Board member with policy skills jobs

Head of Finance

Location: Hybrid, a mixture of remote working and office-based at Solar House, 3rd Floor, 1-9 Romford Rd, London, E15 4LJ.   
Hours: 3 or 4 days a week, negotiable

Salary:  Up to £62,500 (pro rata) 

Closing date of advert: 20 July 2026

Interview Dates:  TBC

Our mission at School-Home Support is simple. We get children and young people back in school, ready to learn, whatever it takes. Every role in our organisation helps make that happen.

We are looking for a Head of Finance to act as our financial conscience and strategic navigator. 

As the Head of Finance, you will provide strategic financial leadership while ensuring our day-to-day operations are exceptionally robust.  You will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer, line-manage a Senior Finance Manager, as well as working closely with our Board of Trustees.

In this role, you will be expected to serve as the organisation's financial conscience, ensuring absolute transparency, integrity, and strict adherence to UK fundraising regulations. Looking ahead, you will also play a key role in analysing commercial opportunities to drive new business growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Financial Stewardship: Manage general ledgers, reserves, budgeting, and long-term financial modelling.
• Governance & Trustees: Work closely with the Board, Finance Committee, and Remuneration Committee.
• Compliance & Legal: Ensure complete adherence to HMRC, Charity Commission, and Charities SORP requirements.
• Risk Management: Maintain and update the Risk Register to protect charity assets.
• New Business & Commercial Growth: Provide costings and commercial modelling for new tenders and products.
• Team Leadership: Oversee the internal finance team and third-party payroll providers.
• About You
• Qualifications: You are a fully qualified CCAB or CIMA accountant with extensive post-qualification experience.
• Sector Knowledge: You have a proven track record in a senior charity finance role managing statutory accounts over full year cycles.
• Regulatory Expertise: You fully understand UK fundraising regulations, charity governance, and company law.
• Commercial Mindset: You can confidently support non-finance departments with commercial analysis to secure new contracts.
• Systems Experience: Experience with Sage and Salesforce is highly desirable 

What We Offer
We really value modern workplace flexibility. This permanent role is offered as a 3 or 4 days per week part-time position, with a hybrid working pattern split between remote work and our office in Stratford, London.

We actively support staff wellbeing and champion a safe, diverse culture where everyone can be themselves. Here is what we offer our team:

• Employee Assistance Programme, providing confidential support for you and your family
• Life assurance for added financial security
• Pension scheme
• A structured induction and ongoing professional development
• A supportive and collaborative team environment where your experience and ideas are valued
• The opportunity to make a meaningful difference to the lives of children, young people and families

Applications are reviewed continually, and we reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to the closing date, so early applications are strongly encouraged. 

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community. 

School-Home Support takes the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children very seriously, and is committed to ensuring that our safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice. Our safeguarding policy recognises that the welfare and interests of children are paramount in all circumstances.

All roles at SHS are subject to a DBS check at the level appropriate to the role.

Are you a natural relationship builder who thrives on influencing senior stakeholders, driving engagement and making things happen?

The Royal College of Radiologists is looking for an Exams Engagement Officer to play a pivotal role in supporting and inspiring our national network of volunteer examiners. This is a unique opportunity to work with leading clinical professionals across the UK and internationally, ensuring they remain engaged, motivated and equipped to deliver high-quality assessments that uphold standards across radiology and oncology.

You'll be the trusted point of contact for over 200 senior clinicians, building strong relationships, influencing participation, supporting change initiatives and helping shape the future direction of our examinations programme.

What you'll do

• Build and maintain strong relationships with senior clinical examiners and committee members. 
• Lead examiner recruitment and support workforce planning across exam boards. 
• Coordinate training, inductions and engagement activities to support examiner success. 
• Work closely with operational teams to ensure exams are appropriately resourced and delivered smoothly. 
• Analyse feedback and engagement data to identify improvements and support strategic decision-making. 

What you'll bring

• Experience coordinating complex projects, programmes or stakeholder networks. 
• Experience of financial administration, budget monitoring and maintaining financial records and reports
• Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills. 
• The ability to influence, negotiate and build consensus with senior stakeholders. 
• Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and a proactive approach.
• Confidence managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience maintaining databases, producing reports and working with data.

If you're looking for a role where you can combine relationship management, stakeholder engagement, project coordination and continuous improvement while making a meaningful impact, we'd love to hear from you.

Why join us:

• Make a difference to the lives of Doctors and the specialities they work in every day!
• Hybrid working (60% working week can be done remotely)
• Modern working environment
• Equipment provided to work from home
• Generous annual leave allowance
• Excellent pension scheme
• Interest free season ticket loan and cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme

The Damilola Taylor Trust (DTT) is a charitable company limited by guarantee incorporated in May 2001 in memory of Damilola Taylor and registered as a charity in July 2001.Our founding purpose is to provide inner-city youths with opportunities to play, learn and live their lives free of fear and violence, and with optimism for a future where opportunities abound. Our Mission is to develop the hope, optimism and self-esteem of young people so that they can:  Lead healthy lives; Stay in School; Grow up to become independent productive adults; Have lofty aspirations and work to attain their innate potential.

Although we have recovered from the Covid 19 pandemic, the nation now faces the worst cost of living crisis since the 1950s, thanks to the Russian Ukraine war, and now the US Israel Iran one which have disrupted the global energy market. There is no denying that, in the UK, young people (YP) are being disproportionally affected. We are deeply concerned about the impact this crisis is having on the young people that we work with across the board.

The UK youth unemployment rate for 16-24-year-olds sits at a concerning 16.2%, an 11-year high. There are over 1 million young people not in education, employment or training (NEET). We know that high numbers of vacancies do not translate into opportunities for all young people, especially those from BAME background who already face discrimination in the labour market.

We are responding to this emerging issue, by working harder and smarter to support young people that we work with for whom the transition from formal education into employment is not automatic. We work to help this group have access to economic opportunities in these challenging times. We believe that our services bridge this gap and provide opportunities for young people to develop wider social, personal and self -management skills required for productive participation and integration into society. For additional information about the Trust and its programmes, please go to our website. 

Job purpose: Provide a range of administration services to enable the Trust to operate its day-to-day activities, management and governance processes effectively.

Roles and responsibilities:

The main responsibilities of the job are:

· Provide administrative support to the Programme Manager, Trustees and Youth Board 

· Provide general administrative support across the Trust, including scheduling meetings, administering our Microsoft 365 system, helping to produce reports/ letters, managing emails, facilitating in-house communication, managing our records, research, and other general duties

· Assist implementation of the Trust’s charitable programmes e.g., by providing administration support to project teams and organising promotional activities.

· Manage enquiries to the Trust and respond to routine enquiries, ensuring that actions are followed up

· Proactively manage our website day-to-day and post to our social media, consulting where necessary. Produce leaflets, publicity and newsletters

· Support our organisation development plans by helping us research and implement any new policies, processes and best practice procedures required, and maintaining the database of evidence

· Suggest administrative improvements to support the smooth running of the charity and, when agreed, implement them

Key working relationships:  The post holder will work with all the Trustees (but particularly the Trustee responsible for Communications), the Programmes Manager as well as the Trust’s finance service provider. The post holder will develop good working relationships with other stakeholders including our project delivery partners, members of the Youth Board and, in some cases, young people on or applying for our programmes.

 Person specification -Specific experience or skill     KEY: (E) Essential (D) Desirable

· Experience of organising own work effectively with limited supervision (E)

· Significant experience providing administrative support. Experience of working in a charity would be an advantage (E)

· Excellent digital skills, with the ability to learn new software and systems quickly and instruct others (E)

· Proficiency in Microsoft 365 including administering a system(E)

· Experience of organising and maintaining records, both on paper and digitally. (E)

· Ability to produce attractive documents and reports for a range of audiences adhering to our house style (E)

· Ability to work effectively with all our stakeholders, including young people from disadvantaged backgrounds (E).

· An ability to gather, analyse and evaluate data and to prepare and present concise reports both orally and in writing

· Exceptional time and task management skills; calmness under pressure (E)

· Experience working in a pressured environment with lots of competing priorities (E) 

Knowledge, qualifications

· Knowledge of good administrative practices (E)

· Knowledge of General Data Protection Regulations (E)

· An understanding of safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults (E)

· Current DBS certificate (E but, for a suitable candidate, the post might be offered subject to a DBS being obtained)

· Degree or relevant experience of working in the charity/ Social sector (D)

Personal skills and abilities

· A highly organised person with attention to detail (E).

· Ability to organise own workload to reflect our charity’s priorities (E).

· Ability to communicate effectively with all people involved with the Trust (E).

· Remote working skills (E)

· Good report-writing and presentation skills (E).

· Commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion (E)

· Ability to research information (E)

· Proven ability to work on own initiative and mobilise/manage support from colleagues (E).

• Proactive, creative and innovative approach with high drive for results (E)

Personal qualities:  Commitment to own continuing personal and professional development (E)

· Commitment to the vision, mission and values of DTT (E)

· Flexibility

• Commitment to effective relationship building and collaboration (E)

Application process

Please write no more than 1000 words explaining how your experience, qualifications and personal qualities fit you for this post. Also submit a CV which includes your full name, address, phone number and email address, your educational and work histories and the names of two referees, one of whom will normally be your current or latest employer. We will not seek references without asking your permission but any offer will be subject to satisfactory references.

We are seeking a proactive, highly organised Campaigns Officer to join the Communications Directorate at the Royal College of Radiologists, playing a key role in delivering impactful, insight-led marketing campaigns that engage members and stakeholders.

This is an exciting opportunity to take ownership of multi-channel marketing campaigns from brief to evaluation, helping to shape how we promote our membership, workforce and brand priorities. Working closely with Brand, Content and Membership teams, you’ll deliver compelling messaging, coordinate activity across channels and use data to continually improve performance. If you thrive on turning strategy into action and want to make a tangible difference through effective communications, we’d love to hear from you.

What you’ll do

• Plan, coordinate and deliver targeted, insight-led marketing campaigns from brief through to evaluation.
• Develop clear campaign plans including objectives, audiences, messaging, channels, timelines and KPIs.
• Commission high-quality campaign assets and write engaging, on-brand copy across email, social and digital platforms.
• Manage multiple marketing campaigns simultaneously, keeping activity on track and stakeholders informed.
• Monitor performance using analytics tools, reporting on results and using insight to optimise future activity.
• Collaborate with Brand, Content and Membership teams to ensure joined-up, consistent communications.
• Identify opportunities to improve targeting, testing and campaign effectiveness through continuous learning and optimisation.

What you’ll need

• Experience independently delivering multi-channel marketing or campaign activity from planning to evaluation.
• Strong project management and organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise and meet deadlines.
• Confident copywriting skills and the ability to adapt tone and messaging for different audiences and platforms.
• Experience using analytics and performance tools (e.g. Google Analytics, Google Ads or similar) to track and improve results.
• A data-informed mindset, with experience using testing and insight to refine campaigns.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with a collaborative, solutions-focused approach.
• Proactivity, sound judgement and the confidence to take ownership of your work.

Why join us

• Make a difference to the lives of Doctors and the specialities they work in every day!
• Hybrid working (60% working week can be done remotely)
• Modern working environment
• Equipment provided to work from home
• Generous annual leave allowance
• Excellent pension scheme
• Interest free season ticket loan and cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme

We are looking for a people focused Workforce Development & Training Officer with great organisational and coordination skills to join us here at the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR). 

Do you want to be part of a dedicated Workforce Development team, supporting doctors who deliver imaging and cancer care services? If you have a desire to work in a people profession which strives to have a positive impact on the lives of doctors and ultimately patients; this may be the opportunity for you.
Sitting in a high performing team of five the Workforce Development & Training Officers will work together to deliver all aspects of the team’s operational work which achieves the objective of growing the workforce in our specialties, clinical oncology and clinical radiology. In this broad role you will encompass supporting both trainees and their trainers through their programmes. You will be self-motivated, able to build your expertise in the relevant legislative and regulatory frameworks within which they operate and apply that expertise across a wide portfolio of activity. As new initiatives evolve and become business as usual, the work of operations will evolve.

What you’ll do:

• Provide tailored advice on all matters that might affect a trainee’s status and training time using expertise in the regulatory frameworks associated with specialty training in the UK.
• Proactively work with WDTO colleagues to ensure trainees and trainers are adequately supported.
• Review and prepare Portfolio Pathway  applications for assessment by the specialist committee.
• Manage and deliver the Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) recommendation process.
• Provide a timely, customer-focussed and responsive service.

What you’ll need: 

• Detailed understanding (or the ability to rapidly acquire it) of UK legislation and GMC regulations and procedures in relation to entry to GMC registers and the right to work in the UK.
• Ability to understand, interpret and advise on legislation, external processes and complex documentation.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to explain complex issues. 
• Strong team player able to work collaboratively to meet team goals.
• Customer focussed. 

This is an exciting opportunity to join a progressive and forward-thinking team and organisation. At the forefront of the health agenda, our members diagnose and treat cancer, heart disease, stroke and more, whilst leading on innovations including AI, skills mix and community diagnostic hubs. If you are interested in finding out more about the Workforce Development & Training Officer role and the RCR please have a read of the candidate pack.

Why join us:

• Make a difference to the lives of Doctors and the specialities they work in every day!
• Hybrid working (60% working week can be done remotely)
• Modern working environment
• Equipment provided to work from home
• Generous annual leave allowance
• Excellent pension scheme
• Interest free season ticket loan and cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme

About Us

Are you looking for a job where you can make a difference to a local community? Chinnor Village Centre aims to be the welcoming hub of the village and local area, bringing together people of all ages and backgrounds by providing a place to meet and services aimed at ending social isolation. 

About The Role

The Centre Manager will oversee the day to day running of centre, making sure we have a safe and welcoming environment. Working with Trustees, you will play a key part in bringing about change at the Centre to ensure its future sustainability and place at the heart of the Chinnor and surrounding villages. This includes seeking out and securing funding opportunities to increase income and providing leadership to our small staff team. Volunteers are at the heart of everything we do and the Centre Manager will need to promote the Centre as a great place to volunteer. 

Key responsibilites:

• Ensuring appropriate policies and protocols are in place.
• Overseeing a programme of works for the refurbishment and updating of the Centre.
• Line manage our 7 staff.
• Produce financial reports and plans, working with our Treasurer and Bookkeeper.
• Identify and lead the application process for grants and funding.
• Provide governance and admin support to the Board of Trustees.

The post is offered at £35,000 to £38,000 fte per year (actual up to £30,400 for 30 hours per week). Other benefits include 25 days holiday per year pro rata and a workplace pension scheme. The postholder will need to be on site for the majority of time. 

The Centre Manager role is a varied one, with no day the same. If you enjoy working with people and are able to ensure the busines aspects of our charity run efficeintly then we would love to hear from you. 

This role will play a pivotal role in supporting Galop to achieve its mission to support LGBT+ victims and survivors of abuse and violence in the UK. You will work alongside another Executive Assistant to provide administrative and project support to the Co-CEOs, as well as supporting the Chair of the Board, Trustees, and Senior Leadership Team as needed. You will work closely with Galop’s Co-CEOs and the wider senior team to ensure the efficient and effective running of the executive office. You will proactively manage both internal and external demands, as well as supporting the Co-CEOs with some of their key projects, such as implementation of the strategy, high-level fundraising and culture development. 

This is a remote role, with the ideal candidate being available in person in central London on an ad hoc basis. This position is part-time and we are open for this role to be undertaken in either 3 or 4 days per week, and can show flexibility with working hours.

Your duties will include: 

Executive Support & Office Management 

• Support the Co-CEOs in all aspects of their roles, including strategic inbox and diary management, workload management, coordinating and minuting meetings, ensuring they are fully briefed, and tracking action points for the Co-CEOs and Senior Leadership Team.  
• Act as an effective gatekeeper to the Co-CEOs.  
• Ensure electronic files and systems are kept up to date and effective.  
• Undertake general administrative duties for the Executive Office as required.  
• Support the wider Senior Leadership Team as required.  
• Undertake any other reasonable duties as required.  

Governance & Board Administration 

• Work closely with the Co-CEOs and Board on the organisation's governance requirements, including compiling Board and Sub-Committee papers, maintaining minutes, and managing governance documentation.  
• Coordinate Board and Sub-Committee meetings, including preparing agendas, information packs, Co-CEO reports, and taking accurate minutes.  

Strategic Planning, Projects & Performance 

• Create and maintain systems to monitor operational work against strategic objectives, ensuring regular reporting of organisational KPIs and departmental operational plans.  
• Undertake research and project management related to the Co-CEOs' programmes and activities, producing briefings, summaries, and leading projects where required.  

Stakeholder Engagement & Communications 

• Serve as a key point of contact for the Co-CEOs and Senior Leadership Team, managing internal and external enquiries professionally and liaising with corporate, political, media, non-governmental, and other stakeholders.
• Represent the Co-CEOs internally and externally as required.  

Professional Standards 

• Always maintain the highest levels of confidentiality. 
• And any other duty as required.

Please download the job description attached for further information about the role. 

Closing date is Wednesday 15 July, 10am.

Caritas Social Action Network

Policy and Public Affairs Officer (maternity leave)

Location: office in London, with mostly working from home, regular travel in England and Wales, and rare travel overseas.

Contract: full-time, to cover a team member’s maternity leave

Salary: £30,00

Closing date: Monday 13 July at 12 noon

Interview date: Thursday 16 July in person, in London

CSAN is the official agency of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference tackling the root causes of poverty and injustice affecting people who live in England and Wales. We’re facing a steep rise in poverty and significant pressures on social, economic and church resources. Currently, the Church is called to raise a prophetic voice against poverty and the rhetoric of division and work for the building of a more just society.

Over the last 20 years, CSAN has built up a network of 50 diocesan and direct service charities with a combined annual spend on social mission estimated at £400m, excluding the work of schools and religious congregations. Our members build up local community life in diverse ways, and many of them support individuals in difficulty, including with housing, prison and detention, social isolation, ill-health, violence, disability, employment, care, therapeutic and welfare support.

The key responsibilities of the post are:

1. To scan the social policy environment to capture developments in legislation, consultation papers and Bills relevant to the Caritas network for the purpose of comprehensive tracking and briefing.

2. To deliver an effective programme of Catholic advocacy and political campaigns that contributes to the common good, with particular attention to the priorities of the dignity of workers, child poverty, social care and end of life; supporting and connecting well with the team’s other activities, and where possible with the CSAN membership’s priorities,

3. To draft campaign and advocacy materials for the range of media channels used by CSAN and support the CEO in engaging with the press and approaches from campaigning organisations including contributing to CSAN’s social media networks.

4. To provide admin support and contribute to CSAN’s Alliances as required, especially the Advocacy Alliance and the Criminal Justice Alliance with information and education on policy and legislation.

5. To ensure that our advocacy is consistent with the Bishops’ understanding of the Church’s role in society and supports the priorities of the Bishops’ Conference, especially the Department for Social Justice.

6. To act as a conduit of information and communication between the Bishops’ Conference and the CSAN members, under the guidance of the CEO, assisting CBCEW where possible in gathering information and the lived experience of poverty.

7. To develop and contribute to practice materials for the network, especially in the areas of campaigning, advocacy, social policy and formation for mission.

8. To oversee monitoring of the Catholic press and relevant wider networks for relevant articles, developments and campaigns.

9. To support the general work of CSAN as required by the CEO, including leading in the development and organisation of the charity in specific areas subject to skills and experience.

The work of the small national team requires a high level of integrity and teamwork, respect for and capacity to navigate complex civil and church contexts at pace, and a stable commitment to personal formation and training. Our Policy and Public Affairs Officer (maternity leave) will bring a professional track record of relevant research and analysis, production of compelling communications, and diligent administration. A satisfactory basic DBS check and references are required.

CSAN is a member of Caritas Internationalis, one of the largest humanitarian networks in the world, with national agencies in over 160 countries, and among the most successful examples of organised Catholic social action in modern times.

Job purpose:

 The postholder will provide public affairs and policy support for the Association’s Advocacy and Campaigns programme as key elements in the Association’s strategic plan.

This role is based at our head office in 21 Portland Place, London. We offer a hybrid working arrangement with a minimum of 2 days in the office per week.

Key responsibilities:

•  Assist the organisation with developing its external voice by responding to policy developments and parliamentary opportunities, bringing together members’ views, evidence and information.
• Monitor relevant parliamentary business and produce short summaries of events where appropriate.
• Track the progress of relevant legislation, committee inquiries and consultations.
• Develop briefings and position statements setting out the Association’s views on issues relevant to membership, that support the advocacy and campaigns work and topical issues.
• Prepare briefings in advance of, and attend, where appropriate, meetings with key stakeholders and organise meetings when required.
• Assist with the developing and updating of stakeholder maps and spreadsheets.
• Assist with the development of campaigns by carrying out research and producing supporting briefings.
• Support the Head of Public Affairs and Policy with producing responses to consultations and policy developments, following up on finalised responses and taking forward related actions.
• Produce statements, latest news updates and contributions to the Association’s publications that promote the policy, advocacy and campaigns work.
• Encourage member engagement on relevant policy issues and campaigns via the Association’s website and other online and offline communication tools.
• Build strategic relationships with key stakeholders, both internal and external, to facilitate collaborative working on priority campaign areas.
• Work with the Digital Content Team to make sure the website and social media are kept up to date with current policy developments and announcements

Operational management

• To work on individual projects, reports, events and publications within the Association as directed by the Head of Public Affairs and Policy.
• Maintain and improve your own competencies through continuous professional development.
• Abide by organisational policies, codes of conduct and practice as described in the Staff Handbook.
• Support and promote the Association’s commitment to diversity and equality of opportunity in the workplace.

This job description is intended to reflect the main duties and responsibilities of the post and is not an exhaustive list of duties. The post holder may be required to undertake other duties which are commensurate with the role.

Person specification

Skills, knowledge and experience

Essential

Educated to degree level or equivalent (e.g. relevant professional qualifications and/or vocational training).

Excellent oral communication skills and written communications skills, with particular emphasis on attention to detail (spelling and grammar).

Experience of writing policy statements and briefings and articulating these clearly to decision-makers and stakeholders.

Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of people including staff, Board, Council, members, stakeholders from other organisations.

Strong time management skills including an ability to manage competing requests and an ability to prioritise.

Well-developed IT skills, including the Microsoft Office suite of products.

Demonstrable experience in parliamentary affairs and an excellent knowledge of the UK political landscape.

Desirable

An understanding of current policy issues affecting the health sector.

Experience of working in a membership organisation.

Experience of working in a political environment.

Strategic thinking and interest in contributing to innovation and change.

Experience of engaging with political monitoring organisations and database management.

Digital copywriting skills and experience of writing for web or social media, and content management systems.

Applications close on 31 July and interviews will take place on 11 August.

This role offers a unique opportunity to make this role your own and take the charity to the next level, with the full support of a dedicated, experienced team.

The successful candidate will ensure that the charity remains resilient and able to deliver on its commitment to grow and evolve to meet the needs of the people we serve.

The role is a mix of operational activity, day to day management and strategic thinking; with the continuous building and nurturing of external relationships with our NHS, public sector and not-for-profit stakeholders.

Working alongside a committed trustee board, skilled staff and volunteers, you will bring drive, experience and passion to the team. You’ll get terrific support from the outgoing postholder as needed, with the space to act and bring your own ideas to the forefront.

Manchester Central Foodbank is a busy Trussell Trust-affiliated food bank, with centres in Central, North, and East Manchester. We were established in Ardwick in 2013 by students at the Manchester Universities’ Catholic Chaplaincy, making us the first student-led food bank in the country. Since then we have grown significantly, expanding our weekly sessions into Harpurhey and Openshaw.

Our core aims are to deliver the best quality support that we can to the largest number of our neighbours in need, while working with partners and influencing and organising at a neighbourhood and citywide level to reduce and end the need for food banks in Manchester.

We currently support 16,000 people per year with nutritionally balanced 3-day food parcels. This is double the number of people we supported in the first year following the Covid-19 pandemic, and four times the number supported in 2019. We also provide financial inclusion support with advice workers in public sessions, access to energy vouchers, SIM cards, and other voucher or material support. We coordinate across a network of 200 active front-line referral agencies with the aim of ensuring everyone who accesses our service has appropriate, specialised, and ongoing support alongside the material provision that we provide.

We are active leaders in anti-poverty organising and community development, as convenors of the city-wide Building an Anti-Poverty Community collective and aim to be key shapers and influencers of new strategies and policies, working closely to support and influence local government, NHS, education, and research agendas in Manchester and more widely, building upon our track record of successful anti-poverty partnership work, social value impact, and Parliamentary influencing.

Key Responsibilities

Our Operations and Projects Workers are the backbone of our charity. They play a key role in the day-to-day running of operations, from frontline and client-facing work to recruiting, supervising, and supporting volunteers, assisting with stock and logistics activities and deliveries, and leading and supporting a range of projects.

A central part of this diverse, hands-on role is leading and supporting foodbank sessions, with extensive engagement with foodbank clients and primary responsibility for supervising, supporting, and developing volunteers.

The Operations and Projects Workers will help shape and maintain high service standards and embed Our Values at the core of every aspect of the charity’s activity.

On a weekly basis the postholder will work to support the smooth running of three public-facing sessions and the operational activities which underpin them. You will work alongside a team of volunteers and staff 

You will be based at our main office and warehouse site, but also regularly attend our three session sites where appropriate and conduct deliveries and collections across the city. Some working from home is allowed with the prior agreement of your manager.

Foodbank Sessions

As part of a pre-planned rota system you will attend foodbank sessions in a variety of roles. All team members are expected to prioritise the creation of a safe, welcoming, inclusive, and friendly space.

In some sessions you will be the nominated Session Lead, 

• You will be responsible for health and safety, briefing and de-briefing of volunteers and other staff, safeguarding and incident reporting, and dealing with emergency or difficult situations.
• Session leads take an active role in shaping and maintaining our values-led Service Standards and creating a supportive framework for other team members, ensuring all frontline service meets those expectations.
• You will ensure consistent and rigorous monitoring and reporting from sessions, including volunteer registration, stock management, logging and escalation of issues and concerns, also well as consistent reporting on service provision.
• Session Leads will act as the primary liaison and coordination point on the day with advice providers and financial inclusion workers
• They will also be the lead contact point on a session day liaising with host sites and reception staff and other session partner organisations.
• Before, during, and after sessions, the Session Lead will monitor stock levels and ensure packing, loading, and unloading is done safely and consistently.

You may also attend foodbank sessions in a variety of other roles, including, but not limited to:

• Conducting or coordinating one-to-one check-ins and support conversations with clients, responsible for signposting and onwards referrals
• Providing additional support such as energy vouchers, SIM cards, supermarket vouchers, and other provision.
• Delivering and collecting food and other stock and materials to and from session sites and monitoring stock levels.
• Supporting general tasks and activities within sessions, such as packing parcels, referrals check-in, picking lists, or monitoring cafés and adjacent spaces.

General Foodbank Operations

Outside of foodbank sessions, you will lead or support across the broad range of operational and project activities, including:

• Regularly driving the foodbank van and loading and unloading stock and other materials.
• Answering or replying to enquiries from clients, referrers, donors, partners, and other contacts via the main charity phone line and email inboxes.
• Conduct regular office-based administrative, printing, and reporting activities.
• Deputise for senior staff or fill in for other team members where appropriate in day-to-day operational cover and external meetings and relationships, including with foodbank referrers and partner organisations.
• Coordinate and supervise volunteers and logistics around food deliveries, food drives, and food sorting sessions.
• Work and lead on projects to help maintain and increase donation levels.
• In collaboration with other staff, assist volunteer recruitment, training, and development activities.
• Attend and organise meetings and events where required to represent the foodbank or conduct project-related work.
• Undertake training and personal development as appropriate and agreed with your line manager.

The post-holder will be responsible for managing their own workload and time management, completing timesheets and reports for the board.

There may be other project-specific tasks requested from time to time for the benefit of the charity to be discussed and agreed with your line manager.

About you

Essential Experience and Knowledge:

• A full clean driving licence and willing and able to drive a 3.5tn van regularly.
• Experience of working with volunteers.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills in order to coordinate your own workload and schedule, effectively managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with other staff members, volunteers, referrers, and foodbank users.
• Ability to respond to unexpected situations in a busy service delivery environment and make decisions related to health and safety and emergency incidents.
• Ability to independently make and carry out decisions in line with foodbank policies and procedures.
• An enthusiasm for all aspects of work at Manchester Central Foodbank, and the flexibility and willingness to get involved with projects and tasks that may sit outside of your normal work.
• Experience of working with service users in a community setting.
• Proficiency in IT, including email, spreadsheets, and Google Drive.
• A clear understanding of, and belief in the values and aims of, Manchester Central Foodbank and the Trussell Trust.

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Experience of volunteer management.

Essential Behaviours and Competencies

• A clear understanding of, and belief in the values and aims of, Manchester Central Foodbank and the Trussell Trust.
• The ability to communicate and work with people with a range of backgrounds, views, and interests and build ongoing relationships and trust.
• Personal integrity, high professional standards, and honesty.
• Empathy and confidence when working with people who are experiencing financial and/or personal hardship.
• Passionate about social justice and tackling food poverty.
• Ability to be hands-on and adaptable in changeable circumstances.

This is an exciting opportunity for a new leader to guide the organisation through its next phase of development, building from a position of strength. The organisation is in the first year of a clear and ambitious three-year strategy, with a strong core team of staff and a healthy financial position.

The outgoing Executive Director was previously also the organisation’s Advocacy Director, and continued to deliver both functions within one role. For this reason the Board of Trustees is advertising the position in two configurations. Applicants are welcome to express an interest in either:

• Option A — Part-time Executive Director. A 0.6 FTE part-time post which is a leadership and management role only, and does not include delivering the advocacy activities of the organisation. These will be undertaken by a separate part-time Advocacy Director, who carries the advocacy responsibilities covered by the associated Advocacy Director job description.

• Option B — Full-time Executive Director. A single full-time post in which the successful candidate takes on both the part-time Executive Director role and the responsibilities of the part-time Advocacy Director role being advertised concurrently. The successful candidate must meet the person specification requirements of BOTH roles.

We are looking for an experienced and inspiring Garden and Volunteer Wellbeing Coordinator with an interest in garden and wellbeing activities to come and be part of an exciting community garden project. You will have experience of supporting staff and volunteers and be able to assist with the project management of the ongoing development of the gardens.

Location: Frimley and Woking
Salary: £24,980 pro rata (£14,988 actual)
Hours: 21 hours per week (ideally Tuesday to Thursday)
Contract type: Permanent

About the organisation:

Through Community, Specialist and Outreach services, we support recovery, mental health, and wellbeing—together, every step of the way.

Key responsibilities:

• Project manage the enclosed garden space at Frimley Lodge Park and The Arch in Woking.
• Develop and facilitate a programme of activities within the Catalyst Community Wellbeing Garden that will help improve wellbeing for people in the community, including:
  • Seasonal workshops
  • Gardening with the CEO
  • Staff and partner wellbeing touchpoints
  • Groups for clients struggling with their mental wellbeing
• Recruit, develop and manage garden volunteers
• Work with other partners to promote volunteering and creating a space for wellbeing activities
• Use excellent interpersonal skills to motivate and inspire participants to get the most out of the opportunities that the garden presents
• Develop and implement growing plans and vision for the garden with input from colleagues and volunteers
• Ensure operations are well-organised, safely managed and delivered
• Implement and manage a booking system for volunteer and staff rotas
• Be prepared for physically demanding aspects i.e. digging, lifting and bending
• Ensure the garden is adequately planted during all seasons, and that a programme of activity is in place
• Lead the development of the land and facilities with input from colleagues and volunteers
• Prioritise and time-manage short and long-term growing projects and developments
• Maintain a productive year-round vegetable and herb garden
• Work with colleagues and staff to organise and facilitate seasonal events in the garden
• Develop opportunities for food sharing
• Facilitate the smooth running of activities in the gardens ensuring they are productive, attractive, and pleasant spaces for people to socialise and gather
• Be available to support other Community Connections groups and activities

About you

Essential:

• Experience of working / learning in a horticulture environment
• Experience of working in mental health
• Proven horticulture and gardening knowledge
• Excellent organisational skills
• Excellent planning and development skills
• Ability to organise and manage your own workload
• Good financial awareness when budgeting and planning
• Great communications and interpersonal skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work through busy and challenging priorities
• Ability to work under pressure, with full workloads and to tight deadlines
• Ability to think and work strategically
• Ability use initiative, confidence in making decisions and ability to work collaboratively
• Have authentic attributes of Kindness, Commitment and Integrity
• Ability to work as a team and support other team members
• Ability to maintain Equal Opportunity standards at all times
• Flexible and can-do attitude
• Ability to travel to and from both gardens

Desirable:

• Educated to A level or equivalent in relevant disciplines e.g. English, Media
• Experience of supporting volunteers
• Experience of developing creative wellbeing activities

Benefits

• 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays (increasing with service)
• Pension scheme and access to Simply Health (including optical, dental, counselling sessions)
• Birthday leave, employee discounts, and flexible working where possible
• Supportive probation, sick pay after probation, and wellbeing/EAP resources

Safeguarding & Checks

• This role is subject to an enhanced DBS check.
• A past history of drug/alcohol issues or criminality will not necessarily exclude you from this role; we encourage applications from people with lived experience where appropriate.
• All applicants must have a valid right to work in the UK.

Catalyst Support is an equal opportunities employer. We celebrate difference and are committed to fairness, accessibility, and inclusion throughout recruitment and employment.

We welcome requests for reasonable adjustments at any stage of the process.

Please note that we may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Contract: Full-time, permanent
Hours: Full-time
Reports to: Chair; Board of Directors 
Location: Hackney
Salary: £50,000-60,000 depending on experience.
Pension: HSoF participates in the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) pension scheme and contributes 3%.
Benefits: 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, free onsite lunches .
Probation period: Six months.

About Hackney School of Food

Hackney School of Food is an award-winning food education hub based in the grounds of Mandeville Primary School in Clapton, East London. Through our teaching kitchen and educational garden, we help children, families and communities build the skills, confidence and knowledge to grow, cook and eat good food.

Each year, we welcome more than 10,000 visits to our kitchen and garden, delivering curriculum programmes for schools alongside community cooking courses, gardening projects, holiday clubs, corporate volunteering and public events. Since becoming a Community Interest Company (CIC) in 2023, we have expanded our facilities, strengthened our governance and built a strong reputation as a leader in food education.

We're now looking for an exceptional Managing Director to build on these strong foundations and lead Hackney School of Food through its next phase of growth and impact.

About the role

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Managing Director (MD) will provide both strategic and operational leadership, ensuring the organisation delivers its mission while remaining financially resilient, well-governed and responsive to the needs of the communities it serves.

The Managing Director is responsible for all aspects of the organisation, including strategy, income generation, finance, governance, partnerships, programme delivery and people leadership. Working closely with a small, committed team and an engaged Board, they will build on strong foundations to grow Hackney School of Food's impact, reach and long-term sustainability.

This is a varied, hands-on leadership role for someone who enjoys balancing big-picture thinking with practical delivery. One day you may be developing a new partnership, meeting a prospective funder or working with the Board on future strategy; the next you could be supporting the team, welcoming visitors to the garden or solving day-to-day operational challenges.

Key priorities

In your first 12 months you will:

• Build on Hackney School of Food's strong foundations to deliver the next phase of our strategy and growth.

• Increase and diversify income through fundraising, partnerships and commercial opportunities to strengthen long-term sustainability.

• Lead, support and develop a small, ambitious team, fostering a positive and inclusive culture where people can thrive.

• Strengthen relationships with funders, partners and local businesses, helping Hackney School of Food deepen its impact.

• Work closely with the Board to embed strong governance, organisational systems and long-term planning for the future.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership 

• Provide overall leadership and strategic direction for Hackney School of Food, ensuring delivery of its mission, vision and long-term objectives. 

• Lead the development and implementation of Hackney School of Food's annual business plan and organisational priorities.

• Work with the Board to evolve organisational strategy, identify opportunities, manage risks and support sustainable growth.

• Monitor, report on and respond to organisational performance against agreed objectives and impact measures. 

• Champion Hackney School of Food externally, strengthening its profile and influence.
   

Financial sustainability and income generation 

• Oversee organisational budgeting, financial planning, forecasting and cashflow management, working closely with the Treasurer and accountant.

• Lead income generation across the organisation, including trusts and foundations, corporate partnerships, sponsorship and earned income.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with funders, sponsors and strategic partners.

• Ensure all funding commitments are met, including grant reporting, monitoring and evaluation requirements.

• Identify new opportunities to diversify income and strengthen long-term financial sustainability.

Partnerships & External Relations

• Act as the main point of contact for HSoF’s key partners, LEAP Federation and Chefs in Schools to ensure the partnerships are effective and positive.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with other key stakeholders, including local authorities, funders and sponsors.

• Represent Hackney School of Food at meetings, events, and public forums.

• Champion the value of food education and contribute to wider local and national conversations. 

• Ensure programmes remain responsive to community needs through ongoing engagement and consultation. 

Governance and public benefit 

• Ensure the organisation operates in line with its CIC objectives and delivers clear public benefit. 

• Support the Board of Directors to fulfil its governance responsibilities through high-quality reporting, planning and decision-making.

• Prepare Board papers, reports and agendas, ensuring timely and accurate information is available to support effective governance.

• Oversee and report on organisational performance to the Board of Directors quarterly.

• Act as the primary link between the Board and the operational team.

• Maintain effective governance, delegated authority and accountability frameworks. 

• Support the Board in meeting all statutory and regulatory obligations relating to the CIC.

People, Culture and safeguarding

• Provide leadership to a small core team (currently c.4 employees), directly managing staff and fostering a positive, inclusive culture. 

• Provide oversight and support for a wider network of approx. 15 freelance contractors to ensure consistently high-quality delivery.

• Lead recruitment, induction, performance management and professional development in line with safer recruitment and equality principles. 

• Ensure effective organisational structures, clear roles, and performance accountability.

• Oversee HR processes including appraisals, performance management, and professional development.

• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead, embedding safeguarding throughout the organisation maintaining compliance with all relevant requirements. 

• Develop organisational systems, policies and practices that support an inclusive, high-performing workplace.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Maintain and regularly review the organisational Risk Register and report key risks and mitigations to the Board.

• Oversee organisational policies, procedures and continuous improvement, ensuring policies and legal requirements are up to date, clearly communicated and embedded across the organisation. 

• Ensure compliance with employment law, health and safety, safeguarding, GDPR and other relevant legislation. 

Personal specification

Essential experience 

• Senior leadership experience with responsibility for organisational performance and accountability. 

• Experience securing income through fundraising, partnerships and/or commercial activity.

• Experience of financial leadership, including budget setting, forecasting and cashflow oversight.

• Experience working closely with a Board, Trustees or governing body to translate strategic vision into operational delivery. 

• Experience building and managing successful partnerships with funders, businesses and community stakeholders. 

• Experience in managing and motivating a team, creating a positive and inclusive workplace culture. 

• Experience of governance, compliance and organisational risk management.

• Experience of safeguarding within an education, youth or community context.

• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise competing demands, make sound decisions and remain resilient in a resource-constrained environment.

Essential skills and attributes

• Passion for Hackney School of Food's mission and the role of food education in improving health, wellbeing and community connection. 

• Strategic thinker who is equally comfortable with hands-on operational leadership. 

• Entrepreneurial, resourceful and committed to building long-term financial sustainability and identifying growth opportunities.

• Ability to lead a team through change with sensitivity, clarity and kindness.

• Strong communicator with excellent relationship-building skills. 

• Confident decision-maker with a high level of personal accountability. 

• Committed to equity, inclusion and community-led practice.

Desirable 

• Experience working within a Community Interest Company (CIC), social enterprise or charity.

• Knowledge of Hackney, its communities and local stakeholder landscape.

• Experience of working in food education, community food, gardening, environmental education or a related field.

• Experience reviewing and managing contracts, service agreements or other legal documentation.

An inclusive workplace

We know that diverse teams make stronger organisations and are committed to building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to fair and inclusive recruitment and will consider all qualified applicants regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

We particularly encourage applications from people who are under-represented in our sector and in leadership roles, including people from the global majority and those whose lived experience brings valuable perspectives from the communities we serve. We also welcome applications from people who live in Hackney or East London.

How to apply

The deadline to apply is Monday 20 July at 9am. Please apply by filling out this application form.

You'll find the link to the application form on our Recruitment Pack which provides more information. 

Stage 1: A one-hour online interview with the Senior Team and Board (24 July) 

Stage 2: On-site interview at Hackney School of Food (30 July), including a short presentation. 

We may also invite the preferred candidate to an informal meeting with the wider team and Board before making a final appointment. 

The successful applicant will need to pass an enhanced DBS check and provide two suitable references. 

We may close the application window earlier if we are inundated with applications, so please don't wait to apply.

If you have any questions about the role or your suitability, please feel free to get in touch with us. You will find a Recruitment pack and email address to contact via our website.