Assistive technology strategy and development officer jobs

Are you an inspirational leader looking for your next challenge? Would you like the opportunity to lead a respected charity dedicated to helping people live well with sight loss and shape the future of accessible, inclusive support across York and beyond?

MySight York is an independent local charity supporting people to live independently, confidently and without barriers. Through a wide range of practical, emotional and social support services, including advice, counselling, befriending, digital inclusion, assistive technology support and its award-winning Eye Care Support Pathway, MySight York empowers people to make informed choices and live well with sight loss.

Driven by a vision of a York where people with sight loss can live independently, equally and without barriers, MySight York works tirelessly to champion accessibility, inclusion and equality. The charity supports around 1,700 people every year and is recognised nationally for its innovation, partnerships and leadership within the sight loss sector.

We now have a fantastic opportunity for a new Chief Executive Officer to lead MySight York into its next chapter, building on strong foundations while delivering an ambitious strategy that will expand the charity's reach, influence and impact.

The Role

Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the Chief Executive Officer will provide strategic leadership, vision and direction for MySight York, ensuring the organisation remains financially sustainable, delivers high-quality services and continues to amplify the voices of people living with sight loss.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Providing strategic leadership to deliver the organisation's vision, mission and strategic priorities.
• Working closely with the Board of Trustees to ensure strong governance, compliance and organisational sustainability.
• Leading, motivating and developing a committed team of staff and volunteers, fostering a culture of inclusion, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Ensuring the charity's long-term financial sustainability through effective financial management, fundraising and income diversification.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with funders, NHS partners, local authorities, community organisations and other key stakeholders.
• Acting as the principal ambassador and spokesperson for MySight York, championing accessibility, inclusion and the rights of people with sight loss.
• Driving innovation, digital development and service improvement to ensure support remains responsive to changing needs.

The Person

We are seeking an inclusive, compassionate and strategic leader who is passionate about making a meaningful difference to the lives of people with sight loss.

The successful candidate will bring:

• Significant senior leadership experience within the charity, public, voluntary or private sector.
• A strong track record of developing and delivering organisational strategy and leading change.
• Experience of working effectively with Boards of Trustees or equivalent governance structures
• Strong financial and operational management experience, with the ability to ensure long-term sustainability
• Excellent partnership-building, influencing and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Outstanding communication and leadership abilities, with the credibility to inspire staff, volunteers, trustees and external partners.
• An understanding of the disability, health or social care sectors and a genuine passion for MySight York's mission.

Why Join MySight York?

This is a unique opportunity to lead a respected and ambitious charity at a significant point in its development. You will have the chance to:

• Deliver an ambitious organisational strategy and shape the future of support for people with sight loss.
• Lead a highly regarded organisation with a strong reputation.
• Influence policy, service development and accessibility initiatives locally and nationally.
• Build new partnerships and opportunities for growth.
• Work alongside a dedicated team of staff, volunteers and trustees who are committed to creating a more inclusive society.
• Make a lasting difference to the lives of people affected by sight loss.

If you believe you have the experience and leadership qualities to lead MySight York through its next phase of development, we would be delighted to hear from you.

If this sounds like the opportunity for the next phase of your career you can download the recruitment pack (attached) for more information. To apply please send your CV. 

Please note: If you would like to submit an application or express your interest in an alternative format such as audio or video upload, or require any adaptations for your initial engagement with us, please contact either Jen or Leanne who will be happy to advise on this.

Please also be aware that we use anonymous recruitment methods when submitting shortlists for all our roles and we only work with organisations that are happy to engage with us in this way.

Charity Horizons is an equal opportunities employer and as such actively promotes equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We welcome and encourage applications from all suitable candidates irrespective of age, disability, hidden disability, race or national origin, religion or belief, gender, gender expression, political view, sexual orientation, medical condition and pregnancy.

Shaftesbury is a national disability charity that supports more than 4,000 children, young people and adults with a disability every year to live a life that truly adds up for them. That is at the heart of everything they do.

Their vision ‘all together better for disability’, is about working alongside the people they support so they can participate, contribute and be valued for who they are.

Their work is spearheaded by 1,500+ dedicated staff and volunteers who deliver a wide range of disability care, special education and rehabilitation services across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, around the clock. 

To achieve their vision, they are looking for an Individual Giving Manager with a focus on acquisition to work alongside the Head of Individual Giving across regular gifts, appeals, lottery, raffle and other new products.

The Individual Giving Manager drives the recruitment of new supporters and supports the stewardship of warm audience, generating sustainable income for Shaftesbury. The proportion of acquisition focus v retention focus is likely around 70/30. 

This role focuses on maximising long-term value through innovative and impactful multichannel campaigns including reactivating lapsed supporters, optimising supporter conversion and delivering engaging onboarding experiences. The Individual Giving Manager will work on growing regular giving, cash and gaming pipelines and manage exciting projects which could include digital, DRTV, face-to- face, telemarketing, direct mail and radio. The role will provide assistance to the Head of Individual Giving with all retention activity, including cash appeals and newsletters. 

Shaftesbury is happy to consider fundraisers or officer level candidates looking to step up into their first manager level role. At present this role doesn’t line manage, so management experience is not necessary. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate an enthusiasm for fundraising, supporter journeys and creative thinking and may have experience within a UK based charity in either IG and legacies, community fundraising, corporate or philanthropy.

This role is hybrid, with 4 days per month on average at either the Gateshead office or London office. The one role is being advertised twice to ensure candidates from both geographic locations see the role within their search remit and feel able to apply. 

Application notes 

Please download the Candidate Info Pack provided for further information about the role, timelines and next steps.

To progress your application, please contact THINK Recruitment using the information in the Candidate Pack to organise an informal screening call. Please note, we cannot progress candidates through to longlist without speaking with them, so please ensure you leave enough time to organise a screening call before the role closes. 

If you need assistance with downloading the pack, please send an email to THINK and our team will support you.

Closing date for applications: Midnight Sunday 12th July 

Stage 1 interviews are likely to be held on Tuesday 21st July and Stage 2 on Tuesday 28th or Friday 31st July.

Shaftesbury is a national disability charity that supports more than 4,000 children, young people and adults with a disability every year to live a life that truly adds up for them. That is at the heart of everything they do.

Their vision ‘all together better for disability’, is about working alongside the people they support so they can participate, contribute and be valued for who they are.

Their work is spearheaded by 1,500+ dedicated staff and volunteers who deliver a wide range of disability care, special education and rehabilitation services across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, around the clock. 

To achieve their vision, they are looking for an Individual Giving Manager with a focus on acquisition to work alongside the Head of Individual Giving across regular gifts, appeals, lottery, raffle and other new products.

The Individual Giving Manager drives the recruitment of new supporters and supports the stewardship of warm audience, generating sustainable income for Shaftesbury. The proportion of acquisition focus v retention focus is likely around 70/30. 

This role focuses on maximising long-term value through innovative and impactful multichannel campaigns including reactivating lapsed supporters, optimising supporter conversion and delivering engaging onboarding experiences. The Individual Giving Manager will work on growing regular giving, cash and gaming pipelines and manage exciting projects which could include digital, DRTV, face-to- face, telemarketing, direct mail and radio. The role will provide assistance to the Head of Individual Giving with all retention activity, including cash appeals and newsletters. 

Shaftesbury is happy to consider fundraisers or officer level candidates looking to step up into their first manager level role. At present this role doesn’t line manage, so management experience is not necessary. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate an enthusiasm for fundraising, supporter journeys and creative thinking and may have experience within a UK based charity in either IG and legacies, community fundraising, corporate or philanthropy.

This role is hybrid, with 4 days per month on average at either the Gateshead office or London office. The one role is being advertised twice to ensure candidates from both geographic locations see the role within their search remit and feel able to apply. 

Application notes 

Please download the Candidate Info Pack provided for further information about the role, timelines and next steps.

To progress your application, please contact THINK Recruitment using the information in the Candidate Pack to organise an informal screening call. Please note, we cannot progress candidates through to longlist without speaking with them, so please ensure you leave enough time to organise a screening call before the role closes. 

If you need assistance with downloading the pack, please send an email to THINK and our team will support you.

Closing date for applications: Midnight Sunday 12th July 

Stage 1 interviews are likely to be held on Tuesday 21st July and Stage 2 on Tuesday 28th or Friday 31st July.