67 Associate director jobs

Could you provide the strategic financial, governance and operational leadership that helps Shine thrive? 

Shine is seeking an exceptional Director of Finance, Governance & Operations to join our Senior Leadership Team and help shape the future of our national charity. 

Working with the Chief Executive and Board of Trustees, you will provide strategic leadership across finance, governance and operations for Shine and its trading subsidiary, ensuring the charity remains financially sustainable, well governed and operationally resilient. 

You will be a fully qualified accountant (CCAB-recognised or CIMA) who combines strategic thinking with practical delivery. You will lead financial strategy and planning and provide oversight of governance, organisational risk, people processes, operational infrastructure, information security and business continuity. 

You will be supported by specialist staff and external advisers, so you do not need to be the technical specialist in every function.

You will be an excellent communicator and relationship builder, committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and Shine’s aims. 

The role is full-time and based at Shine’s Peterborough office. The package includes a £60,000 FTE salary, 30 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays and discretionary paid leave between Christmas and New Year, a 6% employer pension contribution, and the chance to make a lasting difference to people affected by spina bifida and hydrocephalus. 

Shine is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the people we support. Candidates must provide evidence of their identity and eligibility to work in the UK. 

Shine is a Disability Confident employer and guarantees an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria.

Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service is looking for an inspirational and experienced Director of Care to provide strategic, clinical and operational leadership across our medical, clinical and holistic care services.

This is a pivotal role within our organisation. Reporting to the CEO and working closely with the Board of Trustees and Senior Leadership Team, you will be responsible for ensuring that children, young people and their families receive the highest quality, safe and compassionate care.

You will have the opportunity to shape the future direction of our care services at an exciting time in the development of Alexander Devine.

The role

As Director of Care, you will have overall responsibility for the leadership, management, quality and performance of our care services.

You will:

• Provide strong, visible and inspirational clinical leadership across all care services.
• Lead the strategic development of our medical, clinical and holistic care provision.
• Ensure services are safe, effective, evidence-based, family-centred and responsive to the needs of the children and families we support.
• Act as Joint Registered Manager with the Care Quality Commission.
• Provide strategic oversight of clinical governance, quality assurance, risk management, safeguarding and compliance.
• Ensure we are prepared for CQC and other regulatory requirements and that learning from incidents, complaints, audits and research drives continuous improvement.
• Lead and support a highly skilled multidisciplinary Care Team, encouraging a culture of reflection, development, innovation and excellence.
• Work with the CEO and wider Senior Leadership Team to deliver the charity's strategic plan and manage resources effectively.
• Develop strong relationships with Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and support the development and management of commissioned services.
• Represent Alexander Devine locally and nationally, contributing to the wider development of children's palliative care.
• Champion the voice of children, young people and their families, ensuring their experience informs the ongoing development of our services.

About you

We are looking for an exceptional clinical leader who combines strategic vision with strong operational management and a genuine passion for children's palliative care.

You will be a registered nurse with significant experience in paediatric palliative care and senior-level leadership experience. You will have a strong understanding of clinical governance, CQC requirements, PSIRF and safeguarding, together with experience of leading service development and change.

You will bring:

• NMC registration as a Children's or Adult Nurse.
• Significant experience of palliative paediatric nursing.
• Senior-level experience of management, strategic thinking and service development.
• Experience of CQC compliance, clinical governance, PSIRF and safeguarding.
• Strong financial and budgetary understanding.
• Excellent communication skills and the confidence to communicate complex and sensitive information to a wide range of audiences.
• The ability to interpret data and use evidence to inform strategic and operational decisions.
• Excellent networking and partnership-building skills.
• A Master's-level qualification in a relevant health or leadership subject is desirable.

Most importantly, you will be an inspirational, resilient and motivational leader who can engage people, build confidence and create a culture where staff are empowered to deliver their very best.

Why Alexander Devine?

This is a rare opportunity to join a growing children's hospice charity and play a leading role in shaping the future of our services.

At Alexander Devine, our values are at the heart of everything we do: determined, empowering, valuing others, integrity, nurture and empathy. We are looking for a leader who genuinely shares these values and can translate them into meaningful action for children, families, staff and volunteers.

You will have the opportunity to work alongside a committed Senior Leadership Team, an experienced clinical team and a passionate wider charity, while building strong relationships with partners across health, social care and the children's palliative care sector.

If you are an ambitious and compassionate clinical leader who wants to make a lasting difference to children and families, we would love to hear from you.

Please note: The successful candidate will be required to undertake an Enhanced DBS check.

Seeking a purposeful career change? Start on your transformative journey with the On Purpose Associate Programme, offering a unique opportunity for mid-career professionals to transition into impactful work. This paid, year-long leadership programme is designed for those ready to develop the skills, knowledge, mindset, and connections to create a regenerative, equitable and just future.

Key info:

• Based in London, UK

• Full-time (4.5 days at placement & 1 half day training weekly)

• £27,010 per annum salary

• Programme dates: April 2027 - March 2028 (50 weeks)

• Apply by Monday 12th October, 9:00 am BST

About On Purpose:

On Purpose is tackling the greatest challenge of our time: transforming our economy from profit to purpose. Our leadership programmes develop people who will play their part in this transformation.

Together, we learn to see a different future and take action towards realising it in the organisations we work in. Our programmes seed a vibrant community who care, inspire, challenge and support one another as we make this transformation a reality.

Programme structure:

Two 6 month placements 

• Through work placements with organisations driving impactful change, you'll gain hands-on experience tackling pressing social and environmental issues 4.5 days of the week. Some of our current partners include Better Society Capital, Bow Foodbank, BELU and VISA.

Weekly expert-led learning 

• Our intensive Learning & Development programme involves half a day, weekly in-person sessions led by experts from across sectors. The blend of professional training and academic rigour equips you with the skills, knowledge and mindset to lead organisational and systemic change. 

1:1 mentoring & coaching

• Receive support through fortnightly mentoring sessions and quarterly executive coaching, fostering both your personal and professional growth.

Join a supportive, impactful community

• You’ll be part of a tight-knit cohort of ~20 Associates, participating in training sessions every Friday afternoon together. You’ll also join the wider On Purpose community with 1000+ alumni, connecting with a global, influential network of impact-driven professionals offering life-long inspiration, collaboration and opportunities.

Benefits:

• Earn a £27.01 k salary - On Purpose stands out by offering a paid learning and training opportunity, saving you significant costs compared to paying for other leadership programmes or MBAs.

• Develop your ability to make an impact - Equip yourself with the skills and insights needed to drive meaningful change. Our alumni are leading transformative change worldwide in all parts of the system, with 92% currently working in the impact sector.

• Unlock purpose-driven career opportunities - Our Associates have moved into a range of impact roles, ranging from CEOs of social enterprises to leadership positions within traditional companies driving change from within. We have a former Consultant now Director of Impact at B Lab UK, a former accountant now CEO at Ellen MacArthur Foundation, and a  journalist and editor now co-CEO of Heard.

• Standard UK holiday allowance

• A 3-day residential (expenses paid)

Who we’re looking for:

This programme is ideal for you if you’re either:

• at a stage in your career where you’ve built solid professional experience and want to use your professional skills to create change in organisations, systems and beyond;

• not currently in a career that aligns with your beliefs, but looking to transition into one;

• or you’re already in the impact sector and want to deepen your understanding of how systems and organisations work, develop the skills to lead transformational change, clarify your purpose and vision, and join a cohort and wider network of peers committed to putting purpose before profit.

Specific sector or industry experience is not important. We’re looking for talented people from diverse industries who have a determination to bring their skills and experience to purpose-driven projects and to driving systemic change. We seek ambitious individuals with:

• A minimum of three years full-time professional experience

• The right to work in the UK for the full duration of the programme

• Fluency in English 

• Office environment experience 

• Skills including project management, stakeholder engagement, adaptability, interpersonal communication, problem-solving, quantitative analysis and strategic thinking.

• Excitement and commitment towards building a career that helps transform our economy from profit to purpose.

Diversity and Inclusion:

We welcome and encourage applications from people with diverse backgrounds and experiences and those who are often under-represented in the impact sector, including but not limited to individuals with disabilities and those from diverse ethnic, gender identities, sexualities, religions, and socio-economic backgrounds.

How to apply:

• Read our Associate Programme brochure for more information.

• Register your interest via our website to receive a link to your online application form.

• Closing date for applications: Monday 12th October, 9:00 am BST

• Interviews will be held in mid-late November.

We are looking for more than an accountant!

Place Matters is a small, entrepreneurial charity punching above its weight.Yes you need be a qualified accountant who will “do” as well as “oversee” but we want you to also be part of our mission to enable community-led, place-based change to thrive. You will provide strategic and practical leadership across finance, organisational operations, risk, governance and compliance. We want you to contribute beyond your functional portfolio - support organisational strategy, planning, culture, partnerships and fundraising and translate Place Matters’ ambitions into deliverable and financially sustainable plans.

Please apply if you are someone colleagues and Trustees can trust to make sound decisions and if you are a team player - confident and with strong opinions, but low ego and collegiate. You need to have the ability to work at speed through ambiguity and uncertainty, remain calm under pressure, and stay solutions focused.

We'll conduct interviews on 22 and 23 October 2026.

The Associate Director (Investments) role will design and lead a new mission-aligned strategy that puts racial justice and community power at its centre - redefining how our capital can be put to work to restore dignity and collective care within communities.

This is not a conventional investment role. It will take all of us, including our grant partners to imagine, design and build. Your role is to hold this with bravery and humility, and a willingness to shift as we continue to learn and deepen our strategic ambitions.

We are looking for someone who is as comfortable engaging with communities on the ground as they are with fund managers and wealth advisers - someone who understands that the way capital moves is itself an act of power, and who brings the vision, relationships and technical grounding to help Tudor use its assets in genuine service of our mission.

You will sit on the Senior Leadership Team, serve as Tudor's primary investment adviser to the Board and Finance
& Investment Committee, and lead a working group of trustees and partners as we chart this new course. 

We’re looking for an Associate Director of Digital Product & Experience to join the Stroke Association at an exciting point in their development.

This is a brand-new position within the charity, leading the digital product and experience capability and helping build more user-centred, accessible and evidence-led ways of working across the organisation.

You’ll shape how Stroke Association designs and continually improves digital products, journeys and services for people affected by stroke, supporters, volunteers and colleagues – using digital to help them extend their reach and influence, deepen engagement and grow income so that they can achieve greater impact for people affected by stroke.

As part of the Senior Leadership Team, you’ll work with Executive Directors and alongside senior leaders across the organisation to shape priorities, enable delivery and translate strategy into meaningful digital experiences.
You’ll work particularly closely with Associate Directors for Technology, Knowledge & Insight and Marketing & Communications. Success will depend on your ability to connect expertise, build strong relationships and enable multidisciplinary teams to work together around shared outcomes.

What you’ll do
You’ll provide strategic and practical leadership for our digital product and experience capability, creating the conditions for brilliant, user-centred digital experiences and building our organisational capability to design around the needs of our users.
You will:

• Set the direction for digital product and experience, ensuring our approach is grounded in user need, evidence and the outcomes we want to achieve – including greater reach, influence, engagement and income.
• Create more coherent and joined-up digital experiences, shaping products, journeys and services that work together and make it easier for people to find, access and engage with what they need from us.
• Champion user research, service design and inclusive design, ensuring accessibility and the diverse needs and experiences of people affected by stroke are embedded throughout our approach.
• Lead and enable multidisciplinary teams, bringing together product, technology, insight, marketing, communications and other expertise to solve problems and deliver shared outcomes.
• Build experimentation, testing and learning into how we work, using evidence, analytics, user feedback and performance data to test assumptions, learn quickly and continuously optimise our digital experiences.
• Strengthen our digital marketing and discoverability, using search, analytics and digital marketing insight to understand behaviour, improve journeys and help more people find and engage with us.
• Build organisational capability in user-centred ways of working, helping colleagues across the Stroke Association develop the confidence, skills and approaches to understand user needs and translate them into better experiences.
• Shape priorities and investment, using insight and evidence to help us make good choices about where digital product and experience can make the greatest difference.
• Explore emerging digital opportunities, helping the organisation understand where new technologies and approaches can genuinely improve experience and increase our impact.
• Lead and develop people, creating an environment of trust, curiosity, collaboration, experimentation and accountability.

About you
You’ll be an experienced digital product and experience leader who combines strong professional expertise with the ability to operate strategically and practically across a complex organisation.
You’ll bring:

• Significant experience of leading digital product, digital experience or related capability at a senior level across multiple products, journeys or services.
• Strong knowledge and practical experience of product management, user research, user-centred and service design, and translating user insight into improved experiences.
• A strong understanding of digital accessibility and inclusive design, with experience of embedding accessibility throughout product and service development.
• Experience of leading and enabling multidisciplinary teams, bringing together different professional disciplines around user needs and shared outcomes.
• Experience of experimentation, testing and continuous optimisation, using data, analytics, research and user feedback to learn and improve.
• A good understanding of digital marketing, search and analytics, and how these contribute to effective end-to-end digital experiences.
• Experience of building organisational capability, helping teams adopt more user-centred, evidence-led and iterative ways of working.
• The ability to make choices and prioritise effectively across competing needs, using evidence and organisational outcomes to guide decisions.
• The credibility and communication skills to influence at senior and executive level while building trusted, collaborative relationships across an organisation.
• A relational and inclusive leadership style, with the curiosity and judgement to challenge constructively, enable others and create the conditions for people to do their best work.

You don’t need to have worked in the charity sector before. What matters is your ability to bring your expertise into a purpose-led organisation, understand our context and share our ambition to create a world where there are fewer strokes and everyone affected by stroke gets the help they need.

What we offer

• Salary: £73,000, plus London weighting depending on postcode
• Contract: Permanent
• Location: Home-based, with semi-regular travel for team and Senior Leadership meetings and other organisational activity across the UK
• Closing date: 26 September

How to Apply
To apply, please submit your CV demonstrating your suitability for this role by clicking the 'apply now' button (please do not apply via email). We aim to get back to all successful candidates within 48 working hours.

Commitment to Diversity
The Talent Set are committed to diverse and inclusive recruitment practices, ensuring equal opportunities for all applicants regardless of race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, disability, or age. We actively encourage applications from a wide range of backgrounds and are always happy to make reasonable adjustments to ensure a fair recruitment process.

Global Senior Prospect Research Manager

Roletype:Full time; Permanent

Location:Godalming, UK (hybrid working pattern 2x days per week in the office). The office is located close to Godalming station, with direct trains from/to London Waterloo in approximately 45 minutes.

Salary:£47,000 - £50,000per annum (depending upon skills and experience)

Abouttherole

As our Global Senior Prospect Research Manager, you’ll play a key role in helping Compassion in World Farming to end factory farming by strengthening our global prospect research function.

This is an established and important role within our Global Philanthropy Team, central to building and sustaining a strong, high-quality prospect pipeline to support our fundraising growth ambitions. As part of this role, you’ll help shape and deliver prospect strategy, insight and KPIs aligned to our fundraising priorities and long-term organisational growth plans.

As our Global Senior Prospect Research Manager, you’ll be responsible for (but not limited to):

• Prospect Research -Leading and strengthening the global prospect research function,ensuring it effectively supports ethical fundraising growth across key markets.
• High Potential Prospects-Identifying,researchingand prioritising high-potential prospects from Salesforce and other sources, working closely with colleagues in CRM & Insights.
• Profile Creation-Producing clear, high-quality prospect research profiles to support donor cultivation, relationshipdevelopmentand strategic decision-making.
• Ethical Screening -Leading on due diligence and ethical screening, ensuringa consistent and rigorous approach across donors and markets.
• Data and Reporting-Using data, insight and reportingto analyse our prospect pool,identifynew donor opportunities and supportaccurate, compliant donor records.

About you

To succeed in this role, you’ll need to bring strong prospect research experience, from an international fundraising team or comparable environment, alongside a good understanding of global philanthropy trends, donor behaviour and ethical fundraising practice.

You’ll have to be confident in turning research into clear, useful insight for fundraisers, with the ability to build strong working relationships across teams and communicate findings in a way that supports action. You’ll also have excellent attention to detail and the ability to self-manage a varied workload in a busy, values-led environment.

Skills and experience you’ll need to bring as our Global Senior Prospect Research Manager:

• Prospect research experience within an international fundraising team or comparable environment.
• Experience building and managing a prospect pipeline that supports income growth.
• Experience using a wide variety of resources to produce high-quality intelligence for fundraisers.
• Experience of due diligence and applying ethical fundraising policies.
• Strong understanding of prospect research systems and processes, with experience using CRM systems, ideally Salesforce.

If you don’t meet every requirement but believe you could thrive in this role, we encourage you to apply.

Why join us

This is a brilliant opportunity to shape a vital global research function and help drive the fundraising growth needed to create lasting change for farmed animals.

We offer a supportive, flexible workplace with a strong focus on wellbeing and development, including:

• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays
• Health Cash Back Plan and 24/7 GP access
• Employee Assistance Programme and MHFA support
• Premium Calm App subscription
• Electric car schemeavailable
• Defined contribution pension scheme
• Enhanced discretionary sick pay
• Hybrid working model (role and location dependent)
• Free onsite parking and office next to mainline station
• Cycle Benefit scheme and other savings options
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities

How to apply and key dates

Ifyou’reready to make a global impact,we’dlove to hear from you. PleasesubmityourCV and a cover letteroutlining how you meet the Person Specification. To support a fair and unbiased recruitment process, we kindly ask that you do not include a photo in your CV. 

Please note that we may begin interviews on a rolling basis, so early applications are encouraged.

Closing date: 29 September 2026

1stStage (Teams) Interview

2ndStage (Face to Face at HQ) Interview, with task

“Join us in building a more compassionate future for animals, people, and the planet.”

About Compassion

Compassion in World Farming Internationalis a leading global organisation working to end factory farming. Founded in 1967 by British farmer Peter Roberts,we’vespent over 50 years driving change, successfully campaigning to ban cruel practices such as barren battery cages, veal crates, and sow stalls across the UK and Europe.

Our work combines advocacy, campaigning, and collaboration with policymakers and businesses to promote animal welfare and sustainable food systems. We envision a future where animals are treated with compassion, and farming supports both people and the planet. To learn more about our mission, culture, and opportunities, please explore ourCandidate Pack, andCareers Page. 

Tocomply withlegal requirements in the UK and internationally, all applicants must be able todemonstratetheir right to work in the country where the role is based. Compassion in World Farming is absolutely committed toproviding equal opportunities for everyoneregardless of their background.Wevalue diversity and live experienceand acknowledge the underrepresentation of people from certain backgrounds, both within our organisation and across the sector.We welcome applications from underrepresented groups, whether these be of ethnicity, gender, identity, religion, physical ability, sexual orientation or other.

We are seeking an experienced, commercially astute and forward-thinking Director of Finance to provide strategic leadership of the organisation's financial management, planning and governance. This is a pivotal executive leadership role responsible for ensuring financial sustainability, supporting organisational growth, driving operational excellence, and enabling the charity to maximise its impact.

The successful candidate will be a qualified finance professional (or qualified by experience) with extensive experience of financial leadership, budgeting, forecasting, financial control, and strategic planning. They will bring a proactive and innovative approach to financial management, identifying opportunities for organisational development, efficiency, improvement, and sustainable growth.

Ideally, candidates will have experience within the charity, not-for-profit or public sector environment and possess a strong understanding of charity accounting, governance and regulatory compliance.

We are seeking an inspiring and strategic leader to drive our mission to respect, protect and fulfil economic, social and cultural rights across the UK.

As Director, you will lead our talented team in delivering the organisation’s strategy, strengthening our influence and increasing our impact as the UK’s leading voice on human rights, poverty and inequality.

We are looking for someone with senior leadership experience, a strong track record in fundraising and influencing change, excellent relationship-building skills, and a deep commitment to human rights and social justice.

This is a rare opportunity to lead a highly respected national organisation at the forefront of advancing rights across the UK.

Who we are

Camphill Village Trust is a national charity that has been supporting adults with learning disabilities, autism and mental health support needs for more than 70 years. Across our communities in England, we enable people to lead meaningful, independent and connected lives through high-quality, person-centred support, underpinned by a strong commitment to inclusion, community and opportunity.

Our communities are distinctive places. Alongside high-quality care and support, people have opportunities to develop skills, build relationships and participate in meaningful activities through our farms, gardens, workshops, cafés, shops and wider community partnerships. Our connection with nature, land and community remains an important part of who we are and our ambition for the future.

Camphill Village Trust has been through a significant period of organisational change and is now entering an important next chapter. We are building greater stability across the organisation while continuing to develop the quality, consistency and sustainability of our services.

As part of this next phase, we are seeking an experienced Director of Operations to provide strategic leadership for our core care and support services and help shape their future development.

About the role

As Director of Operations, you will have strategic responsibility for our care and support services and play a critical role within our Executive Team.

Supported living sits at the heart of Camphill Village Trust and this appointment will bring deep operational and social care expertise, ensuring we continue to deliver safe, high-quality, person-centred services while developing a sustainable model for the future.

This is a significant leadership role with responsibility for a c.£20m budget and an experienced operational leadership team. You will provide strategic oversight of quality, safeguarding, regulatory compliance and operational performance, while working with colleagues to strengthen our approach to supported living and housing and ensure our services deliver meaningful outcomes for the people we support.

There is important transformation ahead. We need to continue strengthening quality and consistency, develop our operational and leadership capability, improve our understanding of service financial performance and ensure our structures and systems are fit for the future. We are also considering the future relationship between our housing and supported living provision and how our care and support model should evolve.

Our communities have experienced considerable change and they already have significant knowledge, commitment and capability. You will therefore take time to listen and understand before determining what needs to change, working alongside experienced colleagues and empowering leaders rather than imposing solutions.

You will also help us look ahead. We have ambitions to grow our impact and reach more people and you will develop strong relationships with commissioners and partners, understand emerging needs and opportunities and ensure future growth is both financially sustainable and consistent with the quality and values we expect.

This will be a highly visible role. We want our Executive leaders to understand our communities by spending meaningful time in them, meeting colleagues and the people we support, seeing our services first-hand and staying connected to the impact of the decisions we make.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for an established senior social care leader with significant experience leading complex care and support services.

You may have worked within learning disability and autism services, supported living or another relevant area of adult social care. Exact sector experience matters less than a strong understanding of regulated care and support, quality, safeguarding and the realities of delivering sustainable services in a challenging commissioning environment.

You will understand what excellent support looks like and bring the credibility to provide assurance and constructive challenge at Executive and Board level. Experience of CQC-regulated services and a strong understanding of the responsibilities associated with the Nominated Individual role will be particularly important.

Alongside your technical expertise, you will bring strong commercial and financial judgement. You will understand service models, commissioning arrangements and financial performance and make difficult decisions when necessary, without ever losing sight of the impact those decisions have on people’s lives.

Your leadership style will matter just as much as your experience.

We are looking for someone calm, considered and resilient; a leader who listens, builds relationships and creates confidence during change. You will recognise that meaningful transformation takes time and have the patience to understand what is already working before deciding what needs to change.

You will be comfortable working through others, developing capable leaders and drawing on the expertise around you rather than needing to have all the answers yourself.

Above all, you will share our commitment to putting people at the heart of decision-making and be excited by the opportunity to spend time within our communities, understand what makes Camphill Village Trust distinctive and help us build outstanding, sustainable services for the future.

Our Consultancy team works across a broad range of strategic and fundraising challenges, combining deep  sector expertise,evidenceand insight with practical consultancy. We work with Boards, Trustees, Executive Teams and senior fundraising leaders to develop strategies, solve complex problems and identify opportunities for growth and change. 

Research and insight is an important part of how THINK delivers consultancy. We use research, stakeholder insight, market analysis, benchmarking and sector evidence to understand the challenges facing organisations and develop recommendations that are grounded in evidence and practical to implement. 

We are creating a new Research & Insight Consultant role to strengthen this capability. The role will provide the research and insight spine for Consultancy, while operating as aconsultant in its own right. 

The successful candidate will bring significant experience of strategy, consultancy or senior strategic leadership within the charity sector, alongside deep expertise in at least one area of fundraising. They will be confident working with senior stakeholders, leading complex projects, developing strategic recommendations and contributing to the growth of a consultancy business. 

Research and insight will be a significant part of the role. The postholder will advise project teams on research  methodology, lead research-led assignments where appropriate, ensure research is appropriately scoped and costed, and build a strong associate research capability. 

The postholder will be expected to lead consultancy projects, develop strategic recommendations, build senior client relationships, contribute to proposals and pitches,identify opportunities  for  further work and help generate new consultancy business through their expertise and network. 

To qualify for this post, candidates must be able to demonstrate: 

• Comprehensive senior-level experience within charity fundraising, consultancy, strategy or a closely related field

• Comprehensive expertise in at least one fundraising income stream or specialist area

• Demonstrable research, analytical and insight skills, with the ability to determine what evidence is needed to answer a strategic question

To express interest in this role, please download the Candidate Pack and share your CV with THINK. Our team will be in touch with next steps to submit a full application. 

Interviews will be two stages: 

• Stage 1 interviews (virtual): Wednesday 21st October / Thursday 22nd October 

• Stage 2 interviews (in person): Wednesday 28th October 

Reporting to: Principal
Line managing: Site Manager, Professional Services team (Student Recruitment and Communications Manager and Office staff), IT Manager
Key Relationships: Senior Management Team, Head of Access to Learning, the Chair and Trustees of the City & Guilds of London Art School, Chair and Trustees of the City and Guilds Art School Property Trust
 

Main purpose of role:
The Director of Operations is an important, senior role at the Art School, responsible for supporting the Principal in the delivery of the Strategic Vision and to monitor the progress of its objectives. They are responsible for the efficient and effective management of internal resources and stakeholders, and will act as the deputy to the Principal in all matters excluding academic. They will also contribute to the oversight of recruitment of students and staff.
The Director of Operations provides vision and professional leadership of registry, professional services, IT, admissions, as well as the management of compliance, HR, and the Art School’s technical tutors. They have some oversight of marketing inasfar as it relates to recruitment. The Director of Operations is the key liaison with the Property Trust, which is the official landlord for the Art School and the governing body that oversees the main buildings at our site in Kennington. They are the lead person, responsible for the OfS return and so it is anticipated that the successful candidate would have a level of quality assurance experience and familiarity with policy oversight.

The Art School is an independent educational charity with approximately 300 students and 100 members of staff. The Art School is entering a new strategic planning cycle that will see us growing our profile and portfolio; expanding our international links and external partnerships; and, deepening our civic impact on our neighborhood in Kennington and further afield.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The main duties and responsibilities of the post are:
Leadership and Strategy

• Supporting the Principal in the delivery of the Strategic Vision for the Art School
• Working closely with the Head of Finance to allocate resources in line with the Art School improvement plan
• Oversee the management of and communication with, internal stakeholders of the School

Compliance and Governance

• Ensure that the systems and processes employed by the Art School comply with legal, audit and regulatory requirements,
• Oversee Risk Management, including Health & Safety compliance;
• Champion and oversee EDI across the Art School;
• Monitor the Art School’s performance against strategic objectives;
• Attend meetings of the Board of Trustees and relevant Committees, providing effective and timely reporting, proactive advice and support;
• Have overall responsibility for operational strategy including and policy management;
• To be the Art School ‘point of contact’ to the Property Trust;
• Manage legal and related matters as and when they arise.

Registry

• Oversee the team that handles student registry, academic administration and affairs, compliance and all non-academic matters of student experience;
• Ensure the accurate and timely submission of statutory and regulatory returns (e.g. to the Office for Students, Higher Education Statistics Agency, Office of the Independent Adjudicator for HE, Student Loans Company, UKVI etc);
• Act as the primary liaison for the Art School’s validating partners (Arts University Bournemouth, University of the Arts London Awarding Body);
• Act as Secretary to the Academic Board and oversee the arrangements for Art School Examination Boards;

Operations

• Implementation of HR processes and systems, seeking external advice as appropriate;
• Recruitment and line management of operational staff;
• Lead the process for the Art School’s annual staff appraisal scheme (Individual Performance Review) recommending associated staff development and training activities as agreed with the Principal;
• Day-to-day oversight of the professional teams managing the Estate, Technical Resources and IT infrastructure, and lead strategic planning relevant to these areas;
• Chair the Art School’s Site and Environment Committee;
• Manage the relationship with the Property Trust on a day-to-day basis.

External Profile and Recruitment

• Supporting the Principal to ensure successful student recruitment, working collaboratively with other academics;
• Development of the Art School’s activities (including commercial activities), short courses and profile;
• Oversee the Health & Safety and other logistical aspects of public events such as Degree Show

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

• Deputise where appropriate for the Principal;
• Lead and undertake Health and Safety duties and responsibilities appropriate to the role;
• Undertake other duties of a reasonable nature, as may be determined by the post holder’s line manager from time to time, in consultation with the post holder.

It is the duty of the post holder not to act in a prejudicial or discriminatory manner towards members of staff, students, visitors or members of the public. The post holder should also counteract such practice or behaviour in others by challenging and reporting it.
This is a description of the job as it is presently constituted. It is the Art School’s practice to periodically review job descriptions to ensure that they accurately reflect the job that is required to be performed, or to incorporate proposed reasonable changes following negotiation with the postholder.

About Florence Nightingale Foundation 

At the Florence Nightingale Foundation (FNF), we develop nurse and midwife leaders who can influence, improve and transform health and care. Our work has purpose, reach and impact – supporting professionals at every career stage to grow in confidence, lead with integrity and create lasting change for the people and communities they serve. 

This is a unique and exciting opportunity to lead the next phase of the FNF Academy's development and growth. As the Director of Academy, you will shape a bold, credible and high-quality Academy offer, ensuring our Scholarships, Leadership Programmes and professional development opportunities continue to meet the needs of nursing and midwifery leaders in the UK and globally. 

You will work closely with the senior leadership team and key external partners to strengthen the Academy’s influence, grow sustainable opportunities and demonstrate the value and impact of our work. This is an Executive role with real scope to bring clarity, ambition and momentum to a charity with a strong reputation and an important mission. 

About you 

You will bring executive or senior nursing or midwifery leadership experience, current NMC registration and the credibility to influence at executive level. You will be confident working with complex stakeholders, leading through change and translating strategy into practical, high-quality delivery. 

You will be a strong relationship-builder and a clear communicator, able to inspire confidence, develop high-performing teams and make decisions informed by evidence, insight and professional judgement. Most importantly, you will share our commitment to developing nurse and midwife leaders who can make a tangible difference across health and care. 

Why join us? 

You will join a small, friendly and ambitious charity where your work will have purpose and visible impact. We offer a supportive team culture, hybrid and flexible working, generous annual leave, strong pension contributions and dedicated time for personal and professional development. Further information about the role, including key responsibilities and the person specification, can be found in the candidate pack.

About School of Hard Knocks

School of Hard Knocks (SOHK) is one of the UK’s leading education charities, working in 29 secondary schools across England, Scotland, and Wales. Using rugby as a key delivery tool, we support young people who are struggling to engage in early secondary education - often because of anxiety, low confidence, disrupted home lives, or behavioural challenges rooted in trauma. For many of the children we support, life has already brought more hardship than most adults experience in a lifetime. Our purpose is clear: to help young people facing complex challenges break the cycle and move towards a safer, stronger, more hopeful future.

The SOHK Schools Programme is a two-year intervention working with cohorts of around 20 pupils from Year 7 through to Year 9. Pupils are selected by the school and are typically among the hardest to reach young people. Each week, we deliver half a day of rugby training and classroom sessions built around our 3Cs framework, covering topics such as growth mindset, goal setting, and decision-making, alongside monthly one-to-one sessions with every pupil. The programme’s impact is evaluated by SOHK staff, teachers, parents, and the pupils themselves.

90% of our participants report feeling more confident and more engaged with school after taking part, with long-term effects on attendance, attainment, and life outcomes. Find out more about our Schools Programme.

Since 2023, SOHK has been proud to partner with Impetus, a charity that invests in and supports organisations helping young people from disadvantaged backgrounds succeed. This partnership combines investment with strategic and organisational development support, helping to strengthen our impact and set SOHK up for sustainable growth.

We are proud to be delivering long-term programmes that meaningfully reach hundreds of young people each year - but the societal need is vast. Our ambitious four-year strategic plan targets growth, aiming to bring our impactful programme to hundreds more young people each year.

“Despite the usual challenges that every education or sport for development charity faces, School of Hard Knocks really is unique. It is not so much what we deliver at a programme level (which is of course brilliant) but who we are as a team. If you are a values-led leader and love the idea of ‘team’, then School of Hard Knocks is the place for you.”

- Ken Cowen, Founder and outgoing CEO

The Role

The CEO is the public face and leader of SOHK, responsible for the overall strategic direction, vision, and management of the charity - ensuring SOHK meets its mission and strategic objectives while maintaining strong relationships with Trustees, staff, supporters, and the wider SOHK community. We’re looking for a mission-driven charity leader and effective fundraiser, capable of building a sustainable growth model.

Strategy and Direction

● Be the face and voice of the charity - its principal ambassador

● Lead the development and periodic review of SOHK’s strategy with the Trustees and Senior Management Team

● Translate the 2026-30 strategy into organisational priorities, plans, and goals

● Ensure safeguarding, wellbeing, and the lived experience of young people remain central to every decision and growth plan

Programme Delivery, Quality and Impact

● Hold a high bar for programme quality and outcomes for young people

● Line-manage and support the Director of Programmes, working with delivery teams and partners to build a world-class, evidence-based intervention

● Ensure SOHK can evidence the impact of its programmes, with insights feeding back into constant improvement

Income Generation, Fundraising and External Relations

● Lead income generation across trusts and foundations, corporate partnerships, individual giving, and challenges and events

● Line-manage and support the Head of Fundraising in executing a comprehensive fundraising strategy

● Hold senior relationships with funders and partners, building SOHK’s brand, reputation, and profile

Leading People, Culture and Operations

● Build and lead a high-performing Senior Management Team

● Foster a positive, inclusive, high-performing culture aligned with SOHK’s values

● Line-manage and support the Director of Finance & Operations, ensuring operational excellence

Governance and the Board

● Act as the primary link between the organisation and the Trustees

● Attend all Trustee meetings (held quarterly) and provide timely, accurate reporting

● Ensure compliance with all legal, regulatory, and Charity Commission requirements

About You

Essential

● Proven senior leadership experience in the charity, education, youth, or social impact sector - whether as CEO or as part of an executive team - including working directly with a Board of Trustees

● Demonstrated success in building or significantly growing an organisation, programme, or initiative

● A collaborative and values-led leadership style, with the ability to inspire trust, hold people to account, and build high-performing teams

● Strong track record of income generation, including securing significant funding from trusts, foundations, corporates, or major donors

● Experience of financial oversight, budgeting, and organisational planning at a senior level

● Strategic thinker, able to translate vision into clear plans and delivery

● Strong relationship-builder and communicator, confident with a wide range of stakeholders

Desirable

● Previous charity CEO experience - a bonus, but not essential; we know brilliant candidates come from a wide range of backgrounds

● Direct classroom, youth work, or education leadership experience

● Knowledge of the UK education system and youth policy landscape

● Experience of scaling a multi-site delivery organisation and working with local authorities

Personal Attributes

● Deep commitment to improving outcomes for young people, especially those facing disadvantage

● Resilient and persistent, able to work under pressure and navigate setbacks

● Collaborative, open, and reflective leader who seeks feedback and learns from it

Terms of Appointment

Contract type

Full-time, permanent

Location

Greater London, with offices in Edinburgh & Cardiff

Salary

£85,000 – £90,000 per year + £5,000 PRP

Reports to

Chair of the Board of Trustees

Direct reports

Director of Programmes; Head of Fundraising; Director of Finance & Operations

Travel

Regular UK travel, primarily to Edinburgh and Cardiff. Occasional evenings for stakeholder engagement and fundraising events

Trustee meetings

Quarterly, in London, in the evening, plus ad hoc subcommittees