Understanding Ageing
Co-CEO Executive Leadership Programme
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Volunteer Role with a Pathway to a Paid Co-CEO or CEO Position
Location: Remote (International Applicants Welcome)
Time Commitment: Approximately 10–20 hours per week initially, with flexibility.
Build an Organisation. Build Your Leadership.
This is not a traditional CEO role.
It is an opportunity to become one.
We are seeking exceptional individuals who want to develop into outstanding organisational leaders by helping build innovative healthcare organisations from the ground up.
Rather than stepping into an established organisation with existing teams and processes, you will help create them.
Working alongside an experienced CEO, and receiving direct mentoring from Dr Shara Cohen BEM, you will gain practical experience across every aspect of building and growing an international organisation.
As the organisations become financially sustainable, there is a clear pathway into a paid executive leadership position.
Current Opportunities
We are recruiting Co-CEOs for two organisations.
THE REPAIR PROJECT
THE REPAIR PROJECT is an international initiative dedicated to improving understanding of regenerative medicine through independent, evidence-based education. The organisation is developing trusted resources for patients, healthcare professionals, researchers and the wider public, helping people navigate one of the fastest-growing areas of modern medicine.
UNDERSTANDING AGEING
UNDERSTANDING AGEING exists to improve public understanding of the science of ageing and healthy longevity. Through accessible education, expert collaboration and evidence-based information, the organisation aims to explain the biology of ageing and the scientific advances that could transform how we age in the future.
During the application process, you will have the opportunity to indicate which organisation best matches your interests and experience.
About the Role
Each organisation already has a CEO with specialist expertise.
We are now looking for Co-CEOs who will complement those skills by helping build the organisation operationally and strategically.
This is a hands-on executive role.
We're looking for people who enjoy solving problems, creating systems, building partnerships and making things happen.
If you are looking for a senior title without wanting to get involved in the day-to-day work of building an organisation, this role is unlikely to be the right fit.
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What You Will Do
Working alongside the CEO, you will help:
- Develop and implement growth strategies.
- Build partnerships with universities, charities, healthcare organisations and industry.
- Identify sponsorship and funding opportunities.
- Develop commercial partnerships.
- Improve websites and digital platforms.
- Review and develop educational content.
- Support marketing and communications.
- Recruit and support volunteers.
- Develop organisational systems and processes.
- Improve operational efficiency.
- Contribute to governance and strategic planning.
- Represent the organisation at meetings, conferences and networking events where appropriate.
- Help grow an organisation capable of creating meaningful international impact.
No two days will be the same.
One day you may be improving website content, the next developing a partnership proposal, reviewing systems or helping shape long-term strategy.
Executive Mentoring
One of the unique aspects of this programme is the opportunity to work directly with Dr Shara Cohen BEM
Dr Cohen has founded multiple international organisations across healthcare and STEM, building communities that have supported hundreds of thousands of people worldwide.
Throughout the programme you will receive practical mentoring in:
- Leadership
- Strategy
- Business development
- Partnership building
- Systems thinking
- Governance
- Marketing
- Operations
- Fundraising
- Team development
- Organisational growth
This is not classroom learning.
You will learn by doing, with guidance from someone who has built organisations from the ground up.
Who We Are Looking For
We care far more about potential than job titles.
You may already hold a senior leadership role, or you may simply be someone with exceptional ability, curiosity and determination.
We are looking for people who are:
- Entrepreneurial.
- Curious and quick to learn.
- Comfortable working in a fast-moving environment.
- Strong problem-solvers.
- Excellent communicators.
- Organised and dependable.
- Digitally confident.
- Able to think strategically while remaining practical.
- Comfortable taking ownership.
- Passionate about improving healthcare through education and innovation.
Experience That Would Be Helpful
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Experience in any of the following would be advantageous, but is not essential:
- Healthcare
- Life sciences
- Biotechnology
- Regenerative medicine
- Ageing research
- Business development
- Marketing
- Fundraising
- Technology
- Digital platforms
- Project management
- Systems thinking
- Entrepreneurship
We recruit for attitude, capability and commitment, not simply qualifications.
What Makes This Opportunity Different?
Most leadership roles involve inheriting an organisation.
This role involves building one.
You will gain experience that few leadership programmes can offer, working across every part of an organisation while helping create something with lasting social impact.
By the time you progress into a paid executive role, you will understand not only how to lead an organisation, but how to build one.
Selection Process
We recruit differently because this is not a conventional executive position.
Our selection process includes:
- Application review.
- Initial interview.
- Practical assessment.
- Final interview.
- Appointment and structured onboarding.
The practical assessment forms an important part of our recruitment process.
Rather than relying solely on interviews, shortlisted candidates will complete real tasks similar to those they would undertake within the role. This allows us to understand how applicants think, solve problems, communicate, prioritise work and approach practical challenges.
Future Opportunities
These positions are voluntary while the organisations continue to grow.
Our intention is to develop long-term executive leaders.
As revenue and funding increase, successful Co-CEOs will have the opportunity to move into paid executive leadership positions.
We are looking for people who want to help build organisations that make a genuine difference to healthcare worldwide.
About the Founder
Dr Shara Cohen BEM is an award-winning scientist, entrepreneur and social innovator.
She has founded multiple international organisations supporting healthcare, science and women in STEM, and was awarded the British Empire Medal in the King's New Year Honours for services to women in STEM and to people affected by cancer.
Her passion is identifying talented people, mentoring future leaders and building organisations that create lasting global impact.
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