Assistant director of development jobs

Job Title: People Development Manager (Job Share)

Location: Homeworking with a requirement to occasionally work at Head Office (Vauxhall, London)
Salary: £23,036 per annum, pro rata based on an FTE salary of £57,590 per annum. (Inclusive of London Weighting, which may not be applicable depending on your home location and any agreed permanent homeworking arrangement)

Contract type: Part Time, Fixed Term (1 year)

Hours: 15 hours per week (Wednesday's and Friday's as part of a job share)

We are now seeking a People Development Manager (Job Share) to join our People & Culture team and help us strengthen learning, development, and organisational capability across Refuge.

As People Development Manager, you will play a key role in delivering effective, compliant, and customer-focused People services that help colleagues perform at their best and support Refuge’s strategic objectives.

Working collaboratively with managers and your job-share partner, you will shape and deliver an organisation-wide training and learning offer that meets diverse needs, supports professional growth, and enhances our inclusive culture.

You will lead on the development of our newly implemented learning system, our evaluation framework and monitoring and developing our apprenticeship scheme. Alongside your job share partner and the Deputy Director of People & Culture, you will help develop our new learning strategy.

You will be part of a supportive People & Culture team committed to positive change and continuous improvement. In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to shape meaningful development initiatives that help colleagues grow and ensure Refuge remains a great place to work.

Closing Date: 09:00 am 12 February 2026

Interview Date: 19 February 2026 

Agile - London Head Office (SE5 8FJ)/Home

The Salvation Army, the UK’s leading social welfare charity, is seeking a direct marketing expert to lead its newly formed Supporter Acquisition and Innovation Unit and provide strategic leadership, direction, and management of the annual acquisition programme.

The Salvation Army is one of the largest, most diverse providers of social and community services after the Government. With more than 600 local centres, they make a powerful difference to people across the UK who might otherwise be excluded.

The Assistant Head of Individual Giving is a key, senior role in the Individual Giving Section, overseeing the development and delivery of multi-channel direct marketing activities that inspire and motivate many thousands of new supporters to join the charity’s donor base each year. The post also leads the development and implementation of new acquisition products from concept to launch and meeting an annual fundraising target of approximately £1M. The role leads a unit of three people including one direct line report.

The successful candidate will have

• Extensive expertise in all aspects of direct marketing, specifically acquisition, including detailed knowledge and experience of how best to maximise both offline and online channels, as well as successfully implementing new and innovative products or offers.
• Experience in successful strategic planning, management and implementation of strategy will be critical as well as strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Candidates must be highly organised project managers with excellent leadership and people management skills and the ability to think analytically and critically. They will also possess skills in creative development and, finally, have the ability and willingness to work within, and be empathic with, the Christian ethos and values of The Salvation Army Mission.

Benefits:
25 days annual leave + bank holidays (pro rata for part-time) a contributory pension scheme; an employee assistance programme.

Working hours: Minimum of 35 hours per week, working a minimum of 40% across each month in the Territorial Headquarters, London, SE5 8FJ.

Closing date: Monday16th February 2026 at 9am.

In order to complete your application please download and read the job profile and any other attachments. 

In the job profile you will find the criteria required for the role please make sure that you address this in your supporting statement as this forms the basis of our shortlisting.

Appointment subject to satisfactory references, proof of right to work in the UK.

For details of how to prove your right to work in the UK please click here and please note that we are unable to offer sponsorship. 

We reserve the right to close this advert earlier if we feel that we have received sufficient applications.

Promoting equality in the workplace and as a disability confident leader scheme employer, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet all the minimum essential criteria for the vacancy.

Creative Director and Joint CEO

We are seeking a visionary Creative Director who will also act as joint CEO to lead the artistic and strategic direction of the charity.

For over 40 years, the organisation has used creative practice as a catalyst for social change, promoting inclusion and empowering diverse communities across the North West. The mission and vision is to co-create inclusive, artistic opportunities with diverse communities that enhance wellbeing and celebrate culture and heritage. 

If this is something you are passionate about, then we would love to hear from you!

Position: Creative Director/Joint CEO 

Location: Rochdale /Hybrid (in person 2-3 days per week, one of which must be a Wednesday)

Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week

Salary: £45,000 plus a 7.5% employer pension contribution

Contract: Permanent

Closing Date: Tuesday 24 February at 5pm

Interview Date: Thursday 12 March in person in Heywood

The Role

The Creative Director (Joint CEO) is responsible for the artistic vision, creative, entrepreneurial and strategic leadership of the charity. You will work as an equal partner with the Managing Director (MD/ Joint CEO), both reporting directly to the Board of Trustees to ensure that the organisation achieves its project objectives and strategic targets, while providing quality assurance of the work of the company.

Principal tasks and responsibilities include:

• Strategic Development
• Artistic Leadership
• Advocacy and Relationships
• Finance & Fundraising
• Company & Governance
• Management and leadership

About You

We are looking for an entrepreneurial leader with a proven track record in securing funding, overseeing complex budgets, and fostering productive relationships with a Board of Trustees, other partners and stakeholders. You will have a creative and cultural leadership style and with experience of programming that reaches diverse communities.

About the Organisation

Join a dynamic participatory arts charity based in Rochdale, dedicated to using creative practice as a catalyst for social change. For over 40 years the organisation has co-created inclusive, artistic opportunities with diverse communities that enhance wellbeing and celebrate culture and heritage.  We call this Art for a Reason. Through a range of initiatives from Art for Wellbeing to community-led festivals, the team provide opportunities for people to explore their heritage, find their voice, and experience the transformative power of the arts. The vision is for a world where everyone has access and opportunities to create, participate and belong.

We particularly encourage applications from individuals who live in Rochdale and/or identify as being of the global majority, disabled, neurodiverse and/or LGBTQ+/and or non-binary communities. The successful candidate will be offered the post subject to an enhanced DBS check and references.

You may also have experience in areas such as Programme Coordinator/manager, Learning and Engagement, Director, Creative Director, Operations Director, CEO, Director of Creative, Joint CEO, Deputy CEO, Assistant CEO, Chief Exec, Assistant Chief Exec, Deputy Chief Exec. #INDNFP

PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation.

The Operations Director is a  senior leadership role at St Stephen’s, helping turn vision and strategy into effective day-to-day delivery. A highly relational role, combining strong operational leadership with collaboration, trust-building and a genuine care for people. The person we are looking for will lead across people, finance, systems, buildings and operations helping the church respond to the Holy Spirit and deliver our mission well.

As part of an ambitious Business Development team, you’ll work closely with partners from the commercial, not-for-profit and government sectors to plan and implement activities that enable people to report crime without fear.

Reporting to the Head of Business Development, you will work collaboratively, whilst showing initiative and proactivity. Much of the work we do is cutting-edge for the sector and as such, we welcome creativity, curiosity and a solutions-based approach. 

The Account Manager position is very varied – liaising closely with Operations, MarComms and our Data teams and of course, at all times, overseeing and meeting partners, producing reports and writing evaluations. 

You'll find the job pack below, and you can apply via our careers page via the link.

Please note that you must submit both a CV and a covering letter to be considered for this role.

Please ensure that your application reflects your genuine voice and experiences that demonstrate your suitability for this role.

Horatio’s Garden charity is looking for an experienced fundraising leader to develop this newly created role within the fundraising and events directorate. We are a growing, award winning, national charity delivering garden-based support to improve the mental health of people with spinal injuries across the UK. 

You will be joining the charity in an incredibly exciting year, as we launch our new 5 year strategy and head into a Capital Appeal for our tenth garden in Wakefield.

Our newly created role of Head of Philanthropy & Partnerships will play a critical part in this next chapter, leading the development of our existing high value fundraising portfolio to support our growth ambitions. This is both a strategic and hands-on role, operating in a small team environment and requiring the postholder to work with the Director of Income Generation and CEO to shape strategy, build relationships, and deliver income directly. 

The role will work across major donors, trusts & foundations and corporate partnerships, supporting a talented team of four fundraisers: Senior Philanthropy Manager (Trusts & MD), Senior Regional Partnerships Manager, Trust & Foundations Fundraiser and Trusts & Foundations Assistant.

The charity has a history of building successful high value relationships, and we are looking for someone with the experience and ambition to help us build on this solid foundation to deliver our 5-year strategy and complete our core capital appeal programme. 

You will need to have significant fundraising experience gained in a charitable environment across major donors, trusts and foundations and corporate partnerships. You will work with the team to develop compelling case for supports, identify and cultivate prospects and build partnerships to secure high value gifts.

​​We are really excited to have welcomed our new Director of Income Generation and Development to Brain Tumour Research this month, a great new start for the new year!​

This is a fantastic time to be joining our ambitious and growing charity and we are keen to share this with likeminded and talented individuals. We currently have an opening for a Community Fundraiser, to be based in the East Anglia region.​

As the Community Fundraiser covering East Anglia you will play a crucial role in helping the charity meet its strategic plans and objectives, which include campaigning to increase the national investment in brain tumour research to £35 million per year, while fundraising to create a network of seven sustainable Brain Tumour Research Centres of Excellence across the UK.  Your role will be to generate and grow our income through community fundraising activities, contributing to a regional team target of more than £1.5 million.​

• Do you want to make a difference in one of the most innovative and exciting medical research fundraising charities in the UK?
• Do you live in Cambridgeshire, Norfolk or Suffolk?
• Do you have at least one years' experience of working in a professional Community Fundraising position?​

​

Have you answered Yes to these questions?

Does this sound like the opportunity to really get 2026 off to an amazing start? ​

If you are excited to learn more about this position, please take a read through our recruitment pack which is attached in this advert.​​

If you have the skills and ambition that we are looking for we welcome your application.  We are really looking forward to welcoming a new member to our team!

​

We are asking for a CV as the first step but applicants may be asked to provide a targeted covering letter as part of the selection process.  Interviews will be conducted during the application window as appropriate, and will consist of a first interview via MS Teams, progressing, if successful to a face to face second interview, held at our offices in Milton Keynes.​​

​We reserve the right to close the application window early and advise candidates to apply in good time to avoid disappointment.​

We are looking for people who share our passion for finding a cure for brain tumours and who have the skills and experience to make a difference. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, cultures, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and ages. We believe that diversity enriches our organisation and helps us achieve our mission. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can be themselves and contribute to our vision.

​

About Ally Pally

As a charity we are committed to safeguarding our heritage while continually evolving our offer to meet the needs of today's audiences and communities. We are at a pivotal moment in our journey with our 10-year vision A Sustainable Home for All That We Do sets out an ambitious future; enabling everyone to experience inspirational culture, world-class entertainment, unique heritage and restorative green space

About The Role

The Governance Manager is a trusted advisor to the Board of Trustees and the Executive Leadership Team on all governance matters. 

The post holder will manage the day-to-day administration of governance functions.

Essential

1. Board and Executive Team administrative support
2. Ensure full compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements
3. Lead the design of the governance framework, policies and procedures
4. Coordinate Trustee recruitment, appointment and inductions
5. Coordinate risk management systems and reporting frameworks
6. Oversee compliance with UK GDPR and Data Protection Legislation
7. Maintain all statutory records, registers and governance documentation
8. Collate and track organisational performance against KPIs

For further details including how to apply please see the JOB PACK on Alexandra Palace's careers page

The deadline for applications is 5pm Tuesday 17 February

Community Fundraiser – South East (Kent, Surrey or Sussex)​​

​​We are really excited to have welcomed our new Director of Income Generation and Development to Brain Tumour Research this month, a great new start for the new year!​

This is a fantastic time to be joining our ambitious and growing charity and we are keen to share this with likeminded and talented individuals. We currently have an opening for a Community Fundraiser, to be based in the South East region.​

As the Community Fundraiser covering the South East you will play a crucial role in helping the charity meet its strategic plans and objectives, which include campaigning to increase the national investment in brain tumour research to £35 million per year, while fundraising to create a network of seven sustainable Brain Tumour Research Centres of Excellence across the UK.  Your role will be to generate and grow our income through community fundraising activities, contributing to a regional team target of more than £1.5 million.

​

• Do you want to make a difference in one of the most innovative and exciting medical research fundraising charities in the UK?
• Do you live in Kent, Surrey or Sussex?
• Do you have at least one years' experience of working in a professional Community Fundraising position?​

​

Have you answered Yes to these questions?

Does this sound like the opportunity to really get 2026 off to an amazing start? ​​

If you have the skills and ambition that we are looking for we welcome your application.  We are really looking forward to welcoming a new member to our team!​

​​​We reserve the right to close the application window early and advise candidates to apply in good time to avoid disappointment.

​

We are looking for people who share our passion for finding a cure for brain tumours and who have the skills and experience to make a difference. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, cultures, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and ages. We believe that diversity enriches our organisation and helps us achieve our mission. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can be themselves and contribute to our vision.

​

Learning Disability Community Leader, L'Arche Manchester

ABOUT THE ROLE

Hours of work: 37.5 hours per week (including some evening and weekend working, and regular on-call)

Salary: £47,946 per annum

Reports to: L’Arche UK Regional Leader

Place of work: L’Arche Manchester Community, Manchester M20 4AW. Some travel and overnight stays will be required within the UK

Contract type: Temporary 12-month appointment to cover maternity leave

Closing date: Monday, 2nd March at 12 pm.

Main purpose of the role

The Community Leader is responsible for ensuring that the Community is living the mission of L’Arche, by providing excellent and sustainable care and support services, support for  spirituality, and engaging with our neighbours and the wider community around us.

The Community Leader will:

• Lead the Community by responding to the needs, choices and context of our members while being faithful to the L'Arche UK Vision and Values, the L'Arche International Identity and Mission Statement, and to a co-created Community Mandate and plan;
• Maintain and enhance high-quality, person-centred care, support, and housing for people with learning disabilities, both at home and in our day services in partnership with the Registered Manager, the local and national teams, individual circles of support, and external partners. 
• Ensure the Community’s financial sustainability through robust financial planning and management. This includes setting budgets and controlling spending, maximising housing occupancy, supporting the negotiation of care contracts, growing our day services and spotting fundraising opportunities. 
• Foster a culture that maximises the voice and power for people with learning disabilities, and builds listening and collaboration between Community members. This will include working with an active Community Support Group, Community Gatherings, listening groups, and other forums. 
• Lead and manage a committed and engaged leadership team to achieve objectives, set a positive culture, and support the personal and professional growth of our teams. 
• Cultivate an open, creative, and inclusive spiritual life, inviting everyone in the Community to deepen their connections. 
• Model, advocate for, and embrace the L’Arche ethos of deep, long-term, and mutually transforming relationships between people with and without learning disabilities. Plan and lead a regular calendar of events that build community belonging and help keep people connected. 
• Contribute to the national work programmes of L’Arche UK, as part of the National Council, collaborating with Community Leaders of other L’Arche Communities, to share skills, best practice and resources. 
• Be a visible representative of L’Arche locally in the wider community, with stakeholders like local authorities, professional organisations, schools, faith communities, and L’Arche world wide.

Key essential criteria

• Senior leadership experience in support to adults with learning disabilities (or transferable skills and experience in a closely-related field). 
• Experience leading and managing an organisation or large teams to deliver results, maintain compliance and quality, and to respond to risks and opportunities. 
• Experience leading and developing diverse teams to flourish, individually and together. 
• Good financial planning skills and experience successfully managing a substantial budget. 
• Evidence of the ability to think strategically, and work collaboratively to develop and implement community plans. 
• Experience of living or working alongside people with learning disabilities and/or autistic individuals

This role is subject to an enhanced DBS criminal record check. 

You may have held these job titles in the past: Registered Manager, Service Manager, Head of Care, Senior Operations Lead, Community Director, Head of Community Services, Country or Regional Lead, Learning Disability Services Manager, Head of Mission and Community Life, Health & Social Care Manager, Local Authority Commissioning Lead;

You can find more details about L'Arche and the Manchester community on our website. 

Why join L'Arche?

As well as joining a friendly Community, where you will be well supervised and supported, and benefit from L’Arche’s mentorship programme, these are some other benefits you get by working for us:

• Joining shared meals since cooking and having a meal together is what we are all about
• Enhanced Maternity, Adoption/Surrogacy, Paternity Pay (depending on length of service, details available on request) 
• Enhanced sick pay
• Interest free loans and salary advances available
• Free DBS / PVG checks
• Free Employee Assistance Programme available to everyone
• Up to 5 days paid compassionate leave
• Up to 6 days paid (pro rata) for time off for emergency dependents leave
• Specialist bereavement counselling for employees and their family members
• Life Assurance
• Access to the Bike to Work scheme

Discover what makes L’Arche a rewarding place to work—explore  more of our employee benefits on our website.

A full job description and person specification can be found in the Recruitment Pack.

To apply, please submit your CV and answer the questions from our online application form. 

The closing date is: Monday, 2nd of March at 12 pm.

First interviews (online via Microsoft Teams) are expected to take place during the week beginning the 9th March 2026.

Second round interviews will take on the place week beginning 16th March 2026 and will take place within the Community.

We encourage you not to wait until the closing date to submit your application, as we may begin interviewing strong candidates before then.
We also reserve the right to close the advert early if we receive enough suitable applications.

Please also read our privacy notice for job applicants.

We are really excited to have welcomed our new Director of Income Generation and Development to Brain Tumour Research this month, a great new start for the new year!​

​​This is a fantastic time to be joining our ambitious and growing charity and we are keen to share this with likeminded and talented individuals.​

We currently have an opening for a Community Fundraiser, to be based in the Mid-North Wales and West Midlands region.​​

​As the Community Fundraiser covering Mid-North Wales and West Midlands, you will play a crucial role in helping the charity meet its strategic plans and objectives, which include campaigning to increase the national investment in brain tumour research to £35 million per year, while fundraising to create a network of seven sustainable Brain Tumour Research Centres of Excellence across the UK.​

​​Your role will be to generate and grow our income through community fundraising activities, contributing to a regional team target of more than £1 million.​​

• Do you want to make a difference in one of the most innovative and exciting medical research fundraising charities in the UK?
• ​​Do you live in Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire,​Warwickshire, West Midlands, Worcestershire or Mid-North Wales?​
• Do you have at least one years' experience of working in a professional Community Fundraising position?​​Have you answered Yes to these questions?​
• Does this sound like the opportunity to really get 2026 off to an amazing start? ​​​

If you are excited to learn more about this position, please take a read through our recruitment pack provided with this advert.​​

If you have the skills and ambition that we are looking for we welcome your application.  We are really looking forward to welcoming a new member to our team!

​

We are asking for a CV as the first step but applicants may be asked to provide a targeted covering letter as part of the selection process.  Interviews will be conducted during the application window as appropriate, and will consist of a first interview via MS Teams, progressing, if successful to a face to face second interview, held at our offices in Milton Keynes.​

​We reserve the right to close the application window early and advise candidates to apply in good time to avoid disappointment.​

We are looking for people who share our passion for finding a cure for brain tumours and who have the skills and experience to make a difference. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, cultures, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and ages. We believe that diversity enriches our organisation and helps us achieve our mission. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can be themselves and contribute to our vision.

Context

Childhood First enables children and young people to recover from early life abuse and relational trauma, to enjoy life and to achieve their potential. We do this through the provision of specialist therapeutic residential care and treatment, together with family and network support. We are also a UKCP Training Organisational Member accredited with Middlesex University, providing in-house clinical training to its clinical staff.

Merrywood House, provides placements for up to 8 young people aged between 10 and 17 years old.

Purpose

The Statutory Compliance Administrator plays a key role in supporting statutory, safeguarding and regulatory processes within the home. The role provides administrative support to the Director, Assistant Director (Statutory Compliance) and senior team, ensuring statutory documentation, systems and records are accurate, up to date and inspection-ready.

The postholder contributes to preparation for Ofsted inspections and audits and supports continual quality improvement to maintain Ofsted Good or Outstanding standards.

What you will bring to the role

· Experience in an administrative role involving compliance, governance or regulated processes

· Strong organisational skills and attention to detail

· Confidence using Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook

· Ability to work with discretion in a confidential and sensitive environment

· A methodical, professional and calm approach, including under pressure

· Commitment to safeguarding and to the therapeutic aims of Childhood First

Task

· Providing administrative support for safeguarding and statutory compliance processes

· Maintaining accurate statutory documentation and records for children and staff

· Supporting preparation for Ofsted inspections, monitoring visits and audits

· Collecting, collating and maintaining statutory, governance and management data

· Assisting with the production of statutory and management reports

· Providing office, IT liaison and general administrative support to the senior management team

· Administering local finance processes, including petty cash and procurement

What we will do for you

· Personal and professional development and training

· 25 days annual leave plus public holidays

· Employee benefits package including life assurance

· Up to 6% employer pension contribution

· Relocation package and recruitment referral scheme

For further information, please see the Childhood First website.

To apply, please apply by submitting your CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability for the role.

Closing date: Friday 6th February 2026

Interview Date: Week Commencing 9th February 2026

Childhood First is committed to safeguarding children. We follow safer recruitment guidelines and all appointments will be subject to a satisfactory Enhanced DBS and references. 

Are you a skilled and compassionate leader with a passion for making a difference in the lives of others? You will have a key role in helping to serve older Christians and in leading a motivated and committed staff team catering to the residents in Worthing, West Sussex. View our lovely home here.

Our amazing team at Koinonia Christian Care Home provide a loving and caring environment for our residents, whilst maintaining the Christian ethos that is so important to them. The health, well-being and happiness of our residents are of primary importance to us. We are looking for a Business Manager to oversee the operations and ensure the highest standards of care for the people we care for.

As a Business Manager, you will play a pivotal role in managing our day-to-day operations, supporting our dedicated staff, and driving our mission to enhance the well-being of those we serve. Find out more about how we care for our residents: https://youtu.be/Po6md7pq7nI

If you are a dynamic professional with a strong background in business management and a heart for caring, we invite you to apply now.

Have a watch here of "What it means for us, to work in a Christian Care Home like ours:" https://youtu.be/uCa1_BtS34w

For more information, please read the job pack

Responsibilities:

• Lead the business performance of the home alongside the Registered Manager, delivering agreed income, occupancy, cost and surplus targets
• Ensure high standards of service, cleanliness and hospitality through effective leadership of housekeeping, catering and maintenance teams
• Work in partnership with the Registered Manager to maintain quality standards, prepare for inspections, and meet regulatory requirements
• Oversee the administration of the home, including staffing, rotas, payroll information, recruitment, training records and compliance
• Contribute to a well-led, positive and values-driven culture, promoting Pilgrims’ Friend Society’s ethos and “The Way We Care”
• Support staff development, wellbeing and morale through effective supervision, appraisal, performance management and engagement
• Manage resident applications, fees, contracts and family communications, ensuring excellent customer care and responsive complaint handling
• Take responsibility for health, safety and compliance matters when on duty, including fire safety and liaison with external bodies
• Oversee property, maintenance and supplier relationships, working with Property Services to ensure the home is safe and well maintained
• Provide visible leadership in the pastoral and spiritual life of the home, supporting devotions, community engagement and relationships with local churches.

Skills/Experience:

• Willing and able to take a lead in maintaining the Christian ethos of the home;
• Management experience in a business setting;
• Comfortable with writing business communications to staff and residents as well as authorities etc;
• Ability to communicate effectively at all levels whilst maintaining confidentiality;
• Ability to lead, motivate and encourage staff to give of their best, and have people-leadership and management experience;
• Able to work under pressure and provide calmness in all situations;
• IT literate ( including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and the Internet);
• Willing to be flexible in the working pattern and are prepared to participate in training and attend relevant staff meetings.

*Applicants must be evangelical Christians (This role has an Occupational Requirement to be filled by a Christian under the provisions of the Equality Act (2010).)

Hours:

40 hours a week, usually worked over 5 days.

“On-call” cover is required on a rotating basis to meet demands. Please get in touch for more information about working patterns. 

Benefits:

• £44,500 to £50,000 per annum
• Relocation support (to be discussed)
• 5 Weeks' paid holiday per year as well as bank and public holidays
• On-going training and support
• Team events
• Pension scheme
• Care Friends referral 
• Medicash
• Perkbox – including an Employee assistance programme.
• Long-standing service rewards
• Birthday rewards

— What our staff say about us: …“It is a friendly and welcoming place to work” … —

We are committed to having a diverse senior management team and we encourage applications from disabled and Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic candidates, as these groups are underrepresented on our senior management team at present.

 Please note: this vacancy may close sooner if sufficient applications have been received so please apply as soon as possible if interested

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 and Public Affairs, 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 Public Affairs 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.