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The Difference is an education charity, founded to change the story on lost learning. Our vision is to see lost learning falling nationally by 2030 and for schools to be better equipped to support all children, particularly those most vulnerable.

Leading national policy strategy

As Head of Policy & Research you will work closely with the CEO to develop and execute a four-year influencing plan.  Together we’ll aim to shift local and national incentives on inclusion by 2030, which see the national trend of rising suspension and absence begin to fall. 

You will hold relationships with the Department for Education and Ofsted and advise on policy priorities ahead, such as:

• Widening the definition of inclusion beyond special needs, recognising the needs of those young people historically or currently interacting with social services

• Reducing perverse incentives for schools to alter their school roll through admissions and pupil exits

• Expectations for multi-academy trusts in capturing and analysing data on lost learning, including how it disproportionately affects different groups

• Improving local alternative provision eco-systems, to improve outcomes for young people

• National standards for inclusive school practice, at a universal and targeted level

• Professional development standards for school inclusion

Developing implementation expertise in the middle tier

In your first six months, you will advise on the internal development of a new programme for middle tier policy actors: multi-academy trust and local authority leaders.  You will support the Programme team in its design, to plan strategically for the recruitment of trusts and local authorities, and you will plan the research and influencing work which will seek to share their success nationally.

Building the evidence base

In your second six months, you will work with the CEO to build out our research function. Your influencing plan will include how The Difference can learn from the work across our multi-academy trust, local authority and internal AP pioneer partners over the next four years, to develop influential publications. Research work ahead will include publishing sector-facing publications of The Difference’s own research, carried out by our research lead and associates; alongside managing external contractors and internal colleagues to bid for and deliver aligned research disseminating our ideas.

Raising your voice

This is an exciting opportunity for someone committed to inclusive policy change. The Difference has always punched above our weight in national and sector press reach. In post,  you will publish blogs and comment pieces, disseminating our shared ideas.  You will be a prominent voice on inclusion.

The Difference is still a small and growing charity. This means that our work is fast-paced, our roles are broad, and there is a culture of being highly autonomous, reactive and flexible, as the needs of the organisation evolve. If this sounds exciting rather than daunting, then this could be the role and team for you!

The Role
This is an exciting time to join The Difference as we increase our impact, reach more schools, and develop our influencing strategy. As Head of Policy and Research you will: 
 

Design and execute an impactful influencing plan 

• Design an influencing plan - Identify via horizon scanning opportunities to influence national policy using open policy windows, or by nudging/creating new ones. 

• Execute an influencing plan - Utilise own assets and assets across the organisation, including the Director team, to deliver against the influencing plan.

• Relationship building - Build highly credible and impactful relationships with a variety of stakeholders who hold power. This will include policy makers in national governments, local government officials, politicians, other third sector organisations and think tanks. 

• Leadership - Play a significant role internally and externally in communicating the organisation’s policy position, raising organisational and own brand.

Build policy capacity and credibility across the organisation

• Policy positions and solutions- Use the concepts, work and experience of The Difference’s programmes to develop new, and refine existing, national policy positions to shift incentives. 

• Thought leadership - Be the organisation’s education policy and political expert. 

• Generating income - Use own and team’s expertise and credibility to generate income via speaking engagements and consultancy to support the organisation’s financial sustainability. 

Person Specification

Essential – We are looking for someone with the following knowledge, experience and skills, though you may be stronger in some areas than others:
 

• Deep expertise in education policy, particularly on the topic of lost learning and the various policy and political debates, including areas of controversy, surrounding this policy topic. 

• Strategic thinker with a proven track record in identifying policy windows and designing activities that lead to meaningful national policy change. 

• Excellent relationship builder, who brings with them their own network of influential stakeholders and has a plan for building new relationships. Adept at navigating tricky situations and explaining complex, sometimes difficult, messages.

• Expert convener with a strong knowledge of the education sector, including which schools, trusts and local authorities are influential and experience in bringing a variety of perspectives together to generate consensus. 

• Persuasive and clear writing style for publication, including reports, press, blogs and ghost writing for members of the senior leadership team, often based on consensus positions, and designed to communicate key messages for impact. 

• Confidence and credibility in communicating nuanced messages in a contentious landscape, in writing, verbally and in public (e.g. on panels), to raise the profile of The Difference. 

• Strong project manager who can design systems and processes to keep self, team and other stakeholders on task and on time. Experience of designing programmes of work and monitoring their effectiveness. Flexible project management style that can adapt to a changing environment. Confidence in managing a variety of stakeholders and supporting them to deliver on time. 

Desired – You are more likely to be successful in your application if you have one or more of the following: 

• Familiarity with The Difference’s programmatic work, theory and practice. 

• Lived experience or insight into the school experiences of marginalised young people (e.g. those with experience of the care system, mental ill health, special educational needs, exclusion, and racism).

We know that some people, especially those from marginalised backgrounds, may hesitate to apply unless they meet every listed requirement. If this role excites you and you believe you could make a strong contribution, we warmly encourage you to apply. 

We actively welcome applications from people whose backgrounds are under-represented in the charity sector, including but not limited to: people from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, people with experience in the case system, non-graduates and first-in-family graduates.

About Mesothelioma UK

Mesothelioma UK is a national charity dedicated to supporting anyone affected by mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer caused primarily by asbestos exposure. Our mission is to help people live better and longer, champion equitable access to improved treatments, advance research, and amplify the voices of those living with mesothelioma. We are proud to provide specialist nursing, information, research, and advocacy services across the UK.

The Opportunity

As our founder and current CEO steps down, we are seeking a visionary and values-driven Chief Executive to lead Mesothelioma UK into its next chapter. This is a pivotal moment for the charity, offering the chance to build on our strong foundations and drive forward our ambitious strategy to improve outcomes for all those affected by mesothelioma.

About the Role

Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the Chief Executive will:

• Inspire and lead a high-performing team, including our unique NHS-based nursing network.
• Develop and deliver organisational strategy and operational plans.
• Ensure robust financial management and income generation.
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders including the NHS, donors, partners, and research teams.
• Act as an ambassador for the charity, raising our national and international profile.
• Uphold our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

About You

We are looking for an exceptional leader who brings:

• Proven experience at CEO, Director, or equivalent senior level in a non-profit or health sector environment.
• A track record in leadership, strategic planning, financial management, governance and fundraising.
• Strong people management and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Passion for our mission and values, with high ethical standards and integrity.
• The ability to inspire, motivate, and unite staff, volunteers, and partners.

What We Offer

• Salary circa £75,000 (negotiable, dependent on experience)
• 10% employer pension contribution
• Health Cash Plan & Employee Assistance Programme
• Flexible working arrangements
• The chance to make a profound difference to people’s lives

This is a key role at Southwark Cathedral supporting the Dean and the Sub-Dean. This secretarial role will primarily feature management of a busy personal diary, correspondence and broader administrative support for the Dean in his capacity as Dean of Southwark, Chair of Chapter and CEO of the Cathedral. The role holder will also support the Cathedral team as the Office Administrator – responsible for a range of office duties relating to staff wellbeing & socials, office equipment & spaces and the Cathedral’s general enquiries email address.

Start date: Immediate

Salary: £32,250

Hours of work: 35 hours per week (excluding lunch breaks). Some flexibility will be required to allow attendance at early morning or evening meetings and events.

How to apply: Please complete the application form on the Church of England Pathways website 

Closing date: 11:59pm Thursday 29th January 2026

Interviews: Tuesday 10th February and Wednesday 11th February 2026

Main Duties and Responsibilities

For the Dean

• Manage the Dean’s diary: including making appointments, arranging meetings, scheduling preaching and other liturgical arrangements, programming annual schedules (such as Bishops Staff Meetings, chaplaincy and wider public commitments) - keeping Outlook diaries up to date with any changes and making travel arrangements;
• Prepare the Dean’s weekly diary file, including the preparation of any meeting papers or briefs for the week ahead;
• Provide administrative support for the Dean in relation to their attendance at meetings associated with the governance of the Cathedral, including Chapter, Finance Committee, Fabric Advisory Committee and Board of Enterprises. This will include liaising with colleagues on the Dean’s availability for upcoming meetings, any research the Dean requires and preparation of paper packs for such meetings. Minute taking will not usually be required, but may be requested from time to time in liaison with members of staff usually responsible for the minutes;
• Draft, file and send outgoing correspondence on the Dean’s behalf and process incoming correspondence;
• Support the Dean in all their working relationships including building and maintaining excellent relationships with Chapter Members and Committee Members, the Bishop’s staff and with the wider Diocese, as well as with congregation members, neighbours, commercial partners, professional advisers and other third-party organisations relating to the Dean’s work;
• Set up meetings including room set up and refreshment provision as required;
• Assist the Dean with the processing of their expenses;
• Work with the Governance & Committees Manager on Gifts Registry declarations for the Dean;
• Provide administrative support to bodies the Dean chairs, e.g. Southwark Cathedral Development Trust, the Deans Fund and other Cathedral-associated bodies;
• Update the Cathedral database in support of the Dean’s work.
• Provide administrative and practical support for Dean’s events e.g. lectures, receptions and breakfasts with local stakeholders

For the Sub-Dean

• Supporting the Sub-Dean with diary management: making appointments, arranging meetings, and scheduling preaching and other liturgical arrangements;
• Assist with inducting new parishioners: management of database, organising Welcome Evenings etc.;
• Assist with administration relating to the Cathedral’s schools: preparing the liturgical rota, filing and distribution of school clergy admissions forms;
• Other administrative support on an as needed basis

Office Administration 

• Receiving, distributing and responding to emails sent to the Cathedral’s general information email address;
• Ordering stationery, office equipment and consumables in line with the Cathedral’s approach to sustainability and ethical buying;
• Ensuring the Cathedral’s printing and franking equipment is kept fully functional, and liaising with our contractors when issues arise;
• Ensuring that the staff keep offices, reception area, print room, stationery area, staff kitchen and facilities clean, tidy and supplied;
• Co-ordinating Staff Meetings, including booking suitable space and organising refreshments for the meeting;
• Organising staff social events, outings and meals;
• Providing administrative support on Cathedral projects as and when they arise.
• Ensuring the Cathedral’s First-Aid kits are kept supplied and in date.

General Duties and Expectations

• Provide general administrative assistance in the context of a busy office;
• Support other teams on an ad hoc basis when required;
• Promote the mission, purpose and values of the Cathedral;
• Ensure that the highest standards of professional performance are maintained & ensure professional skills are regularly updated through participation in training and development activities.

The main duties and responsibilities of your post are outlined in your job description. This list is not exhaustive and is intended to reflect your main tasks and areas of work. Changes may occur over time and you will be expected to agree any reasonable changes to your job description that are commensurate with your salary and in line with the general nature of your post. You will be consulted about any changes to your job description before these are implemented

An exciting opportunity to help turn a new national initiative into reality as it moves from planning into delivery. Over the next year, we will be launching a new, national Foundation Degree while building the foundations of a wider programme of work. This role will play a key role in shaping and delivering our communications during a critical launch phase. The role combines strategic thinking with hands-on delivery, spanning external positioning, marketing for the Foundation Degree, and building the Centre for the Children’s Workforce's longer-term communications capacity. Working closely across the team, delivery partners and external suppliers including our university partner, the role will help ensure that our work is communicated effectively as we grow.