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Jobs and careers

At Epilepsy Action we know having the best people working for us is key to achieving our goals and ambitions.

If you are considering a new role in a fantastic team, you will find everything you need to know about working for Epilepsy Action here.

Our vacancies
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Find out more about opportunities at Epilepsy Action

Working with us

Join our team and help us to create a world without limits for people with epilepsy.

We understand the importance of a work life balance, and that’s why we have a number of ways to support our people to achieve this.

Our standard full time working hours are less than the average job, at 34.5 hours per week. We strongly believe that ensuring people can rest and take time to enjoy life means they are able to be their best at work.

By operating a flexible and supportive approach, we empower people to work in a way that suits them that also meets the need of the organisation.

Our vacancies

  • Health Improvement and Innovation Lead

    Hours:                              Full-time

    Location:                        Hybrid Working (40% from our office in Leeds)

    Salary:                             £30,000 – £36,500

    ​​​

    Contract:                        Permanent

    DBS:                                  A basic check will be required

    (For more information please read our Policy Statement on the recruitment of ex-offenders or our FAQs)

    About us

    At Epilepsy Action we are inclusive, ambitious, supportive, and committed to creating a world without limits for people with epilepsy.

    ​As we achieve the goals in our 2024 – 2030 strategy we are excited to welcome you to our passionate, supportive and committed team.

    We understand the importance of a work life balance, and that’s why we have a number of ways to support our people to achieve this. By operating a flexible and supportive approach, we empower people to work in a way that suits them that also meets the need of the charity.

    If you are interested in building a career you can be proud of in an inclusive and ambitious organisation we might have the role for you!

    About the role

    As our Health Improvement and Innovation Lead, you’ll be driving projects that can change lives. This is your chance to stand at the forefront of innovation, leading initiatives that transform care, improve health outcomes, and build a fairer, more inclusive healthcare system for people living with epilepsy.

    This is a dynamic, hands-on role where every day brings new challenges and opportunities. You’ll work across research, the NHS, technology, and directly with people affected by epilepsy, bringing their voices, experiences and ideas into the heart of everything you do.

    In this role, you will:

    • Lead and deliver bold, innovative health improvement projects from idea to impact.
    • Build powerful partnerships across the NHS, academia, and industry to drive lasting change.
    • Champion the voices of people with epilepsy — making sure their lived experiences shape better care and health policy.
    • Show real results, using data, evaluation, and evidence to demonstrate the difference your work makes.

    If you’re passionate about improving health outcomes, breaking down barriers, and ensuring people with epilepsy are heard and represented in the systems that serve them, this is your opportunity to make a lasting difference.

    At Epilepsy Action, we know collaboration sparks innovation. That’s why our hybrid team members spend around 40% of their time working together in our Leeds office (on average two days per week, usually Mondays and Thursdays). We work flexibly to make space for creativity, connection and impact — all united by one goal: creating a world without limits for people with epilepsy.

     

    About you

    You’re someone who pairs project management expertise with a deep, genuine commitment to improving health outcomes. You thrive on collaboration, innovation, and turning insight into action.

    You’ll bring:

    • Proven experience leading or coordinating projects in healthcare, research or quality improvement.
    • Exceptional relationship-building skills, with confidence working across sectors and professional levels.
    • A strong understanding of patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) — and how to centre lived experience in healthcare and research.
    • Excellent organisation, communication and evaluation skills, able to turn complex ideas into practical, impactful plans.

    Experience working within or alongside the NHS or in a research environment would be a strong advantage.

    If you’re proactive, collaborative, and driven by the belief that health systems should work for everyone — we’d love to hear from you.

    Click here for the job description and person specification

    Interested?

    If you are interested in what you have read so far you can either submit your application via our online portal or alternatively if you still have some questions before applying you can contact us for a friendly informal chat at recruitment@epilepsy.org.uk

    APPLY HERE

    Being an Inclusive Organisation

    We want everyone in our community regardless of their backgrounds, identities, abilities, or circumstances, to feel valued and respected to participate fully. We know that inclusivity isn’t about numbers; it’s about embracing diversity and ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard, needs are met, and contributions are acknowledged.

    ​We recognise that each person’s experiences shape how they think and having diverse representation across the organisation is fundamental to achieving our ambitions.

    Despite this we are not as diverse as we would like and we actively encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented.

    We are also proud to be a Disability Confident Leader, this means we encourage applications from disabled people, and we are committed to interviewing disabled applicants who demonstrate through their application that they meet the essential criteria in the person specification. We want to support you to perform your best so if you require any reasonable adjustments please let us know.

     

    Safer Recruitment

    Epilepsy Action will ensure that all staff and volunteers who work in roles which are legally entitled to get a DBS or Access NI (Northern Ireland) check are screened appropriate to the role.

    If a DBS or Access NI check reveals a conviction for a sexual offence against a child or vulnerable adult, whenever it was committed, that individual is not suitable for that role and will not be recruited. Any other convictions will be considered on an individual basis.

    For further information, please see our Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Policy and Safeguarding Children Policy, or contact recruitment@epilepsy.org.uk

     

    Closing Date: 8th December

    Interviews: week commencing 15th December

    We believe that having an informal chat before the formal interview process allows us and you to have an open and honest conversation about the role, our organisation culture and what attracted you to apply. This is why as part of this process we will be inviting people to a 30 minute online chat with a member of our team before inviting shortlisted candidates to formal interview.​

    ​If you want to find out more about what it is like to work with us visit our jobs webpage and review our FAQs.

    If you have a disability or long term health condition and feel that you would benefit from a reasonable adjustment as part of the process, please contact recruitment@epilepsy.org.uk

    We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications therefore early applications are advised.

     

Hear from our team

“We provide excellent support for people with epilepsy. We have good people working for the organisation that support each other and want to do a good job. I love the flexibility of my role and the mix of home and office working.” – Jenny (Fundraising Team)

 

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Hear from our team

“We do a really good job at keeping people affected by epilepsy at the heart of everything we do, we are all striving to make a difference and create a world without limits for people with epilepsy. I feel everyone is on board with this and it has really helped to foster a positive and strong working environment.” – Rosie  (People and Culture Team)

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Hear from our team

“The chance to learn new things, be it work related, seeing how things work in within the charity itself, and the fact that being an Epilepsy sufferer myself it has offered me more chance to learn much more about my condition in my 6 years here than I have from my specialists over the last 20 years.” – Antony (Corporate Services Team)

 

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Hear from our team

“To do better for the epilepsy community. To improve services and benefit the lives of people with epilepsy across the country. In the words of Carlos Santana, “There is no greater reward than working from the heart and making a difference in the world.” – Simon (Health Improvement Team)

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Our culture

We are incredibly proud of our culture which puts people at the heart of the organisation. We do this through:

 

  • Diversity and inclusion

    To create a world without limits we know that it is important that we are inclusive in who we are and who we support.

    As such we are committed to working with people from all backgrounds and communities ensuring everyone feels valued and respected to participate and engage in our work, and by doing this we will ensure that everyone’s voice is heard, needs are met, and contributions acknowledged.

    Each person’s experiences shape how they think and having diverse representation at all levels and in all areas of our work is fundamental to achieving our ambitions.

    We know our culture is key to ensuring we can achieve our diversity and inclusion goals and our team of Inclusion Champions provide support, guidance, and insight into making this happen.

    Epilepsy Action is a Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from disabled people. We will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria in the person specification.

    We are Disability Confident Leaders!

     

  • Wellbeing and staff support

    We are committed to a healthy happy engaged team and according to our 2024 staff survey, 89% of people said the organisation takes a positive approach to health and wellbeing.

    We also demonstrate our commitment through subscriptions to the Mindful Employer Network and also pledged our commitment to the Mental Health at Work Campaign.

    In addition to a manageable working week we also place emphasis on employee wellbeing through:

    • Monthly wellbeing walks
    • Wellbeing resources
    • Mental Health First-aiders
    • Employee Assistance Programme (inc wellbeing and counselling offer)
    • Ensuring people feel a sense of belonging
    • Relaxed and comfortable dress code
    • Culture of recognition and valuing people
    • Ongoing employee engagement and feedback
  • Learning and development

    We strive to ensure that people are able to be the best versions of themselves through a culture of ongoing learning, development and reflection.

    Not only do we offer a range of internal learning opportunities through online platforms, peer support and development programmes, but we also offer external opportunities through apprenticeships, qualifications and coaching.

    We are a member of the Charity Learning Consortium and the Charity Mentoring Network, that all of our team have access to.

    All our people will have a personal development plan that will be reviewed regularly.

    We are still working on this commitment, and 71% of people said that learning and training opportunities are very good or excellent.

Our values

Ambitious – We will do whatever is needed to create a world without limits for people with epilepsy.

Inclusive – We will be here for everyone affected by epilepsy.

Empowering – We will put people with epilepsy in control of creating the world, community and life that they choose.

Supportive –We will be by your side every step of the way.

Employee benefits

value our Enhanced Annual Leave
value our Flexible Working Policy
value our Hybrid Ways of Working

We recognise and want to thank our people for all of their hard work by offering them a range of benefits.

◦ 25 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays
◦ 3 additional days leave in December
◦ 34.5 hour work week for full-time employees
◦ Contribution to stakeholder pension scheme, including a salary sacrifice option
◦ Family friendly policies such as flexitime / hybrid
◦ Occupational sick pay
◦ Access to the employee assistance programme
◦ Death in service insurance
◦ Free parking
◦ Cycle to work scheme
◦ Salary benchmarking and pay reviews

"I think the overall morale and culture within EA is really good. I enjoy the all staff meetings, especially the quick round up of what each department is doing. I also like the away days and collaborating with other teams."
Leona - Services team

Applying for a role

  • The application process

    All applications are made online via our applications portal.

    For most of our vacancies we will ask you to upload a copy of your CV and you will be required to answer supporting questions.

    It is important that you do this thoroughly and answer questions in relation to the job description and person specification as supplied in the advertisement, as this will be a determining factor in the shortlisting process. Your CV and supporting questions should reflect well in terms of experience and skills.

  • How do I apply?

    All applications are completed online via our portal. There will always be a link to these in each vacancy advert.

    If you have any disabilities which you would require us to make reasonable adjustments in order for you to apply for a role, please let us know.

    If you are shortlisted you will be invited to the next stage in the recruitment process via email, so please keep checking your junk mail.

  • Do you accept applications from candidates outside of the UK?

    We accept all applications from individuals who have the right to work in the UK without restrictions.

    We currently do not hold a sponsor license and therefore cannot accept applications from individuals who do not have the right to work in the UK.

    Some of our roles do have a specific location from which they need to be performed so please read the advert carefully before you apply.

    If you are unsure or have any questions about a role please contact us at recruitment@epilepsy.org.uk

  • How will you complete the interview?

    We want to ensure each candidate has the best opportunity to demonstrate their skills and knowledge and how they will complete the role, so we use a range of interview and assessment techniques.

    We will also provide support and an inclusive process to encourage candidates to do their best.

    Some of the ways we might assess you include a panel interview, presentations and ability tests, sharing previous work/portfolios, or personality and integrity assessments.

    To allow you the chance to prepare and be the best version of you at interview, we may send the interview questions or themes in advance.

  • Can my interview be virtual?

    Depending on the role location will be the key factor in deciding how the interview will take place.

    It is preferable for hybrid working roles to be interviewed face to face as this will give our candidates the opportunity to gain a feel for our office environment. However, if you are invited to an interview in person but would prefer a virtual process, please do let us know and we can assess reasonable adjustments on a case by case basis.

    We also offer an inclusive approach to interviewing, so if you have any disabilities which you would require us to make other reasonable adjustments in order for you to attend an interview, please let us know.

    If your interview is to take place virtually, please ensure you have access to and are able to use Microsoft TEAMS.

  • What shall I wear to interview?

    We encourage you to dress smart/casual for the interview, even if it is taking place virtually.

  • Where are you based?

    Our office where we complete the majority of interviews is in Yeadon which is a suburb in Leeds, West Yorkshire.

    We have free on-site parking available, as well as public transport links from the city centre.

  • I am applying but it won’t let me upload my CV?

    If you have an issue with the system please email recruitment@epilepsy.org.uk

  • I have a question who can I contact?

    If you have any questions about one of our vacancies please email recruitment@epilepsy.org.uk

  • Can I volunteer for Epilepsy Action?

    We have a number of volunteer vacancies so please check out our volunteering page for more details.

  • How will I hear updates about my application?

    The main updates will be sent to you via email so please ensure you check your junk inbox. We may also contact you by telephone.

  • How will you use my data?

    Please refer to our privacy statement for more details.

  • Will I need a criminal check completing?

    All roles are different. For any role that requires a criminal conviction check (DBS/Access NI) this would be highlighted in the vacancy information.

    Please find a copy of our policy statement on recruitment of ex-offenders

    Download frequently asked questions on DBS

    For a copy of our DBS policy or if you have any other questions please email recruitment@epilepsy.org.uk

  • What are Epilepsy Action's safeguarding practices?

    Epilepsy Action are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children, young people and vulnerable adults, and will ensure that all staff and volunteers who work in roles which are legally entitled to get a DBS or Access NI (Northern Ireland) check are screened appropriate to the role. Any individuals who may pose a risk will be rejected. Please find a copy of our policy statement on recruitment of ex-offenders

    Our recruitment and selection procedures are carried out in line with current safeguarding legislation and best practice guidance, ensuring every member of our team upholds our commitment to creating a safe and supportive environment.

    For further information, please see our Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Policy and Safeguarding Children Policy, or contact recruitment@epilepsy.org.uk

  • I have a disability and your application process isn’t accessible to me?

    We encourage applications from all candidates and will support people to present their skills and knowledge to us in the best way possible.

     

    We are able to make reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process for applicants with disabilities so if you have any questions about the application process just let us know so that we can discuss how best to facilitate your application.

  • What is the Disability Confident Scheme?

    When applying for a job with us, if an applicant has a disability covered by the definition outlined within the Equality Act 2010 and can show that they meet the ‘essential criteria’ described in the person specification, they are guaranteed a priority interview for the job for which they are applying, through our Disability Confident scheme (formerly known as the Guaranteed Interview Scheme). This decision is based on our scoring criteria when shortlisting.

    Under the Equality Act 2010, a disabled person is someone who has – or has had in the past – a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on that person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

    As an inclusive and disability confident employer, we actively encourage applications from people who consider themselves to have a disability falling within that broad definition.

    The Disability Confident scheme only guarantees progression to to the next stage of selection (e.g interview or other task) in line with the criteria set – it does not automatically mean that applicants interviewed will gain employment as this will be based on scoring during the full selection process. We will feedback on the results of the interview will to each candidate if requested.

    In order to opt-in to this scheme, you need to complete the relevant criteria during the application process.

    If you have any questions regarding this, our recruitment can be contacted through recruitment@epilepsy.org.uk

Epilepsy Action is a Disability Confident Leader. We encourage applications from disabled people. We will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria in the person specification.

We are Disability Confident Leaders!

Make a difference!

Volunteer with us

Our volunteers make an enormous contribution to improving the lives of people with epilepsy.

Find your role