Charity director jobs in Milton keynes

A fantastic opportunity has arisen for a Finance Manager on a full-time, permanent basis. As Finance Manager you will manage the charity’s financial operations, including but not limited to recordkeeping, payment processing, reporting, and systems oversight, ensuring transparency and compliance.

Please note, this role comes with remote working and occasional travel is required for team meetings throughout the year.

As Finance Manager, you will:

- Supervise and process day-to-day financial operations, including accurate recording, allocation, coding, reconciliations, and documentation of all transactions

- Work closely with the external bookkeeper and accountants to ensure accurate monthly reconciliations, support the preparation of VAT returns, and address any financial queries or discrepancies

- Produce regular management accounts on an accrual’s basis, supporting internal decision-making and providing financial interpretation to the Directors and other stakeholders as required

- Support the preparation of statutory accounts, working alongside external accountants and auditors

- Oversee payroll administration, ensuring accurate updates are made in coordination with external providers, and that statutory payments (e.g. to HMRC and pension providers) are tracked and full

The successful applicant will:

- Have demonstrable experience in finance within the charity sector (ideally international charities), in a similar role

- Be a fully qualified accountant (e.g. ACCA, CIMA, ACA) or equivalent experience

- Have strong knowledge of UK charity financial regulations and reporting requirements

- Be proficient in accounting software (e.g. Beacon, Xero) and Excel

- Have experience with budget development and financial reporting (trusts, foundations, or institutional funders)

- Have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal

If this sounds like you and you're keen to hear more, please do get in touch ASAP!

Please note, only successful applicants will be contacted with further information.

As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp™, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.

Arvon, the UK's most renowned creative writing charity, is looking for an experienced and dynamic Management Accountant (Maternity Cover) to work closely with its CFO on the preparation of management accounts, budgeting and forecasting processes, as well as other key finance tasks. Arvon has been delivering courses from its three beautiful houses for over 57 years, and you would be joining a dedicated and spirited national team, all of whom are passionately committed to delivering on Arvon's transformational charitable mission.

Job Description

Job Title: Finance Director/Finance Officer

Location:Remote working (Home based)

Responsible to: Board of Trustees

Salary:£55,000

Hours: Full time (35 hours per week)

About React:

React – Rapid Effective Assistance for Children with potentially Terminal illness is a dynamic charity working to improve the quality of life for children with life-limiting illnesses living in financially disadvantaged households throughout the UK. Our work is unrivalled by any other organisation and our passion and belief that every child should have comfort, dignity, and the opportunity to participate in life as fully as possible is our driving force.

The Job, in a few words:

Reporting directly to the Board, you will lead day to day finance, produce monthly & annual accounts, prepare payroll and monitor React’s grant application process.   The Finance Director/Officer will develop strong working relationships with the React Team and lead all aspects of charitable expenditure.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Managing all aspects of Financial controls

• Processing Payroll, restricted & unrestricted funds through Xero software

• Liaising with auditor, bankers, pension providers & HMRC

• To maintain accurate records and produce monthly management accounts

• Production of Statutory accounts and annual budget

• Manage the grant application process and understand the needs of families caring for terminally ill children.

SKILLS, QUALIFICATIIONS, EXPERIENCE AND ATTRIBUTES:

• Accountancy qualification or equivalent senior experience in charity finance
• Xero or Sage experience
• Confident with PAYE & Gift Aid submission
• Flexible and pro-active approach
•  Ability to work on your own initiative
• ·A natural team leader who can liaise confidently with all members of staff

Dig Deep is an award-winning international development charity working to secure clean water, safe sanitation and good hygiene for the one million people of Bomet County, Kenya - half of whom are children.

This is a new position, created at a pivotal moment for the charity. Over the last year, the combined turnover of Dig Deep and our trading subsidiary (Dig Deep Challenges) has grown by over 50%. Our impact, our partnerships and our responsibilities have grown with it. To sustain this progress well, we now need dedicated leadership across international finance and governance.

The Finance & Governance Manager will play a central role in making this work possible. By ensuring strong financial management, robust governance and clear reporting, you will help ensure every pound & Kenyan shilling is used well and every decision is well-informed.

This role is home-based and open to candidates living in the UK. You will work closely with colleagues across the UK and Kenya, with monthly travel for team meetings in the UK and occasional travel to our Kenyan office.

If you care about impact, value rigour, and want your work to make a real difference, we would love to hear from you.

ROLE SUMMARY

Organisation: Dig Deep (Africa)

Role: Finance & Governance Manager

Reporting to: Chief Executive

Key responsibilities:

• International Finance: Day-to-day international financial management of the charity and trading arm, incl. procurement, timely payment of invoices and production of management accounts
• International Governance: ensuring all statutory returns and other critical governance deadlines are met and internal governance procedures are adhered to
• Business Intelligence: developing and producing financial reports for staff leadership team and trustees
• Act as Secretary to the Board: ensure the smooth scheduling and preparation of regular board meetings
• CRM & Data Protection: Maintaining/developing CRM and ensuring compliance with data protection regulations

Contract type:

• Full-time (37.5 hours per week)
• Permanent

Salary and benefits:

• £40,000-45,000 per annum
• Mentoring, coaching and professional development support available from highly experienced trustee finance & governance committee & staff team
• 33 days annual leave (incl. Bank holidays)
• Home working with flexible hours

Location:

• Home working in UK
• Travel required once per month for team meetings in Sheffield/across Midlands/London (expenses paid)
• Possible travel required to East Africa on exceptional basis (approx. once every 2 years)

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

• At least 3 years of experience in finance, governance, or a closely related role
• Experience managing day-to-day financial processes, including payments, procurement and reporting
• Good understanding of governance requirements, statutory returns and board processes
• Experience producing clear financial reports for senior staff and directors
• Experience of managing audits
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Confidence managing systems, records and sensitive data
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently in a home-based role
• Alignment with Dig Deep’s values and commitment to ethical practice

Desirable

• Experience of working with QuickBooks
• Experience of multi-currency accounting
• Experience working in the charity or international development sector
• Experience supporting or acting as secretary to a board or committee
• Familiarity with CRM systems and data protection compliance
• Experience working across multiple countries or jurisdictions
• Experience supporting a growing organisation through a period of change

HOW TO APPLY

We encourage applications from all backgrounds, ages and ethnicities. If you think you could be a valuable asset to Dig Deep but are unsure about your suitability, or have any other questions, please contact us.

To apply, please attach a one-page cover letter and CV (max two sides) before 17.00 on Wednesday, 4th March 2026

First round Zoom interviews are scheduled to take place on Monday 16th March 2026

Second round in-person interviews are scheduled to take place on Monday 23rd March 2026

Assistant Director of Operations
Salary: £72,000 per annum
Work Pattern: This is a permanent contract, working full time, Monday to Friday, 37.5 hours a week.
Location: Your base can be at any of the 6 mainland UK Discovery Sites: Arundel BN18, Llanelli SA14, London SW13, Martin Mere L40, Slimbridge GL2 or Washington NE38. The 7th site is Castle Espie.
For this role we can offer the opportunity for hybrid working. It is expected the role will need you to be present at each of your sites on a regular basis, at least once per month.

About The Role

WWT is the charity for wetlands.

This is a critical role in the recently restructured Operations Directorate at WWT. As Assistant Director, you will be directly responsible for the performance of our 7 Wetland Discovery sites. You will provide inspiring and professional leadership to your teams, whilst proactively collaborating cross organisation and externally.

Your focus will be on driving meaningful improvements at sites across our three ambitions of Restore, Inspire and Thrive, with emphasis on financial performance driven by visitor experiences. Reporting to the Director of Operations, you will directly manage two Heads of Operations, a Head of Retail and Head of Catering. You will indirectly lead more than 400 staff and volunteers across Living Collections, Reserve Management, Visitor Experience, Trading, Marketing, Facilities and Grounds.

You will work closely with Health & Safety and Sustainability leads to ensure good governance and compliance at sites and across the Operations Directorate.

You will have a background working in visitor attractions or a very similar sector, coupled with a passion for purpose-led organisations and a keen interest in the environment. You will be an inspiring leader with high levels of emotional intelligence and values & behaviours that align with WWT.

About You

To join as our Assistant Director of Operations, you will need to evidence:

• Experience in a senior position(s) held in the visitor attraction/events management sectors, directly accountable for site operations and visitor experience throughout the visitor journey.
• Strong skills in leading business planning, financial analysis, budget development and management, and delivery of significant capital projects across £multi-million business unit(s).
• Demonstrable ability to recruit, performance manage and motivate large (>100) diverse multi-disciplinary teams.
• The ability to develop, communicate and implement strategic change, turning organisational vision into improvements at scale.
• An inspirational and empathetic leadership style, able to role model an organisation’s values and behaviours, and to evidence strong emotional intelligence. Able to prioritise effectively, to collaborate, network and influence internally and externally at a senior level.
• A highly creative and inquisitive mindset, able to spot and exploit potential opportunities, keen to explore, test and learn as a means of driving continual improvement and excellence in the visitor experience.
• Experience of working collaboratively with insight, marketing and communications teams to deliver strong brand and marketing campaigns which drive footfall.

About Us

We’re WWT, and we’re on a mission to restore the super-powered ecosystems we call wetlands. There’s never been a more important moment for our work, and we’ve got some phenomenal people on the case.

Whether they’re taking a new visitor under their wing, or conducting ground-breaking research further afield, our team are second to none. And there’s nothing we love more than watching them soar.

Whatever you do here, you’ll be helping to restore wetlands and unlock their power. So, the only question left is, what role will you play?

Why you’ll love working at WWT

• Wake up every day knowing your work is helping to restore wetlands, and our world
• Be surrounded and inspired by our team of passionate, dedicated people
• 33 days annual leave (which goes up to 38 days after 5 years of service) – this includes bank holidays and you have flexibility to take those days whenever you want
• Free entry to all our wetland centres, including your family
• Free car parking and secure bike storage areas
• Colleague discount on shopping and memberships
• Cycle to work scheme
• Contributory pension scheme
• Life Assurance of three times your salary, for peace of mind for your loved ones
• Independent personal, workplace and financial advice from our Employee Assistance Programme

Closing Date: 23rd February 2026

N.B. We reserve the right to close the advert early if we receive a sufficient number of applications from candidates who meet the required skills and experience. We therefore encourage early applications.

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

WWT is an equal opportunities employer and all applications will be considered solely on merit.

No agencies please.

Purpose of the post

The Finance Business Partner plays a crucial role within HDR UK, as the key point of contact and financial support for the Institute Office teams. The Finance Business Partner supports key non- finance stakeholders to provide timely and insightful analysis and reporting and supports with the alignment of financial plans to operational and strategic priorities. The role will support the Institute Office as well as some of our separately funded programmes. The Finance Business Partner is responsible for the management of the Institute’s support costs and recharges, and therefore plays a pivotal role in the long-term financial sustainability of HDR UK. The role is responsible for maintaining clear and effective communication between the Finance team and the wider business and for ensuring that financial concepts and priorities are understood by the Institute Office and programme teams.

Main responsibilities

• Work with Budget Holders to manage financial performance, forecasts, and budgeting including understanding financial opportunities and risk for the area of business partnership.

• Lead on monthly reporting to the Institute Office and Programme teams, including posting month end journals, meeting with Budget Holders to discuss performance and budget variance and providing commentary and analysis on reports.

• Provide donor reporting and analysis as required to funders of specific programmes.

• Work with the Head of Financial Planning and Analysis to plan, deliver, and review the annual budget and quarterly forecasts.

• Support the Associate Director of Finance and Head of FP&A to continuously review and update the 5-year financial plan.

• Support with projects and new process development to continuously improve and evolve our approach to internal financial reporting and modern finance business partnering.

• Support the Finance Business Partnering function with ad hoc reports and grant management and reporting.

• Provide training and advice to individuals internal and external to the Finance department.

• Support the Finance Officer with ad hoc queries and helpdesk needs.

• Support the Head of FP&A in utilising JET Reports to generate monthly management accounts for our Senior Leadership Team and Budget Holders, ensuring their accuracy and timely delivery.

The BE Support Trust is recruiting for a Fundraising Officer (Part Time).   We are seeking a strategic, motivated, and relationship-focused Fundraising Officer to help us diversify income and grow our fundraising activity.

What you will do

• Develop and deliver an annual fundraising plan aligned with strategic priorities.
• Research new funding streams and produce pipeline/KPI reports.
• Prepare high quality trust, foundation and grant applications.
• Build and manage corporate partnerships and sponsorship proposals.
• Lead fundraising elements of charity events and community activities.
• Support donor stewardship and maintain accurate CRM/Gift Aid records

What you will bring

• Demonstrable fundraising experience
• Excellent writing and bid/proposal development skills
• Strong relationship abilities
• Organisational confidence managing multiple deadlines

Why Join us

• A small supportive and committed team
• Meaningful work where you see the impact everyday
• Opportunity to shape fundraising in a growing charity
• Flexible working and part-time structure

Applications reviewed on a rolling basis.

Chief Executive - Help & Care
Location: Home-based within easy reach of Dorset (regular travel across the region)
Salary: circa £85,000 per annum
Contract: permanent, either full-time basis (37 hours per week) or part-time (30 hours per week). We are happy to discuss flexible working arrangements for part-time hours, including how these are worked across the working week.

Are you an innovative leader who will put communities and social justice at the heart of transforming how health and social care is delivered in Dorset and the south of England?

Help & Care has been supporting communities across Dorset and the south coast since 1985. We deliver person-centred services that promote dignity, independence and connection - from dementia coordination and health coaching to our award-winning Roots gardening programme and social prescribing partnerships. Working with over 25 partners across health, housing and the voluntary sector, we co-produce services that make a real difference to older people, those with long-term conditions, carers and people at risk of isolation.

As our new Chief Executive, you will collaborate with a dedicated Board and a strong, highly motivated team focusing on the following key areas of responsibility:

• Strategic leadership: Define an ambitious, values-led strategy and deliver it, securing long-term impact alongside sustainable financial growth.
• Values leadership: Place Help & Care’s values - social justice, innovation, personal and collaborative - at the heart of decision-making and model them through visible leadership.
• Growth & income diversification: Lead business development to diversify income streams, winning commissioned contracts and developing social-enterprise opportunities to reduce reliance on public commissioning.
• Partnerships & advocacy: Strengthen and sustain senior-level relationships across the NHS, local authorities, commissioners and the voluntary sector; represent Help & Care across systems, media and stakeholder networks.
• Service quality & impact: Embed rigorous monitoring and evaluation so outcome evidence drives commissioning decisions, improves financial performance and enhances the organisation’s reputation.

• People leadership: Inspire, retain and develop a high-performing, compassionate leadership team and workforce, focused on talent development, wellbeing and accountability.
• Governance & financial stewardship: Provide the Board with timely, high-quality reporting, oversee financial recovery or sustainability plans as required, and ensure robust risk, compliance and governance arrangements.

Who you are:

• An experienced CEO or senior director from complex, multi-service health, social care or community organisations, with experience of developing and delivering multi-agency contracts.
• Proven track record of securing commissioned contracts, leading tendering and contract oversight, and developing income diversification, including social-enterprise opportunities.
• Comfortable driving strategic transformation and financial sustainability, with demonstrable expertise in strategic financial management.
• A values-led, collaborative and visible leader with high emotional intelligence and resilience, committed to social justice, person-centred practice and co-production; an effective public representative and mentor.

Why Help & Care?

• Lead a highly respected regional provider with an outstanding track record of co-production and innovation.
• Shape an organisation poised for growth and greater regional influence.
• Hybrid, home-based working, regular travel across Dorset, and the chance to safeguard vital services for local communities.

For full details of the role including how to apply, please download the full appointment brief. For an informal and confidential conversation about this position, please contact Jenny Hills at Harris Hill via apply button with times to speak and (optional but appreciated) a CV or professional profile which will be treated with the strictest confidence

Closing date for applications: 9am, Monday 23rd February 2026. Interviews and assessments on 3rd, 4th and 5th March.

As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.

We are really excited to have welcomed our new Director of Income Generation and Development to Brain Tumour Research this month, a great new start for the new year!​

​​This is a fantastic time to be joining our ambitious and growing charity and we are keen to share this with likeminded and talented individuals.​

We currently have an opening for a Community Fundraiser, to be based in the Mid-North Wales and West Midlands region.​​

​As the Community Fundraiser covering Mid-North Wales and West Midlands, you will play a crucial role in helping the charity meet its strategic plans and objectives, which include campaigning to increase the national investment in brain tumour research to £35 million per year, while fundraising to create a network of seven sustainable Brain Tumour Research Centres of Excellence across the UK.​

​​Your role will be to generate and grow our income through community fundraising activities, contributing to a regional team target of more than £1 million.​​

• Do you want to make a difference in one of the most innovative and exciting medical research fundraising charities in the UK?
• ​​Do you live in Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire,​Warwickshire, West Midlands, Worcestershire or Mid-North Wales?​
• Do you have at least one years' experience of working in a professional Community Fundraising position?​​Have you answered Yes to these questions?​
• Does this sound like the opportunity to really get 2026 off to an amazing start? ​​​

If you are excited to learn more about this position, please take a read through our recruitment pack provided with this advert.​​

If you have the skills and ambition that we are looking for we welcome your application.  We are really looking forward to welcoming a new member to our team!

​

We are asking for a CV as the first step but applicants may be asked to provide a targeted covering letter as part of the selection process.  Interviews will be conducted during the application window as appropriate, and will consist of a first interview via MS Teams, progressing, if successful to a face to face second interview, held at our offices in Milton Keynes.​

​We reserve the right to close the application window early and advise candidates to apply in good time to avoid disappointment.​

We are looking for people who share our passion for finding a cure for brain tumours and who have the skills and experience to make a difference. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, cultures, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and ages. We believe that diversity enriches our organisation and helps us achieve our mission. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can be themselves and contribute to our vision.

Our vision at Rafiki Thabo Foundation is that young people, including those living with disabilities, will be empowered through education to enable them to reach their full potential and initiate positive change in their communities. We do this by enabling access to education for disadvantaged children and young people for whom escaping the poverty cycle would be impossible without support.  

By the end of 2025 we had supported 910 children and young people through education on our scholarship programme and this year we are proud to support more than 400 scholars, 45 of whom live with a disability. We also enable access to education through our Eat Well to Learn programme and school infrastructure development programme.

How would you like to wake up every day, knowing that the work you do contributes to the transformative empowerment of young lives? By joining our small, close-knit, dynamic and passionate team you can do just that!

As our Digital Marketing Manager you will be part of a new direction for a small charity with great aspirations – instrumental in driving growth through optimised stewardship and external visibility. You will enjoy flexibility, autonomy and opportunity to help shape the future of our digital marketing with the freedom to use your creativity.

Position: Digital Marketing Manager

Responsible to: Head of Fundraising

Location: Remote (home based with option to work from our Abingdon charity shop)

Contract: Part-time. Permanent after 6 months’ probation, or freelance

Hours: 15 hours per week plus 4 floating hours on demand

Salary: £27,000 Full Time Equivalent if employed. If freelance, daily rates can be discussed.

Annual leave and benefits: 

• 5.6 weeks per year FTE (pro rata based on weekly hours)
• Flexible working pattern (as long as predominantly during business hours)
• Pension scheme with matched contributions if employed. 4% employer / 4% employee

How to apply: Click the CharityJob Apply button above. You’ll be asked to submit a CV, submit a cover letter and answer a few short screening questions about your relevant skills and motivation.

Interviews will start w/c 2nd March 2026

Closing date: 16th February 2026.

NB Please see Information Pack and Job Description for further information.

PS to obtain a higher resolution Information Pack pdf than the one below, please head to our charity profile page here on Charity Jobs and then click on the www icon just below our mission statement near the top of the page, which will take you to the ad on our website. 

What you will be working on:

• You will lead the planning and execution of digital marketing campaigns and initiatives across all online channels, including the website, SEO/SEM/AI Overviews, social media, supporter stewardship and marketing e-mails, to enhance charity visibility and drive supporter retention and acquisition
• You will manage website content and performance, oversee paid media campaigns, and analyse digital metrics to inform strategy and optimise ROI. Working closely with the Head of Fundraising and Director, you’ll ensure all digital activities align with our charity goals and fundraising strategy
• You will manage content creation and social media calendars, deliver targeted email campaigns, and monitor the online reputation of our charity to maintain a strong and positive presence. You will ensure our digital presence drives supporter and income growth by identifying the right audiences, driving engagement and qualifying interest in readiness to move up our supporter funnel
• A focus on data and insights using our CRM is instrumental to the supporter journeys and fundraising funnel and will in addition to the more creative aspects of the role where this insight translates into appealing content and campaigns targeted towards the right audience, be an important part of your day-to-day work
• You will also be responsible for regular reporting and analysis which will guide continuous improvement, while your awareness of emerging trends will help keep Rafiki Thabo current in digital marketing
• Ultimately you will play a key role in our digital marketing and communication activities, creating awareness that converts supporters up the fundraising funnel and be integral to our future growth and success

This job is for you if you…

• Are a marketing all-rounder with strong digital marketing experience
• Are experienced in developing, managing, delivering and optimising digital marketing campaigns across social media, search, website and e-mail marketing to drive brand awareness, lead generation, supporter engagement
• You have enough experience to hit the ground running and take the lead in your role
• You have strong knowledge and experience of SEO/SEM, AI, Google and Meta Ads, and analytics tools such as Google Analytics and Tag Manager
• You are proficient in using CRM systems in conjunction with automated marketing tools for support stewardship journeys and building CRM dashboards to track KPIs and engagement
• You have a positive mindset and a ‘can do’ attitude, with a flexible, conscientious, self-motivated and proactive approach to working independently while also being a team-player
• You have excellent communication skills, and a creative yet data-driven and supporter focused approach
• You have strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, campaigns and deadlines effectively. Ability to prioritise conflicting demands and tight deadlines under pressure
• And most importantly… you want your work to make a difference to the disadvantaged children and young people Rafiki Thabo support in Kenya, Uganda and Lesotho

Head of Health Information and Education

We’re the UK’s leading bowel cancer charity. We’re determined to save lives and improve the quality of life of everyone affected by bowel cancer. We support and fund targeted research, provide expert information and support to patients and their families, educate the public and professionals about the disease and campaign for early diagnosis and access to best treatment and care.  

We currently have around 95 staff based in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Thanks to the generosity of our community, we’re in a privileged position to be able to grow our staff team to deliver our ambitious strategy, On a mission. There are huge challenges facing bowel cancer patients across the UK and our community needs us now more than ever. We’re building a strong and united team to bring us closer to a future where nobody dies of bowel cancer. 

Job summary for Head of Health Information and Education

The Head of Health Information and Education is a key role at Bowel Cancer UK, leading the delivery of our health information and health professional education. We currently provide high quality support, but we know we need to do even more, reach more people and have an even greater impact.

The Head of Health Information and Education will, alongside our Clinical Lead, lead the development and delivery of our services in this area. This is a pivotal role with key areas of focus:

• Drive innovation in health information.
• Drive innovation in the content and delivery of health professional education.
• Expand our reach and accessibility to ensure no one faces bowel cancer alone.
• Build strong partnerships with stakeholders.
• Champion technology and digital solutions to enhance service delivery.

You’ll work closely with the Director and the Services Leadership team to set strategic direction and ensure our services are impactful, inclusive, and evidence based.
 

Safeguarding

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and at Bowel Cancer UK we are committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Successful candidates may be subject to either a satisfactory basic, standard or enhanced DBS check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) dependent upon the role.

The opportunity

We are seeking an experienced and values-led Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead East London Waterworks Park in this next phase of our development. This is a rare opportunity to shape the first paid executive leadership role in a pioneering environmental charity.

The CEO role is wide-ranging and dynamic, and will evolve as East London Waterworks Park grows. The CEO will provide strategic leadership to help realise our ambition to purchase the Thames Water depot site in East London, while strengthening our capacity to deliver community-led rewilding and nature-recovery projects across London in partnership with landowners, local authorities and other stakeholders.

An important aspect of the role will involve introducing a sustainable staffing model that complements and develops East London Waterworks Park’s existing volunteer ecosystem, and strengthens our culture, vision and values. The CEO will be supported in this work by long-standing volunteers at both trustee board and operational level, who believe in the benefits this organisational change will bring.

About East London Waterworks Park

East London Waterworks Park is a community-led charity working to reconnect people and nature. Starting from nature-first principles, and with inclusivity at the heart of everything we do, we work with communities to co-design spaces to unlock a chain of positive changes that culminate in the long-term transformation of people and place.

Our work includes:

• co-designing East London Waterworks Park with the East London community, working towards purchasing a 14-acre Thames Water depot in Waltham Forest and transforming it into a biodiverse urban park with free, accessible wild swimming and welcoming community spaces

• co-designing other nature-first spaces on disused or brownfield land in London, returning land to nature in collaboration with local communities to encourage long–term community stewardship

• hosting engagement, education, and empowerment activities that build skills, confidence and deeper connections to nature.

East London Waterworks Park is a sociocratic organisation, with a decentralised organisational structure and a transparent and collaborative approach to decision making. We have grown organically since 2019, responding flexibly to the challenges we have encountered but always committed to our core vision: creating a new kind of urban green and blue space: one that is ecologically rich, inclusive, and shaped by the people and wildlife who use it.

East London Waterworks Park is currently entirely run by volunteers but we recognise the need to transition to a more sustainable structure. We want to introduce paid employees to ensure we can deliver the exciting projects planned in 2026 and beyond, while retaining our strong community-led ethos.

More information

If this sounds exciting, please review the attached recruitment package.

You don’t have to know about Down syndrome. You can learn about Down syndrome, but we need you to know how to nurture the heart of an organisation and its people.

Please see our video on our website for further details from our Chair, James Davis (go to 'meet the team', and 'current vacancies'.

Freelance/self-employed contract for 3 – 4 days per week

Lead the 17-year-old charity into a brighter future

The role demands quality skills and experience in management, governance, building teams and communities, fundraising and finance – in person and online.

Can you simultaneously be creative, a problem solver, ideas person, developmental, positive leader, supporter, confidante, prudent and adventurous?

We are very keen to hear from you. Please send your CV and a 5 min video explaining who you are, why you suit the role and why you want to join us as CEO by Saturday 28 February 2026.