Area director jobs in manchester
The vacancy
We are seeking to appoint one lay member to sit on our GOC Council.
About the GOC
We are the regulator for the optical professions in the UK. Our purpose is to protect the public by promoting high standards of education, performance and conduct. For more information about us please visit our website:optical. org.
About the Council
The role of Council is to lead on the GOC’s mission to protect the public by upholding high standards in eye care services. The Council is composed of six lay members (including the Chair) and six registrant members (i.e. registered optometrists and dispensing opticians). At least one member of the Council must work wholly or mainly in each of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. One Council member acts as a Senior Council Member whose role is to carry out the Chair’s appraisal as well as provide a sounding board for the Chair and serve as an intermediary for Council members, Executive and stakeholders as necessary.
The successful candidate will contribute to Council by exercising oversight, ensuring effective corporate governance, and making high-level policy decisions. They will be able to operate strategically and impartially; listen, communicate, and influence effectively; exercise judgment; and inspire confidence and support amongst our stakeholders.
Remuneration and time commitment
Council members are remunerated in accordance with our member fees policy (£13,962 per annum plus reasonable travel and subsistence expenses). The member fee includes time for reading and preparation.
The appointed member will be expected to commit approximately 2-3 days per month. Meetings will usually take place via MS Teams but may on occasion be held at the GOC Offices at Level 29, One Canada Square, London, E14 5AA. There are occasional online catch-up meetings - these are currently scheduled on a Tuesday evening every 6-8 weeks, from 5.30pm – 6.30pm.
How to apply:
Please email the the following to appointment@optical. org
· your CV outlining your employment history, any relevant voluntary work, public service or other experience; together with any relevant professional, academic or vocational qualifications;
· the application form, stating how your experience matches the criteria for the vacancy you are applying for; and
· complete the EDI monitoring form linked in the candidate pack (this is an online form and does not need to be included in the email with your CV and application form).
APPLICATION DEADLINE: midnight on Sunday 10 August 2025.
Online interviews will be held on between Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 October 2025.
If you have any questions, please email them to appointment@optical. org and we will aim to respond to you within 48 hours.
We welcome applications from individuals who are disabled and from diverse ethnic backgrounds as these are currently under-represented on our council and committees.
We strive to be as diverse as the public we protect and welcome applications from everyone, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy, maternity and geographical locations outside of London.
Registered Charity 
51 - 100
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Help communities thrive by bringing people together
Are you an experienced project manager who’s passionate about inclusion, cohesion, and community-led change? Would you like to lead a dynamic programme that builds bridges between people of different faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds in some of the most diverse parts of England?
Near Neighbours is seeking a skilled and committed Programme Manager to lead the delivery of our national programme. Working closely with a network of regional hubs and local partners, you will ensure high-quality delivery of a new programme of work that focuses on:
- Youth voice, enterprise and leadership
- Understanding and countering misinformation
- Deepening local partnerships and outreach
- Inclusive community leadership and dialogue
- Building long-term sustainability and shared learning
This is an exciting opportunity to lead a wide-ranging portfolio with national reach and local depth. You'll work closely with regional partners to support delivery, manage reporting and learning, and help shape new strands of work responding to emerging issues in social cohesion. You’ll also contribute to strategic conversations about community impact, programme development, and storytelling.
We’re looking for someone who brings a combination of practical delivery skills, insight into local community dynamics, and a deep belief in the value of inclusion and connection. You will likely have:
- Strong experience of managing community, cohesion or social impact programmes
- Excellent relationship-building and communication skills
- Experience working with faith groups, grassroots organisations, or in culturally diverse settings
- Strong planning, reporting, and project management capabilities
- Confidence working independently and collaboratively across multiple workstreams
You’ll join a small, committed and friendly team with a strong sense of purpose. We offer flexible, remote working, with regular team connection days and travel to community partners around the country. You’ll have a chance to shape real impact at the intersection of faith, inclusion and community life.
HOW TO APPLY
Potential Applicants: If you’re interested in applying and excited about working with us but are unsure if you have the right skills and experience, we’d still love to hear from you. We don’t expect everyone to meet all of the criteria listed.
To apply: email an up-to-date CV and covering letter (up to 2 sides of A4) outlining your relevant skills and experience, relating to the listed responsibilities and person specification
Applications close: 9am Monday 28th July 2025.
Thank you!
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Interim Head of Finance & Operations
Career Ready is a social mobility charity that believes that every young person deserves the opportunity to enjoy a rewarding future.
We were founded in 2002 by leading business figures with a mission: to boost social mobility by empowering young people and giving their talents a platform from which to flourish. Since then, we’ve grown in England and Scotland to support young people in areas of need.
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced, qualified Finance professional to lead our Finance & Operations function.
About the Role
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer the Interim Head of Finance & Operations leads on and assumes day to day responsibility for providing high quality, strategic financial management for Career Ready.
You will lead on business operations to ensure the ongoing effective functioning of the charity and drive sustainable growth.
The Interim Head of Finance and Operations plays a key role in leading greater organisational efficiency and simplifying processes and will continue the delivery of a project plan reflecting the 2025-30 strategy.
You will play a critical role in driving the increased quality of Career Ready’s offer to our stakeholders in line with our strategy, vision and values.
Member of our SMT, comprising of the CEO, Director for Scotland, Director of Programme and Partnerships and Heads of functions.
This is an interim role to cover a period of maternity leave.
Main responsibilities and accountabilities
· Lead, direct and manage the finance and operations functions, overseeing two direct reports, ensuring they deliver a high-quality service to all internal and external stakeholders and are seen as adding value, in enabling Career Ready to achieve its vision and strategic objectives through its people.
· Continue the delivery of a project plan reflecting the 2025-30 strategy, ensuring that activities happen at pace, are deadline-driven and achieve a high level of impact.
· Assume overall responsibility for the financial management of Career Ready, working with the SMT to ensure high quality and effective use of charitable funds.
· Input into and review the financial elements of funding applications and ensure that fund accounting processes align with funders’ requirements for project reporting.
· Produce financial reports for various stakeholders, as well as leading on financial modelling.
· Have oversight of all financial and accountancy matters including month end reports, management accounts, cash flow management, compliance, tax liability, presentation of management information and KPIs. Ensure that the CEO and Trustees are provided with accurate, timely information and analysis.
· Oversee and coordinate the fully managed payroll services with the external bureau for all Career Ready employees and for some internship students (Jun to Aug during the Summer)
· Administration of the Staff Opt-In Pension Scheme, including onboarding new staff (Royal London)
· Act as a role model in our ‘one team’ culture. Lead in the development of efficient working practices across the charity, creating momentum and supporting motivation within the charity.
· Lead risk management strategies and internal control procedures to minimise the risk of loss, or damage to, Career Ready’s assets.
· Prepare and submit annual operational budgets and annual accounts to the CEO for review and approval.
· Draft and deliver papers for Trustees and Finance and Fundraising Committee (F&FC) meetings.
· Attend Board and F&FC meetings to present papers and answer questions related to areas of expertise.
· Provide day to day line management of the Senior Finance Officers and support their ongoing growth and development.
· Management of organisational governance and compliance activities, including policy management.
· Oversee and manage the organisation’s risk management register and process, with input from SMT.
· Oversee reviews and renewals of all insurance policies that affect the organisation.
· Lead on the compliance of statutory and charity regulatory reporting, giving guidance to colleagues where required.
· Ensure any changes to processes and procedures across the function are clearly documented.
Person Specification
Essential skills and experience
- Belief and commitment to Career Ready’s mission and values
- Qualified (ACA/ACCA/CIMA/AAT) accountant with at least 5 years’ experience in financial management including budgeting, preferably in the charity sector.
- Significant experience in producing management and financial accounts
- Skilled in financial reporting and producing VAT returns
- Preparing for and ensuring a successful year-end audit, and demonstrable knowledge of UK Charities SORP and other reporting standards
- Experience in budgeting to support strategic decision making.
- Financial dexterity and strong analytical skills.
- Strong IT skills, including advanced MS Excel skills and extensive of using an accounting software, preferably Xero
- Excellent organisational and prioritising skills and ability to work independently and with autonomy
- Strong starter finisher with ability to lead and drive projects
- Knowledge of charity governance and compliance requirements
- Ability to build excellent relationships and have effective engagement with stakeholders
- Good communication skills and ability to communicate financial concepts to non-finance staff
- Attention to detail
- Ability to present financial information to various audiences
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and sensitivity of financial information
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
- Ability to cope with competing demands to deadlines
- Honest and dependable
Desirable skills and experience
- Experience of leading a team, strong team building skills
- Line management experience
- Experience of using MS Planner or other project management tools
- Genuine interest in the work done by the Charity
- Experience of using a CRM (Salesforce)
- Degree in financial management or accounting
Full details are provided in the candidate pack
Salary and Benefits
Salary: £52,000 to £54,000 FTE (salary will be pro-rata for part time hours)
28-35 hours per week. Career Ready is committed to supporting condensed/flexible working patterns.
Permanent and remote. Travel to London required on an occasional basis
You will be rewarded with the following benefits:
· 6% contribution to personal pension plan, subject to 3% employee contribution.
· Annual leave: 27 days per annum plus bank/public holidays (pro rata for part time). The charity is also closed between Christmas and New Year. Career Ready also allows flexible use of some Bank & Public Holidays
· Cycle to Work Scheme
· Access to both our Reward Gateway Portal and an Employee Assistance Programme.
· Flexible working
· Work from home allowance and paid travel expenses.
We regret that Career Ready is unable to offer visa sponsorship and candidates must be able to demonstrate their right to work in the UK. In accordance with our commitment to safeguarding, offers of employment are subject to completion of a DBS check.
Timetable
Applications close at 9am on Monday 21 July 2025
Please note that the closing date may be brought forward if we receive strong applications.
This is an interim role to cover a period of maternity leave, with a provisional start date of late September for a handover period.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Are you passionate about community, creativity, and professional development? Join the British Association of Dramatherapists (BADth) and help shape the future of dramatherapy in the UK.
We’re looking for a dynamic and driven Membership Engagement & Development Coordinator to lead on member communications, grow our professional community, and deliver impactful CPD programmes. This is a unique opportunity to make a real difference in a creative and caring sector, supporting dramatherapists across the UK and beyond.
In this pivotal role, you’ll:
- Enhance member satisfaction and engagement through strategic communication and outreach.
- Coordinate a diverse and profitable CPD programme, including our annual conference.
- Drive membership growth and diversification, with a focus on inclusion and innovation.
- Support and celebrate our vibrant volunteer network.
- Work flexibly from home, with a supportive and collaborative team.
Whether you're experienced in membership development, event coordination, or communications—and especially if you’re excited by the arts therapies—we’d love to hear from you.
�� Apply by: Sunday 20 July 2025
�� Interviews: Week commencing 4 August 2025
�� Location: Remote (UK-based)
�� Salary: £30,000 per annum (pro-rata if part-time)
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
The Woodland Trust is looking for a Communications and Engagement Manager in our South East England team, to lead the regional Communications and Engagement team and programme
The Role:
• Develop a regional communications and engagement plan that identifies opportunities aimed at generating new supporters for the Trust - raising our profile, creating opportunities to raise additional income and delivering high quality engagement and volunteering.
• Oversee delivery of the regional communications and engagement plan and ensure that related communications, engagement, visitor experience and volunteering opportunities are planned and resourced.
• Manage a small regional team of communications, engagement and volunteering officers
• Liaise and regularly work cross departmentally, to ensure communication plans reflect and support the national communications agenda. In particular, strengthen links with centrally based communications and volunteering teams, fundraising teams and conservation and focus area work.
• Act as communications lead on all funded projects and partnership work
• Plan, manage and report on a regional communications and engagement budget, as well as working closely with the Regional Director to support the regional budgeting process. This will include responsibility of monitoring spend and cost control.
• Be the principal point of contact for communications, engagement and volunteering between the country and national teams; sharing best practice and acting as a conduit for internal communications.
• Foster effective relationships internally and externally to engage and inspire a range of audiences and individuals
• This role covers the South East of England including Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire, Bucks, Berks and Oxfordshire. It requires regular travel around South East England and UK. A full clean UK driving licence is required.
The Candidate:
• You’ll have an enthusiasm for the environment and share our core values-Grow Together, Explore, Focus and Make it Count.
• You will have experience leading engagement, volunteering or communications teams, providing inspirational leadership and line management.
• You will have previous experience working and engaging with volunteers, supporters and communities with the ability to deliver objectives cost effectively, including managing, monitoring and reporting on work programmes and budgets.
• You’ll know about the best methods in communicating with a wide variety of audiences using a mix of marketing and promotional channels.
• You’ll have a collaborative approach, with the ability to work with multiple teams, building relationships with both internal and external stakeholders effectively.
• You will be a strong influencer and you will be confident in representing the Trust in dealings with multiple stakeholders.
Benefits & Wellbeing: Joining our team means you'll be a big part of tackling environmental and climate issues. We take good care of our staff, offering support and training opportunities. We also offer:
• Enhanced Employer Pension
• Life Assurance
• Flexible & Hybrid Working Options
• Generous Annual Leave
• Enhanced Parental Pay
• Employee Assistance Programme
About Us: The Woodland Trust is the UK's leading woodland conservation charity and is dedicated to creating a world where trees and woods thrive for both people and nature. Our mission involves engaging and inspiring individuals to contribute toward tackling the nature and climate crisis through the protection, restoration, and creation of essential woodland habitats.
Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion: To achieve our vision of a world where woods and trees thrive for people and nature, we need to better reflect society and the communities we work in. All people, no matter their background, identity, ability, or circumstance, should benefit from trees.
People of colour and disabled people are currently under-represented across the environment and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we particularly encourage you to apply.
Please contact us to discuss any additional support or adjustments you may need to complete your application.
Application Advice: For fairness we keep our candidates’ personal details hidden from the hiring managers, we do not ask for CVs at application stage. Make sure that your Personal Statement clearly shows how your skills and knowledge link to the specifications in the job description and you share with us your passion for the role.
Apply Now: If you're ready to make a difference and grow with us, send in your application today. We might close the job opening early if we get a lot of applications, so it's a good idea to apply soon. If we do close the advert early, and you have an application in process, we will email you prior to closing to give you time to complete.
Interviews will be held via Microsoft Teams on 12th & 14th August 2025.
