Chair and two non executive directors jobs
About Impetus
Our vision is for a society where all young people, regardless of their background, can thrive in school, secure crucial qualifications, and take their first steps into the world of work on the journey to sustained employment in adulthood, for a fulfilling life.
As a leading impact funder, since 2002, Impetus has been helping the best leaders build stronger organisations delivering the most promising interventions that support young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to succeed against the odds. We do this by using our deep expertise and high calibre networks to give the best non-profits the essential ingredients to have a real and lasting impact, through a powerful combination of long-term funding, direct capacity building support from our experienced team and our pro bono partners, alongside research and policy influencing to drive lasting systems change.
We tackle the three most difficult challenges that affect a young person’s ability to succeed in life in Britain today:
• Lost learning through absence, suspensions, exclusions from school.
• Stagnation in education attainment outcomes, which means many are missing out on key qualifications like GCSE English and maths.
• The large numbers of young people out of education, training and employment.
These are challenges that are faced by all young people, but they disproportionately affect young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
You would be joining a team that is passionate, rigorous, determined, creative and warm. We care deeply for our colleagues, our charity partners and the young people we serve.
Impetus is a registered charity and our charity number is 1152262.
About the role
Are you passionate about giving all young people the best chance in life? Are you a brilliant influencer and communicator who relishes harnessing great policy, research and communications to realise social change? Do you want to work in a pioneering charity with impact at its core?
Then this could be the role for you. At Impetus we are looking for our next Director of Public Affairs, someone who can inspire our brilliant Public Affairs team and spearhead our communications, policy and research work. This is an exciting senior role, joining our Senior Management Team and working alongside our CEO, board, donors, supporters, portfolio partners and the wider sector to effect real change for young people.
This is an exciting time to join Impetus. We are at an inflexion point, having welcomed a new CEO this year and implementing a new strategy focusing on strengthening and expanding our impact and influence. A big part of that is through our public affairs and communications work; whether influencing policy makers so that all young people regardless of background get the best possible chance to succeed, reducing the gaps in education and employment between young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and their better off peers, or working with government and other funders to prove and expand impactful programmes or communicating our findings, insights and message to a wider range of audiences.
The Director of Public Affairs will work with the CEO and Senior Management Team to raise our profile and influence policy, unlock and steward resource and build new partnerships, in order to facilitate growth in impact. They will do this by getting the most out of our high performing Public Affairs team, which covers policy, research, advocacy and communications - as well as working across teams and with the Board to ensure Impetus is well positioned externally.
We’re proud of the work we’ve achieved to date, developing a strong track record of high-quality research and insightful reports, significantly raising our profile through media relations and stakeholder engagement, building strong sector partnerships and coalitions to drive meaningful change, establishing a wide range of relationships across government and the sector and building strong expertise in the team. We’re delighted that you’re considering joining us to take forward this work to the next level.
Here are some examples of the types of work that the Public Affairs team delivers:
• Our monthly policy newsletter, Impetus Insights
• Our news and commentary and blogs
• Our latest research reports on school engagement, attainment and youth employment
• Our coalitions: The Youth Employment Group and Who is Losing Learning?
For more information on what we’re looking for from our Director of Public Affairs & what a typical week can look like – please view the Director of Public Affairs recruitment pack.
Key responsibilities
Fundraising and income generation
- Work with Impetus CEO and SMT to support the delivery of the Impetus strategy and business plan and deliver the public affairs milestones to time and within budget.
- Champion and contribute to embedding equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) across all areas of Impetus' work, ensuring that EDI principles related to Impetus’ mission are reflected in advocacy, stakeholder engagement, communications and public positioning.
- Vision setting and strong line management of the Public Affairs team, developing their capabilities, representing the team at SMT and to the Board and ensuring it continues to make a valuable - and valued - contribution to the achievement of Impetus’s objectives, through building and implementing high quality work plans for the team and ensuring the wider Impetus team is aligned on these.
- Increase awareness, understanding and trust in Impetus among key stakeholders, through regular, thoughtful engagement with the sector and securing high profile media coverage.
- Raise awareness of the education and employment gaps faced by young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and what we can do to break down the barriers they face - through research, policy positioning and effective communications.
- Build a positive reputation for Impetus in government and parliament and among funders, as a source of expertise on how to improve the education and employment outcomes of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and as a trusted interlocutor and partner, building on and leveraging the many relationships already established.
- Ensure that all advocacy is supported by high quality research and evidence, with our policy and research agenda well aligned to supporting the delivery of Impetus’ strategy.
- Ensure a positive media profile, continuing to build on the base established to build awareness among the media of Impetus’s expertise and content.
- Position Impetus as a ‘sought-after’ collaborative partner for other organisations with shared objectives; including regularly representing Impetus at relevant sector events.
- Support the delivery of our fundraising strategy and the successful delivery of our events programme, in particular, our flagship Transforming Lives Dinner.
- Where appropriate, collaborate with our portfolio partners to support their public affairs work and to leverage relevant partnerships, drawing on their insights to inform Impetus’ work.
- Contribute to the successful performance of the Senior Management Team, and provide expert advice to them, as well as to Trustees, on all public affairs-related activities and in the implementation of the broader strategy, engaging with decisions and challenges across the organisation.
- Oversee the running of our Public Affairs Committee (PAC), leveraging their skills, expertise and influence for the good of Impetus.
Personal specification
Essential
- A commitment to Impetus’ mission
- A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
- Experience of leading public affairs / communications / policy at a senior level
Strong track record of influencing (through policy, advocacy, communications, stakeholder relations) - Strong management skills including strategy development, people management, budgeting and impact monitoring
- Experience of leading multiple and complex workstreams to achieve measurable results
- Experience of representing an organisation externally; in meetings, media interviews and on public platforms
- Exceptional verbal and written communications skills
- Presence, credibility, motivational skills, natural ability to command respect based on experience, and ability to look beyond own area of expertise
- Proven experience of building and maintaining influential external relationships and strategic partnerships
- Ability to motivate a team and work collaboratively, enlisting support from others
- Knowledge of the education and/ or young people sectors
Desirable:
- Experience of fundraising, including trusts and foundations
- Knowledge of digital communications
- Experience of data management and good analytical skills
- Understanding of, and/or lived experience of, the barriers that young people face, that contribute to the education and employment gap
- Knowledge of venture philanthropy / impact management
- Knowledge of private equity and associated industries
Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
We want our team at Impetus to represent the diversity of the people and communities we serve. We also want our team to be one where different experiences, expertise and perspectives are valued, and where everyone is encouraged to grow and develop.
We want to reach a diverse pool of candidates. We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that potential employees may need to in order to be successful.
We recognise the importance of a good work/life balance. We do everything we can to accommodate flexible working, including working from home, working part-time job shares and other arrangements.
Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process (and beyond) if these are options you’d like to explore.
Impetus is an equal opportunity employer and is determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. We value diversity and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.
How to apply
Please click here to apply.
You will need to:
- Upload a comprehensive CV and supporting statement.
- We will also share our equal opportunities form which must also be completed.
The supporting statement should be no more than two sides of A4 and should address the criteria in the person specification.
You should also include the contact details of two referees, one of whom must be your current or most recent employer. Referees will only be approached with your express permission.
As part of our commitment to flexible working we will consider a range of options for the successful applicant. All options can be discussed at interview stage.
The deadline for applications is 11:59pm, Sunday 12th October 2025.
Interviews
First round interviews will take place: w/c 20th/27th October 2025.
Second round interviews will take place: w/c 3rd November 2025.
You will also be required to provide proof of your eligibility to work in the UK.
Personal Data
Your personal data will be shared for the purposes of the recruitment exercise. This includes our HR team, interviewers (who may include other partners in the project and independent advisors), relevant team managers and our IT service provider if access to the data is necessary for performance of their roles. We do not share your data with other third parties, unless your application for employment is successful and we make you an offer of employment. We will then share your data with former employers to obtain references for you. We do not transfer your data outside the European Economic Area.
Impetus transforms the lives of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds by ensuring they get support to succeed in school, in work and in life.


The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
We are seeking an inspiring and strategic leader to join us as our Director of Service Delivery. This is a pivotal role leading the design and delivery of our frontline services, ensuring they are high quality, person centred and making a lasting difference in the lives of individuals and communities across Surrey and surrounding areas.
Location: Woking / Hybrid
Salary: £60,000 - £70,000 DOE
Permanent | Full Time (35 hours/week)
Benefits: 26 days annual leave (rising with service) + bank holidays + 1 extra days leave on your birthday, Pension, Access to Simply Health, Blended working, Employee discount programme and more…..
About Us
Catalyst Support, is a respected non-profit organisation in Surrey that’s been supporting people facing mental health challenges, substance use, and wellbeing needs for over 35 years. Operating with values at the heart of everything they do, Catalyst empowers communities through responsive, high-quality services and compassionate care.
About the Role
Reporting directly to the CEO and as part of the senior leadership team, you will provide compassionate and strategic leadership across all operational areas – including mental health, substance use, and outreach – the Director of Service Delivery ensures services are safe, inclusive, and trauma-informed, and that they reflect the diversity and lived experience of the communities we support.
You will hold accountability for service performance, safeguarding, quality assurance, and system partnerships. They work closely with the CEO, the Director of Operations (internal systems and transformation), and the Head of Finance and Resources to ensure operational delivery is effectively supported by infrastructure, systems, and financial stewardship.
Who We’re Looking For
Proven track record of delivering high quality, person led and socially impactful services and managing internal functions
Senior operational leadership experience in health, care, VCSE or related sectors
Experience in managing service compliance and staff wellbeing
Demonstrated success in leading performance improvement and impact measurement
Strong partnership working experience across statutory, VCSE and community systems
Budget management, including responsibility for service level budget setting, monitoring and decision making
Deep understanding of safeguarding frameworks, regulation and operational risk
Strong leadership and coaching skills rooted in empathy, empowerment and inclusion
Applications are open until 29th September, though we may close earlier if we receive a high number of applications, so we encourage you to apply soon. Please note, we are not working with recruitment agencies for this vacancy.
This post is subject to the DBS check. Please note past drug and/or alcohol or criminality history will not necessarily discount you from undertaking this role.
In the attached recruitment pack you will find instructions on how to apply. You are required to write a personal statement (no more than 2 pages) highlighting your skills and experience that demonstrate your suitability for the role
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Having adopted a new and ambitious strategy, and embarked on a period of transformational change, Two Saints are now looking to ensure they are in the strongest position to deliver their vision in what are difficult times. This vision is ‘to be a safety net for people in tough times and the springboard to a brighter future.’ The organisation delivers a full range of services to clients across Hampshire, Dorset, Berkshire and the Isle of Wight, and the role of the Two Saints Board is to guide, direct and challenge the plans and strategic decisions relating to these services.
So we’re looking for people who can help Two Saints deliver their vision, with a background and experience in either:
- Asset management, perhaps with experience of the net-zero agenda
- Supported housing services or social care
We’re interested in hearing from talented people who may be looking for their first governance role, and you may have had lived experience.
If you’re interested in what Two Saints do and feel you can make a contribution, we’d like to hear from you so take a look at the candidate pack here https://bit.ly/45U1yDX.
Position title: Health and Wellbeing Lead
Reports to: Head of Shed Development and Sustainability
Direct reports: None currently
Location: Remote (with regular travel)
Key stakeholders: UKMSA Volunteers, Sheds and Shedders, Head of Shed Development and Sustainability and team, Head of Volunteering
Salary: Level 3 – £30,000-£35,000
As Health and Wellbeing Lead, the purpose of your role will be to work with volunteers and colleagues to support Sheds and Shed Networks to improve men’s health and wellbeing across the UK. This work is within the context of informal, peer-led, self-determined spaces, where the emphasis is on activity not health prevention, which suits many men and works well for them.
This role involves engaging directly with Sheds and Shed Networks, supporting them to foster partnerships with local health and social care organisations, as well as supporting local health and social care organisations to understand and engage effectively with Men’s Sheds in their area.
You will work with volunteers, colleagues and external experts to gather and share accurate, accessible and relevant resources, information and case studies related to men’s health and wellbeing with Sheds and Shed Networks. This will include developing and engaging with digital health tools, information and training, as well as taking an empowering and capacity building ‘train the trainer’ approach to the design and delivery of all training and workshops related to men’s health and wellbeing.
You will work closely with the Head of Volunteering to support volunteers to promote the role of Men’s Sheds in preventative and community-based health locally and will work with colleagues to support volunteers to actively contribute to promoting the role of Men’s Sheds in preventative and community-based health at a national level.
You’ll be the main contact for volunteers, Sheds and Shed Networks for all things related to Sheds and men’s health and wellbeing.
Key responsibilities:
1. Sheds and Shed Networks
· Be the main point of contact for all Sheds and Shed Networks for all things related to Sheds and men’s health and wellbeing – ensuring you are approachable, responsive and consistent.
· Empower volunteers and colleagues to support Sheds and Shed Networks to foster partnerships with local health and social care organisations.
· Empower volunteers, colleagues and the wider Shed community to support local health and social care organisations to understand and engage effectively with Men’s Sheds in their area.
2. Information and resources
· Work with volunteers, colleagues and external experts as part of the UKMSA Advisory and Guidance Group to continuously gather, develop and update relevant resources, information and case studies related to men’s health and wellbeing. Regularly share clear and accessible information and resources with Sheds and Shed Networks.
· Work with volunteers, colleagues and external experts as part of the UKMSA Advisory and Guidance Group to build knowledge and understanding of relevant organisations and services related to men’s health and wellbeing. Regularly share clear and accessible information about organisations and services with Sheds and Shed Networks.
· Work with Sheds and volunteers to gather case studies and develop resources highlighting Sheds that demonstrate innovation and best practice in the field of health and wellbeing.
3. Training and workshops
· Work with volunteers, colleagues and external partners to develop an empowering train the trainer model to enable Shed Leaders and Shedders to plan, deliver and evaluate training and workshops related to men’s health and wellbeing.
· Work with volunteers, colleagues and external partners to co-design and deliver training and workshops related to men’s health and wellbeing at UKMSA events.
· Support peer-to-peer learning amongst Sheds and Shed Networks through regional events, online forums, and learning networks.
4. Digital health and wellbeing
· Work with volunteers and colleagues to test and empower Sheds and Shed Networks to use digital platforms for hybrid training, remote participation, or digital inclusion efforts.
- Work with volunteers and colleagues to utilise and adapt data tools (e.g. CRM, health analytics and dashboards) for monitoring health and wellbeing related outcomes and for reporting impact.
5. Monitoring and Reporting
· Work with volunteers, Sheds and Shed Networks to collect and report data in relation to men’s health and wellbeing to demonstrate the role and impact of Men’s Sheds in preventative and community-based health.
· Work with volunteers, colleagues, Sheds and Shed Networks to contribute to relevant evaluation and research projects relating to Sheds and men’s health and wellbeing.
6. Stakeholder Engagement
- Work with volunteers to build relationships with local and regional health, community, and voluntary sector organisations.
- Represent UKMSA at relevant networks, events, and conferences.
- Contribute to the planning and delivery of the annual Shedfest and other key events, coordinating and supporting volunteer involvement in relation to men’s health and wellbeing.
- Work with colleagues, including the CEO, to build effective working partnerships across the UK men’s health sector
Key expertise required:
- Knowledge, skills and experience in men’s health and wellbeing.
- Some knowledge of how to effectively improve men’s health and wellbeing in the Shedding context, and a willingness and interest in working with volunteers to develop and share expertise in this area.
- An understanding of the importance of taking an empowering train the trainer approach to planning, delivering and evaluating training and workshops related to men’s health and wellbeing.
- Ability to build relationships with local and regional health, community, and voluntary sector organisations, and to support others to do so.
- Skilled at actively collaborating with volunteers and subject matter experts.
- Confident communicator - able to build rapport, deliver training, and manage sensitive conversations.
· Strong relationship builder - able to connect with people, build trust and maintain long term engagement.
· Willing, able and confident to travel to meet volunteers and attend Shed events regularly.
· Confident working with data and systems - including CRM tools and digital tools.
· Proactive and creative - always looking for ways to improve how things are done.
· Self-motivated and able to manage your own workload without needing close supervision.
· An understanding of the nuances and limitations of how Sheds can support health and wellbeing
What success looks like:
- Strong, collaborative relationships established between Sheds, Shed Networks and local health and community partners.
- Demonstrable improvements in the health and wellbeing of Shedders through supported activities and case studies.
- Volunteers, Sheds and Shed Networks feel empowered and equipped to deliver activities that support mental and physical health.
- Health and care organisations view Men’s Sheds as trusted, valuable partners in preventative health and social prescribing pathways.
- Resources, training, and support materials are well-received, practical, and widely adopted in Sheds and across Shed Networks.
- Clear and impactful reporting informs and supports UKMSA’s work at a national level.
This job is not:
- An expert, clinical or therapeutic health role—you will not be expected to deliver personal care, therapy, or counselling.
- Solely office-based or desk-bound—this is a varied, outreach-focused role that involves relationship-building, travel, and hands-on support.
- Focused only on one region—this is a national role, requiring awareness of regional variations across the UK.
- A short-term fixer—you’ll be building capacity and confidence in communities for long-term sustainability, not quick fixes or prescriptive solutions.
This job description is intended to outline the general responsibilities and expectations of the role. It may be reviewed and updated as the organisation evolves, and from time to time you may be asked to take on other reasonable tasks that fall outside this scope - we’re a small team, and flexibility is part of how we work.
Closing date: 9th October 1200 hrs
Interview: 17th October
We are the support body for Men’s Sheds across the UK. We work hard to inspire and support the development of Men's Sheds.





The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.