Action network project manager jobs

As a Social Entrepreneur Support Manager, you will be focused on delivering the best possible support to social entrepreneurs and their venture to help them maximise their social impact. This role will lead on finding, funding and supporting social entrepreneurs to offer them the best chance of success, from start up to scale. This role will be working with a diverse range of Social Entrepreneurs, both in terms of their lived experience, and the stage of their venture.

You will be responsible for working with a portfolio of social entrepreneurs at different stages of their journey, from ideation through to growth and scale. The portfolio of social entrepreneurs you will be supporting may vary dependent upon the team you sit within. You may be focused on early-stage or growth stage ventures as needed, offering more flexibility, variety, and skill development opportunities. You will be responsible for the delivery of a package of support that provides the social entrepreneur with awards (grants), Individual and business support, access to peer-to-peer support and to networks.   

In the respective teams you will also play an important role in deepening our capability and expertise when it comes to supporting social entrepreneurs during these different stages, building Pathways to Growth. You may also support the design, development and delivery of externally funded programmes or work with thematically/geographically linked social entrepreneurs as appropriate. Increasing UnLtd’s visibility and positive reputation in the development of local networks and connections to enable us to deliver on our strategic goals and driving peer to peer engagements locally and online, nationally.   

Caritas Social Action Network

Policy and Public Affairs Officer (maternity leave)

Location: office in London, with mostly working from home, regular travel in England and Wales, and rare travel overseas.

Contract: full-time, to cover a team member’s maternity leave

Salary: £30,00

Closing date: Monday 13 July at 12 noon

Interview date: Thursday 16 July in person, in London

CSAN is the official agency of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference tackling the root causes of poverty and injustice affecting people who live in England and Wales. We’re facing a steep rise in poverty and significant pressures on social, economic and church resources. Currently, the Church is called to raise a prophetic voice against poverty and the rhetoric of division and work for the building of a more just society.

Over the last 20 years, CSAN has built up a network of 50 diocesan and direct service charities with a combined annual spend on social mission estimated at £400m, excluding the work of schools and religious congregations. Our members build up local community life in diverse ways, and many of them support individuals in difficulty, including with housing, prison and detention, social isolation, ill-health, violence, disability, employment, care, therapeutic and welfare support.

The key responsibilities of the post are:

1. To scan the social policy environment to capture developments in legislation, consultation papers and Bills relevant to the Caritas network for the purpose of comprehensive tracking and briefing.

2. To deliver an effective programme of Catholic advocacy and political campaigns that contributes to the common good, with particular attention to the priorities of the dignity of workers, child poverty, social care and end of life; supporting and connecting well with the team’s other activities, and where possible with the CSAN membership’s priorities,

3. To draft campaign and advocacy materials for the range of media channels used by CSAN and support the CEO in engaging with the press and approaches from campaigning organisations including contributing to CSAN’s social media networks.

4. To provide admin support and contribute to CSAN’s Alliances as required, especially the Advocacy Alliance and the Criminal Justice Alliance with information and education on policy and legislation.

5. To ensure that our advocacy is consistent with the Bishops’ understanding of the Church’s role in society and supports the priorities of the Bishops’ Conference, especially the Department for Social Justice.

6. To act as a conduit of information and communication between the Bishops’ Conference and the CSAN members, under the guidance of the CEO, assisting CBCEW where possible in gathering information and the lived experience of poverty.

7. To develop and contribute to practice materials for the network, especially in the areas of campaigning, advocacy, social policy and formation for mission.

8. To oversee monitoring of the Catholic press and relevant wider networks for relevant articles, developments and campaigns.

9. To support the general work of CSAN as required by the CEO, including leading in the development and organisation of the charity in specific areas subject to skills and experience.

The work of the small national team requires a high level of integrity and teamwork, respect for and capacity to navigate complex civil and church contexts at pace, and a stable commitment to personal formation and training. Our Policy and Public Affairs Officer (maternity leave) will bring a professional track record of relevant research and analysis, production of compelling communications, and diligent administration. A satisfactory basic DBS check and references are required.

CSAN is a member of Caritas Internationalis, one of the largest humanitarian networks in the world, with national agencies in over 160 countries, and among the most successful examples of organised Catholic social action in modern times.

This is a hands-on role that moves between two registers: structured qualitative research with proper analytical underpinning, and fast-turnaround reactive policy work. You will need to be genuinely comfortable in both able to run a multi-month thematic publication and turn around a tight briefing or consultation response within 48-72 hours when a policy window opens.

The role will lead The Difference's qualitative research and insight function, including research workstreams tied to the Difference Schools Partnership's annual thematic priorities, and our Harmful and Abusive Behaviours (HaB) workstream convening a sector council to build a shared framework for how schools understand and respond to peer-on-peer harm. You will produce briefings, evidence submissions and publications, manage external research partners, and work with the CEO, Head of Policy and Communications team to launch research with real impact. The role reports to the Head of Policy and works closely with colleagues across Strategy, Research and Programmes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead The Difference's qualitative research and insight function, running research workstreams tied to annual DSP thematic priorities and emerging strands on MAT inclusion and LA working
• Design and deliver qualitative research with schools, MATs and local authorities interviews, focus groups, school visits and thematic analysis  translating findings into evidence and policy recommendations
• Lead the Harmful and Abusive Behaviours research workstream, convening a sector council, producing briefing material and managing the route from convening to publication
• Produce timely, citable evidence for policy influence  including drafting briefings, consultation responses and evidence submissions on fast turnaround
• Project manage publication cycles from scoping through to launch, working with coalition and media partners to maximise reach and tracking policy traction post-launch
• Brief, manage and integrate the outputs of external research partners where commissioned (e.g. FFT Datalab, Pro Bono Economics)
• Capture and develop case studies from DSP schools and the wider Difference network

About The Difference

• Every day, the equivalent of 5,500 children are suspended from England's schools, doubling their likelihood of being NEET by 24. The Difference is a young education charity founded to change this story through whole school inclusion. We train school leaders, carry out our own research, and turn frontline insights into policy recommendations lobbying Ofsted and the Department for Education to improve funding and support for inclusion. Our vision is to see lost learning falling nationally by 2030.

About You

Essential

• Dual capability across reactive and structured research : comfortable producing tight briefings on a 48–72 hour turnaround and running multi-month qualitative publications
• Experience in education research, policy research or applied social research, with examples of published, commissioned or internally-influential work
• Strong qualitative research skills : interview and focus group design, thematic coding, framework development, synthesis across multiple sources
• Persuasive writing for mixed audiences : able to write clearly and concisely for policymakers, school leaders, the press and the sector, and comfortable ghost-writing for senior colleagues
• Project management discipline : able to run multiple workstreams in parallel, manage your own deadlines, and keep colleagues and external partners on track
• Comfortable working at pace in a fast-moving environment where priorities shift as policy windows open and close : self-directed, flexible and able to make good judgement calls under pressure
• Shared values with The Difference and personal commitment to improving life outcomes for young people

Desired

• Strong working understanding of UK education policy, particularly around inclusion, exclusion, SEND, accountability and school improvement
• Confident data literacy and basic quantitative analysis : comfortable interrogating population-level datasets and translating findings into accessible policy language
• Understanding of why language matters when writing about behaviour, exclusion and vulnerability, and the ability to frame behaviour as a signal of unmet need consistently across all work
• Lived experience or insight into the school experiences of marginalised young people
• Experience of working in or with schools, multi-academy trusts or local authorities
• Existing relationships in education research, policy or sector organisations

Please see the attached Job Description for full role details and person specification.

We are committed to building a diverse team and strongly encourage applications from under-represented groups in the charity sector. As part of our commitment to fairer recruitment, all applications will be assessed with names and protected characteristics redacted.

About the role

The engagement directorate is responsible for growing awareness, trust and engagement with Breast Cancer Now - so more people get support and give support. It leads the £47m we raise annually today and our ambition to grow this to £69m by 2029/30, alongside a new £60m Campaign.

At the heart of this is a focus on relationships - using data and insight to create meaningful experiences that inspire people to give their time, money and voice. Within this, the insight & experience function sits in the high value intelligence & experience team, supporting our high value partnerships and campaign ambitions. With a focus on more holistic, supporter-led engagement, this role will help strengthen how we understand, engage and inspire high value supporters.

Working closely with the senior high value insight & experience manager, the high value insight & experience manager will help develop a consistent approach to gathering and using insight, shaping engagement across both everyday activity and campaign delivery. The role will collaborate across teams to ensure supporter-facing activity is aligned, high quality and insight-led.

The high value insight & experience manager will play a hands-on role in delivering cultivation, stewardship and recognition activity - supporting events, experiences, communications and key supporter touchpoints. This includes developing a strong suite of engagement opportunities for high value audiences and helping ensure supporters feel valued, recognised and connected to the impact of their support.

About you

You’re an insight-led and collaborative individual who is motivated by understanding supporters and enhancing their experience. You enjoy being part of a team and working across a range of activities, supporting colleagues to deliver joined-up, high-quality engagement.

You build strong relationships and work confidently across teams to ensure activity is aligned and supporter focused. Organised and proactive, you’re comfortable managing multiple priorities and maintaining a high standard across everything you deliver.

You’re driven to turn insight into action - helping to shape communications, events and experiences that inspire high value supporters, making them feel valued, recognised and connected to the impact of their support.

Job description and benefits

The job description and our attractive benefits are available for you to download.

Primary location of role and hybrid working

This role is primarily based in our London office. Our hybrid working model allows you to work up to 3 days per week at home.

The salary range is:

£40,000 to £44,000 per annum London based  

When applying

We hope you choose to apply for this role. To support your application, you’ll be asked to submit your anonymised CV and a supporting statement. Please refer to the essential criteria on the person specification and clearly provide as much information as you can with examples, to demonstrate how and where you meet the criteria. If you’ve any immediate questions please contact the Breast Cancer Now recruitment team

Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

We’re committed to promoting equity, valuing diversity and creating an inclusive environment – for everyone who works for us, works with us, supports us and who
we support.

We reserve the right to close this advert early. Therefore, to avoid disappointment please submit your application as soon as possible, if you’re interested in this opportunity.

Closing date Friday 3 July 2026 9am

Interview date  week commencing 13 July 2026

Job Title:  Ipswich Project Manager: Social Action

Location: Ipswich. Homebased with travel across Suffolk 

Contract Type:  6 months Fixed Term 

Hours: 17.5 hours per week (0.5 FTE) 

Salary: £17,000 pa (£30,000 FTE  pro rata) 

DBS/PVG: DBS Basic 

Job Family: 3    

Volunteering Matters   

Who we are 
At Volunteering Matters, we believe people have the power to create change. Whether through volunteering by helping others and giving time, or through social action such as speaking up, campaigning, or leading change, everyone can make a difference. We bring people together to build stronger communities across England, Scotland and Wales, making sure everyone has the chance to get involved and create real change. 

Creating stronger communities through the power of volunteering 

Volunteering Matters is a nationwide charity that exists to create stronger communities through the power of volunteering. We work with local partners to develop impactful programmes that support individuals and communities across the UK. 

Since 1962, we’ve used our influence to champion volunteering as a powerful tool to build a thriving, resilient society. Our projects are co-created with the people and communities we work alongside: an approach that encourages our participants to become future volunteers and leaders, not just beneficiaries. 

 We understand the pressures of day-to-day life and create flexible, inclusive opportunities for people at all stages of life. And beyond delivering projects on the ground, we use our voice to shape policy and practice – ensuring volunteering stays recognised, supported and sustainable for generations to come. 

What we do 
We help people of all ages and backgrounds get involved in volunteering and social action. We focus on making sure that everyone, no matter their situation, has the chance to take part. We work with local people.

How we do this 

We support people to share their time and skills to help others and tackle big challenges in their communities. 

• We remove barriers to volunteering and social action, making it easier for people who don’t always get the chance to take part. 

• We listen to and amplify voices that aren’t always heard, helping volunteers and communities influence change. 

• We help volunteers beyond their first experience, offering training, support, and pathways to new opportunities. 

• We connect businesses with communities, creating meaningful employee volunteering projects. 

• We show the impact of volunteering and social action, proving how it changes lives for the better. 

Our promise to volunteers 

We are always looking for new ways for volunteers to make a difference. We bring people together across generations and backgrounds to learn from each other and create change. At the same time, we make sure that all our volunteers are trained, supported, and valued, so they feel confident in what they do. 

It’s a brilliant time to join us. We’re evolving, growing our impact, and shaping a future where everyone can take part and feel they belong.  

Job purpose:

The Ipswich Project Manager is the primary people and operational leader for delivery staff within the Ipswich Social Action team, part of the wider social action portfolio at Volunteering Matters. The role is responsible for ensuring the safe, compliant, and high-quality delivery of social action programmes in the Ipswich area that enable individuals and communities to speak up, influence change, and take collective action on issues that matter to them. 

This is a time limited role with a strong emphasis on establishing new project delivery and maintaining and developing existing delivery and practice within the team. This will involve building a clear understanding of new and existing delivery models, supporting the integration of staff and projects into the new programme delivery, and identifying risks, gaps, and opportunities to develop further prospective delivery going forward. A key part of the role will be identifying opportunities to integrate all local activity into the#iwill Movement Town of Social Action work, and maximising opportunities to develop social action across all age groups. The postholder will also work closely with local funders and delivery partners to ensure they are fully engaged and involved in local program planning and delivery.

The role does not hold direct budget responsibility or lead a single programme. Instead, it provides strong people management, operational oversight, task management, and compliance leadership, alongside generating insight and recommendations to shape the future development of social action across the Town of Social Action.  

Our Values & Way of Working 

In all that we are guided by our values: Empowering, Inclusive, Compassionate, Positive & Straightforward.  

Diversity & Inclusion   

Volunteering Matters welcomes all applicants and are keen to ensure our team reflects the diversity of the UK and the communities we serve. We encourage applications from disabled, LGBT and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, along with candidates with any protected characteristics and from disadvantaged groups.   

  

Disability Confident & Reasonable Adjustments 

We guarantee to interview anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the role. Please provide evidence in your application, which demonstrates that you meet the level of competence required in the Job Description under skill and experience. To be considered for a guaranteed interview or to discuss any reasonable adjustments during the process, please state this in your cover letter.  

 Benefits   

Our employee benefits reflect our culture which is built on an approach of full flexibility with accountability, and designed to let you make your most positive contribution; we offer: 

• Flexible Working by Default (re hours & place of work)  

• Unlimited Annual Leave  

• Employee Pension scheme  

• Life Assurance  

• Cycle to Work Scheme  

• Season Ticket Loan  

• Employee Assistance Programme  

• Enhanced sick and family leave.   

• Lifestyle Discount Scheme   

We are also open to discussing job share applications.  

GDPR Statement   

If you apply for a role with us, we will retain your contact details including your name, address, email address and phone number to help us manage your application for up to six months.  We will not use your personal data for any other purpose or share it with any third party. You can contact us at any point to update your personal information or ask us to delete it from our records.     

Policy on AI-Generated Applications  

Applications are accepted on trust, and we expect all submissions to reflect the applicant’s own words, experiences, and motivations. While tools such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) may support the application process, applications should not be generated wholly by AI.  

 To Apply   

Please send an updated, complete CV and cover letter via the Charity Job Apply button above. In your application clearly state which role you are applying for. In the cover letter please demonstrate how you would fulfil the role requirements, what previous relevant achievements you have (both in life and at work), what skills & experience you can offer, and what you believe you can contribute to Volunteering Matters.   

We welcome applications from everyone, but please note that if we receive an extremely large number of responses, we may close this advert early to fully consider applications. We encourage you to apply promptly so you don’t miss the opportunity to join our community.   

Right to Work in the UK 
Please note that while we hold a license to sponsor employees on a skilled worker visa, the number of applications we can make each year is very limited. Unfortunately, this role does not meet the criteria for sponsorship, therefore, you must already have the right to work in the UK to be considered for this position. 

If you have any questions about current vacancies, the recruitment process, or need support, our team is here to help. You can contact us directly by emailing and a member of the team will get back to you as soon as possible. 

 
 

Villagers Connect Project – a great opportunity to join our team at Action in rural Sussex

Villagers Connect is a community development project which is working to sustain a strong and vibrant community in the villages of Colgate, Faygate and Rusper. It aims to build connections and relationships which increase confidence, independence and empowerment, particularly for the over 65’s.

We are seeking a part-time community development worker to work as part of a small team that is active in this rural location in the Horsham district. This role involves a good deal of community-based activity, engaging with older people and the wider community. This does therefore require someone who is understanding of older people and their interests, abilities and needs.

We champion an asset based approach to community development, which is about building on existing strengths and supporting local people to flourish; undertaking community led projects that create community cohesion and have lasting impact.

Key Objectives

· Support older people to access services and support locally that will meet their needs and improve their quality of life

· Improve the lived experiences for older people in these rural communities

· Build connections and relationships across and within the three parishes to reduce social isolation

· Develop new and support existing activities to enable a vibrant community

· Increase confidence, independence and empowerment amongst individuals, groups and community based organisations.

· Strengthen existing community assets, knowledge and skills in line with our asset based approach to the Villagers Connect Project

· Support community resilience by building community networks which are strong and sustainable into the future

Two years in, the project is well established and has gone from strength to strength. We are now seeking a new member of the team to help drive this project forward and enable this community to celebrate what can be achieved when people come together and support one another to age well and live full and active lives, despite the challenges of rural living.

What if your next role could help people step forward and make a difference when it matters most?

At LIVES, we believe that saving lives starts long before an emergency happens. Through prevention, education and community engagement, we help people develop the skills, confidence and willingness to step forward and help when it matters most.

We're looking for an enthusiastic and experienced Community Prevention and Programmes Manager to lead and develop this important area of our work. This is an exciting opportunity to shape a growing portfolio of community programmes that help create safer, healthier and more resilient communities across Lincolnshire.

Working with volunteers, community groups, partners and funders, you will lead programmes that deliver lifesaving skills training, support community resilience and help prevent illness and injury. You will play a key role in turning ideas into practical action and ensuring our programmes deliver meaningful and measurable impact.

What you'll be doing

You will lead the day-to-day delivery and development of our community education and prevention programmes, including initiatives focused on lifesaving skills, public safety, health improvement and early intervention.

A significant part of the role will involve recruiting, supporting and developing our network of Community Champion volunteers, helping them deliver high-quality community education and engagement activities with confidence and consistency.

You will build strong relationships with schools, workplaces, community groups, local organisations and other partners to expand the reach and impact of our programmes. You'll also lead funded projects, ensuring they are delivered effectively, achieve agreed outcomes and provide clear evidence of impact for funders and stakeholders.

Alongside programme delivery, you will identify opportunities for growth, contribute to funding applications, support the development of new initiatives and help shape the future direction of community prevention work within LIVES.

About you

We're looking for someone who combines excellent organisational and project management skills with a genuine passion for working with communities.

You will have experience of coordinating, delivering or managing community-based projects, programmes or services, along with experience of engaging communities, building partnerships and supporting volunteers. You'll be comfortable managing multiple priorities, monitoring outcomes and demonstrating impact, while maintaining a practical and solutions-focused approach.

You will be an excellent communicator, able to build positive relationships with a wide range of people, and motivated by the opportunity to help communities become safer, healthier and more confident.

Experience within the charity, healthcare, public health, education, emergency response or community development sectors would be advantageous, but we are equally interested in people who can demonstrate transferable skills and a commitment to our mission.

Why join LIVES?

LIVES is a charity dedicated to saving lives in Lincolnshire. Every day, our volunteers, clinicians and staff work together to help people in their moment of need, equip communities with the skills and confidence to act when it matters most, and provide support before, during and after health emergencies.

This is a rare opportunity to lead a growing area of work where you can see the direct impact of your efforts on individuals, communities and the future direction of the charity. If you're passionate about empowering people, developing volunteers and creating programmes that make a real difference, we'd love to hear from you.

Talk Action is a community development and training organisation which helps bring brilliant causes to life.

We’re a values-led organisation and a leader in supporting charities, public sector bodies, community groups and social enterprises to maximise their capacity and achieve their development goals through training and project support.

We offer

A friendly working environment and experience of dealing with a wide range of interesting people at our online training days. You will be able to contribute to the development and future of a successful social enterprise and have flexible working conditions.

The Role

We’re looking for an experienced administrator to be based at our office on the beautiful Dartington estate in Devon. The Training Administrator will manage and market our online training programme.

Tasks are admin based and some repetitive work is involved. However, the role also involves marketing and speaking to clients about training topics. So, you’ll need to develop an understanding of our training and delivery style. There will be training and supervision on all aspects of the role. You’ll be working with one other

person (Jonathan – Founder of Talk action) but some days he will be out of office delivering projects. We’re based in a friendly shared office space but some days you may be working alone.

Tasks

· Plan annual training programme dates and books trainers

· Supply tech support to online courses (Zoom training & support given)

· Speak with clients about in-house course enquiries

· Reply to course enquiries, enter course booking into spreadsheet and send relevant pre-course info

· Collect new emails for our mailing list (using email gathering software)

· Entering course information onto free online listings & social media

· Manage mailing lists (adding and removing subscribers)

· Input accounts and receipts (entering expenses & income into a spreadsheet)

Person specification

Essential Skills and Experience

· Attention to detail - to complete repetitive tasks systematically

· Customer-focused (phone/email) – willing to help and problem solve

· Self-motivated and solution focussed

· Confident with online meetings (Zoom, etc)

· Comfortable working alone as well as in a shared office

· Proficient in using Outlook email, Word and at least basic understanding of Excel spreadsheets

Desirable skills

• Passion for social issues & community development
• Interest in marketing projects and programmes of training
• Experience organising training courses or events

 

We will also interview those people with less experience but that show enthusiasm and potential.

Further development of role – You will have the opportunity to develop new courses, recruit new trainers and explore new marketing avenues (CRM, paid social media ads and new online networks)

 

Hours & Location

· Office based role (not remote) on Dartington Estate, Devon

· 3 x days per week: Ideally Tues - Thurs (with potential for increased days)

· Child/carer friendly hours available

· We are also happy to offer unpaid leave during school holidays

· Parking available and public transport nearby

Salary

· Starting at £28k rising to £30k (pro-rata)

· Statutory holiday & sick pay

Applications: Send covering letter/email (covering letter is essential) & CV 

Deadline for applications: 9am Monday 13th July 2026

Internal title: Citadel London Manager

Location: London, Greater London (hybrid - office 2 days a week and regular travel across London)

Salary: £48,365 per annum (inclusive of London weighting)

Hours: 35 per week (full time)

Contract: Fixed term (until 31 March 2027)

Closing Date: 4 July - please note that we retain the right to close applications early if we find the right candidate, and will be interviewing on a rolling basis.

About the role

As Project Manager, you will provide supportive line management to six Coordinators working in North-East and South-East London. You will be responsible for overseeing and developing our London projects: building our partnerships, supporting the teams to grow the support we offer and supporting the projects’ continuous improvement and sustainability.

About you

You will be a confident leader who is skilled and comfortable in building relationships and influencing people, and passionate about the role of the community in ending homelessness.

Essential skills include: 

• Experience of managing teams in the homelessness, housing or voluntary and community sectors
• Strong relationship building skills
• Ability to motivate and support staff and volunteers
• Excellent communication and organisation skills 

About Citadel

Citadel is a volunteer-powered homelessness prevention project that supports people experiencing, or at risk of homelessness, to find a place to live, settle into a home, and feel part of a welcoming and supportive community. Coordinators recruit and train volunteers before matching them with a person referred for support. Coordinators and volunteers work closely with people who have been referred, to establish what matters to them and how best they can support them.

About us

Housing Justice brings together communities and finds solutions to homelessness by building personal connections, a sense of belonging, and creating justice in the housing system. We train and support volunteers to offer various accommodation options while building a network of local support. This includes providing personalised assistance to help individuals access relevant local services and address their other needs. Through compassionate, courageous, and collaborative action, we implement innovative solutions to tackle housing injustice, enhance the quality of housing, and elevate the voices and experiences of groups affected by housing injustice to both local and national governments.

About the team

Please note, this is a 12 month fixed term contract (materity leave cover). The salary for this post is £47,043 (for London, including London weighting) or £45,373 (for Cardiff, including regional weighting).

This role can be based in our Stratford Office (2 Redman Place, Stratford Cross, London E20 1JQ) or our Cardiff Office (Suite 1, 9th Floor, Brunel House, 2 Fitzalan Road, Cardiff, CF24 0EB)

This role requires a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

We have big goals over the next few years.

We're going to be fighting for mental health in a way we never have before.

Together we'll be working to make sure everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets the support and respect they deserve.

Team information

Will you join us?

This is a rare opportunity to step into a high-impact role at the heart of Mind's Social Impact Directorate.

We bring together teams across policy, campaigns, research and evaluation, systems insight, equity partnerships, national services, network relations, and communications, including our work in Mind Cymru. Together, we work to drive meaningful change in mental health through insight, influence and delivery. Our work is ambitious and complex, and we're continually evolving how we plan, connect and deliver that work.

As our Impact Directorate Operations Manager (maternity cover), you'll sit at the centre of this, working closely with senior leaders and teams across the directorate to ensure our priorities are clear, coordinated and delivered with momentum, while connecting into the wider organisation where needed.

We're looking for someone who can do more than just keep things running smoothly. Yes, this role is about excellent operational grip, planning and delivery but it's also about connecting people, energising teams, and helping to create a bold, collaborative culture where great work can thrive.

You'll play a pivotal role in:

-Turning strategy into action, supporting teams to plan and deliver effectively

-Joining the dots across programmes and teams, bringing clarity and alignment

-Shaping how we work, strengthening systems, processes and ways of collaborating

-Creating the conditions for great work, where people feel connected, supported and able to do their best

This is an influential role with visibility across the directorate and beyond. It's ideal for someone who thrives in complexity and enjoys making things work better.

Key duties and responsibilities

The post holder will:

Support delivery and performance across the directorate

-Bring clarity and structure to directorate priorities, ensuring alignment with Mind's strategy

-Monitor progress across programmes, tracking milestones, outputs, outcomes and budgets

-Identify risks, challenges and dependencies early, and support teams to address them

-Produce clear, insightful reporting to support senior leadership and governance decision-making

Support effective planning and programme management

-Work with teams to scope, plan and manage their work, including timelines, resources and dependencies

-Embed practical tools and approaches (e.g. Smartsheet) to improve visibility and coordination

-Help make complex work feel manageable by improving planning, prioritisation and flow

Act as a connector and trusted partner

-Build strong, trusted relationships across teams, directorates and the wider federation

-Bring people together to align priorities, solve problems and support decision-making

-Act as a trusted partner and sounding board to the Executive Director and directorate senior leadership team, helping maintain focus, momentum and connection

Strengthen governance and continuous improvement

-Support effective governance processes, including board and committee reporting

-Ensure performance, risks and impact are clearly understood and communicated

-Use data, insight and learning to improve how the directorate plans and delivers its work

-Identify opportunities to strengthen systems, processes and ways of working

Shape ways of working and culture

-Promote collaborative, inclusive and connected ways of working

-Help create a dynamic, open and supportive environment where people can do their best work

-Support teams through change with clarity, empathy and momentum

-Champion continuous improvement and a solutions-focused mindset

About you

You're someone who thrives in complex environments and enjoys bringing order, energy and connection to them.

You'll likely bring:

-Strong experience supporting delivery of complex programmes or portfolios

-Excellent project or programme management capability

-Proven ability to build relationships and influence at all levels, including senior leaders

-Confidence working across boundaries, connecting people, teams and ideas

-Strong judgement, balancing strategic thinking with hands-on delivery

-A commitment to collaboration, continuous improvement and inclusive ways of working

Most importantly, you'll care about how work gets done, not just what gets done.

Mind's equity statement

Mind is committed to equality of opportunity for all staff, and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

Please refer to the Job Description while completing your application as candidates will be shortlisted based on how closely they match the criteria in the personal specification.

The Sands Insights Network is an online community of bereaved parents who want to use their experience and knowledge to shape Sands work to make maternity and neonatal care safer.

The Network sits within the Saving Babies Lives team which focusses on using evidence, including from parents, to drive improvements in maternity and neonatal safety. The Network also facilitates parents’ involvement in Sands policy and campaigning work, as well as external projects seeking to include people with experience of baby loss.

Main Purpose of Job 

1. Undertake the day-to-day management of a successful network, building diverse membership and ensuring a safe environment for bereaved parents 

2. Ensure the diverse experiences and perspectives of bereaved parents are included in research, learning and improvement initiatives in a way that works for them 

3. Ensure the involvement activities are monitored, evaluated and impact is captured and shared

4. Help to build Sands’ reputation as a leader in partnership working, advocating for the inclusion of bereaved parents in research and decision making

 

Principle Tasks and Responsibilities 

 

1. Undertake the day-to-day management of a successful network, building diverse membership and ensuring a safe environment for bereaved parents 

• Grow the network. Engage potential new members and oversee screening and onboarding processes.

• Create a welcoming space with signposting to enable new and existing network members to navigate and make best use of the platform. 

• Maintain the network as a safe space for bereaved parents. 

• Promote the platform and its impact to Sands audiences. 

• Create and embed Equality, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EEDI) principles throughout the network and proactively ensure the membership is diverse in experience and background as the network grows.

• Work with Research Manager to ensure appropriate risk management and safeguarding protocols are in place and followed. 

• Work with the Research Manager to co-create governance policies/agreements with the network members.Moderate user activities and take actions where needed if policies are breached. 

2. Ensure the diverse experiences and perspectives of bereaved parents are included in research, learning and improvement initiatives in a way that works for them 

• Working with Sands teams and with external groups, identify opportunities for PPIE involvement, to provide a continuous range of options for parents to engage with. 

• Engage with network members to develop the community, and create activity based on their needs. 

• Share opportunities with the Network, encouraging and supporting involvement from members. 

• Create a dynamic and interactive atmosphere on the platform, building and maintain relationships with network members, and generating enthusiasm and a sense of purpose. 

• Encourage and facilitate activity within project groups on the network to ensure activities proceed and are constructive and inclusive. 

• Develop and share tools and resources to support parents with the skills and information they may need to be positively involved in research and improvement projects.

• Lead some involvement activities, including discussion groups, interviews and collaborative working. 

• Work with the Research Manager and the membership of the network to develop and implement a policy for reward and recognition for both internal and external opportunities. 

3. Ensure the involvement activities are monitored, evaluated and impact is captured

• In partnership with the Research Manager develop and embed a framework for monitoring and evaluating activities. 

• Summarise and share findings and outcomes of network projects, feeding into research, service and policy development. 

• Provide regular reports on impact and share those across Sands.

4. Help to build Sands’ reputation as a leader in partnership working, advocating for the inclusion of bereaved parents in research and decision making

• Build relationships with external stakeholders; support network members to influence people and organisations outside Sand directly, including decisionmakers, influencers, research groups or research funders.

• Represent network members externally and advocate for their involvement and inclusion in research and improvement programmes. 

• Represent Sands at external events, meetings and activities, helping to build Sands’ reputation as a leader in the field of working in partnership with bereaved parents.

 

General 

• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the role as required by the Research Manager, Head of Saving Babies Lives team and the CEO.

• Work flexibly and collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation to achieve shared goals. 

• Always maintain strict confidentiality. 

• Adhere to all Sands policies and procedures. 

• Undertake all mandatory training as required. 

• Participate actively in annual appraisals and personal development

Salary: £47,500 - £48,750 per annum (Competitive Birches rated salary for the local market if based outside of the UK)
Location: UK, Kenya, Bangladesh, Pakistan, India
Team: Operations and Digital
Directorate: People, Operations & Assurance
Line Report: None
Hours: 35 hours a week
Contract: 12 months fixed term contract, subject to extension
Grade: 2B
Travel: May require occasional travel to our countries of operation (approx. four weeks a year)

Closing date: 3 July, 2026 at 23:59 BST.

ABOUT THE ROLE

This is an exciting time to join Start Network.  We are looking for a talented project and change management professional, with experience of and a passion for organisational strengthening.

 This role will support Start Network’s shift from a centralised network model to a dispersed ‘network of networks’ where regional/country-based hubs, predominantly made up of local and national organisations, lead responses and drive innovations that will foster a better and more locally led humanitarian system.

The postholder will:

• Drive the transition to a scaled, network-based service model, leveraging member and partner expertise
• Ensure clear, accessible pathways for hubs and members to access organisational strengthening support
• Oversee the quality, delivery and impact of organisational strengthening services

This is a strategic and delivery-focused role, combining programme leadership, ecosystem development, and service design.

WHAT IS START NETWORK?

Our purpose is to be a catalyst for system-level change that improves the efficiency, effectiveness and ethics of humanitarian action. We do this by working as a network to develop, test & spread new ways of collaborating and resourcing locally-led crisis response and anticipation.

Our current membership is made up of nearly 130 local, national and international NGOs based all around the world. We also support 10 national and regional hubs made up of civil society organisations and NGOs as our vehicle for devolving power, resources and accountability.

OUR VALUES

WE PUT PEOPLE FIRST: Communities come first in our decision-making and programming.

WE ARE BRAVE: We have great ambition and are willing to explore new things and take risks to achieve it.

WE OPERATE COLLECTIVELY: We leverage the value of working as a network, sharing risk and resources, and learning together.

WE ARE INCLUSIVE: We see the value in diverse perspectives and work to remove the barriers that prevent voices from being heard.

WE ARE OPEN: We work transparently and with integrity, building mutual trust in all levels of our work, from governance to programming.

WE ARE ETHICAL: We behave and operate based on key principles of anti-racism, non-discrimination, and anti-colonialism. This is a work in progress.

OUR OFFER TO YOU

• Being a part of a network involved in bringing change to the humanitarian sector.
• Hybrid working with options to work from home and remotely to support your work/life balance.
• Employee Assistance Programme through Smart Health (depends on the country based).
• Family friendly policies, e.g., flexible working, maternity policy, parental leave and more!
• 25 days’ holiday (if UK based) plus 2 company days over the End of Year period for all staff (depends on the country based).

INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES

Our roles are open to discussion about flexible working. For part-time working and job-shares, please get in touch with us before putting in an application.

Start Network is committed to protecting people, particularly children, at-risk adults and affected populations from any harm. We are also committed to safeguarding staff from any forms of bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and abuse of power as outlined in the Dignity at Work policy. Start Network embraces diversity, promotes equality of opportunity and eliminates unlawful discrimination. We are an equal opportunities employer and treat every application on merit alone. We particularly encourage applications from disabled, BAME, LGBTQ+ and non-binary candidates. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet our essential selection criteria set out in the Person Profile.

APPLICATION

Please contact the People and Culture Team if you have any questions or need support with your application.

We use Be Applied, our online recruitment platform which uses anonymised applications and predictive, skill-based assessments which are blind- reviewed to reduce bias.

Date for 1st Interview: 8th July 2026 (Subject to change)

Date for 2nd Interview: to be confirmed

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high number of applications and we may review candidates on an ongoing basis, so please apply early where possible to avoid disappointment.

Any offer of employment will be conditional subject to relevant checks. Please refer to our privacy candidate privacy notice regarding treatment of your data. Start Network also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. The core of the scheme is that participating organisations share information about safeguarding-related misconduct (i.e., sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment) that a candidate has been found to have committed during employment, or incidents under investigation when the candidate left employment. For more information regarding this scheme, please visit their website.

Job Title: Social Investment Manager
(Please note: The role title internally is System Investment Manager)
Contract Type: Permanent
Full time: 34.5 hours a week
Location: Mobile Worker - there is an expectation that there will be frequent travel to meet partners across the UK.
Salary Range: £55,500 - £60,500

About us

At Macmillan you'll find talented people working together to do whatever it takes to support people living with cancer. We're going all out to find even better ways to help even more people who need our support. Our values are at the heart of who we are and everything we do, inspiring our thinking and guiding our actions.

Role: You’ll drive forward Macmillan’s social investment programme and manage our existing and growing portfolio of healthcare improvement projects. You’ll also help design and test new funding approaches that enable us to leverage impact for communities. This will involve developing innovative projects focused on future business models and secure partnerships that create systemic change.

Full details of the role and responsibilities can be found in the attached role profile.

Key Skills & Experience:

• Expert knowledge of social investment and building investment portfolios.
• Strong understanding of financial modelling and analysis and sound awareness of NHS funding systems and commissioning
• Experience using data, commercials, and business model insight to shape investment strategies and plans, develop propositions and measure and evaluate performance.
• A strong track record in building effective client relationships and influencing senior stakeholders
• Experience working in matrix structures and multidisciplinary environments ideally across NHS and community partner networks

This role is for you.... if you’re driven to use clever investment thinking to spark innovation and real change in community healthcare.

Recruitment process:

Application deadline: 23:59 on Wednesday 24th June

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Please apply as early as possible to allow you to prepare for assessments which will take place in person at our London office.

We welcome applications from everyone who meet the criteria and strongly encourage individuals to apply who have a disability, impairment or health condition or individuals who identify as Black, Asian or from another minority ethnic background, as these groups are currently under-represented at Macmillan. Our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy along with our internal employee representation body, ‘Our Voice’ and 8 Employee Network groups help us promote fairness and belonging, becoming an engaged and inclusive organisation for all our people.