Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Mary’s Meals is a global movement supported by people from all walks of life and we are focused on one goal – that every child receives a nutritious daily meal in their place of education. We are currently reaching over 2.6 million children every school day, across 16 countries.
We are recruiting for a dynamic, visionary leader to join us as Director of Strategic Initiatives – a vital role in helping us grow our global movement. Reporting to our Chief Growth Officer, you’ll lead a talented team responsible for designing and delivering bold new strategies to increase revenue and build long-term, sustainable income growth and grow the strength of our National Affiliate network.
You will:
- Drive a programme of high-impact, global initiatives, from new fundraising products and digital solutions to youth and faith engagement strategies.
- Provide expert support and coaching to Executive Directors leading National Affiliates across the world.
- Guide strategic planning and change programmes with measurable outcomes, clear delivery plans and a deep focus on stewardship.
- Lead and inspire a high-performing team of specialists focused on audience insights, product development and market expansion.
- Collaborate closely with senior leadership across our global family to ensure alignment, shared learning and sustainable growth.
- Support the development of effective governance, technology and safeguarding practices across affiliates.
- Act as a trusted advisor to the MMI Executive Leadership Team and contribute regularly at the highest levels of decision-making.
About you:
You will bring significant senior-level experience in strategy, programme leadership, and/or business development – ideally in a global or multi-entity context within the charity sector.
- A strong track record of driving income growth and leading successful change initiatives.
- Experience working across cultures, with the ability to influence, inspire and build trust in diverse settings.
- A sharp focus on what works in fundraising, product innovation and audience engagement – particularly in the context of international development.
- Experience collaborating closely with technology teams to deliver digital and tech-enabled solutions.
- Proven leadership and coaching experience, with the ability to build high-performing teams and work with autonomy, agility and purpose.
Most of all, you’ll be motivated by our mission and ready to play a key role in helping us reach the next child waiting for Mary’s Meals.
About us:
We believe in the innate goodness of people, respect the dignity of every human being and family life and believe in good stewardship of the resources entrusted to us. In line with our values, Mary’s Meals is fully committed to a culture of safeguarding. Mary’s Meals is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work and we expect all the Mary's Meals family to share this commitment and work in the best interest of the communities we serve. Our safe recruitment practices ensure that only those that are committed to our high standards join our movement.
Salary advertised is for UK based candidates, our salary philosophy ensures consistency across locations where Mary’s Meals operates, please reach out for more information on salary & benefits if you are based outside the UK.
To apply:
If you are inspired to join our movement and our vision, mission and values resonate with you, we would love to hear from you. To apply, please click below to send your CV and a short covering note (no more than 1 page) telling us why you are a great fit for this role and why you would like to work for Mary’s Meals International.
Registered Charity
101 - 500
Our vision is that every child receives one daily meal in their place of education.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Job Title: Policy and Influencing Manager
Organisation: Kids
Location: Remote (with travel to London up to once a week for meetings)
Salary: £33,000–£35,000
Contract: Full-time or 4 days/week (Flexible working available)
Make change happen – for every child.
At Kids, we believe every child should have the opportunity to thrive – regardless of disability or circumstance. As our Policy and Influencing Manager, you’ll play a vital role in making this a reality. You’ll help shape policies that amplify the voices and experiences of disabled children and young people, turning insight into influence and ideas into action.
This is a unique opportunity to lead bold, evidence-based policy work that reflects the lived experiences of the families we support. Working closely with colleagues across the organisation and sector, you’ll inform decision-makers, respond to developments in the SEND landscape, and ensure that young people’s voices are at the heart of the change we seek.
We’re looking for a passionate and proactive policy professional who’s ready to help build something powerful – and lasting – at a critical time for SEND reform in the UK.
What you'll do
Policy & Influencing
- Develop accessible and compelling policy briefings, consultation responses, reports, speeches, and presentations for a range of stakeholders, including MPs, government officials, and sector partners.
- Translate complex ideas into clear, persuasive communications that support positive change.
- Collaborate with our Youth Voice Manager to ensure our policy positions reflect the real experiences of the young people and families we support.
- Help deliver and monitor our policy and influencing strategy in collaboration with the Head of Policy, Voice and Influencing.
Research & Evidence
- Carry out high-quality research and analysis from both internal and external sources.
- Centre the experiences and insights of disabled children, young people, and their families in policy solutions
- Monitor policy developments across the SEND landscape and lead on timely, evidence-led responses.
- Track progress against our influencing goals and ensure our actions remain targeted and impactful.
Engagement & Relationship Building
- Build strong relationships with decision-makers across government and the public sector.
- Support the Head of Policy, Voice and Influencing to plan and deliver our strategic external engagement plan in order to focus and drive our wider influencing work
- Represent Kids at meetings and events, including engaging MPs, civil servants, and other key influencers.
- Work closely with internal teams and front-line colleagues to ensure our influencing work is grounded in practice and informed by those delivering services.
Collaboration & Strategic Partnerships
- Work alongside the Head of Policy, Voice and Influencing and Youth Voice Manager to deliver our external engagement strategy including deputising at meetings when required.
- Support collaboration across teams to bring in parent, carer, and young person voices.
- Contribute to external coalitions and alliances – attending meetings, aligning with others’ work, and championing Kids' policy priorities.
What you'll bring
Essential Skills & Experience
- Proven experience in a policy role and demonstrable experience of using policy and evidence to influence outcomes– ideally within the disability sector.
- Strong understanding of the SEND system and related policies and legislation (through lived or professional experience).
- Excellent writing skills – able to craft persuasive policy briefings, consultation responses, and reports with clarity and purpose.
- Confident communicator, able to engage a range of audiences in person and in writing.
- Strong research and analytical skills – able to sift through evidence and develop insight-driven policy recommendations.
- Ability to build and manage relationships with senior stakeholders and external partners.
- Highly organised, adaptable, and comfortable working in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
- Passionate about inclusion, equity, and social justice – with a strong motivation to elevate the voices of disabled children and young people.
Why work at Kids?
We’re a mission-driven organisation, building a fairer world where all children have the opportunity to flourish. You’ll join a growing team in a pivotal role, helping to shape the future of policy and advocacy at Kids.
We’re committed to equity, diversity and inclusion, and we welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. We’re especially keen to hear from people with lived experience of disability or SEND, either personally or within your family or community.
Ready to create change that counts?
Apply now and help us influence a better, more inclusive future for disabled children and young people.
Note: We may close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. Please apply promptly
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.