Board member with policy skills jobs

About the Role

We are looking for a Peer Researcher to join our Research Team. As a Peer Researcher you will be part of the project team completing service evaluation within our Day Service. You will be involved in planning and facilitating research groups, planning the practical elements of the evaluation within the Day Service and reporting on data gathered throughout the project.

This is a collaborative role, where you will work alongside other team members and our community to ensure the evaluation is impactful and inclusive.

If you have the skills and enthusiasm we are looking for, we would love to hear from you.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Plan research groups alongside research coordinator
• Co-facilitate research groups with members, staff, families and external
• Stakeholders including commissioners and health and social care professionals
• Collate data from the research groups with research coordinator
• Co-design plans for sharing the findings of the project within the Headway
• community and externally
• Co-present findings of the project within Headway London and externally

Key Relationships - Internal and External

Internal: Members and volunteers, Therapy service staff, Service managers

External: External partners, this includes, universities, community neuro
teams, integrated care boards

Other

Apply the Headway London values and behaviours to every aspect of the role at all times.

Protect and enhance the interests and reputation of Headway London internally and externally.

Commit to the organisational principles of: coproduction equity, diversity and inclusion sustainability.

Headway London is an Equal Opportunities Employer and we are committed to ensuring that all staff are motivated, skilled and rewarded by their work. We welcome applicants regardless of race, religion or belief, colour, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age and other protected status as required by law. We promote and protect human rights; they are the foundation of what we do. We want to be an inclusive place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come and contribute their unique strengths and perspectives. We are focused on equality and believe that all the fascinating characteristics that make us different, make us more able to deliver our life-changing work with passion and creativity.

We are looking for a part-time Operations Manager to support our Executive Director and wider team by taking an operational lead, keeping a birds eye view over all of our activities and our infrastructure - and ensuring the principles and processes we’ve collectively agreed to are working optimally. 

You will provide essential operational, administrative, financial and IT support. Lead in the day to day operations of the organisation, including office tasks, diary management and systemic thinking for our internal communications.

TERMS AND BENEFITS

• Fixed term contract for 12 months (with the possibility of extension depending on future grants), £38,000 pro rata (equivalent to £22,800 per year), with a September or October 2026 start.

• 25 days of paid annual leave pro rata, plus bank holidays. In addition, the MDP office closes for two paid weeks over Christmas and New Year.

• 4% pension (3% employer and 5% employee contributions)

• Access to training and mentoring opportunities to develop in the role, if needed.

• Flexibility in working hours and TOIL.

• Central London office space. MDP’s office is in Vauxhall, London. Staff have daily access to the office and the team works from the office together at least once a week.

OUR VALUES

Migrant Democracy Project (MDP) is building migrant power in the UK. We build political power by getting migrants registered to vote, we organise for votes for all residents, and we support the leadership development of migrant leaders. We want to build a society where migrants’ interests and needs are heard, included and represented in all levels of UK politics. 

We work in solidarity. We recognise that our struggles, liberation, identities, and oppressions are interconnected. We do not exist in isolation to other communities.

Our fight for migrant justice is tied to queer and trans liberation, racial and disability justice, reproductive freedoms, freedom for Palestine and all oppressed people, anti-capitalism, and beyond.

KEY DUTIES  - Please read the Operations Manager job specification attached document before applying for a full list of duties.

• Office & Team Support: managing the MDP office, keeping it stocked, ensuring the compliance of the office environment and support the Executive Director with diary and meetings.

• Project Management: support the team with resources, templates and systems for them to do their work effectively, implementing and managing MDP's project management platform and ensure the team are supported through their work.

• Operations & Compliance: ensure MDP is compliant with relevant policies and ensure their timely implementation, keeping track of compliance and training needs and be the point of contact in the team for safeguarding matters.

• Security of the team and community: staying up to date with best practice on digital and physical security and ensure the wider community that interacts with MDP is safeguarded. 

• People Management and recruitment: maintaining records of staff leave, expenses and training needs, support the Executive Director with recruitment processes and ensure the team has access to the processes allowing them to grow and flourish.

• Online systems: manage MDP's Google Workspace, internal communications and staff shared drives, accounts and onboarding.

• Finance Support: pay small invoices and process staff expense forms, submitting relevant invoices and manage MDP's expense card system.

KEY QUALIFICATIONS - Please read the Operations Manager job specification attached document before applying for a full list of qualifications.

• At least three years of experience in an administrative, operations, or office management role, ideally within a small NGO or human rights organisation.

• Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritise effectively to meet deadlines.

• Excellent organisation skills, with extensive experience in project and program management, a proven ability to plan, organise, and lead the implementation of plans and processes.

• Excellent digital skills including on platforms such as Excel, Airtable, Google Workspace, or general software.

• Good knowledge of policies relevant to the operations of an organisation.

• Experience using Xero, Soldo or similar software for processing invoices and expenses.

• Experience maintaining accurate records and systems, with excellent attention to detail.

• Experience supporting recruitment, onboarding or volunteer coordination.

• Understanding of data protection principles (e.g. GDPR), general policy compliance, and experience handling confidential information.

• Experience in diary management.

• Excellent knowledge using Google Suite.

• Comfortable in a start-up environment and experience working in a small team, where flexibility is required to meet emerging tasks and deadlines.

• Excellent attention to detail and communication skills.

HOW TO APPLY

Please send your CV with the Subject Line “FIRST NAME LAST NAME OPERATIONS MANAGER” by 31 August 2026 and complete the online form following the guidance in the application pack.

MDP is dedicated to the kind of diversity and inclusion that makes our organisation thrive. We highly encourage people to apply who identify as migrants and refugees; women, trans or nonbinary; LGBTQIA+; Black or BIPOC; and disabled.

Please let us know if you have any access needs or requirements. We will work with you to help you achieve your best.

DECISION-MAKING TIMELINE

We are looking for the Operations Manager to start in September or October 2026. The applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and interviews will be scheduled accordingly.

Interview process

● Stage 1: shortlisted candidates will be invited for a 20 minute interview online with the Executive Director.

● Stage 2: if successful after Stage 1, shortlisted candidates will be invited for a 75 minute interview in-person. This will include a practical exercise and questions about your experience. You will have an opportunity to ask us questions as well.

Please download and refer to the full application pack for the job description and follow the application process outlined there.

You will be one of the key points of contact for World Physiotherapy membership. The position is instrumental in assisting the smooth running of World Physiotherapy membership services and supporting the work of the membership manager, the regional executive committees, member organisations, and other staff across the full range of functions.

You will use your experience, initiative, confidence, project and organisational skills to provide business support across the organisation and its activities. These include the membership function requirements of the organisation, project support, operational logistics, member services and education activities. This will require liaising with staff, member organisations, board/committee members, and external stakeholders.

You will love working for a growing, values-driven organisation where you can use your skills to support the organisation’s business as usual activities as well as strategic projects working at all levels in the organisation and with key stakeholders.

You thrive in a dynamic, international team where you can implement systems and processes for effective and efficient operations, as well as bring your ideas to specific projects.

Duties and key responsibilities

Operational support

1. Liaising with member organisations, regions, specialty groups and networks as required by the membership manager and other staff.
2. Technical and logistical support across all operations for any meetings and webinars.
3. Work with relevant staff to ensure that activities are set up on Teamwork® (project management software) and support their ongoing management.
4. Ensure the CRM (Salesforce) is updated with relevant organisational and individual contacts and interactions.
5. Management of membership queries

Administrative support to the membership manager, regional executive committees and specialty groups, and those representing World Physiotherapy on defined activities or events

1. Scheduling of all regional executive committee meetings and supporting other meetings and webinars both via teleconference and face-to-face.
2. Drafting forms and surveys using Microsoft Forms and SurveyMonkey
3. Other project areas: work with the membership manager to carry out activity analysis
4. Provide day-to-day administrative support for World Physiotherapy’s membership activities and services.
5. Assess ways to improve project management and outcomes.
6. Provide general project support and carry out any other tasks requested by the manager.

Person specification

The membership support officer must have experience in project support and organisational administration. They must be highly organised, self-motivated and able to demonstrate initiative in managing complex and competing demands from different sources.

It is expected that the individual will ideally have a good first degree, or relevant experience gained across a range of comparable settings, preferably with additional experience or qualifications in project management and/or business administration. Experience of working with senior staff and committees is essential.

The individual must have a legal right to work in the UK.

Attributes

Essential:

• advanced computer literacy skills and competency with Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Surveymonkey, Salesforce, Teams, and Zoom.
• strong communication skills (in a cross cultural/professional environment)
• the ability to multi-task, prioritise and manage own workloads
• cultural awareness and sensitivity
• tact and discretion for dealing with confidential information

It is expected that the person appointed will have:

• a minimum of two years in a relevant work environment
• demonstrable ability to organise and prioritise own workload effectively
• experience of meeting planning including webinars
• experience gained working with teams and individuals across time zones internationally
• delivered a variety of business support and office services
• an efficient and well organised working style

Desirable:

• understanding of the physiotherapy profession
• ability to speak an additional language such as French, Spanish, Portuguese or Arabic

Candidates with relevant experience who meet the above attributes will be invited for an initial interview, which may be followed by a technical interview and skills test.

An opportunity to take ownership of our learning offer, develop innovative resources and work with partners across the justice system.

MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY 

• Identifying training, learning and development opportunities or needs 

• Developing learning resources, including e-learning and guidance documents

• Managing MA learn, the MA's learning management system (LMS) 

• Overseeing the MA's community outreach programme (Magistrates in the Community) 

• Coordinating MA input into wider magistrate training, both nationally and through representation on local training committees. 

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES 

Policy committees 

• Support the MA’s training, learning and development committee by organising regular meetings, sharing minutes and actions. 

• Propose priorities and manage programmes of work for the committee 

• Provide high-quality information to ensure that committee members and other interested parties are up to date with relevant information 

• Ensure agreed actions and decisions of the policy committees are implemented 

• Build and maintain excellent relationships with committee members 

• Provide support to committee members to enable them to effectively contribute to the work of the MA 

• Assist in the training and development of committee members 

• Agree and implement committee working practices. 

• Contribute to supporting the MA's other policy committees 

Volunteer support 

• Support  representatives in post 

• Work with magistrates to develop and coordinate learning materials 

Learning 

• Develop and upload learning resources to our learning platform. 

• Be the first point of contact for member queries about our learning platform and other training related matters 

• With the membership team, liaise with external stakeholders to plan and deliver the MA's webinar series

• Edit webinar footage and create transcripts to upload to MA learn

• Monitor learner behaviour on the MA learn and use this to inform learning development plans. 

Policy and research 

• Provide input to proposed policy and research work 

• Work with policy colleagues to translate research and policy into learning materials. 

Communications 

• Work closely with the communications team to support the delivery of the MA’s learning communications, both for members and externally 

• Ensure the accuracy of training information contained in MA communications outputs 

• Contribute to our Magistrate magazine, newsletters, website content, social media and press releases. 

Membership 

• Support the work of the MA’s membership team to recruit and retain members

• Assist in responding to members’ queries and provide up to date information about training and learning issues. 

Other duties 

• Contribute to team meetings, organisational strategy and priorities 

• Be proactive in keeping up to date with developments affecting the role 

• Contribute to other organisational tasks, such as support for our webinars and events on occasion. 

GENERAL 

This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the job and the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this role. It is not exhaustive, and staff may be required to undertake other reasonable duties commensurate with the role.

PERSON SPECIFICATION 

ESSENTIAL 

• Experience of using a learning management system (LMS) 

• Experience of using, or aptitude to learn, e-learning software, such as Articulate 360 

• Ability to design and develop a variety of online learning resources 

• Experience of project management 

• Ability to organise and prioritise your own workload and a strong attention to detail 

• Ability to assimilate and understand complex information and explain complex issues clearly 

• Ability to produce clear, concise proposals, papers and other written communications

• Ability to communicate effectively, diplomatically and persuasively with a wide range of people 

• Ability to establish personal credibility with a range of stakeholders 

• Ability to work effectively under pressure 

• A creative and practical approach to problem solving and the ability to provide sound reasons to support proposed solutions 

• Excellent networking skills. 

DESIRABLE 

• Training qualification (Level 3 or above and/or equivalent professional training experience) 

• Experience of working with/managing a committee 

• Knowledge of the workings of magistrates' courts 

• Experience of working in a membership organisation 

• Experience of supporting volunteers remotely. 

The Senior Youth Inclusion Officer is a key role within the Youth Inclusion team, helping to connect insights and champion young people’s voices throughout our work.

You will be one of two Senior Officers leading on the day-to-day delivery of the Future Voices Group (FVG) – our flagship youth engagement programme bringing together young people with lived experience of facing barriers to employment. 

This will involve working across the organisation to support teams to work with young people, in line with our strategy.

• You will ensure our youth ambassadors meaningfully and authentically shape our activity, in particular through our engagement and influencing of key audiences and decision-makers across the youth employment system.
• You will bring awareness of the youth employment policy landscape, alongside experience of supporting young people with lived expertise to influence policymaking, programme design or service improvement through youth voice approaches.
• This role requires availability for regular evening sessions and occasional weekend commitments.

We currently operate a hybrid model of two-days per week in the office and three-days from home.

Please download our recruitment pack for more information on this opportunity.

Due to receiving high volumes of interest in our opportunities, this vacancy may close earlier than the advertised deadline. To ensure your application is considered, please submit it as soon as possible.

The School for Social Entrepreneurs backs people with purpose — entrepreneurs building organisations that change their communities. We're looking for a National Partnerships Lead to work directly with our CEO, driving high-priority national funding partnerships, diversifying our income, and building the relationships that fund our impact. 

You'll identify major funding opportunities, negotiate with trusts, corporates and government partners, and lead complex proposals from first conversation through to a signed agreement — including the budgets, risk assessments and value propositions behind them. You'll also act as a sounding board for the CEO, pressure-testing ideas and sharpening how we tell our story to funders. 

We're looking for sustained experience supporting a CEO or senior leader, a track record of leading multi-million pound funding initiatives end-to-end, and the versatile writing skills to move between board papers and detailed funder tenders without losing accuracy under pressure. Sharp budgeting and numeracy matter for this role, alongside real comfort building trust with senior external stakeholders. 

This position is for someone who thrives on ambiguity, enjoys solving complex problems, and wants their work to directly fund entrepreneurs changing their communities. 

We need a Programme Director to lead a tri-borough initiative tackling serious youth violence across Kilburn, Queen's Park and surrounding communities.

This is a challenging and a rewarding role where you will be exercising your considerable judgement, diplomacy and practical project management skills.

Shared Ground is an innovative, co-funded project, seeking to work for the benefit of young people at risk of serious youth violence, with buy-in from stakeholders including Local Authority senior leads and Central government.

If you have a passion for the value and importance of community-based work in supporting positive futures for young people, why not help ensure that this ambitious programme thrives?

See the job description for more details.

We are Age UK York, a local independent charity which exists to support the older people of York and those around them. For over 50 years our team of staff, volunteers and supporters have helped us to offer a wide range of services providing vital and trusted support so often when it is needed most.

Our vital work is needed today as much as ever and we ever welcome people to join our team as together we realise our shared mission of making a positive difference to the lives of the older people of York.

Job Summary:

Would you like to make a life changing difference in support of local people and communities in need here in York? Can you bring financial management expertise to support a team effort and help shape the future of our long standing charity?

Age UK York is offering an exciting senior leadership opportunity to join our fantastic team and support our vital work here in York. Could you be our Head of Finance and help lead our  team, ensure our effective financial arrangements and the vital part it plays in realising our mission in the positive difference we can make in helping others.,

We are looking to find for our new Head of Finance who can bring their experience, expertise and passion to support our local York charity, our team and those we are here to help each and every day.

You will manage our brilliant team with a focus on strong financial management. With both internal and external focus the role will lead on our financial management and helping our charity make every penny entrusted to us count, as we develop, manage and realise our financial goals and the difference the enable Age UK York to make in supporting older people and those around them across York.

You will be part of our energised senior leadership and management teams helping to shape our charity and the continued positive difference we make whilst working closely across our teams in their role together with our Board of Trustees.

The opportunity offers an excellent benefits package and support for your own personal development and aspirations. The opportunity would not only empower you to take forward the strong legacy from our current team though bring your own identity, ideas and strengths to the fore in our collective efforts to be there tomorrow and beyond.

Key Responsibilities:

We are looking for an experienced financial manager with a keen eye for detail and drive for high performance, continuous improvement and team work. With an ambition and drive to make a telling contribution and strengthen our charity and the difference we can together make in supporting older people  and communities.

We would love to hear from you if you have:

· Experience and success in leading the financial management for an organisation.

· Experience in providing leadership within an organisation; an eye for detail and a driver of standards in continuously learning and strengthening working practices and outcomes.

· Managed a team providing support, motivation and nurturing talent and opportunity

· The ability to readily transfer your existing experiences and skills to a new challenge;

· Understanding of your strengths and areas for continuing development and proactively build your knowledge and skills

We would love to hear from you.

We’re looking for someone who:

· Is successful in providing financial management for an organisation and effective in collaborating and supporting non-financial colleagues in our shared financial goals and successful practice.

· Demonstrates wider leadership qualities including contributing to overarching organisational strategic priorities.

· Skilled, including an excellent communicator, in building and maintaining successful relationships across internal teams and external partnerships.

· Able, and experienced, in delivering in meeting outcomes and targets whilst supporting a performance and continuous improvement organisational approach.

· Highly organised, adaptable, and comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment;

· Strong attention to detail, analytical and critical thinking qualities, and able to apply and be energised to meet organisational challenges and opportunities in continually strengthening our organisation to help us realise our vision, mission and priorities.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

· Ability to prepare, manage, monitor and report on budgets.

· Previous experience in one or more, management or financial accounting roles delivering day to day finance functions.

· Experience of line management and support, motivation and development to colleagues and collective team.

· Experience of supporting the development and delivery of high quality services through financial management and support to operational colleagues.

· Effective understanding of financial statistics and accounting principles.

· Strong interpersonal, communication and presentation skills. Including interpreting and communicating financial information to non-finance function colleagues and in support of decision making; a facilitative and accessible approach; ability to manage remote communications and diplomacy and conflict resolution skills.

· Passion and commitment to work within a not-for-profit organisation and support a team approach in working to help others.

· Decision making – ability to make decisions based on an analysis of data and insights, including financial, performance and needs based data.

Salary and Benefits:

• £17.75 per hour, £32,391 (FTE) per year, pro rata
• Flexible working options within our 21 hour per week role
• A genuinely friendly and supportive environment
• Generous holidays – 26.5 days plus bank holidays (pro rata for part-time employees). Additional leave – an extra day of long service.
• Birthday day off
• Enhanced sick pay after 6 months of service
• Flexible work schedule 
• Potential for funding towards professional qualifications 
• Employee discounts including Blue Light Scheme eligibility
• BUPA Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Free eye test 
• Free flu jab 
• Free DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service)

About the role: AMRC is looking for a policy officer to join our small but highly influential policy and public affairs team, working at the heart of the medical research community. You will support our influencing and advocacy work, helping build a thriving research environment that facilitates innovation. We work with government and policy makers to ensure that our charities can invest in a healthy and sustainable research system across universities and the NHS. You will undertake analysis and horizon scanning to enable us to keep our members up-to-date, and you will support the development of AMRC’s policy activity. You will support activities in many areas of work including improving the sustainability of charity-university research; enhancing research careers, translation and infrastructure; maintaining a facilitative legislative and regulatory environment; and enhancing charity-industry partnerships, helping research findings to be translated into treatments, policy and practice more quickly. There will also be a public affairs dimension to the role that includes work with the APPG for Life Sciences, for which AMRC is part of the secretariat. 

Please see our website for the job description and application instructions. 

About us

Community rail is a unique and growing grassroots movement made up of community rail partnerships, station volunteer groups and other community-led initiatives across Britain.

Together, these organisations and volunteers deliver a wide range of initiatives, from engaging young people and building confidence in rail travel, to improving accessibility, enhancing stations, supporting biodiversity projects and creating community spaces that bring people together.

Community Rail Network is the national membership and umbrella body for the community rail movement across England, Scotland and Wales. We empower, support and champion community-led partnerships and groups, helping them create social, environmental and economic value through their work.

Our team of 22 colleagues is based across Britain, working mainly from home while coming together regularly online and in person. We are a collaborative, values-led organisation, passionate about making a difference through community rail.

We believe in nurturing talent, supporting professional development and creating an environment where everyone can reach their potential while maintaining a healthy work–life balance.

About this role and your main responsibilities

We are looking for a compassionate, collaborative and creative leader to head up our work with members. Everyone on the team is here for our members, but you will lead the way in ensuring everything we do is driven by what members need, now and in the future, to help them develop, grow and thrive. You’ll also help ensure our members have a great experience whenever they are accessing our support and services.

As a member of the senior leadership team, you’ll actively contribute towards its collective work in driving organisational performance and success, including growing investment in our work so we can make an even bigger difference for our members and the communities they serve.

Please see the attached introduction from our Chief Executive and role profile for further information about the position, including its principal responsibilities and the experience, skills and attributes we are looking for.

Other information

The role will involve regular travel across England, Scotland and Wales to raise the organisation’s profile and engage with members, partners and key stakeholders.

There is flexibility on your location given the requirement to travel and that your office will be home-based. You will need to travel to in-person quarterly team meetings (usually in London or the north of England) and to Board meetings which alternate between online and London.

It is expected that travel will be by public transport and easy access to the rail network is therefore required to ensure journeys can be made sustainably. 

This is a full-time position, 37 hours per week. We use a flexi-time system with core hours 10am-3pm, and are committed to being a flexible, supportive and understanding employer. This is a permanent position with a probationary period of three months. 

Successful applicants will need to provide proof that they have the right to work in the UK and provide two references.

Community Rail Network is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from disabled people and Black, Asian and other minoritised groups, who meet with the skills and competencies for this role. We will provide reasonable adjustments for interviews as required.

Job Summary 

The Executive Support Coordinator will provide effective and proactive support to Durham SU’s elected student leaders, senior staff and volunteers, helping to ensure the effective delivery of Durham SU’s work. The role will support the coordination of executive and governance activity, alongside providing administrative and HR support across the organisation, providing advice, coordination and practical support to help ensure decisions are effectively implemented and that strong working relationships are built with elected student leaders, colleagues and key stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities and Duties 

The Executive Support Coordinator is responsible for providing high-quality executive and administrative support to the Chief Executive, Board of Trustees, and senior leadership team, helping to ensure the effective operation of Durham SU. In particular, the Executive Support Coordinator will:

• Maintain excellent working relationships with colleagues across Durham SU Durham University, Board of Trustees and external stakeholders. 

• Provide effective coordination and administrative support across executive, governance, and people functions, ensuring information, resources, and communications are managed effectively. 

• Support the development and implementation of organisational policies, procedures, and processes, particularly within executive support and people-related areas. 

• Provide advice, guidance, and administrative support on HR processes, including recruitment, onboarding, employee records, staff engagement activities, and other people-related initiatives. 

• Providing proactive executive support to the leadership team, including diary management, meeting coordination and administrative support. 

• Coordinating Board and committee governance processes, including preparing agendas, distributing papers, taking accurate minutes, tracking actions, and maintaining governance records. 

• Act as a professional ambassador for Durham SU, demonstrating discretion, confidentiality, and a commitment to supporting an inclusive and positive working environment. 

The Executive Support Coordinator is accountable for: 

• Line managing and supporting a student staff member within the Central Services team, including agreeing objectives, providing regular support and feedback, supporting development opportunities, and ensuring effective delivery of agreed tasks and priorities. 

• Maintaining accurate, confidential records and documentation across governance, executive, HR, and Central Services functions, ensuring information is managed appropriately and securely. 

• Supporting continuous improvement of administrative, governance, and HR processes to improve efficiency, consistency, and the experience of staff, trustees, and stakeholders. 

• Promoting the values, reputation, and strategic objectives of Durham SU through professional, organised, and collaborative working. 

Head of Finance

Salary£80,000.00 per annum

LocationLondon/Hybrid (with 1 to 2 days a week in the office)

Weekly Hours35

The Vacancy

Job Title: Head of Finance

Location: London/Hybrid (with 1 to 2 days a week in the office)

Salary: £80,000.00 per annum

Weekly Hours: 35

Reference: YMC1228366

About Us

Founded in 1844, YMCA is a global movement and the world's largest youth-focused charity.  In England and Wales, YMCAs are based in over 700 communities across 168 local authorities supporting young people and communities to reach their potential. The turnover of YMCA in 2025-26 was £386m. YMCA England & Wales is a £23 million organisation of more than 400 colleagues, supporting a Federation of 80 local YMCAs to deliver vital services which positively impact young lives across the country. As we grow our income and impact, we are seeking an established and inspirational Head of Finance to take on one of the most pivotal roles in our organisation.

The Opportunity

This is a senior leadership appointment, reporting to the Director of Resources and leading a Finance team of around nine, including the payroll function. You will act as our lead on all matters of finance, liaising with our Federation members where necessary, providing expert support to our Income Generation Directorate (Fundraising and Retail) and other internal Directorates, embedding financial insight into revenue-generation strategy and working in close collaborative partnership with senior colleagues both within those teams but also across the Federation. Beyond this, you will oversee statutory reporting, investments, VAT and taxation compliance, and provide expert counsel to our Board of Trustees and Finance and Audit Committee.

Why You

Perhaps you have already established an excellent track record within a charity with significant fundraising and retail operations and are ready for the scale and influence this role commands. Or perhaps this is your first move into a charity; you are a seasoned accountant whose clients have included charitable organisations, and you now plan to apply that expertise where it matters most. Either way, this is a genuine opportunity to shape the financial future of a movement with over 180 years of heritage as we continue to embed strong financial practices whilst delivering our strategic ambition

What We're Looking For

You will be a fully qualified accountant (ICAEW, ACCA, CIMA or CIPFA) with senior management experience leading finance in an organisation of comparable scale, ideally with charity reporting and SORP knowledge. Strong business partnering skills, gravitas with trustees and committees, and genuine collaborative leadership are essential to succeed in this crucial role.

Our recruitment process is anonymised and candidates' names are hidden. We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds. Safer recruitment is important to us and the successful applicant will be asked to provide two references. They will also be required to complete a safeguarding self-declaration, safeguarding training and undertake a DBS check

This is a pivotal senior leadership role with full strategic and operational accountability.  Leadership and exceptional communication skills will be critical as The DBR Foundation establishes and grows.  Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the Chief Executive Officer will have a proven track record and experience as a CEO or in a similar executive leadership position.  An extensive knowledge of the implementation of charity governance will be essential in this role. 

The Chief Executive Officer will be responsible for the drafting and implementation of policies and procedures, ensuring financial sustainability, overseeing activities, memberships, fundraising and advocacy.

The Chief Executive Officer will have responsibility for recruitment and establishing a new team, resources and managing key relationships in line with the overall strategic policies, direction, goals and budget, for the purposes of advancing The DBR Foundation’s objectives, purpose and identity worldwide.

The DBR Foundation’s objectives are:

• The improvement of health by furthering the advancement of the theory and practice of Deep Brain Reorienting ("DBR")
• The relief of emotional and psychological distress wherever it may arise by the provision of appropriate DBR training and therapy
• The relief of poverty and distress wherever it may arise by the provision of humanitarian aid, by supporting other like-minded charities

Key Responsibilities

Leadership, Strategy & Organisational Direction:

• Lead strategic initiatives and sustainable organisational long-term development
• Drive sustainable growth and measurable impact
• Lead organisational strategy and service development
  

Operations & Service Quality:

• Oversee all operational delivery
• Ensure members are equipped with relevant, up-to-date, and impactful resources

Financial Management, Corporate Governance & Regulatory Compliance:

• Provide strong financial oversight and sustainability planning
• Ensure regulatory, and governance compliance
• Performance and risk overview to the Board of Trustees

Business Development & Commissioning:

•  Income strategy and fundraising
• Grant applications and partnership funding
• Building relationships and funder partnerships

 People & Values:

• Build a high performing operational team
• Establish a culture that reflects the core values and culture of the Foundation

External Engagement & Stewardship:

• Act as senior ambassador and spokesperson
• Represent the Foundation across statutory, voluntary, education and health sectors
• Strengthen partnerships and influence

Essential Skills:

• Senior leadership experience in the charity, public or social sector
• Strong organisational and operational management experience
• Experience working with a Board of Trustees
• Proven financial oversight and budget responsibility
• Experience delivering organisational strategy
• Fundraising or income generation leadership experience
• Strong partnership and stakeholder management skills
• Commissioning and contract delivery experience

Who we are

IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice) is a national charity working to ensure that children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) receive the educational support they are legally entitled to. Since we were formed in 1983, we have helped to improve the education experience of thousands of children and young people across England. We do this by providing free and independent legal advice and casework support for families, undertaking policy work and delivering training on the SEND legal framework.

What you’ll do

Reports to: Chief Executive

Location: Home-based or Hybrid (with frequent travel for events and meeting with parliamentarians and other stakeholders) 

We are seeking a Policy Manager to lead IPSEA's policy and influencing work to achieve positive change for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their families. Working closely with the Chief Executive, Head of Legal and Training, trustees and colleagues across the organisation, you will set strategic policy priorities and develop evidence-based influencing plans that support IPSEA's mission and long-term objectives.

Drawing on insights from our advice and tribunal services, legal expertise and the experiences of families, you will identify systemic issues within the SEND system and develop policy solutions that improve children and young people's access to the support and education to which they are entitled. You will ensure that IPSEA's policy positions are credible, legally robust and informed by the lived experiences of those we support.

You will lead IPSEA's engagement with government, Parliament and other key decision-makers, identifying opportunities to influence legislation, policy and practice at both national and local level. This includes overseeing responses to consultations, parliamentary inquiries and calls for evidence, as well as preparing briefings and strategic advice to support senior-level engagement and advocacy.

Working collaboratively with colleagues across legal, communications, fundraising and training teams, you will ensure IPSEA's policy, campaigning and public affairs activities are aligned and maximise the organisation's impact. You will also monitor developments across the political, legal and policy landscape, helping IPSEA respond proactively to emerging opportunities and challenges affecting the rights of children and young people with SEND.

This role offers the opportunity to make a real difference as part of a small, friendly, and dedicated team. If you are passionate about helping children and young people with SEND and have the skills and experience needed, we would love to hear from you.

Who are we looking for?

You will have significant experience in a senior policy and campaigning/public affairs role and have good knowledge of local and national government structure including the legislative process.

You the ability to build and maintain relationships with a range of stakeholders including MPs, civil servants, campaigners and parents. You exhibit tact and diplomacy and can be impactful with people of varying levels and experience.

Your research and critical thinking skills enable you to analyse policy and data to produce relevant reports and position papers. You have experience of drafting organisation responses to government consultations and parliamentary calls for evidence.

IPSEA should also reflect the communities we support. We would particularly like to hear from candidates from ethnic minority backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ people, under-served communities and disabled people, as well as those with lived experience of the SEND system, either as a child or as a parent/carer.

What we can offer you

• 5% employer pension contributions
• Healthcare cash plan
• Flexible working arrangements
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays plus an additional day off for your birthday (pro-rata if part-time).

To apply

Visit our website to download a recruitment pack and application form.

Deadline for applications: 9am on 7 September 2026.

First-round interviews: on 15 September 2026 in our offices in Takeley, Essex, with second-round interviews (online) on 18 September 2026.

NO AGENCIES PLEASE.