An exciting opportunity to be involved in the development of a growing adult literacy charity as it expands across Central England
One in 20 adults in the UK has never learnt to read at all. This can have a serious impact on their confidence and wellbeing, limiting access to training, employment, and everyday opportunities that many take for granted. Being unable to read as an adult can be isolating and dangerous, reinforces social inequality, restricts economic growth, and worsens intergenerational disadvantage - but it is never too late to learn.
Read Easy helps adults transform their lives by learning to read. It does this by supporting its growing network of locally run, volunteer-led affiliated groups that offer free, confidential, one-to-one reading coaching—both in person and online to adults - aged from 18-88.
With its free, flexible, confidential approach, Read Easy encourages people who are too embarrassed to join a class to come forward for one-to-one support. Each new reader is provided with their own personal Reading Coach, so that they can learn in private and at their own pace. Learning to read transforms their lives in many other ways as well, including enabling them to support their children’s and grandchildren’s reading, and so transfers the benefits to the next generation.
There are currently 80 affiliated Read Easy groups across England, together involving more than a thousand volunteers. Read Easy UK is the registered charity and umbrella organisation which supports this network of affiliated volunteer groups and provides the structure, training and support to enable volunteers to establish groups in new areas.
As our Central Regional Adviser, your role would be to provide strategic leadership, guidance, and oversight to ensure that all volunteer groups consistently deliver high-quality services aligned with Read Easy UK’s strategy.
You will support local volunteer leaders to strengthen group performance, and foster collaboration across affiliated groups, so that that they deliver coaching to Readers with consistent quality, and a positive and worthwhile experience is had by all.
You will also find volunteers to ‘pioneer’ three new groups in the counties where there is no Read Easy presence in the East and West Midlands and East of England and provide them and our 29 existing groups and pioneers in the region, with high-quality support. Your quality support will ensure that they provide the same for their volunteers and new Readers. From meeting (mostly online) with Team Leaders to provide one to one support, and hosting online and annual in-person volunteer forums, to delivering presentations and occaisonal training for small groups of volunteers, this is a dynamic and rewarding role.
This is a home-based post requiring flexibility, some early evening working and occaisional travel to visit groups. The role is available on either a full or part time basis (min 32 hours p/w, 85% of 37.5 hours p/w FTE).
The successful candidate will be expected to:
- Live within one of the following areas: West Midlands (Defined as the 7 metropolitan boroughs of Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall, and Wolverhampton), Warwickshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, Leicestershire or Rutland;
- have been employed to work with volunteers for at least two years;
- have strong people management and interpersonal skills; excellent communication skills; and the confidence to run meetings and deliver presentations.
Salary & Benefits
- Annual Salary £25,075 (85% FTE) -£29,500 (100% FTE)
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays and Christmas closing and 2 days volunteering leave – pro-rata for part time roles
- Company sick pay to financially support you when you are unwell (above statutory upon completion of probationary period)
- Support when extending your family – company parental and adoption pay (above statutory after 12 months service)
- Access to RewardHub – which gives retail discounts and has a ‘Wellbeing Centre’ with tools, tips, recipes, workout videos and guides which will help you to reach your own wellbeing goals
- Training and Development opportunities and resources – we are developing personal plans in this area to enhance employee experience and opportunity
- A collaborative, creative and inspiring working environment full of committed and passionate employees and inspirational volunteers
We strive to ensure our recruitment practices are fair, open, easy to access and as inclusive as possible. We aim to recruit a team which broadly reflect the local communities which we serve; to work with and learn from each other to continually improve the service we deliver to our Readers. Our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Group is actively promoting and advancing diversity and inclusion, ensuring a culture where everyone can be themselves and thrive. We welcome you to apply and be your authentic self.
When applying for a job with us, if an applicant has a disability covered by the definition outlined within the Equality Act 2010 and can show that they meet the ‘essential criteria’ described in the person specification for the role being applied for, they are guaranteed an interview for the job for which they are applying through our Disability Confident scheme.
If you need any support with your application, please contact us,
The closing date for this post is 10:00 Tuesday 15th July 2025. Should you be shortlisted, the first round of interviews will take place online on Wednesday 23rd July, with in-person interviews, being held in Gloucestershire or West Midlands, on Tuesday 29th July 2025.
The successful candidate will be invited to meet the team on 31st July in Birmingham, should they be able to do so.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Employer Policy Specialist
Working Hours: 0.6FTE (full-time equivalent 37.5 hours). There is a degree of flexibility surrounding the working hours which will be determined by the demands of the role.
Salary: 0.6FTE: £40,658 (the full-time equivalent salary is: £67,763).
Start Date: 1st September 2025.
Reporting to: Director of Public Affairs & Policy
Deadline for applications: Friday 18th July 2025, 5pm
Interviews: Interviews will be conducted online on Thursday 24th July
Overview
The DfE has nominated CST as the employer representative for academy trusts for specific purposes (for example, the school support staff negotiating body). The postholder will be required to work directly with the Department for Education at a senior level to undertake the duties associated with this employer representative role. CST also wishes to strengthen its support to members on wider matters of employer policy. There is significant scope to shape and develop this role.
Key Responsibilities
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Have a detailed understanding of the terms and conditions of employment of teaching and support staff and the workforce issues affecting the education sector, particularly those influencing recruitment and retention of staff.
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The ability to build relationships with key stakeholders (members, senior DfE officials and ministers) and work closely with other employer representative organisations.
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Working closely with the CEO and Deputy CEO, build relationships at senior level with trade unions (leadership, teacher and support staff unions).
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Lead on developing CST’s employer policy and guidance, working with our members and commanding their support and respect, and working closely with the policy team.
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Support the Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Public Affairs and Policy to influence and respond to government policy in respect of employer policy, including drafting responses to government consultations and being our representative on the DfE’s formally constituted groups.
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Provide professional support and guidance to members on matters relating to employer policy, within the restrictions of what we are insured to do as a professional body.
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Support our HR professional community.
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Speak with authority at events and conferences as CST’s nominated representative on employer policy.
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Offer support to the wider CST policy team in other areas that fall within the postholder’s experience or expertise. This may include occasionally deputising for other team members for example covering for annual leave or sickness absence.
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Any other duties and responsibilities that may be delegated by the Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executive or Director of Public Affairs and Policy from time to time.
Essential Skills and Experience
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Likely educated to degree level (or holding a similar professional qualification or experience) with significant knowledge and experience of employment matters within the education sector and employer policy.
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The ideal candidate will have experience working at senior level likely within an educational, policy or consultancy setting. Knowledge of schools and the trust sector is essential as is the ability to respond to issues in a way which conveys the practical realities of working in schools.
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A sound understanding of the differences between academy trusts and the maintained sector.
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Secure knowledge of legislation, regulations and policy that affect school trusts.
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Authority and gravitas with the ability to speak up at meetings with senior officials with the required diplomacy and at all times with the members’ interests in mind.
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People-centred, with excellent relational skills, adept at forming and maintaining positive relationships with colleagues, members and senior external stakeholders (including policy makers, employer representative organisations and trade unions).
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Output focused, able to execute a range of communications across channels efficiently.
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Fluent and precise, an excellent communicator who writes well.
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The ability to analyse detail and distil key points, identifying matters of concern or interest to school trusts.
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Highly organised, with the ability to prioritise and work to tight deadlines, including turning around high-quality responses to members and DfE in short timescales.
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Someone who embodies the Nolan Principles and acts with integrity and discretion.
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Aligned with CST’s aims to promote education for public benefit.
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Skilled at working remotely as part of a close-knit team. Whilst this position is remote (home-based) there will be the requirement to attend in person meetings from time to time.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Are you looking for a fully remote, purpose-led and meaningful leadership role, one where you will be dismantling the motherhood penalty for thousands?
Pregnant Than Screwed work sits at the intersection of providing information and support, research, raising awareness, and advocating and campaigning for change – always with a bold, unapologetic commitment to justice for mothers and parents.
Their impact over the last 10 years speaks for itself with 20,000 supported through their one-to-one advice line, successfully influenced key changes in UK law, including the Day-one right to request flexible working, and extended redundancy protection for pregnant women and new mums. Over 150 mentions in Parliament, Thousands of pieces of media coverage, including front-page features in The Times, The Guardian, and The Daily Mail and over 400,000 followers across social media, building a powerful digital movement
Culture and Inclusion
As Head of Development, you will work with an amazing CEO, an individual who has empathy, knowledge and savviness to lead the charity through its next level of growth. She is a progressive and inclusive leader, bold and brave in her actions, knowing that words do not bring about change, only actions. A kind yet fearless leader who will offer freedom, flexibility and personal and career growth. This is a unique opportunity to work with an incredible CEO and shape the future of working mums in the UK forever.
The lived experiences we’d love you to have
Our client is not a “box ticker” instead they are a progressive and inclusive employer, one where they value your lived experiences and skills just as much and can see behind any gaps you might have on your CV.
Our client has already built a strong foundation with our fundraising efforts – particularly through trusts and foundations – but we’re just getting started. They need a determined, creative, and strategic fundraiser to not only continue to grow this vital income stream but also to develop and scale our individual giving program, including high-net-worth donors, membership opportunities, and fundraising events.
As Head of Development, you’ll oversee our fundraising efforts across key areas:
- Trusts and Foundations: Continue to build on our existing success by nurturing relationships with funders, submitting compelling funding applications, and ensuring robust reporting and stewardship.
- Individual Giving: Develop and execute a strategy to grow this income stream, including high-net-worth donor programmes, membership opportunities, and community engagement fundraising.
- Corporate Giving: Establish and grow partnerships with value-aligned businesses, creating mutually beneficial relationships that generate income, amplify our mission, and align with our campaigning values.
This is a unique opportunity to join a growing organisation and make a significant impact by developing innovative, creative approaches to fundraising while ensuring our existing work continues to thrive.
In return for your passion, commitment and hard work, you will receive some of the most competitive benefits across the sector, whilst knowing that every day you are changing the lives of parents, families and the workplace. Your passion for gender equity will be shape the lens through which you storytelling and campaign tirelessly for the good of the millions of women who continue to lose their jobs, get passed over for promotion and face a penalty for being a mum.
Here are just some of the benefits they offer:
· Flexible working is embedded in our culture with employees working different hours, and days of the week.
· 34 days annual leave, including statutory bank holidays. This is pro-rata for part-time staff.
· Paid leave between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
· 2 paid ‘’Wellbeing Days’’. These are days that can be booked off with no notice and no questions asked.
· 5 days paid leave to care for dependents.
· Participation in a comprehensive workplace pension scheme with contributions from the organisation of 4%
· Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay.
· 4 days of training per year.
· Work from home onboarding and office set up.
Next steps
We would love you to apply, which is a simple and transparent process, with a screening and interview stage with Scoutess Consultancy (we are the recruitment partner for this role) and a one stage interview with our client w/c 21st July (interview 23rd June). Please note the advert will close on Sunday 13th July at midday, however, you may be contacted earlier if shortlisted.
Please apply via Charity Jobs, sending your CV alongside a covering letter of no more than 500 words detailing your suitability for the role.
Registered Charity
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Charity working to end the motherhood penalty.