Associate director investments jobs

About Us

The Early Education and Childcare Coalition unites the voices of parents, children, providers, early years professionals and the wider business community, working together for investment and reform of early education and childcare in England.

We believe that we all benefit from a well-functioning early education system and we all have a role to play in ensuring it works for children, parents and the economy.

We are backed by some of the most high-profile campaign and research organisations in the UK. Our members include early years provider membership bodies, parent campaign groups, early childhood experts, trade unions, the business lobby, anti-poverty campaigners and NGOs. Together, we use our collective voice and research to build public and political support for early education and childcare. And it’s worked. Thanks to the dedication of our members, early years is one of the top priorities for the government’s Plan for Change.

But our work isn’t done – we have an ambitious agenda to ‘rescue and reform’ the system, ensuring that:

• Every child can access high-quality education and care that their parents can afford and that will support them to thrive
• Every provider is funded fairly for the places they offer
• Every early years professional is rewarded and recognised for the skilled work they do

This is an exciting time to join the Coalition. We have experienced significant growth in recent years and with early years firmly on the policy agenda, we expect this to continue.

We are now looking to appoint a Deputy Director to help steer that work and further drive the development of the Coalition. You will work closely with the Executive Director (ED) to lead our influencing work at the highest level, strengthening our policy platform, and ensuring we translate evidence into meaningful impact. At the same time, you will play a pivotal role in supporting a talented and experienced team and shape the continued growth of the Coalition as a charitable organisation.

About The Role

• Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week over 5 days. We may consider 4 days per week.
• Duration: Two-year contract, renewed subject to funding.
• Location: Home-working but based in or near London.

· Salary: £62,000 - £64,170 per annum FTE

We are a remote team, with most colleagues based outside London. This role requires regular access to Westminster, so you will need to be based in or within easy reach of London.

We work flexibly and understand the realities of balancing work with caring commitments. We trust you to manage your time but expect that most of your hours are worked within core office hours to fulfil the requirements of the role. To support fluent remote working, we require all staff to work on Thursdays.

This is a dual role, delivering our policy, engagement and public affairs strategy while also supporting the Executive Director to grow the Coalition as an organisation and movement. You will play a central role in shaping the Coalition’s strategy, culture and growth. This is a senior, outward-facing role, suited to someone who can think strategically, build influence at the highest levels, and remain hands-on within a small and ambitious team.

About You

You are a senior public affairs professional with a strong track record of strategic influencing and engagement to shape policy. You bring robust judgement and credibility and are motivated by the opportunity to deliver meaningful change in a high-profile policy area and may have experience on public-service reform.

You are equally comfortable setting direction and delivering through others as you are rolling up your sleeves to respond to fast-moving political developments. You are a confident relationship-builder who can operate effectively at senior levels, while working collaboratively across a diverse coalition.

You should have previous experience of managing functions and teams and working in senior leadership teams. Ideally you will be live to the challenges of working in a small, but high-impact national organisation and have experience of scaling teams and functions.

What You Can Expect To Be Doing

• Executive leadership
  This will include supporting the ED with key senior stakeholder relationships including funders, ministers and policymakers. You will be required to deputise for the ED during periods of leave or when directed to do so. This is a pivotal role which straddles the executive and senior leadership functions. Consequently, you will be expected to make decisions that balance multiple interests and help scale and grow the Coalition as a sustainable organisation.
• Lead the Coalition’s policy and influencing function
  Work with the Senior Leadership Team and Coalition members to turn evidence into clear, credible policy positions and priorities, ensuring members are aligned, informed and able to contribute.
• Develop and deliver a cross-party influencing strategy
  Building on the Coalition’s profile, you will further nurture and maintain relationships with MPs, peers, special advisers, civil servants and key stakeholders, ensuring strong reach across Westminster, local government and the wider policy community.
• Maximise key moments for impact
  Identify and respond to opportunities in the parliamentary and policy cycle to maximise influence, including producing briefings, consultation responses and submissions.
• Oversee policy-related events to support engagement
  Lead activity such as events, roundtables and party conference attendance to strengthen the Coalition’s visibility and impact.
• Align policy, public affairs, research and communications
  Work closely with the Head of Communications and Campaigns, and the Associate Director of Research to ensure a joined-up approach across research, influencing, media and campaigning.
• Represent the Coalition externally
  Act as a senior spokesperson at high-level meetings, events, and in the media where appropriate.
• Strengthen how we measure impact
  Work with the Executive Director to further develop our impact framework, improving how we track, evaluate and communicate influence.
• Lead and develop the team
  Provide support to team members, fostering a collaborative, inclusive and high-performing culture.

Person Specification

Essential

• Experience of leading a team or working at executive/senior leadership levels where you have managed budgets and had to make decisions related to organisational effectiveness. This should also include demonstrable experience of building and nurturing teams that can deliver an organisational strategy.
• Proven experience leading influencing functions in an advocacy or policy environment and delivering change
• Experience turning research and insight into clear, credible and persuasive policy positions.
• Knowledge of system change approaches, ideally within public service reform or similar
• Knowledge of how Government, Parliament, Whitehall, political parties and the wider policy community operate, and how to navigate them effectively.
• Able to operate confidently in complex, fast-moving and politically sensitive environments, working across party lines with diplomacy.
• Demonstrable experience building and maintaining trusted relationships with politicians, advisers, officials and sector leaders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience producing high-quality briefings and representing organisations externally.
• Experience of supporting fundraising activities either through relationship-building or bid-writing.

Desirable

• Understanding of early education and childcare policy in England and the challenges currently facing the system.
• Experience working in or with coalitions, membership organisations or alliances.
• Proven ability to work flexibly as part of a small, remote team.

The application process

Please apply with a CV and cover letter (no more than two pages) by the listed closing date. No agencies please. We recognise that the use of AI technologies can be useful in reducing the work that goes into job-hunting, however, we kindly request that you use your cover letter to evidence that you have understood the requirements of the role and provide examples of how you can meet the criteria.

The EECC is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. We use anonymous recruiting during the application process and we use positive action under section 159 of the Equality Act in relation to disability or race. This means that if we have two candidates of equal merit in our process, we will seek to take forward the disabled or Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic candidate in order to diversify our staff team.

We regret that our small team does not have capacity to provide individual feedback on every application.

Recruitment timeline

• Closing date: 23:30, Thursday 11th June. 
• Notified for interview by: Tuesday 16th June
• Interviews: We expect this to be a two-stage interview process with first interviews held on either 24th or 25th June and second stage interviews arranged an agreed time.

In the event that we don't receive suitable applications, we may extend this deadline and timeline.

The Jesuits in Britain are a Catholic religious order, known not only for their faith tradition but also for their contributions to education, intellectual life, and social justice. Drawing on a tradition that combines scholarship, service, and spiritual reflection, Jesuits in Britain have established schools, universities, retreat centres, and charitable initiatives (including refugee support and action on climate change) that aim to promote learning, ethical leadership, and the common good. Jesuits in Britain are active in a range of charitable programmes, including supporting those experiencing poverty, discrimination or injustice, and caring for the planet.

While rooted in the Catholic tradition, Jesuits in Britain are inclusive and welcoming to people of all faiths and none through both their charitable initiatives and staff. The charity’s workforce reflects a diverse range of beliefs, backgrounds, and perspectives, and it values the contribution of everyone regardless of their religious affiliation.

Reporting into the Finance Director, the successful candidate will be responsible for the effective financial management, control, and statutory reporting of the organisation and its associated entities. This is a broad and hands-on role offering exposure to financial reporting, compliance, budgeting, systems oversight, and stakeholder engagement within a values-driven environment. Key responsibilities are as follows:

• Lead the preparation of annual statutory accounts, including year-end close procedures, consolidations, and audit adjustments.
• Act as the primary contact for external auditors, managing audit timelines and responding to queries.
• Prepare the annual organisational budget in collaboration with senior stakeholders.
• Produce quarterly management accounts and oversee reconciliations across different entities and departments.
• Manage the organisation’s accounting system and relationships with external system providers.
• Support accounting and reporting for externally-managed investment portfolios.
• Work closely with the Finance Director to support strategic and operational decision-making.

You will:

• Be a fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Have strong financial control experience, ideally within the charity or not-for-profit sector though applications from other sectors will be considered.
• Have experience preparing complex statutory accounts (ideally under the Charities SoRP / FRS 102) and managing external audits.
• Have an interest in working for an organisation with strong values relating to social justice, care and integrity.

Important Information

• Salary of £70,000 - £80,000 DOE
• Hybrid working arrangements, with an expectation of at least 40% office attendance (central London).
• Candidates of all beliefs or none are encouraged to apply. More important than personal faith is an understanding of, and respect for, the mission and values of the organisation as a Catholic charity.

Ivy Rock Partners are managing the recruitment of this position exclusively on behalf of Jesuits in Britain. For all enquiries, please contact Holly Arrowsmith at Ivy Rock Partners for further details.

Ashden’s mission is to showcase outstanding climate solutions and accelerate systemic change that unleashes their transformative potential. Our vision is of a world where everyone enjoys access to clean energy. Where people and nature thrive.

For over 25 years, Ashden has worked with enterprises and organisations in the UK and the Global South to find, champion and scale solutions to the climate crisis. We excel in storytelling that connects these solutions with the policymakers, funders and investors poised to help them scale and maximise their impact.  Our support is expanding access to affordable clean energy to farms, villages and refugee camps in the Global South. In the UK, we are helping create warmer homes, greener schools and accelerating climate action across our towns and cities.

Ashden is a highly regarded and well-connected organisation with a strong brand and a track record of building meaningful relationships with high value and high-profile individuals. We are excited to build on the good work already achieved to further scale fundraising in this area.

You will be joining Ashden at a pivotal moment. In 2024, we launched our Changemakers campaign to secure mission-aligned funding from donors making four and five-figure gifts and beyond - a programme you will personally lead and continue to shape and develop - an exciting opportunity to nuture an emerging initiative by stewarding and uplifting current donors whilst attracting new supporters. Working in close partnership with the Director of Business Development, you will also proactively support the prospecting, cultivation and stewardship of both new and existing donors to secure transformational seven-figure gifts. As our Major Donor Lead you will have the opportunity to define, refine and strengthen our major donor proposition more broadly, securing both unrestricted and restricted income to support our long-term impact.

We’re seeking an experienced fundraiser with a track record of securing major gifts and building strong relationships with high-net-worth individuals. While climate or environmental exposure is not essential, alignment with Ashden's values and passion for driving systems change is crucial. You’ll be supported by a collaborative team, including senior leadership and Trustees, and will have key strategic and operational input into the success of our fundraising, the growth of the team, and the broader impact of our charity.

This is a stimulating and rewarding opportunity for someone looking to develop their career within a highly collaborative, passionate and visionary organisation. It is also an outstanding opportunity for those keen to deepen their experience and insight in philanthropy at the highest levels, including meaningful exposure to pioneering venture philanthropy and innovative impact-led funding models.

Location: Hybrid, ideally 2 days in London, pending donor meetings and events

Hours: Full Time with flexible working agreed. Part time hours or compressed hours will also be considered.

To read more about the role and organisation, please download the full appointment brief below.

Closing Date: 11 June 2026

People Beyond Profit Conversations: 15-19 June 2026

Ashden Interviews: 25 June 2026 (online) and 2 July 2026 (in person).

The Role:

The Marketing Manager will work closely with Directors and colleagues to drive engagement, growth, income generation, and brand visibility across Schools North East and its associated programmes. As a key member of the leadership team, you will develop and deliver a coordinated marketing and communications approach that supports the charity’s strategic priorities and strengthens its position as the Voice of North East Schools.

Your primary focus will be the delivery of high-quality marketing campaigns, communications, and audience engagement activity across all organisational workstreams. You will play a central role in increasing reach, strengthening stakeholder engagement, supporting revenue growth, and ensuring consistency of messaging across all platforms.

Success in this role requires the ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining high standards of creativity, organisation, and delivery. You will be a confident communicator and relationship builder, able to work collaboratively across teams while also taking ownership of projects and campaigns from concept to completion.

Working alongside the Marketing & Communications Officer and wider teams, you will help ensure Schools North East continues to deliver impactful communications, strong audience engagement, and commercially successful campaigns that support the sustainability and growth of the organisation.

The Marketing Manager will drive organisational growth by transforming the "Voice" of Schools North East into an engine for income generation and member retention. You will build upon quality content creation to focus on coherence, ensuring every campaign across events, policy, and memberships is integrated, consistent, and delivers a clear Return on Investment (ROI).

Key Responsibilities: 

Revenue & Growth

• Develop and deliver annual marketing and communications plans aligned to organisational priorities
• Revenue Generation & Commercial Growth: Drive delegate acquisition and membership growth through targeted campaigns to improve conversion rates, delegate numbers, and memberships
• Segmented Engagement: Lead the development of tailored engagement strategies for different stakeholder groups, ensuring communications are purposeful, relevant and aligned to the needs of schools, partners, sponsors and wider stakeholders
• Digital Transformation: Lead the strategic expansion of our digital presence to increase professional visibility and high-level engagement

Content, Campaign & Brand Coherence

• Campaign Leadership: Lead integrated marketing campaigns that amplify the commercial and reputational impact of the events programme, membership offer and policy influence work
• Brand Guardianship: Manage the brand identity across all internal and external channels to ensure total consistency of the Schools North East "Voice"
• Comms Innovation: Reinvigorate e-comms with a dynamic approach designed to reduce information overload and improve engagement metrics
• Policy Distillation: Distil complex policy and educational information into clear, compelling narratives that support organisational advocacy

Systems, Analytics & Team Leadership

• Performance Metrics: Utilise data analytics and member feedback to report on ROI and justify marketing effort and spend
• Operational Optimisation: Lead the development and optimisation of the CRM and website
• Cross-Functional Integration: Work as the "Glue" between Business, Events, and Policy teams to ensure marketing activity directly supports their specific delivery goals, marketing operations, improving user experience, and ensuring strict data compliance
• Team Mentorship: Line manage the Marketing & Communications Officer, setting clear KPIs and fostering a high-performance, collaborative culture

Essential Requirements

• Strong interpersonal skills: The ability to build positive relationships with colleagues, members, sponsors, partners, and external stakeholders
• Highly motivated: The ability to manage competing priorities, work at pace, and deliver high-quality outcomes to deadline
• Delivery track record: Demonstrable experience of marketing that supports audience growth, engagement, events, memberships, and income generation. A strong history of managing multi-channel campaigns that have had a measurable impact
• Digital performance: Demonstrable experience of improving website performance through SEO, content optimisation and user journey design, resulting in measurable outcomes
• Technical proficiency: Experienced in using CRM platforms, website content management systems, analytics platforms, social media channels and other marketing technologies to support organisational objectives
• Analytical mindset: Ability to use data-driven insights to shape messaging and improve the effectiveness of marketing spend
• Strategic distillation: Exceptional ability to translate complex information into messages that drive stakeholder action
• Leadership capability: Proven experience of leading projects or teams, with a demonstrable ability to mentor, develop, and foster a high-performance culture

Desirable

• Experience in the education, charity, membership, or public sector
• Formal line management experience (e.g., 1–3 direct reports), including setting objectives and conducting reviews.

Lead a unique mental health retreat service helping prevent crisis admissions and supporting recovery across Gloucestershire. Join a values-driven organisation making a lasting difference through compassionate, person-centred care.

Swindon & Gloucestershire Mind is seeking an experienced and motivated Service Manager to lead Alexandra Wellbeing House — a unique short-term mental health retreat delivered in partnership with Gloucestershire Health & Care NHS Foundation Trust. Supporting adults experiencing acute emotional distress, the service provides an alternative to inpatient admission through early intervention, recovery-focused support, and collaborative care planning.

This is an opportunity to lead a skilled multidisciplinary team while shaping the future development of an innovative community mental health service. You will work closely with NHS partners, Crisis Teams, Community Mental Health Teams, and third-sector organisations to strengthen referral pathways and improve outcomes for people experiencing mental ill health.

We are looking for someone with strong leadership experience, a passion for person-centred mental health support, and the ability to build trusted partnerships across services. You will oversee service quality, staff development, safeguarding, performance reporting, and continuous improvement while ensuring the service remains welcoming, safe, and empowering for everyone accessing support.

In return, we offer a supportive and forward-thinking working environment, ongoing professional development, supervision, flexible working opportunities, generous annual leave, and the chance to help shape meaningful mental health services within the local community.

Join us and help create services where people are recognised, valued, and supported.