Chief Executive

About BAP

The British Association for Psychopharmacology (BAP) is a learned society and registered charity, which promotes research and education in psychopharmacology, neuroscience and related medical areas. The BAP brings together people in academia, health services, and industry: formed in 1974, it is the largest such national association in Europe, and second largest in the world. As an organisation is a leader in translational research through the multidisciplinary nature of scientific research undertaken by its membership. The remit of the BAP comprises two interlinked areas:

• the neuropsychobiological foundation of brain function and behaviour, and its alterations in psychological distress and mental health conditions
• the study of treatments for mental health conditions, including therapeutic targets, mechanisms of action, effectiveness, and tolerability of current and novel treatments.

About the job

BAP wishes to appoint an individual with a background in neuroscience, psychiatry, mental health or other related areas, and experience in supporting and delivering organisational scientific and educational activities. The appointee would have the title of Chief Executive and be part of a growing team, who would work strategically and practically with the BAP President, Officers, Council Members and wider membership in helping to deliver and broaden its scientific and educational programme.

The Chief Executive will head the BAP office in Cambridge: the appointee would become the ‘line manager’ for the existing staff. The Chief Executive will report to the BAP President (involving the Immediate Past President, and President Elect when needed), will independently line-manage BAP office staff, and be a valued partner to Council in strategic issues.

This role will be full time and permanent, subject to a probation review by the Presidents after 6 months.

The main roles and responsibilities will include:

• working with the President and Council to develop, implement and oversee BAP strategy including business planning
• undertaking executive and operational functions, to ensure positive and productive interactions between BAP and its members, and its clients and customers
• liaising with external partners, including industry partners, under the direction of Council
• communicating with the Charity Commission and Companies House
• overseeing all operational and administrative functions: including line managing day-to-day operations of office staff, including budgets, accounts, internal affairs, organization of activities (meetings, awards, etc.), membership support, and support to Council and taskforces
• assisting with the recruitment of new office staff, as required
• working with the BAP Director of Education and BAP Officers in organising and delivering components of the educational portfolio (including attending Certificate meetings and Masterclasses in person)
• supporting the Website and Communications Officer in development of the website, delivery of the Online CPD Resource and live online events, in automating office procedures, and in raising the BAP profile through social media activities
• mentoring and appraising office staff
• being responsible for pay/pension/health and safety matters of the office staff
• working with the President and Officers in planning Council meetings, formulating Action Points and Minutes, and overseeing agreed Action Plans
• monitoring the status of Council and coordinating the nomination and election of Council members
• helping to build and maintain clear and consistent BAP ‘brand’ awareness, and devising and implementing associated strategy
• liaising with BAP members to support their involvement in delivering educational activities, CPD modules and guidelines that support BAP objectives
• building relationships with the wider membership to encourage involvement in BAP activities
• attending all Council meetings, the annual Summer Meeting and educational meetings as required
• undertaking other agreed roles and responsibilities as circumstances change

Key attributes of the appointed candidate

During the recruitment process we would evaluate potential candidates on a range of competencies to include:

• being orientated towards results
• excellent inter-personal skills
• a collaborative approach to teamwork
• an awareness of commercial opportunities
• being skilled in building partnerships
• a creative and innovative approach to problem solving
• excellent written and verbal communication skills

The ideal profile

For the position of Chief Executive, we would expect the successful appointee to provide evidence for most of the following characteristics:

• having a knowledge of or a background in neuroscience, mental health or other related disciplines
• providing evidence of academic success
• providing evidence of mentoring and appraisal skills
• being a self-motivated, proactive, and creative team player
• achieving a balance of strategic and hands-on activities
• having extensively developed leadership and communication skills
• demonstrating a sensitivity for cultural differences
• having a service-oriented attitude
• helping to compile and summarise financial reports
• having knowledge about brand management and marketing in a professional environment
• a minimum of 10 years’ working experience within professional organisations
• at least 5 years working as a manager within professional organisations
• managing promotional activities and/or events within budget
• having experience of workplace digital media