Development director jobs

Contract
Full-time, permanent
(We welcome proposals for flexible working arrangements)

Salary
£50,000 per annum

The Director of Operations for Edinburgh International Book Festival [EIBF] sits at the intersection of programme delivery, organisational management and operational leadership. The role combines events delivery with charity-wide management. This ensures that EIBF runs smoothly, festivals and events happen effectively, and all activity aligns with our charitable objectives and purpose.

The Director of Operations will lead all operational and logistical aspects of the annual Book Festival and year-round programmes. They will ensure effective governance, efficient systems, safe and compliant event delivery, and ensure resources are allocated appropriately to support the charity’s mission to promote engagement with, and enjoyment of, books, writing and ideas. They will manage relationships and contracts with site and production teams, and a range of other key stakeholders and partners. They will own and actively manage policy and systems management in the organisation, including oversight of digital infrastructure, as well as lead the HR function in a busy organisation.

Success in the role will balance the following elements:

• Leading the operational delivery of the Festival and programmes including effective stewarding of key relationships and contractors
• Optimising the culture of EIBF through effective management of HR and internal processes
• Effective management of EIBF planning, systems and processes, including digital transformation.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Strategic operations
• Strategic contribution
• Festival delivery
• People and resource management
• Governance and compliance 
• Systems and process improvement
• Leadership and team management 

Essential Person specification:

• Significant senior operational leadership experience within a complex, fast paced organisation
• Proven experience translating organisational strategy into effective operational delivery, systems and processes
• Experience leading organisational change, growth or transformation while maintaining operational resilience • Strong experience delivering complex live events or public programmes, including logistics, production, venues, and supplier management
• Experience managing contracts, procurement processes, and strategic operational partnerships
• Strong understanding of governance, compliance, risk management, and health and safety
• Experience leading HR processes, people management, and organisational culture development
• Experience delivering systems development, digital transformation, or process improvement projects
• Strong understanding of organisational infrastructure including IT, CRM, ticketing. and data governance
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to work strategically while remaining practical and hands-on in a small, agile organisation

For more information on key responsibilities and person specifications please see full Job Description on EIBF website. 

Key Dates:

Closing date for applications: Monday 29th June 2026.

Interviews will be held in central Edinburgh during the week of 6th July. Remote interview requests will be considered but in person is preferred.

As a Business Support Manager in the HR Office, you’ll play an important role in supporting the UK’s parliamentary democracy. Your work will help members of the House of Lords carry out their responsibilities effectively — contributing to something bigger than any one role.

You’ll be part of a collaborative community, working alongside colleagues from a wide range of professions. Together, we make Parliament happen. 

You’ll be based on the Parliamentary Estate in Westminster — a unique working environment shaped by history and powered by the people who work here today. 

What you’ll be doing 

In this role, you’ll: 

• Lead for the HR Office on corporate responsibilities including business planning, business continuity, risk management and freedom of information requests.

• Provide administrative support to the HR Office Senior Management Team, including responsibility for management meetings and managing the Diary Secretary to the Director. 

• Oversee the HR Office budgets, including managing the HR Office Admin Network and working closely with the Finance Business Partner on forecasting and end-of-year processes. 

• Promote a positive working environment, leading on HR away days and other team events, co-ordinating cross-office activities.

What we’re looking for 

We’re looking for someone who can bring their skills and experience to make a meaningful contribution here. 

You’ll have: 

• Personal effectiveness: Excellent organisational and time-management skills, and a high level of initiative with strong problem-solving and analytical skills.

• Administrative skills: Proven administrative skills, with strong attention to detail and a basic understanding of financial management processes and numerical literacy. 

• Communication skills: Strong oral and written communication skills, with the ability to produce accurate and clear documents. 

• Interpersonal skills: The ability to develop effective working relationships and work with diverse stakeholders at all levels. 

• Professionalism, tact and discretion: Excellent judgement and ability to use tact and discretion at all times. 

It would be even better if you have (or are willing to learn): 

• Corporate requirements: An understanding of corporate governance processes and a demonstrable interest in the work of the House of Lords. 

For full details, please see the job description. 

What you can expect 

The Business Support Manager plays a unique role in the HR Office, working with all the HR teams and supporting the Senior Management Team. This is an ideal role if you like making sure that things happen and organising other people! 

You’ll be part of a community that values your wellbeing, supports your development, and recognises the contribution you make. 

You’ll benefit from: 

• 30 days annual leave (rising to 35 after one year), plus public holidays 

• A generous Civil Service pension 

• Access to learning and development across a wide range of roles and professions 

• Support for your health and wellbeing 

• The opportunity to be at the heart of UK parliamentary democracy 

We know flexibility matters. Wherever possible, we’ll support working patterns that work for you — including hybrid working, job share or adjusted hours. We’ll be open about what’s possible for this role. 

Ready to apply? 

If you’re looking for a role where you can belong, grow and make a difference, we’d love to hear from you. 

Please complete your online application by 23:59 on Wednesday 17 June 2026.

This is a pivotal role at National Numeracy, helping to ensure our people, systems and processes enable the
successful delivery of our mission to improve numeracy across the UK.

As a key member of the operations function, you will work closely with the Operations & Impact Director to
strengthen organisational effectiveness, support colleagues across the organisation and help drive
continuous improvement in the way we work.

During this maternity cover period, a particular focus will be supporting the ongoing development and
adoption of our CRM and operational systems, ensuring they provide robust information, efficient processes
and an excellent user experience. You will also play a central role in maintaining effective governance,
supporting our people practices and helping to foster a positive, inclusive and high-performing organisational
culture.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys improving systems, enabling others to do their best work and
helping mission-driven organisations operate effectively and sustainably.

The postholder will also provide line management and support to one team member, helping to ensure their
development, wellbeing and contribution to organisational objectives.

The role is a maternity leave cover with an ideal start date in August 2026 and an anticipated end date of
31st July 2027. It would be suitable for either 4 or 5 days per week.

Lead Daybreaks Trust as Chief Executive Officer and strengthen operations, governance and income to improve the lives of retired greyhounds.

Applications close at 9 a.m. Monday 29th June.

Salary: £40,000 per annum. We are ideally seeking someone on a full-time basis; however, there may be flexibility around working pattern for an exceptional candidate. This could include consideration of a 0.8 FTE arrangement, with salary and working arrangements to be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate.

Daybreaks Trust is a specialist Birmingham charity dedicated to the care, well-being and rehoming of retired racing greyhounds. Since Daybreaks Kennels were established in 2006, the charity has found over 3,400 loving homes for ex-racing greyhounds, supported by a committed team of staff, trustees, volunteers, adopters and supporters.

This is a significant moment in Daybreaks Trust’s development. In recent years, the charity has enjoyed a period of sustained financial performance. It has also recently received a significant financial legacy, which provides an important opportunity to invest in future capacity, resilience and impact.

Daybreaks Trust is now appointing a Chief Executive Officer to provide operational leadership, strengthen governance and work closely with the Board, staff and volunteers to shape the next chapter.

We are looking for an operationally strong, values-led leader who can manage the whole charity, oversee finances, support income generation and ensure the organisation remains well-run, compliant and focused on improving the lives of retired greyhounds.

Applications for this role close at  9 a.m. Monday 29th June.

For further information about the role and to register your interest, please visit the Peridot Partners page and contact our advising consultants.

Brooke’s work across Africa, Asia and Latin America transforms the lives of animals and people in the communities we serve. With a new global strategy and ambitious plans for growth. Our vision is of a world in which working horses, donkeys and mules are free from suffering. Our mission is to transform the lives of vulnerable working horses, donkeys and mules around the world. We relieve their immediate suffering and create lasting change by working with people, communities and organisations.

We are seeking a committed and experienced campaign lead to spearhead our global donkey skins campaign. Working closely with Country Directors across Brooke East and West Africa, you will help stop the supply of donkeys to the continent and, in partnership with colleagues in Latin America and Pakistan, develop regional campaigns in new locations. Ultimately, you will play a key role in reducing demand for ejiao in both the UK and internationally.

Using your exceptional relationship-building and partnership skills, you will establish and lead strategic collaborations with NGOs, governments, animal welfare organisations and corporations, ensuring effective cross-organisational working. You will also represent Brooke at conferences, in the media and through written communications, working closely with Brooke’s Advocacy Teams to align activity with animal health systems and sustainable development goals.

You will bring demonstrable senior-level experience in global development, alongside a strong track record of leading high-profile campaigns. You will also have a sound understanding of UK parliamentary and legislative processes. Knowledge of Chinese or East Asian policymaking, along with an additional language from these regions, would be a distinct advantage.

At Brooke, we celebrate diversity and the creative new ideas it brings. We actively encourage applications from all backgrounds, in particular global majority candidates, candidates from a social mobility background, disabled and neuro-diverse candidates, and candidates under 25 as these groups are currently under-represented at Brooke.

We are aware that studies have shown that women and global majority candidates are less likely to apply for a role if they feel they do not meet the full criteria of the job description. If you feel you meet the majority of the criteria, we would love to hear from you.

We offer a variety of flexible working options to best support our staff and to ensure our working practices are as inclusive as possible.

Closing date: Monday 15 June 2026
We may close this advert early should we receive a large number of applications.

Chief Executive Officer (Part-time, 3 days/week)

Veterans With Dogs (VWD) is seeking an experienced, values-driven and credible Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead our charity into its next chapter. This rare and exciting opportunity offers the chance to guide a small, high-impact team at a pivotal stage in the charity’s growth.

Location: Flexible / UK-based, with regular travel to Exeter, training sites, and key meetings as required. We are flexible in how this is structured, and relocation is not required.
Salary: £45,000–£55,000 pro-rata (equivalent to £27,000 - £33,000 for 3 days/week) + 3% pension contribution
Contract: Permanent

Hours: 21 hours / 3 days per week

Holiday: 28 days per annum (FTE), plus bank holidays
Reports to: Chair of Trustees
Direct reports: 3

About Veterans With Dogs

Veterans With Dogs is a UK charity that transforms the lives of Armed Forces veterans living with mental health challenges. Through the provision of highly trained assistance dogs and trauma-informed support, we help restore purpose, independence, and dignity to those who have served.

Founded in 2012, our work addresses a vital gap for veterans living with PTSD, anxiety, depression, and complex trauma. Through our award-winning PALS™ (Partner Animal Life Skills) programme, we support veterans to rebuild their lives, with the constant support of a trusted companion by their side.

Following a period of governance transition and renewal, we are entering a new and exciting phase. We are strengthening leadership, systems, and strategy to ensure long-term sustainability and greater reach, while maintaining the quality, care, and integrity that sit at the heart of our work.

We recognise that this is a senior leadership role within a small organisation and are committed to flexibility in how the role is delivered. We are open to conversations around working patterns and location to ensure we attract the strongest possible candidate.

We are also open to shaping aspects of the role around the strengths and location of the successful candidate.

We would particularly welcome candidates who can bring fresh perspective, while respecting and building on the strong foundations already in place.

This is an opportunity to shape the future of a respected and growing charity at a pivotal moment, with genuine scope to influence strategy, culture, and long-term impact.

The Role

The CEO will provide strategic direction, operational oversight, and cultural leadership for Veterans With Dogs. Working closely with the Board of Trustees, the CEO will oversee the delivery of the charity’s mission, ensure operational excellence, develop our long-term strategy, and foster a values-led and high-performing team.

This is a hands-on, multi-dimensional leadership role, ideal for a calm, pragmatic, and inspiring individual with experience of organisational stabilisation, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable growth. You will build strong relationships with the team and stakeholders, maintaining a visible and engaged leadership presence both in person and remotely.

This is a genuinely part-time role with a focused and manageable scope, supported by an engaged Board of Trustees and a committed team. The role is designed to be sustainable within the allocated hours.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy

• Lead the development and delivery of an interim plan and longer-term organisational strategy
• Translate strategic goals into clear operational priorities and plans
• Foster a compassionate, inclusive, and mission-aligned organisational culture
• Act as a credible and inspiring ambassador for Veterans With Dogs with stakeholders, funders, partners, and the public
• Guide the charity through stabilisation and values-led, sustainable growth

Governance & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all relevant charity law, regulation, and best practice
• Work in partnership with the Board of Trustees, supporting effective governance and reporting
• Implement and embed improvements in HR, finance, safeguarding, IT, and operational systems
• Lead on organisational risk management, ensuring policies and procedures are in place and regularly reviewed

Operations & Programme Delivery

• Oversee day-to-day operations to ensure safe, ethical, and effective service delivery
• Ensure safeguarding standards are upheld for both veterans and dogs
• Drive continuous improvement in programme quality, delivery, and impact measurement
• Ensure operational systems and data processes are robust, compliant, and fit for purpose

People & Culture

• Lead, support, and nurture a small, dedicated staff team and wider network of volunteers
• Promote staff wellbeing, clear communication, and professional development
• Work with trustees to assess future staffing needs and build leadership capacity

Finance & Sustainability

• Work with trustees and advisors to ensure sound financial management and reporting
• Contribute to financial planning, budgeting, and development of a sustainable reserves policy
• Help diversify income streams, supporting fundraising efforts, corporate partnerships, and individual giving

Fundraising & External Relations

Build and maintain relationships with funders, donors, corporate partners, and sector allies

• Collaborate with the fundraising trustee to develop new funding opportunities
• Represent the charity externally with credibility, transparency, and professionalism
• Strengthen partnerships with ADUK, ADI, Cobseo, and other key membership bodies

Person Specification

Essential

• Senior leadership experience within a charity, social enterprise, or values-led organisation
• Strong knowledge of charity governance, regulation, and trustee relationships
• Experience leading teams through organisational change or stabilisation
• Financial literacy with experience of budgeting, reporting, and planning
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills across diverse stakeholders
• A calm, values-based, and ethical leadership approach

Desirable

• Experience in health, mental health, veterans’ services, or trauma-informed work
• Experience working with boards during periods of strategic or leadership transition
• Fundraising and/or income generation experience
• Understanding of safeguarding best practice (for people and/or animals)
• Lived experience of the military or charity sectors (not essential)

Our Commitment

Veterans With Dogs is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. We actively welcome applicants from all backgrounds and strive to create a supportive, respectful, and empowering workplace. We recognise the value of lived experience and are committed to continuous learning as an organisation.

How to Apply

Please apply via Charity Jobs.

If you would like a confidential conversation before applying, we would be happy to speak with you.

Closing date to apply: 5pm on Thursday 11 June 2026

• First interviews (online): week commencing 22 June 2026
• Second interviews (in our Exeter office): TBC

Previous applicants need not reapply, thank you.

Veterans With Dogs is a registered charity in England and Wales (No. 1161554).

Lead with purpose. Work with flexibility. Make a lasting difference.

ESCAPE Family Supplort is seeking an inspirational Chief Executive to lead an award winning, highly respected, trauma-informed charity, supporting families and children affected by a loved one's addictin and makuing a real difference in Northumberland.

This is a rare opportunity to shape strategy, influence services, and drive meaningful impact for families affected by addiction within a values led, collaborative organisation.

As one of the very few charities of our size to hold Investors in People Platinum accreditation, we offer an exceptional working culture built on trust, empowerment and strong relationships.

You will work with a commited team and board and engage with partners at local, regional and national level to shape the future of our services. 

This role offers the chance to lead with purpose, influence change and leave a lasting legacy.

This is a rare opportunity to step into a CEO role that offers genuine flexibility, meaningful impact and an outstanding organisational culture. 

ABOUT ESCAPE

Founded from lived experience, ESCAPE is the only organisation in Northumberland dedicated to supporting families affected by addiction. Our work changes lives - every day. We are:

• Trauma informed and evidencebased
• An AIM registered training centre
• A trusted partner across statutory and voluntary sectors
• Proud holders of Investor in People Platinum
• An accredited Living Wage Employer  

About the role

As Chief Executive you will:

• Provide strategic leadership and direction
• Work closely with a committed Board of Trustees
• Lead an experienced and values driven team
• Develop partnerships throughout Northumberland and across the region
• Ensure high quaility, sustainable services for families 

You will play a central role in shaping the future of the organisation and strengthening its impact.

Why join ESCAPE?

Flexible leadership role

• Full or part-time from 0.6 FTE minumum
• Flexible trust-based working
• Opportunity to shape how you lead

Exceptional Culture

• Investor in People Platinum accredited
• Reflective supervision and leadership support
• Collaborative, values-driven environment         

Meaningful impact

• Direct influence on services supporting families in crisis
• Opportunity to build on a strong legacy
• Visble and tangible difference in the community

Who we are looking for

• An experienced senior leader (charity, public or related sector)
• Strategically minded with strong operational awareness
• Skilled in building partnerships and relationships
• Committed to trauma-informed, person-centred practice
• Values-led, emotionally intelligent, and authentic

This role could suit:

• An existing CEO seekng greater balance and purpose
• A senior leader ready for their first CEO role

What we offer

• £48,000 - £55,000 salary (pro rata) depending on skills and experience 
• Full time or Part-time (from 0.6 FTE minimum) Permanent
• 28 days annual leave + 8 bank holidays (pro rata)
• 6% employer pension contribution
• Simply Health pakage (including eye care)
• Family-friendly policies
• Reflective supervision and practice
• Flexible, trust-based working

For further information and details on how to apply, please visit ESCAPE's website for application form and full recruitment pack.

Closing date for applicait9ons: 26th June 2026 at 17.00