ambition, and care.
THE ROLE
With a strong, forward-looking culture and a proud heritage, the College stands at a pivotal moment for our members and specialties. Our 2022–2027 strategy gives us a clear sense of direction and shared purpose, and we have made significant progress under the leadership of our outgoing Chief Executive, Jono Brüün. We are shaping a modern, outward-facing organisation – one that champions our members and our specialties, delivers on our charitable aims and continues to enhance patient care across the UK and beyond. We also mark the beginning of a new chapter as we prepare to move to our new home in London Bridge in summer 2026.
Our new Chief Executive will play a vital role in guiding the College through its next phase and on our future strategy – ensuring we continue to deliver on our mission to support our members, our specialties, our employees, and the public whilst raising the profile of anaesthesia more widely.
We are seeking someone who can demonstrate experience of leading at scale in a complex, values-led organisation, with a strong understanding of membership dynamics and the wider health or not-for-profit sectors. You will have confidence in balancing charitable and commercial priorities, building on our progress in income diversification while maintaining financial sustainability. You will demonstrate ambition for our membership and our specialties, while maintaining what is unique about our College.
If this opportunity inspires you, and you believe you would bring the experience and skills we are looking for, we would be delighted to hear from you.
INFORMATION
Download the candidate brief to find out about the role.
DOWNLOADHow to apply
To make an application, please click on the apply now button below, with the following prepared:
- Your CV (no more than three sides).
- A supporting statement (no more than two sides) that sets out why you think this role is the right move for you and how you
meet the person specification.
Closing date
Monday 05 January 2026
Preliminary interviews
w/c 26 January 2026
Key Stakeholder meet and greet
Tuesday 17 February 2026
Psychometric profiling
Upon confirmation of shortlist
Final Panel interviews
Friday 20 February 2026