Acting director jobs

Are you a strategic, results-driven fundraising professional looking for a leadership role where you can make a real difference? 

St Peter & St James Hospice is seeking a Head of Fundraising to drive our income generation strategy, ensuring we have the resources to continue delivering exceptional care and support to people affected by life-limiting illnesses. This is a unique opportunity to lead, innovate, and shape the future of fundraising for a much-loved local charity. 

Job details: 

Location: St Peter & St James Hospice, North Common Road, North Chailey, Lewes, East Sussex, BN8 4ED 

Salary: £51,288 - £55,499 per annum (full-time equivalent)

Contract Type: Permanent 

Working Pattern: Flexible (compressed, 9-day fortnight), Full Time (37.5hrs) or Part Time (30+hrs) 

Closing date: Sunday 11th January 2026 

Interviews: W/C 19th January 2026 

What You'll Do: 

Strategic Development 

• Develop and implement a multi-channel fundraising strategy aligned with organisational goals, identifying new income streams and opportunities for growth. 

• Work closely with the Head of Retail to ensure alignment and maximisation of retail outlets to boost voluntary income.

• Be accountable to the Executive Team and the Board for regular updates on performance. 

Team Management 

• Lead, inspire, and develop the fundraising team to achieve their targets and deliver exceptional donor experiences. 

• Foster a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement. 

• Manage training, development, and performance of team members, recognising strong performance and addressing areas of development. 

Financial Accountability & Reporting

• Co-define, manage and monitor the fundraising budgets and forecasting, ensuring optimal resource allocation and financial sustainability.

• Develop and deliver effective KPI reports to enable data and evidence-based decisions.

• Ensure compliance with fundraising and legal regulations, ethical fundraising guidelines, and best practices. 

Relationship Building 

• Cultivate and maintain relationships with high-value donors, corporate partners, grant-making bodies, and other stakeholders. 

• Develop stewardship programs to enhance donor retention and lifetime value. 

• Represent the organisation at networking events and industry forums. 

• Be an advocate and champion for fundraising throughout the organisation. 

What we’re looking for: 

To excel in this role, you will have: 

• Experience working in a fundraising environment at a senior level, with proven track record in achieving significant income growth 

• Proven track record of managing high-value relationships 

• Strong leadership and team management skills, with ability to inspire and engage in an empowering manner 

• Understanding of all income streams and fundraising disciplines, with ability to support team members across areas of expertise 

• Experience using Raiser’s Edge or similar CRM platform, and data-driven decision making 

• Experience producing fundraising strategies and stewardship plans 

• Experience reviewing and analysing performance and financial information, including budgeting and forecasting 

• Skilled communicator and negotiator at all levels 

• Strategic thinker with a results-driven and impact-focused mindset 

• Highly motivated and inspirational leader 

• Resilient under pressure and positive driver of change 

• Compassionate and sensitive approach to employees, volunteers, and stakeholders 

• High level of personal and professional commitment and self-awareness 

Why join us? 

• Be part of a mission-led organisation that makes a tangible difference to people’s lives. 

• Lead a passionate team and develop a dynamic fundraising strategy that spans community fundraising, trusts and grants, corporate partnerships, major donors, and legacy giving. 

• Work collaboratively across teams, including Marketing & Communications, Finance, and Trustees, to build strong donor engagement and long-term sustainability. 

• Enjoy a flexible, supportive working environment where your ideas and leadership will be valued. 

We will be shortlisting and interviewing as applications are received, so early applications are encouraged. Apply today to be part of something truly special! 

You can find the full job description and recruitment pack at the bottom of the vacancy page on our website.

Giving Back Recruitment is proud to be partnering with a highly respected, long-established professional membership charity on a senior governance appointment of real strategic significance.

This is a rare opportunity to lead governance at a professional membership organisation, operating at the heart of a Royal Charter body with a strong public purpose.

We are seeking a strategic and values-driven Associate Director of Governance to set the standard for governance, risk, audit and compliance across the organisation. Reporting to the Chief Executive, you will work in close partnership with Trustees, Council, the Audit & Risk Committee, and senior leaders to ensure decision-making is transparent, well-governed, and aligned with organisational purpose.

The role

The Associate Director of Governance will hold end-to-end responsibility for constitutional governance, board and committee effectiveness, regulatory compliance, risk management, internal audit and data protection.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading best-practice governance in line with the Royal Charter and Charity Commission expectations
• Acting as a trusted adviser to Trustees, Council and the Audit & Risk Committee
• Overseeing enterprise risk, internal audit, business continuity and insurance arrangements
• Serving as Data Protection Officer and leading GDPR compliance
• Strengthening organisational capability, culture and decision-making through clear, confident governance
• Leading and developing a high-performing governance, risk and compliance team

This role sits at the intersection of governance, strategy and culture and offers the opportunity to make a lasting impact within a complex, values-led organisation.

About you

You will be a senior governance professional with substantial experience operating at organisational and board level, ideally within a charity, membership body or regulated environment.

You will bring:

• Proven senior-level experience in governance, legal or regulatory contexts
• Strong knowledge of charity governance, constitutional frameworks and best practice
• Experience leading teams and managing complex, cross-organisational workstreams
• A sound working knowledge of GDPR and regulatory compliance
• Excellent influencing, communication and stakeholder-management skills
• The credibility and judgement to advise Trustees and senior leaders with confidence

A governance qualification (or equivalent experience), experience spanning risk management, internal audit, insurance or data protection, and familiarity with professional or membership bodies, would be advantageous.

Under the supervision of the European Regional Director, the Director of External Partnerships will oversee IFAW’s strategic partnerships development geared towards advancing IFAW’s efforts to protect and save the lives of animals.

He/she will strengthen IFAW’s profile in the United Kingdom by:

o Representing IFAW in UK, in particular to corporations, institutional donors, private foundations, and other relevant stakeholders, with the aim of increasing IFAW’s visibility and generating revenue;

o Leading the development, implementation, and partnerships management, as well as external advocacy and influence;

o Carrying out outreach and community engagement to drive positive change.

Role and Responsibilities

1. Partnerships strategy elaboration

· Design and update a comprehensive partnership strategy with external stakeholders in the UK market. In order to support IFAW’s mission and strategies, this Partnership Strategy shall cover the following types of partnership:

o Polical and institutional (public sector, national and decentralized authorities);

o Financial (private sector and institutional donors);

o Technical, programmatic and academic (non-governmental community, universities, research institutes).

· Work closely with cross-functional teams to align Partnership Strategy in the UK and beyond

2. Strategy implementation and partnerships development

· Build, foster and maintain strong relationships with target stakeholders (external audiences, leaders, institutional partners, community organizations, funders, etc.) to

o Enhance effectiveness and reach

o Advance and drive collaborative solutions

· Influence UK key political decision-making processes

· Represent IFAW on priority issues in external meetings, conferences, public events, and media interviews and act as spokesperson.

· Play a key role in advancing IFAW commitment to impact investing. This involves:

o Identifying investment opportunities that generate financial returns and create social/environmental benefits.

o Working with the IFAW Leadership Team and others to develop and implement innovative investment strategies that align with strategy ensuring that our resources are used to drive transformative change.

3. IFAW UK Representation

· Serve as IFAW’s UK Representative corporations, institutional donors, private foundations, and other relevant stakeholders

· Serve as authorized signatory, when appropriate

Qualifications and Education Requirements

· Minimum of five years of experience in the development of strategic partnerships and institutional funding, NGO management, high-level advocacy or a related field in the UK and beyond.

· Strong leadership and team management skills.

· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

· Agility and strategic vision

· Demonstrated expertise in the nonprofit landscape.

· General understanding of environmental and climate issues. Knowledge of conservation and animal welfare is an asset but not essential.

· Ability to analyze data and use it to inform decision-making.

· Experience with local, regional, and national institutional funding sources.

· Working knowledge of legal and compliance obligations that apply to international NGO operating in the UK.

At IFAW, we aim to create and foster a workforce that reflects and contributes to the diverse, global community in which we work to improve the lives of both animals and people.  We are dedicated to fostering justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion so we actively encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds.

As the Head of Philanthropy, Asia you will be responsible for growing our major gifts programme in the Asia-Pacific region. The focus will be on increasing six figure + (GBP) giving through the University of Birmingham Hong Kong Foundation, and from the wider region. Most of our warm donors are based in Malaysia and Hong Kong but there is an active community of alumni in Singapore and scoping to be done across Asia to drive the next phase of our strategy forward beyond alumni donors and to build on a recent seven figure donation as a catalyst for further giving. 

As a University we established our Hong Kong Foundation in 2019 and giving is off to a strong start. Continuing on this trajectory you will work to make it financially sustainable, aiming to have multi-year commitments lined up. You will steer and develop the Foundation’s volunteer Board of Directors, increasing giving from their networks, and working with them to distribute funds to programmes at the University that will also benefit Hong Kong. 

As a senior fundraiser in DARO, you will be expected to be innovative, self-motivated, and to take ownership of fundraising in this region. As part of a dynamic team and led by some of the most respected names in higher education fundraising, you will work across the University to generate gifts to key philanthropic projects and encourage new donors to make significant gifts. You will also have the opportunity to work with the senior leadership across the University to travel, drive income and develop innovative funding proposals for the region. 

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy.

About the Role

Do you have a creative flair and a passion for collaboration? We’re looking for someone to help shape and deliver a public engagement and events programme that showcases Headway East London’s occupational projects in art, food and music, strengthens partnerships, and raises awareness of brain injury.

The role is to work closely with our members, you will co-produce events, workshops and creative projects that highlight their experiences and talents. Also, nurture and develop relationships with partners and stakeholders, identify new opportunities for collaboration and ensure members are meaningfully involved in all aspects of engagement.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Public Engagement Programme Delivery

• Support the delivery of a public engagement programme that raises awareness of brain injury and showcase our creative work in art, food, and music.
• Work closely with the Director of Development and staff teams to identify and develop opportunities for public engagement (e.g. exhibitions, performances, and community events).

​Member Co-production and Creative Participation

• Work closely with members to support their participation in projects and events, ensuring their voices and experiences contribute to the planning and delivery.
• Support in facilitating steering groups or member planning sessions to shape ideas and gather feedback for improvements.

Partnerships and External Relationships

• Support in building and maintaining positive relationships with local organisations, cultural venues, and community partners to broaden our reach and profile.
• Represent Headway East London at events, meetings and community forums, acting as a positive ambassador for the organisation and its members.

 Event, Operations and Delivery

• Support all logistical aspects of events, including venue booking, liaising with suppliers, organising materials, and coordinating volunteers.
• Contribute to event promotion and audience engagement, including managing guest lists, ticketing, and attendee communications.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

• Support the collection of feedback, stories, and data from events and projects to evaluate their success and impact.
• Support with monitoring and reporting processes that inform fundraising, communications, and project planning. 

Key Relationships - Internal and External

Internal: All staff, Members (service users) and their families, Volunteers

External: Public audiences - supporters and funders Partner organisations, Corporate stakeholders, Contractors

Other

Apply the Headway East London values and behaviours to every aspect of the role at all times.

Protect and enhance the interests and reputation of Headway East London internally and externally.

Commit to the organisational principles of: coproduction equity, diversity and inclusion sustainability.

Headway East London is an Equal Opportunities Employer and we are committed to ensuring that all staff are motivated, skilled and rewarded by their work. We welcome applicants regardless of race, religion or belief, colour, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age and other protected status as required by law. We promote and protect human rights; they are the foundation of what we do. We want to be an inclusive place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come and contribute their unique strengths and perspectives. We are focused on equality and believe that all the fascinating characteristics that make us different, make us more able to deliver our life-changing work with passion and creativity.

We are seeking an experienced and hands-on finance professional who will play a key role in The Horton’s financial health and future resilience.

The Horton is a registered charity and an award-winning independent cultural venue in Epsom, Surrey hosting live performance, creative arts and events in stunning listed building and gardens. 

As the sole end-to-end finance position, the Finance Manager is a rewarding and varied role. You will be responsible for the effective and efficient management of all financial operations for both the registered charity and its trading subsidiary.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in charity finance and the ambition to grow into a strategic financial leader.

Candidiates should be a qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA/AAT) or qualified by experience, with at least 5 years’ experience in similar finance roles. 

Demonstrable experience of financial management in the UK charity/nonprofit sector is desirable.

Please visit the Opportunities page of The Horton's website to download the full job description for more information and details of how to apply.

This is a rare opportunity to join the Scottish Wildlife Trust at a transformative time and play a leading role in one of our most ambitious fundraising initiatives.

For over 60 years, the Trust has championed healthy, resilient ecosystems across Scotland’s land and seas.

We are now creating the role of Major Gifts Manager. Joining our Development Team, and managing our Development Officer, you will lead philanthropic giving, with a particular focus on securing the Inverbroom Endowment – a multi-million pound campaign to safeguard the long-term future of our newest and largest wildlife reserve.

Working closely with an external fundraising agency, senior staff and volunteer leaders, you will manage and grow a portfolio of high-net-worth individuals, secure major gifts (including six-figures and above), and develop compelling cases for support that bring complex conservation challenges to life.

We are looking for a confident fundraiser with at least five years’ experience in philanthropy, ideally within the environmental NGO sector. You will have a strong track record of meeting financial targets, managing prospect pipelines, and stewarding long-term donor relationships.

If you are a confident relationship builder who acts with integrity, thrives on collaboration and wants your work to deliver real, lasting impact for nature, we would love to hear from you.

Impatience Earth is a non-profit climate philanthropy consultancy founded in 2020 with a mission to educate, challenge and inspire wealth holders to take bolder funding decisions to address the climate emergency.

For the first time, we will be undertaking work to focus specifically on climate resilience in the UK. Currently this work sits with two existing team members, and a network of Associates and advisors. We are hiring a new team member to support this work on a fixed-term contract running from 2026-2027. 

Why UK resilience? We can see the impacts of climate change in the UK are rapidly increasing  - from direct impacts such as extreme heat, flooding and heavy rainfall, to direct knock-on effects such as increasing food prices. What is often hidden is the social, economic and racial injustice at the core of climate vulnerability in the UK. The people who are disproportionately impacted by climate change are also most likely to be excluded from the process to address it. This includes women and girls living  at the intersections of poverty, disability and race who remain overlooked by climate policy and interventions, even though the inclusion of women in environmental decision-making processes has been shown to have a positive impact on their outcomes.

Climate change is occurring at the same time as trust in British society, democracy and politics is collapsing. As recent research from Climate Outreach shows, voters in the UK feel overlooked, disillusioned about the present and fearful for the future, and many are yet to be convinced that net zero offers a positive way forward. 

Yet research also shows that the majority of the public do care about climate change and protecting nature, and we know from our work that there are individuals and groups across the UK who are taking action to create a more resilient future - often on a shoestring budget. When Impatience Earth convened funders around the topic of climate resilience in the UK, we had a lot of interest. We also heard that a common challenge is identifying resilience-building work to fund. A recurring question was ‘resilience-building work: how do we know it when we see it?”

This new role at Impatience Earth is designed to help us answer two key questions: 

1. How do we use our position and bird's-eye view of the philanthropy ecosystem to make climate philanthropy work more effectively for marginalised communities in the UK and withstand political headwinds?

2. How do we build the ecosystem for gender just climate action in the UK?

To answer these, it will be important to work in partnership and collaboration with other UK philanthropic support organisations (such as the Environmental Funders Network); help build bridges between the different organisations and groups doing this work across the UK; and shine a light on the opportunities for funders and policy-makers to support climate action that builds the resilience of the people who are most affected, but often overlooked. This role is an exciting opportunity to increase awareness and action in the philanthropic sector around the different dimensions of climate risk in the UK, especially as a result of gender inequity, poverty and other intersecting forms of marginalisation. 

About Impatience Earth

Impatience Earth is a non-profit climate philanthropy consultancy with a mission to educate, challenge and inspire wealth holders to take bolder funding decisions to address the climate emergency. Since 2020, IE has catalysed over £250 million in new philanthropic funding for climate action around the world, of which over £90 million has already been disbursed to impactful organisations working to mitigate climate change and build the resilience of communities in the face of increasing climate risk.

With a core focus on climate justice, Impatience Earth explores with funders how they can effectively resource and partner with the leaders and communities on the frontline of climate actions who are often overlooked and underfunded by mainstream climate philanthropy. Impatience Earth’s portfolio of work in the UK is increasingly focused on how funders can build the power of local communities to increase their resilience against increasing climate impacts - such as extreme weather events - that also exacerbate existing vulnerabilities. 

Requirements for this role

1. You live and are legally able to work in the UK (unfortunately we are unable to sponsor UK work visas)

2. You have a good understanding of the way that climate change will intersect with different forms of oppression and vulnerability in the UK, particularly gender but also: racism, poverty and class inequality, disability, discrimination due to sexual orientation, faith, migration status and other factors.

3. You have a good understanding of the ways that climate change is already impacting communities in the UK, as well as solutions relating to resilience-building.

4. You have a good understanding, likely through your own lived experience, of the difference in economic opportunities and investment beyond London and across the different parts of the UK. 

5. You have a demonstrated ability to build trusted working relationships with a range of stakeholders, which might include: community-based organisations, philanthropic foundations and local authorities. 

6. You are respectful of people with different backgrounds, cultures, faiths and lived experiences. 

7. You are curious and a good listener. 

8. You are highly organised and motivated to work in a fast-paced organisation. 

9. You enjoy working in-person with different stakeholders, and you’re happy to travel to other parts of the UK when required to attend in-person meetings, events and represent Impatience Earth (travel expenses will be covered).

10. You can lead, and contribute to, research and written reports that can be shared with funders and external audiences. 

11. You are highly competent with online working and online collaboration including: email, Zoom conferencing, and online documentation.

Day-to-Day Activities 

Whilst this work is still being developed, and you will have an opportunity to shape it, the day-to-day activities will likely include the following. 

Strategy

• Support the development of Impatience Earth’s UK resilience strategy, by reviewing existing plans and providing feedback and suggestions.

• Throughout this role, share learnings and feedback with the Impatience Earth team, Associates and other stakeholders, aiming to ‘work in the open’.

• Help Impatience Earth to recruit and work with a group of advisors.

Relationship building and new collaborations

• Connect with the UK organisations and individuals that Impatience Earth has already built relationships with, identify opportunities to collaborate, and take plans forward. This could include convening a roundtable or co-designing an event.

• Make new connections with individuals and organisations outside of Impatience Earth’s existing network who are working to build the resilience of communities across the UK. This could be through attending conferences, community events, or cold outreach and calls. 

• Build bridges between organisations and funders working across different themes (such as climate and gender) to strengthen the ecosystem on intersectional climate resilience. 

• Develop and maintain excellent external relationships, always acting as an ambassador for Impatience Earth, to help build our reputation and profile.

• Manage the planning and execution of events, including developing an agenda, giving presentations, facilitating group discussions, and providing logistical support. 

Research and writing

• Support Impatience Earth to develop a taxonomy for gender-just climate resilience in the UK, that will later be shared with funders and other external stakeholders.

• Work with other team members  to conduct research and mapping that can form the basis of recommendations for funders.

• Draft high-quality written reports, blogs, presentations and other online materials on the topic of intersectional, gender-just climate resilience.
   

Internal knowledge management and communication

• Communicate across the Impatience Earth team, with colleagues working in different parts of the world, to share information and cross-check opportunities. As a remote team, our work is made possible by internal knowledge management and communication. This will include:

  • Timely writing up of notes and actions from meetings you attend and saving on our Google Drive

  • Sharing time-sensitive insights and opportunities with the team on Slack

  • Joining weekly online team meetings

Benefits

As part of this role, you will have a pro rata allowance of 25 days paid annual leave, individual coaching, a professional development budget and be part of a passionate team committed to advancing climate action. We have taken a range of steps to build an inclusive and welcoming work culture and we hope we will receive applications from people from a range of backgrounds.

How To Apply

We are not able to sponsor visas unfortunately and are not doing calls with candidates in advance of applications. 

We are committed to inclusive recruitment. If you have any access requirements or need reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know so we can discuss how to support you.

Stage 1: Submit your CV plus either a cover letter (1.5 pages max), or a short video, that includes details about your relevant experience for the role and why you think you’ll be a good fit. Please consider the Requirements for this role section when you write your cover letter/record your video, particularly points 2-5. Please submit documents in PDF format as we are unable to open MS Word files.
 

Stage 2: Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an initial video interview carried out via Zoom to discuss your experience and what excites you about the role. We will send all candidates the interview questions in advance.

Stage 3: You will be asked to complete a short assignment at a time that suits you. At this stage in the process, we will offer candidates a £50 stipend to cover the time invested in this exercise.

Stage 4: As part of the final interview stage, you’ll be invited to a full interview and we will be sending all candidates the interview questions in advance. At this stage in the process, we will offer candidates an additional £50 stipend to cover the time invested in preparing for interview.

Who You Will Meet

As part of the interview process, you will meet our CEO Yasmin Ahammad, Director Sarah Farrell and People and Wellbeing Director, Heather Salmon. For more information, see our website impatience.earth.

GADN is recruiting for a new Director (Job share – Funding, Finance and Governance)   

GADN brings together NGOs and individual experts committed to achieving gender equality and the rights of women and girls in all their diversity across the world.  Our Secretariat is a small but highly respected team coordinating advocacy towards the UK Government and supporting our members to promote best practice. 

This new position will work alongside the existing Director to provide strategic direction and vision to the network and oversee the organisation’s operational work. In addition, the primary purpose of this role will be to bring in new sustainable sources of funding for the network in an increasingly difficult funding climate, and to ensure the smooth running of financial and administrative systems and Board governance.

We are looking for someone with leadership skills and vision who is passionate about our work and able to enthuse others. The ideal candidate will have a track-record in securing new funds and experience of external representation at senior levels with donors. You will bring experience in management, ideally at a senior level, and an understanding of budgets and financial planning.

This is an 18-month fixed-term position, for 14 hours a week.

If you are interested in applying, please review the job description and complete the application form by 9pm GMT on Wednesday 7 January 2026.

GADN values diversity and inclusion and encourages applicants from all backgrounds and life experiences to join our team. As we continue working to decolonise our practice and build an anti-racist organisation, we actively welcome applications from Black women and Women of Colour who we recognise are under-represented in the UK international development sector. Selection will be based on skill, experience and suitability for the role. If you share our core commitments, we would love to hear from you!

Job Structure

• Reports to: Director of Learning and Impact  

• Direct reports: Programme Leads, Programmes Coordinator

• Location: Haringey, with travel across London boroughs as required

• Hours: 40 hours per week (including 1 hour lunch break)

Benefits 

• 25 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays, your birthday off, and an extra day per year of service (up to 5 additional days) 

• Death in Service cover (up to 4x annual salary / fixed amount for part-time roles) 

• Enhanced sick pay 

• Eye care benefits for those using display screens 

• Up to £750 annual CPD budget to support your professional development 

• A dedicated wellness package promoting staff health and wellbeing 

• Team building and transformation days to strengthen collaboration and personal growth 

• Professional mentoring and ongoing supervision 

• A comprehensive induction and training programme to help you thrive from day one 

About Sister System 

Founded in 2018, Sister System is a charitable organisation and an Open College Network (OCN) approved centre dedicated to empowering girls and young women aged 13-24 affected by the care system.   

Our approach is co-designed with care-affected young women to ensure that their lived experiences continue to drive meaningful change and shape our progression. Built on proven therapeutic models, our long-term mentoring, accredited qualifications, and leadership development programmes strengthen resilience, confidence, and essential life skills.   

Our model seeks to break intergenerational cycles by equipping young women with the tools to thrive and lead change. Through a strong sense of community, peer networks, and trusted adult relationships, we create clear pathways into education, employment, and socio-economic stability, supporting a life free from abuse.

Throughout her journey with Sister System, each girl participates in weekly one-to-one and group sessions focused on self-education and personal growth. These sessions explore the social and emotional transition to womanhood while building a supportive network of “sisters” who continue to empower one another during key life transitions. Our programmes are accessible to girls and young women at any stage of educational attainment, enabling all Sis-Stars to learn, grow, and thrive.  

Our Programmes  

All our programmes have been co-curated with young women in care and are built upon proven therapeutic models of intervention. We deliver a set of inclusive, empowering, enabling, and exploratory programmes. These focus on self-education, investigating the social and emotional impact of the transition to womanhood and creating a network of sisters who can continue to support each other's growth throughout key transitional periods. Our programmes are delivered in such a way that sisters at any stage of educational attainment can access, learn, grow, and thrive.  

Job Purpose 

Sister System is seeking an experienced and dynamic Head of Programmes to lead the operational delivery and continuous improvement of our mentoring, learning, and development programmes for care-affected girls and young women aged 13–24. The postholder will oversee the full programme cycle — from referral and assessment through to delivery, evaluation, and progression — ensuring all work is trauma-informed, evidence-based, and aligned with Sister System’s mission and OCN accreditation standards. Acting as the central link between the leadership team and delivery staff, the Head of Programmes will manage and develop a high-performing team, maintain quality assurance across all programme stages, and foster strong partnerships with schools, local authorities, and community organisations to drive measurable impact and long-term systemic change.  

This role holds operational oversight of all programme delivery, team management, and quality assurance, ensuring that our work achieves its intended outcomes, aligns with our organisational strategy, and continues to grow in impact and reach.  

Key Responsibilities  

Programme Leadership and Delivery  

• Lead the design, coordination, and delivery of all Sister System programmes, services, and activities in line with organisational aims and funder requirements.  

• Oversee programme planning, scheduling, and annual mapping to ensure smooth delivery and strategic alignment across all three stages (Enable, Enhance, Empower).  

• Work with the Safeguarding Lead to manage referral, assessment, and placement processes to ensure beneficiaries are appropriately matched to programmes and mentors, maintaining high standards of transparency and accountability throughout.  

• Ensure all delivery follows Sister System's three-stage programme model, safeguarding standards, and quality expectations. Support programme delivery where needed, maintaining a visible leadership presence.  

• Monitor the service user journey using Sister System's monitoring and evaluation tools and Salesforce CRM, working with the Head of Monitoring & Evaluation to track progress against work plans, indicators, and our evaluation framework.  

• Conduct regular programme review meetings with team members and stakeholders to enhance information sharing, efficiency, and effectiveness of programme implementation.  

Programme Quality and Impact  

• Oversee programme quality assurance, including risk assessment of referrals, benchmarking, and monitoring of Development & Progress reports.  

• Work with the Internal Quality Assurer to ensure delivery meets agreed quality standards.  

• Maintain oversight of portfolios of work produced by learners and mentors towards their qualifications, in collaboration with the Learning & Development Lead and EET Progression Lead.  

• Support the collection, analysis, and reporting of programme data to evidence impact and inform organisational learning.  

• Play an active role in the impact evaluation cycle, managing and adapting programmes in line with outcomes and goals.  

Operational and Team Leadership  

• Lead and support the mentor team in effective caseload management, ensuring appropriate workload balance and delivery quality.  

• Line manage key programme staff, providing guidance, support, and supervision in line with organisational policies. Support staff wellbeing and development, ensuring a positive working environment. 

• Ensure timely completion of paperwork, reports, and monitoring requirements across all programmes.  

• Lead regular team meetings, contributing to a reflective, learning-focused organisational culture.  

• Support implementation of Sister System's performance management systems and processes.  

• Ensure compliance with all relevant policies and procedures, specifically safeguarding, Child Protection Policy, and Code of Conduct.  

• Encourage a culture of learning, creativity, and innovation. Maintain good team communication and dynamics, taking remedial action when problems occur.  

External Partner Management  

• Commission and manage a pool of external facilitators and delivery partners to meet agreed programme outcomes.  

• Build and maintain strong relationships with referral partners, funders, and external stakeholders to support programme delivery and growth.  

• Represent Sister System externally, promoting our model of culturally responsive, trauma-informed mentoring.  

• Ensure all staff, partners, and stakeholders have clear understanding of Sister System's mission, vision, values, and policies, reflected in programme implementation.  

Strategic Development and Business Growth 

• Contribute to the development of Sister System's programme strategy, aligning delivery with the 3-year plan and long-term system change goals.  

• Contribute to Sister System's strategy development and revision by providing feedback on programme reach, impact, and strategic planning.  

• Identify opportunities for programme innovation and growth, including developing new partnerships and supporting funding applications.  

• Support senior leadership in reporting to funders and partners, contributing to organisational learning and sustainability planning.  

• Represent Sister System at sector events and forums to promote our work and influence best practice in mentoring care-affected young women.  

Safeguarding  

• Sister System places the highest priority on safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.  

• The Head of Programmes will serve as a Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) with responsibility for safeguarding in the organisation, maintaining good knowledge of safeguarding guidance (including Keeping Children Safe in Education and Working Together to Safeguard Children) and related legislation (e.g., the Children Act 1989).  

Person Specification  

Essential – Knowledge & Experience 

• Significant experience in programme management, delivery, and coordination within the charity/social impact sector  

• Proven track record of managing multiple programmes or projects simultaneously, meeting targets and deadlines  

• Experience of line management and team leadership, including supervision and performance management  

• Experience managing relationships with external stakeholders, including funders, delivery partners, and referral agencies  

• Experience in safeguarding and child protection, including handling disclosures and managing risk  

• Knowledge of the challenges faced by care-experienced young women and the care system  

• Knowledge of effective monitoring and evaluation approaches and impact measurement  

• Awareness of equality, diversity, and inclusion principles in service delivery  

Desirable 

• Experience working with vulnerable young people, particularly care-experienced individuals or young women  

• Experience in mentoring programmes or youth development initiatives  

• Experience working with trauma-informed and culturally responsive approaches  

• Experience of co-production or 'by and for' programme design with service users  

• Experience in qualifications-based programmes (e.g., accredited learning)  

Skills & Abilities 

• Excellent programme planning, coordination, and organisational skills with strong attention to detail  

• Strong analytical skills with ability to interpret data and use it to inform decision-making  

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills  

• Ability to manage competing priorities and work effectively under pressure  

• Strong relationship-building skills with ability to work collaboratively across teams and with external partners  

• Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures  

• Problem-solving skills with ability to adapt plans and respond to challenges  

• Ability to lead, motivate, and support a team, fostering a positive and reflective culture  

• Strong administrative and IT skills, including proficiency with databases and monitoring systems  

Personal Qualities 

• Passionate commitment to Sister System's mission of supporting care-experienced young women  

• Strong alignment with Sister System's values and approach, including 'by and for' and trauma-informed practice  

• Empathetic and non-judgemental approach to working with vulnerable young people  

• Resilient and able to manage emotional demands of the role while maintaining professional boundaries  

• Flexible and adaptable approach to changing circumstances and organisational needs  

• Commitment to continuous learning, reflection, and professional development  

• High level of integrity, professionalism, and accountability  

• Able to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately  

• You will demonstrate Sister System’s values: Tenacious, Solution-focused, Masterful, Collaborative and Evidence-based 

Other Requirements  

• Enhanced DBS check will be required for this role  

• Right to work in the UK  

• Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends as required by programme delivery  

Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment  

Sister System is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children, young people, and vulnerable adults. The successful applicant will be required to complete an enhanced DBS check and provide two satisfactory references.  

Equal Opportunity Statement 

Sister System is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and lived experiences, and we are committed to fair, inclusive and transparent recruitment. If you need any reasonable adjustments during the application or interview process, please let us know. 

Recruitment Process

The post will be advertised from 16th December 2025; applications will close on 12th January 2026. 

• First round of interviews will be 22nd January 2026,  

• Second round interview will commence from the week of 26th January 2025 

Join us in the ambitious ‘Birmingham In Action’ campaign, which commits to raising over £600 million of charitable funding and 1.25 million volunteer hours, positioning the University as one of the world leaders in university development. To help fulfil our exciting campaign ambitions, we are seeking to recruit a ‘Charitable Funding Manager’ (CFM) to maximise philanthropic funding across the University. The role will involve working to achieve a financial target by proactively identifying and securing income from Trusts, Foundations, and other charities. 

A key member of the Development and Alumni Relations Office’s (DARO) Charitable Funding team, you will navigate the university, working closely with academics and Professional Services colleagues to identify some key areas where there are funding needs. The role will bring to life some of our ground-breaking, sector leading work in a compelling and succinct way, inspiring support from new and existing funders. 

DARO exists to support this academic and student community by engaging, inspiring, and celebrating alumni, individuals, and charitable funders who give their money, time, and networks to support the University’s strategic priorities. The Office, which is comprised of five teams, is focused on fundraising and volunteering from alumni, organisations and individuals who are passionate about changing lives, through funding various research projects, supporting student bursaries, mentoring students, and providing internships, as well as providing a versatile programme of engagement opportunities for our global alumni community.

You will have experience of delivering against financial targets, along with the ability to translate complex information into a compelling ask in both verbal and written form. As a Charitable Funding Manager in DARO, you will be innovative, self-motivated, and take ownership of fundraising opportunities in this area. You will generate significant gifts for amazing philanthropic projects and encourage new donors to make long-term, sustainable gifts. You will have an enthusiasm for building relationships and the skill to interact with high-level donors and supporters. 

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. 

This is an exciting opportunity to join The National Brain Appeal, a highly ambitious neurological charity with an outstanding track record. We have raised significant funds to transform research and care for people living with neurological conditions – from dementia and brain tumours to motor neurone disease and epilepsy.

Building on the success of our recent appeals, this role will play a pivotal part in expanding our major gifts fundraising and delivering a step-change in the impact of our work. We are seeking a highly experienced philanthropy and partnerships professional with a proven track record in generating major gifts up to figures, who will lead the creation of a new Development Board and work closely with senior supporters, clinicians and researchers to grow and deepen our networks.

This great opportunity has arisen to join our External Affairs team supporting our Director of External Affairs and the External Affairs Directorate, as well as supporting the Chief Executive Officer and Director of Finance + Corporate Services.

Asthma + Lung UK is the only charity in the UK fighting for everyone with a lung condition, aiming for a world where everyone can breathe with healthy lungs. We fund cutting-edge research, and provide advice and support for the 12 million people who will get a lung condition during their lifetime. We also campaign for clean air and for better NHS diagnosis and treatment.

Reporting to the Director of External Affairs, your role is crucial in ensuring the directorate runs efficiently and effectively.  You will be responsible for acting as the first point of contact for the Director of External Affairs, supporting the work of the External Affairs directorate, and will also provide support to the Chief Executive and Director of Finance + Corporate Services. The role involves liaising with internal and external contacts, managing diaries, administering meetings, responding to queries, collating information, and ensuring that a positive image of the charity is maintained so that key relationships can be fostered.

We are looking for candidates with exceptional organisational skills with the ability to plan, prioritise and deliver on a number of tasks and projects concurrently. You will interact with colleagues at all levels across the organisation and will have good interpersonal and negotiation skills to be able to build and maintain effective working relationships. In return, we are offering a great opportunity to work in a friendly and collegiate charity where you can develop your skills and play a part in driving improvements to the lives of the millions of people living with a lung condition in the UK.

As well as a competitive salary, you’ll enjoy a range of benefits including 30 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), membership of a health cash plan, employee assistance programme, cycle-to-work scheme, interest-free annual season Travelcard loan and pension scheme.

Part-time options considered at 28 hours a week and above

Interviews: Expected week commencing 19 January 2026

Who we’re looking for 

We’re looking for an exceptional Director of Fundraising and Communication who will lead our fundraising and communications with vision and purpose, helping us grow our reach, deepen our impact and amplify our voice. You’ll be joining a people-centred, mission-driven team, united by a shared commitment to making a meaningful difference. At a time when vulnerable young people face increasing challenges, our work has never been more urgent. If you’re motivated by impact and driven by purpose, this is a good opportunity to contribute to lasting change. 

You will be stepping into a well-established and highly effective organisation, but one that remains energised by innovation and continuous improvement. We actively welcome fresh thinking and new approaches that help us evolve and enhance our work. 

What will you do? 

This is a pivotal moment to join JET as we build on fourteen years of impact and enter a new chapter in our journey. We have ambitious plans to expand our reach and influence, and we’re seeking someone who can help us strengthen our funding base and sharpen our message. 

Reporting directly to the CEO, you will lead and develop our fundraising team, shaping a cross-stream strategy and an integrated communications plan. You’ll be responsible for setting the strategic direction for fundraising, communications and events across the organisation. By doing so you will raise JET’s national profile, grow our supporter base and significantly increase income to support programme expansion. 

You’ll bring strong experience across multiple fundraising streams, with a proven track record of securing significant multi-year funding and building lasting relationships with funders—both individuals and organisations. Alongside leading our fundraising efforts, you’ll take ownership of our brand, ensuring clarity and consistency in our messaging, helping partners tell our story, and securing positive media coverage. 

You’ll lead the development of campaigns, fundraising and marketing activities, and digital engagement that not only enhance our national profile but also drive supporter engagement and income growth.

This is a home-based role, with travel required to and within the regions where we operate, including attendance at key events. 

About you 

You will provide strategic leadership across fundraising, communications, marketing and events. Your work will be closely aligned with JET’s five-year strategy, enabling continued growth in funding and programme delivery. 

You’ll bring a wealth of experience in leading fundraising and communications at a strategic level, with a strong understanding of the sector and a track record of securing and sustaining major gifts and partnerships. You’ll be adept at managing integrated campaigns across multiple channels and growing income through sustainable funding models. 

Your leadership style will be collaborative and empowering, with the ability to build high-performing teams and foster a culture of accountability and innovation. You’ll be a confident communicator, able to inspire and influence, with excellent relationship-building skills and a strategic mindset. 

Above all, you’ll be passionate about JET’s mission to empower young people facing adversity. You’ll be a credible ambassador, committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and driven by the desire to make a meaningful difference. 

Across the JET team we cultivate a culture of inclusion that respects individual strengths, views, and experiences. We believe that our differences enable us to be a better team – one that makes better decisions, drives innovation, and delivers better outcomes for our young people. We welcome applicants whatever your background and whatever your stage in life, so if you are returning to the workforce after a period away, or even seeking a change of pace, please get in touch.  

About the Jon Egging Trust (JET)

At JET, we support vulnerable young people to get back on track and realise their potential; more than 45,000 young people right across the UK to date, and there’s so much more we can do. We’re an organisation that really values its people and we’re immensely proud that our team culture is based on caring and raising each other up.

Our benefits package includes:

• Flexible working

• Enhanced annual leave

• Homeworking allowance 

• Occupational pension scheme

• Occupational sickness scheme

• Special paid leave provision

• Enhanced family leave 

Download the Candidate Information Pack

Read our Applicant Privacy Notice 

Child and adult at risk protection policy statement 

The Jon Egging Trust is committed to providing a safe and positive environment for everyone involved in its services and activities. The Trust takes its extended moral and legal duty of care very seriously in relation to children, young people, staff and volunteers. We seek to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children and to protect them from harm or abuse when they engage in any of our activities. JET expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. The suitability of all prospective employees or volunteers will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment. 

To apply

Please complete our online application form. 

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. The advert will close on Friday 16 January 2026 at [23:30] but may close earlier if a suitable candidate is found, so we encourage early applications. 

Provisional Interview Process

Stage 1 

• First interview: Online interview 

Stage 2 

• Online Workshop and fireside chat 

• Face-to-face interview with presentation in London

Questions?

Contact us through our website.

Please note:

Due to our anonymised recruitment process, if your application is not shortlisted, we are unable to provide personalised feedback.

To become an employee at JET, you must be able to provide evidence of your right to work in the UK and a satisfactory DBS check – enhanced with children's barred is required for this role.

As part of our recruitment process, we want to make clear that we are not able to offer visa sponsorship for this position. 

Please note that the interview process outlined above is provisional and may be subject to change.