Chief executive jobs

Keychange is a Christian charity with a proud history of supporting people by providing community for over a century. We believe that everyone has dignity and worth, and that people thrive best in communities where they are known, valued and supported. Across our care homes and housing communities, we seek to provide support that goes beyond compliance and is rooted in compassion, excellence and Christian values.

We are now seeking a Digital & Data Transformation Manager to provider leadership for our digital systems, data automation, cybersecurity protocols and AI adoption.

The role

As Digital & Data Transformation Manager you will have an ability to influence in digitisation, data and IT and work cross-organisationally with Care/Housing operations, Finance, HR, suppliers, Trustees and Executive leadership. Our need is to co-create the digital strategy, influence ways of working and problem solve at a practical level. This role will lead and add momentum to the digitisation of Keychange. The process has begun and this role will coordinate and add cultural sensitive impetus to the change.  We want to multiply the gains already made to continue the transformation of the organisation. 

The focus of the role includes:

• Digital and data transformation, including identifying emerging digital technologies that can support or enhance our operations and the development of a digital organisational dashboard
• Digital and data management, including data protection governance, data security and data management
• Operational delivery, including oversight of our outsourced IT contractor and technical management of our intranet development

This is a management role with real impact – both within Keychange and ultimately in the lives of people we support.

 About you

We are looking for a values-led manager who brings:

• Experience in leading the development of digital systems, information governance, cyber-security improvement or digital transformation in a charity, care, housing, education or public sector environment
• Strong supplier-management skills
• Working understanding of cyber-security governance
• Ability to explain technical and governance issues clearly to non-technical and non-IT colleagues
• Ability to work at both management and practical implementation levels

You will be someone who combines strategic digital and data management with high standards of support, and who leads with integrity, humility and purpose.

What we offer

• Flexible hybrid working, generally at least one day in London Central Office, with family friendly working arrangements available
• Employee assistance programme (EAP) and life insurance
• Contributory pension scheme, up to 5%, with matched employer’s contribution up to 5%
• Enhanced sick pay for up to four weeks, in accordance with our sickness procedure

Please see the attached job pack for a full job description and person specification, and more information about how to apply. Please note that we reserve the right to close applications early, so we recommend that you apply at your earliest opportunity. This job advert will close on 6 September 2026. In-person interviews will take place on 17 September 2026.

All applicants need to be able to evidence the right to work in the UK. At this time we are not able to offer sponsorship for this position.

Purpose of the Role

The Youth Insights Programme Lead is responsible for leading the effective design, planning and delivery of assigned Youth Insights panels and projects. The role bridges strategic leadership and operational delivery, ensuring that panels are well designed, well facilitated, well coordinated and deliver high-quality insight for partners.

The Programme Lead manages day-to-day partner relationships, leads delivery planning, supports facilitators, oversees programme outputs and ensures young people have a positive, inclusive and meaningful experience.

The role contributes to insight generation and reporting, working within the frameworks and quality standards set by the Programme Manager.

Key Responsibilities

1. Programme Design and Delivery

• Lead the design and delivery of assigned Youth Insights panels, within the methodology and standards set by the Programme Manager.
• Translate partner objectives into clear delivery plans, session structures and participant journeys.
• Develop and adapt session plans, materials and activities for assigned panels.
• Ensure sessions are engaging, inclusive, purposeful and appropriate for young people.
• Lead or support facilitation of Youth Insights sessions as required.
• Ensure delivery remains aligned with agreed outcomes, quality standards and partner expectations.
• Identify practical improvements to delivery and share learning with the Programme Manager.

2. Operational Partner Management

• Act as the primary day-to-day relationship manager for assigned partners.
• Lead operational planning meetings, delivery updates and routine partner communications.
• Manage partner expectations around timelines, outputs, session planning and reporting.
• Maintain strong working relationships with operational partner contacts.
• Identify risks, issues or opportunities in partner relationships and escalate appropriately to the Programme Manager.
• Support strategic partner conversations by providing delivery insight, evidence and learning.
• Where a partner contact holds both strategic and operational responsibilities, act as the primary day-to-day contact while ensuring the Programme Manager retains senior oversight.

3. Insight Generation and Reporting

• Analyse youth feedback and identify key themes, patterns and insights from assigned panels.
• Draft reports, summaries, presentations and recommendations for partners.
• Ensure reports go beyond description and begin to translate youth feedback into meaningful insight.
• Work within the reporting frameworks, standards and templates agreed by the Programme Manager.
• Incorporate quality feedback from the Programme Manager and strengthen outputs accordingly.
• Support the development of case studies, impact stories and evidence of partner value.
• Contribute learning from assigned panels into wider Youth Insights service development.

4. Delivery Quality and Facilitation

• Ensure all assigned programmes are delivered to a high standard.
• Brief, support and coordinate freelance facilitators for assigned sessions.
• Ensure facilitators understand the purpose, method, safeguarding requirements and desired outcomes of each session.
• Monitor delivery quality and participant experience.
• Provide feedback to facilitators and escalate quality concerns where needed.
• Ensure session materials, resources and activities are prepared and appropriate.
• Support consistency of delivery across panels, while adapting appropriately to different partner contexts.

5. Youth Engagement and Inclusion

• Ensure young people are meaningfully involved, listened to and supported throughout their participation.
• Work with the Programme Coordinator to support recruitment, onboarding, retention and engagement.
• Monitor participant experience and respond to issues or barriers to participation.
• Identify gaps in representation within assigned panels and work with the Programme Coordinator and Programme Manager to address them.
• Ensure delivery is inclusive, accessible and responsive to young people’s needs.
• Support young people to build confidence, skills and understanding through their involvement.

6. Programme Coordination and Project Management

• Develop and maintain delivery plans for assigned Youth Insights panels.
• Coordinate timelines, milestones, partner inputs, facilitator availability and reporting deadlines.
• Work closely with the Programme Coordinator to ensure logistics, communications and records are well managed.
• Ensure risks, actions and dependencies are tracked and communicated.
• Support effective use of HubSpot and other systems to manage participant journeys and partner activity.
• Ensure programme information is accurate, up to date and accessible to the team.

7. Team Support and Development

• Support and mentor the Programme Coordinator in relation to assigned programmes.
• Delegate appropriate tasks clearly and support effective workload management.
• Share learning, tools and good practice across the Youth Insights team.
• Contribute to training, reflection sessions and process improvement.
• Support a positive, collaborative and values-led team culture.
• Help build team confidence in delivery, facilitation, insight generation and partner communication.

8. Safeguarding, Compliance and Risk

• Ensure safeguarding, consent, data protection and risk processes are followed across assigned programmes.
• Identify and escalate safeguarding concerns or risks in line with S4TP policies.
• Ensure facilitators and delivery contributors understand relevant safeguarding and compliance requirements.
• Support accurate record keeping and documentation.
• Contribute to risk assessment and mitigation for sessions, panels and partner activity.

Key Relationships

Internal:

• Youth Insights Programme Manager
• Youth Insights Programme Coordinator
• CEO where required
• Wider S4TP team
• Freelance facilitators

External:

• Operational partner contacts
• Strategic partner contacts where appropriate
• Young people and alumni
• Schools, colleges and youth networks
• Delivery partners and stakeholders

Success Measures

Success in this role will include:

• Assigned panels are delivered effectively, safely and to a high standard.
• Partners receive timely, useful and high-quality reports and outputs.
• Young people have a positive, inclusive and meaningful experience.
• Operational partner relationships are well managed.
• Programme delivery runs smoothly, with clear plans, timelines and communication.
• Insight reports demonstrate analysis, themes and recommendations, not just summaries.
• Facilitators are well briefed, supported and consistent in delivery.
• Learning from delivery contributes to wider Youth Insights improvement.

Right now, Gaza is one of the hardest places in the world to be a child. As of July 2026, UNICEF reported that more than 21,000 children had been killed and around 44,500 injured since October 2023. Over 58,000 have lost one or both parents or primary caregivers, while around 700,000 have missed almost three years of formal education.

Established in 2024, Children Not Numbers (CNN) is a medico-legal charity committed to the health, safety, education and rehabilitation of Gaza’s children. Working alongside colleagues in Gaza and more than 100 volunteers worldwide, including surgeons, medics and lawyers, the charity provides medical care, medical evacuations, education, psychological support and international advocacy. Within its first year, CNN evacuated more than 300 children and their companions, supported over 650 children through its multidisciplinary clinical team, delivered maternal healthcare to more than 600 women, educated over 350 pupils through its primary school, provided holistic care for 71 orphans and distributed more than 1,000 food aid baskets.

Reporting to a Co-Founder and Director, the Senior Communications Manager will lead Children Not Numbers’ social media strategy and day-to-day digital communications, using ethical storytelling to grow audiences, strengthen supporter engagement and help drive fundraising. Building on the charity’s established communications strategy, the postholder will also support website content, campaigns and brand development, working closely with colleagues in Gaza, the fundraising team and external creative partners to ensure the charity’s work is communicated with accuracy, sensitivity and dignity.

This role offers an exciting opportunity to help shape the next phase of Children Not Numbers’ growth, bringing fresh ideas, creativity and strategic thinking to a charity where communications plays a central role in fundraising and advocacy. With a collaborative ‘yes’ culture, the freedom to think differently and the autonomy to turn ideas into action, the successful candidate will have real influence over campaigns and storytelling.

As Senior Communications Manager you will:

• Lead Children Not Numbers’ social media strategy and day-to-day digital communications, creating compelling, ethical content that grows audiences, strengthens supporter engagement and helps drive fundraising
• Line manage the Marketing & Communications Officer and Gaza-based Video Journalist, while overseeing relationships with external creative and PR partners
• Work closely with colleagues in Gaza, the fundraising team and senior leaders to develop content and campaigns that communicate the charity’s work with accuracy, sensitivity and dignity
• Support digital content creation across the charity’s website, working with an external website agency, supporting the development of campaign landing pages and ensuring consistency of messaging and brand
• Create and/or review written content, including thought leadership pieces, fundraising materials, impact reports and organisational publications
• Monitor performance and emerging opportunities, using insight and creativity to continually strengthen the charity’s communications and digital presence

About you

This role will suit a strategic doer who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is motivated by seeing the impact of their work. While hugely rewarding, the role is also highly reactive and, at times, harrowing, requiring sound judgement, resilience and the ability to adapt quickly as priorities change. The organisation has an embedded mental health and wellbeing programme in place to support staff – please ask for details.

Essential skills and experience:

• Experience developing and/or implementing social media strategy within a charity or NGO settings
• Track record of creating engaging digital content and using ethical storytelling to build audiences and strengthen supporter engagement
• Strong understanding of the role communications and social media play in successful fundraising, with experience developing and delivering integrated digital campaigns that support fundraising, advocacy or wider organisational objectives
• Experience managing people, or demonstrating equivalent leadership experience, with the ability to motivate, develop and support others
• Excellent writing, editing and verbal communication skills, with exceptional attention to tone, accuracy and detail
• Strong understanding of social media platforms, digital trends, audience engagement and analytics, with experience using insight and data to inform strategy and optimise performance
• A confident, collaborative leader, with the ability to work at pace, respond to changing priorities and make sound judgements under pressure
• An understanding of, or genuine interest in, the Gaza and broader Palestine context, humanitarian issues, and the importance of ethical storytelling
• Strong content creation and visual design skills, including experience using Canva or similar design tools

Desirable:

• Experience in the humanitarian or international development sector
• Experience working with photographers, videographers or content creators in international or complex operating environments
• Experience of influencer engagement, partnership development or community-building campaigns
• Knowledge of Google Analytics, Buffer (or similar social media management platforms), SEO and digital performance reporting

Interviews will take place on a rolling basis, therefore please apply ASAP.

To apply, please upload a copy of your CV ensuring alignment with the person specification. A cover letter is not required, however if you wish to include notes to help clarify alignment between your experience and the person specification, please do so.

While this role is primarily aimed at candidates based in the UK, CNN will consider exceptional applicants based in countries with a time difference of no more than one hour from the UK. If you are applying from outside the UK, you will need to clearly specify your location and the time difference in the Notes section of your application to be considered for the role.

Please note that we will only be able to reply to suitable applicants. 

Salary: £33,300

Contract type: Permanent
Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week, with the opportunity for flexible working hours
Location: London/hybrid (minimum two days per week in the London office)
Reporting to: Head of Events & Engagement

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit an anonymised CV and covering letter (please remove any identifying details such as name, address, or photos) by midnight 25th August 

In your covering letter, please demonstrate your motivations for applying for the role, how the position aligns with your career plans, and the experience (professional, voluntary, or lived) that makes you a strong fit for the role in line with our values and the criteria outlined in the job description.

We encourage candidates to ensure their responses reflect their own skills, experiences, and personal voice. If AI tools are used, candidates should also explain how and why they used them.

INTERVIEW STAGES

The selection process will consist of three stages (dates will be confirmed with shortlisted candidates):

• First-round interview – w/c 7th September

• Second-round interview – w/c 14th September

Candidates will be asked to complete a short task related to the role. This will take no more than two hours to complete.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are seeking a highly organised, proactive, and detail-oriented Events and Engagement Coordinator to provide excellent operational support to the Engagement Directorate to enable Mission 44 to build meaningful funder relationships and deliver impactful experiences. 

The role sits at the intersection of the donor experience, events and supporting the functionality of the wider, newly established Engagement Directorate. It will have two priorities: to provide administrative and operational support across the team, including to the Chief Engagement Officer, and support the Events and Engagement team to execute first-class events.

This role is ideal for someone looking to develop their career in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment. A successful candidate will enjoy bringing structure, organisation and effective processes to a busy team. They will have high attention to detail, a can-do attitude, and a rigorous approach to project and task management.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

EVENTS COORDINATION (60%)

• In collaboration with colleagues support the planning and delivery of Mission 44's events, including fundraising and stewardship dinners, receptions and roundtable discussions, as well as trackside hospitality and donor experiences. 

• Manage invitations, RSVPs and attendee communications, acting as a first point of contact for events attendees, providing exceptional customer service. 

• Coordinate event logistics, including venue bookings, catering, accessibility requirements and wider production supplier management.

• Support the preparation of live event materials, briefing packs, attendee lists and run sheets.

• Support the wider Fundraising team with securing sponsorship, ticket sales, and securing auction items. This includes production of targeted collateral for outreach. 

• Work closely with the Fundraising Data and Operations Manager to ensure that events and donor data is updated accurately and in a timely manner to our CRM system (Virtuous). 

• Work closely with the Communications Team to ensure events materials are aligned with brand and messaging. 

• Provide on-the-day event support, including registration, stakeholder hosting and logistics management.

• Support the production of  post-event evaluation, feedback collection and reporting.

ENGAGEMENT TEAM OPERATIONS (40%)

• Coordinate internal team meetings, workshops and planning sessions.

• Schedule meetings and support diary coordination for internal team meetings, and select high-level funder meetings for the Chief Engagement Officer. 

• Prepare agendas, take minutes and track actions arising from meetings.

• Arrange domestic and international travel, accommodation and itineraries for team members and guests.

• Support budget tracking, purchase orders and expense administration.

• Maintain team trackers, project plans and operational documents on Monday. com 

• Act as a key point of contact for administrative and operational enquiries.

• Ensure data quality and compliance with organisational processes with the Fundraising Data and Operations Manager. 

ABOUT YOU: SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL

• Experience supporting the planning, coordination and delivery of events, with a strong interest in developing a career in event management.

• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain a high standard of work in a fast-paced environment.

• Excellent attention to detail, with a commitment to delivering accurate, high-quality work and exceptional participant experiences.

• Experience drafting event communications and managing guest lists, registrations and attendee information accurately.

• Experience maintaining accurate records within CRM or database systems, including data entry, data cleansing and reporting.

• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with experience liaising with colleagues, suppliers, venue partners and external stakeholders to support successful event delivery. 

DESIRABLE 

• Proven experience supporting special events for HNWIs, corporate prospects and donors. 

• Basic skills using design tools such as Canva. 

• Project management qualification such as Agile, PRINCE2 or Scrum. 

• Experience of working with young people and embedding safeguarding policies in event delivery. 

• Experience of working within an international setting. 

• Experience of working within Formula 1, Motorsport, STEM or Education. 

PERSONAL QUALITIES: 

• Passionate about young people: You are deeply committed to Mission 44’s vision of supporting young people from underrepresented backgrounds to thrive in education and employment.

• Committed to excellence and delivery-focused: You’re skilled in managing multiple deadlines simultaneously, meeting these deadlines, and ensuring high-quality execution.

• Detail-driven: You enjoy being in the details, accurately tracking actions, performance indicators, and ensuring that branding is maintained to a high standard throughout your work. 

• A collaborator: You love working across portfolios and internal functions. You will work closely with all members of the engagement team to provide operational support.

• Proactive critical thinker: You find gaps in ways of working and create quick solutions before others even notice.

• Flexible, adaptable, resilient, and very calm under pressure: Mission 44 is a fast-moving start-up, and you thrive in that environment. You embrace change, adjust priorities on the fly, and pivot when needed - always maintaining focus, resilience, and a solutions-oriented mindset.

Our client is partnering with Robertson Bell on a retained basis to appoint a Head of Finance on a permanent basis. This is a pivotal leadership opportunity within an ambitious, internationally focused charity at an exciting stage of growth.

This is a unique opportunity to join a fast-growing, mission-driven organisation at a transformative stage in its journey. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive and working closely with Trustees, Board Members and senior stakeholders, the Head of Finance will play a central role in shaping financial strategy, strengthening operational maturity and supporting ambitious international growth plans.

The role

• Lead the development of the organisation's long-term financial strategy, supporting its next phase of growth and international expansion.
• Partner closely with the Chief Executive, Trustees, Board Members and leadership team, providing strategic financial insight to support organisational decision-making, programme investment and fundraising activity.
• Oversee all aspects of financial management across multiple international entities, ensuring robust financial controls, governance and compliance frameworks are in place.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting and scenario modelling processes, supporting both operational delivery and long-term strategic planning.
• Build strong relationships across fundraising, research and programme teams, supporting complex grant funding, restricted income management and commercial partnership activity.
• Oversee the production of monthly management accounts, statutory reporting, audit processes and regulatory submissions across multiple entities.
• Drive improvements in financial systems, reporting processes and operational efficiency as the organisation continues to scale.
• Provide leadership and development support to a small finance team, helping to build capability within the function.
• Act as a trusted advisor across the organisation, balancing hands-on operational delivery with strategic leadership.
• Represent finance confidently at Board and leadership level, communicating complex financial information clearly to non-finance stakeholders.

The organisation

Our client exists to deliver meaningful impact through innovation, collaboration and investment in research. It brings together experts, funders and partners from across the sector to challenge conventional thinking and accelerate progress towards its ambitious mission.

With income, activity and organisational complexity expected to grow significantly over the coming years, the charity is entering an exciting new phase of development. It combines the pace and agility of a scaling organisation with the credibility and influence of an internationally recognised charity.

The successful candidate will join a collaborative leadership team committed to building an organisation capable of delivering lasting impact. Alongside the opportunity to play a pivotal role within a purpose-driven organisation, the role offers flexible hybrid working, genuine work-life balance, professional development opportunities, private medical insurance, life insurance, pension contributions and generous annual leave.

Essential criteria

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) or qualified by experience.
• Strong experience in a senior finance leadership role within the charity sector.
• Proven experience managing financial operations, reporting, budgeting and forecasting within a growing organisation.
• Experience operating across complex stakeholder environments, with the confidence to influence and challenge senior leaders and Boards.
• Strong understanding of financial governance, controls, compliance and risk management.
• Strong commercial and analytical skills, with the ability to translate complex financial information into meaningful insight.
• Hands-on and adaptable approach, comfortable operating strategically while remaining close to operational detail.
• Excellent relationship-building and communication skills, with high levels of emotional intelligence and credibility.
• A proactive, solutions-focused mindset with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving organisation.
• Experience working across multiple entities, funding streams or international operations would be highly advantageous.

If you are a strategic and hands-on finance leader looking to play a meaningful role within a high-growth charitable organisation, we would love to hear from you.

This role is based in London with an expectation of two days per week in the office.

Location: London (with hybrid working available)
Closing date: Thursday 10 September
Interview date: Thursday 24 September in London
Salary: £100,000 pa

Brook is a 4 Day Week employer

About Brook

Brook believes in a society where everyone is supported to live healthy, safe and fulfilling lives. For over sixty years, Brook has been a pioneering force, transforming lives and communities. Brook fights for the right to excellent sexual health, mental health and wellbeing, offering lifelong support that is inclusive, non-judgmental and accessible to all. Our unique offer combines clinical services, relationships and sex education, outreach in community settings, wellbeing programmes and counselling. In 2025/26, we supported 1.45 million people through our frontline services. We delivered 4,053 mental health and wellbeing interventions, supported 111,931 people through our education and wellbeing work and supported 57,071 people through our all-age clinical services.

About the role

We’re looking for a Director of Engagement, Communications & Income to provide strategic leadership across income generation, service development, marketing, communications, policy and external engagement.

The role is key to strengthen organisational sustainability by securing diverse and sustainable income streams.  You will provide strategic leadership for service development and oversee the identification, development and submission of high-value, complex bids and tenders for commissioned services. 

You will oversee communications, marketing and brand activity ensuring communications effectively position the organisation to attract funders, donors, corporate partners and stakeholders.  You will lead the organisation’s external engagement strategy to enhance profile, influence and reach.

About you
You will have significant senior leadership experience and be skilled at collaborative working. Your outstanding leadership, influencing and relationship-building skills will be evidenced through a track record of securing income from diverse sources. You will have extensive experience in in communications, brand development and stakeholder engagement.

Your ability to efficiently manage a complex and busy workload with conflicting priorities will enable you to work well under pressure and deliver to deadlines. You will have an in-depth knowledge of the charitable funding landscape, the public sector commissioning environment and a broad range of communications activities. 

Benefits of working for Brook:

• 4 Day Week (Working 20% hours less without salary decrease)
• Annual leave – 28 days per annum, increasing up to 33 days plus 8 bank holidays 
• Sick pay (from 3 up to 12 weeks fully paid) 
• Flexible working 
• Gratitude scheme 
• Assisted purchase scheme 
• Cycle to Work up to £1k 
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) 
• Long service awards 
• Maternity and paternity pay 
• Pension scheme – Employee pension contributions matched by Brook up to 4% of qualifying earnings
• Training and development opportunities 
• Coaching

Please note - this role requires the successful applicant to undertake an enhanced DBS check. Candidates must be able to provide paperwork demonstrating their right to work in the UK.

Please note: internal applicants with live sanctions will not be considered for this role. 

We reserve the right to close this vacancy when we are in receipt of sufficient applications. Should you wish to apply for this post you are advised to submit your application as soon as possible. 

Due to the high number of applications for this post, it will not be possible to respond to every application. We will contact you within 4 weeks of the closing date if you have been shortlisted for the role. 

Thank you for your interest in working for Brook.
 

Brook Safeguarding with Purpose

Working with People Safely. Safe Place, Safe People. 

Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Southwark

Chief Operating Officer

£125,000

Full-time, permanent

North Lambeth with travel in the Archdiocese and occasionally beyond with some home working possible.

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Southwark is one of the largest dioceses in the UK, but more than that it is a vibrant and diverse Diocese with ambitious plans for leading people to Christ.  This includes through spreading the Good News of the Gospel, delivering high-quality Catholic education and support for the vulnerable and marginalised.

The Archdiocese has 175 parishes and 162 schools across the whole of London south of the Thames, all of Kent and the eastern parts of Surrey. While parishes operate under individual canonical status, the Archdiocese has extensive operating procedures which govern areas of parish life, activity and operation. This means the Archdiocese supports parishes to flourish, while ensuring they comply with UK law.

Today, Southwark consists of range of diverse communities from inner London and suburban parishes to coastal and rural churches. Southwark’s rich history continues to evolve under the dynamic pastoral leadership of Archbishop John Wilson, who invites all to embrace social justice by putting their faith into action, to and become part of an evangelising and missionary Archdiocese that shares the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Centred on Jesus Christ, the Archdiocese of Southwark will evangelise by helping people to grow in faith and to live in hope. Collectively we can change our world for the better by imitating Christ in showing love, justice, and peace to all. Our mission is to invite people to know the Lord Jesus who offers us life in its fullness.

We are seeking to appoint a Chief Operating Officer who is passionate about this mission and who can provide the leadership that will drive us forward in our work to be a Missionary Diocese.

The Chief Operating Officer provides strategic and operational leadership across the Archdiocese.  You will hold responsibility for ensuring that Archdiocesan operations support the mission of the Church, are financially sustainable, and are compliant with legal and regulatory requirements. This role is pivotal in safeguarding and enhancing the Archdiocese’s Mission and the supporting physical estate for current and future generations.

Office & Administration Assistant – Key Responsibilities 

Office management and administration 

• Maintain a welcoming, safe and efficient office environment that enables staff, volunteers and visitors to work effectively, in line with the ‘Groundswellian Way’, our coproduced principles for a safe, positive work culture.

• Manage the day-to-day running of the office, including , refreshments, office supplies, IT equipment, room bookings and reception duties.

• Coordinate incoming and outgoing post, telephone calls and enquiries through the central inbox, ensuring messages and requests are directed promptly to the appropriate member of staff. 

• Build positive working relationships with Workspace, office contractors and suppliers, including cleaners, maintenance providers and other building services. 

• Support Groundswell's commitment to environmental sustainability by promoting recycling, reducing waste and encouraging environmentally responsible office practices. 

• Ensure office administration is appropriately covered during periods of annual leave and support the wider administration team to provide consistent organisational support. 

• Recruit, support, supervise and train office volunteers where appropriate. 

Facilities, health and safety 

• Act as the day-to-day office lead for health and safety administration, supporting compliance with Groundswell's Health & Safety Policy. 

• Ensure all staff and volunteers receive relevant health and safety information during induction, including access to the health & Safety training video, awareness of fire procedures, emergency evacuation routes and workplace safety responsibilities. 

• Coordinate annual fire risk assessments, workplace risk assessments and PAT testing, ensuring appropriate records are maintained and actions completed. 

• Support the development and maintenance of Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) where required. 

• Liaise with Workspace to ensure landlord responsibilities relating to health and safety are fulfilled, including fire safety systems, signage and equipment maintenance. 

• Maintain records of accidents, incidents and near misses, ensuring statutory reporting requirements are met where appropriate. 

• Coordinate the maintenance and servicing of Groundswell's office equipment, facilities and assets, ensuring they remain safe, functional and fit for purpose. 

• Work closely with the Director of Finance & Fundraising and our external systems and finance support on matters around onsite assets and finances.

IT and Systems

• Oversee the day-to-day management of organisational assets, ensuring equipment is maintained, used appropriately and complies with organisational policies and cyber security requirements. 

• Complete IT trouble shooting on behalf of staff and volunteers, with external support. 

• Order IT equipment as needed with external support. 

• Complete basic set – up tasks on staff and volunteer devices with external support.

• Support staff and volunteers to upskill and improve their technological skills through the digital inclusion group. 

Organisational administration 

• Provide administrative support for organisational meetings, events and activities, including venue bookings, catering, logistics and preparation of materials. 

• Support the Chief Executive in implementing GDPR and data management processes, ensuring good administrative practice and compliance across the organisation. 

• Provide governance administration, including scheduling Board and Committee meetings, preparing meeting logistics, taking accurate minutes and maintaining action logs. 

• Provide administrative support to the Chief Executive, Trustees and Senior Leadership Team, including diary coordination, meeting arrangements and room bookings. 

• Support the recruitment and induction of Trustees as required by the Nominations Working Group.

• Support the People Manager with the onboarding and off-boarding of staff. 

General 

• Maintain accurate administrative systems, records and filing, ensuring information is organised, confidential and GDPR compliant. 

• Identify opportunities to improve office systems, administrative processes and ways of working to increase efficiency and effectiveness. 

• Work with the People Manager and Director of Fundraising & Finance to ensure policies and processes are accessible, in plain English and simple to follow; using step by step guides and images where appropriate.

• Build positive relationships across the organisation, providing responsive, friendly and professional support to colleagues, volunteers and external stakeholders. 

• Undertake any other reasonable duties consistent with the nature and level of the role. 

Groundswell responsibilities and the Groundswellian Way 

Act in line with our Code of Conduct and the Groundswellian Way in all interactions with colleagues, volunteers, partners and visitors. 

We want to: 

• create a safe, friendly and respectful working environment 

• encourage transparent communication so everyone knows what is expected of themselves and the organisation 

• ensure everyone feels valued and celebrates individual strengths 

• promote diversity, equity and fairness in everything we do 

• encourage collaboration and working together. 

Person Specification

Essential 

• Experience working in a busy office or administrative role. 

• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail. 

• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft 365.

• Ability to follow instructions and coordinate with consultants to complete IT set up and troubleshooting.

• Experience coordinating meetings and maintaining administrative systems. 

• Excellent communication and customer service skills. 

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently. 

• Understanding of confidentiality and GDPR. 

• Commitment to Groundswell's values and trauma-informed ways of working. 

Desirable 

• Experience supporting charity governance or trustee meetings. 

• Experience coordinating health and safety administration. 

• Experience supervising volunteers. 

• Knowledge of facilities management. 

• Lived experience of homelessness or social exclusion. 

Why join Groundswell? 

Key Benefits 

• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata for part time roles) 

• 5% employer pension 

• Flexible working options, including hybrid and part-time arrangements 

• Reflective practice or Clinical Supervision with a trained therapist for all team members 

Culture 

• Support - Regular guidance, support and the opportunity to reflect on your work through regular one to ones with your Line Manager 

• Teamwork - Regular opportunities to contribute to and learn from the wider Groundswell team 

• Strategic input - Opportunities to input into Groundswell’s strategic direction 

• Voice – The ability to input into working practices that impact you, and to know where to turn if any problems arise.

Application and Interview Process

Please let us know if you would like to request any accommodations or adjustments throughout the application and interview process. We will be very happy to support these wherever possible to give all applicants the best opportunity to showcase their skills and experience.

We encourage our candidates to draw from their personal and professional experiences, skills, knowledge and passion for our work in their applications, as we believe this will be the best representation of why you are the right fit for the role. While we acknowledge that Generative AI can be a useful tool when used selectively, we do not believe it can replace the authenticity that each individual can bring to their application. Therefore, we ask you to consider carefully any use of Generative AI throughout the application process.  

Application 

To apply please follow this link: 

Please submit your CV along with a cover letter stating: 

• How you meet each of the areas outlined in the person specification above  

• Why you are interested in doing this job at Groundswell.

You can find a guide to writing your cover letter here, which includes some tips and general guidance. 

The deadline for applications is 10am on Monday 17th August.

Interviews 

Interviews will be held in person on either Wednesday 2nd or Thursday 3rd September. 

We are a small charity with limited resources and are unable to give individualised feedback on unsuccessful applications before the interview stage.

Pre-employment checks 

The job offer for the successful candidate will be subject to a reference check.

Many thanks for taking the time to look into this role – it is an exciting opportunity, and we hope you will consider applying. 

Why this role matters
Good ideas, strong evidence and inspiring stories only create change if the right people understand and act on them. This role exists to ensure that the case for physical activity reaches the right people, in the right way, at the right time, and that it moves them to act. You’ll develop compelling narratives grounded in insight, evidence, and behavioural science, helping partners across the system create greater impact and supporting Yorkshire  Sport Foundation in leading and influencing far beyond its own boundaries.

Responsibilities
Strategic comms leadership
• Develop and lead a long-term strategic marketing andcommunications approach aligned to our Active Partnership role
and Sport England priorities
• Use behavioural science, audience insight and evidence to shapehow the system understands physical activity and inequality
• Identify the beliefs, motivations and barriers of key audiences anddesign communications that influence action
• Ensure all communications activities support YSF to influencestrategic stakeholders
• Advise the organisation on how messaging can support policy, investment and system change
• Develop Yorkshire Sport Foundation’s reputation as a trusted strategic voice

Influence & stakeholder engagement
• Shape communications that influence policy, investment and practice across local authorities, health and education systems
• Support senior leaders to land key messages with senior stakeholders
• Equip partners with messaging that helps them to demonstrate and amplify the impact they make
• Translate complex insight and evaluation into clear narratives and messages
Insight-led communications
• Embed audience insight and behavioural science into messaging
• Combine data, evaluation and lived experience to demonstrate impact whilst ensuring communications reflect communities
authentically
• Build a learning approach to testing, adapting and improving messaging effectiveness

Organisational leadership
• Lead and develop the strategic marketing and communications function
• Set standards for when communications activity should, and should not, happen
• Maintain humility while strengthening clarity of impact and purpose

Channels & delivery
• Plan and deliver integrated marketing and communications campaigns across digital, media, content and internal channels, ensuring activity aligns with organisational objectives and brand standards
• Produce and oversee high-quality content (copy, press materials, web, social, email and collateral) while coordinating agencies, suppliers and internal stakeholders to meet deadlines and budgets.
• Monitor performance using analytics and insight, report on outcomes and continuously optimise campaigns and messaging to improve engagement and reach.
Other
• To lead on YSF public affairs and policy work in partnership with the CEO
• Strategic comms planning with the Active Partnership National Organisation and other leading Active Partnerships ensuring consistency of messaging across England
• To support the marketing of events across Yorkshire
• To work flexibly to respond to changing organisational requirements and carry out any other duties which may arise from
time to time
• To follow policies and procedures in relation to other matters, e.g.Health and safety, safeguarding, GDPR, financial procedures, etc.

What we’re looking for
We know great candidates rarely tick every box. If you have strongskills across most of the areas below and believe you can add value, we’d love to hear from you.
• Skills in both operational and strategic marketing and communications
• Ability to influence policy, investment or organisational behaviours
• Ability to design and deliver communications strategies that change decisions
• Skills in translating evidence and insight into persuasive narratives
• Understanding of behavioural science and audience-centred communications
• Able to operate with credibility and humility in partnership environments
• Comfortable working where success means others receive recognition
• Strategic thinker who challenges activities that lack purpose
• Commitment to reducing inequalities
• Strategic narrative and messaging development skills
• Senior stakeholder influencing and facilitation skills
• Ability to simplify complex evidence and communicate in engaging ways
• Leadership and team development skills

Other
• Ability to travel independently around West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire.
• Ability and willingness to work to our organisational values

Please make sure you demonstrate your ability to meet therequirements of the job by giving clear, concise examples of how you meet each of the requirements in the What We’re Looking For section of the job description.

We recognise and welcome our responsibility to remove any barriers in our Recruitment and Selection process for disabled people. We have tried to do this, but if you have a disability and identify any barriers in the job description or employee specification, please tell us of these in your application. We are committed to making reasonable adjustments
to the job wherever possible and it would help us to know your needs to do this.

We are seeking an experienced, highly organised Executive Assistant- 30 hours a week for an international social welfare charity dedicated to breaking the cycles of poverty and supporting people to develop lifelong skills. This role is to cover a four-month maternity leave period within the CEO's office. You will manage a complex diary and inbox, coordinate travel and meetings, maintain accurate systems, and support financial administration.

Hybrid working 1 or 2 days in their London office

The Role:

Manage the CEO's complex inbox and calendar; identify priorities and ensure timely follow-up
Coordinate domestic and international travel, detailed itineraries, and meeting logistics.
Record and distribute accurate, professionally formatted minutes to relevant internal stakeholders in a timely manner.
Manage credit card reconciliations, expense claims and reimbursement records accurately and promptly.
Maintain organised records across shared files, trackers, Salesforce and other CEO Office systems.
Support executive meetings, donor engagements and events, while handling all sensitive information with absolute confidentiality.


The Candidate:

1-2 years of experience supporting a senior executive or leadership team.
Proven ability to manage complex scheduling, inboxes, travel and competing priorities with minimal supervision.
Excellent written and verbal English, including the ability to draft polished correspondence and documents.
Strong proficiency in Google Workspace and Microsoft Office; experience with Salesforce or another CRM is advantageous.
Strong administrative, record-keeping and financial reconciliation skills.
Ability to anticipate needs, exercise sound judgement and deliver accurate work under tight deadlines.

Desirable (But Not Required)
A personal or professional connection to South Africa, or a strong understanding of the South African context.


IMPORTANT NOTE

Our aim is to respond to all successful applications within 5 days. If you haven't been contacted within 5 days your application has been unsuccessful and your details will not be held further but we positively encourage you to apply for any other positions that you may see in the future.

We apologise that we cannot contact everybody in person but thank you in advance for your interest.

Third Solutions encourages applications from individuals of all ages & backgrounds. Appointment will be made on merit alone, but candidates must be able to demonstrate their ability to work in the UK. Third Solutions acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment & an employment business for temporary recruitment as defined by the Conduct of Employment Agencies & Employment Business Regulations 2003.

The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) is partnering with Robertson Bell on a retained basis to recruit a Director of Finance on a permanent basis. This is a rare opportunity to join a globally influential organisation at a pivotal point in its growth, leading the transformation of the finance function whilst helping drive the organisation's ambitious mission to eliminate avoidable sight loss worldwide.

This is far more than a traditional Finance Director role. The successful candidate will inherit a finance function ready for transformation, with the full backing of an ambitious Senior Leadership Team committed to investing in modern systems, stronger processes and strategic financial leadership. It is an exceptional opportunity for an ambitious finance leader looking to make their first move into a Director position, whilst remaining close to the operational detail and leading meaningful organisational change.

The role

• Partner with the Deputy CEO and Senior Leadership Team to shape the organisation's financial strategy and support the delivery of its ambitious three-year strategic plan.
• Lead the transformation of the finance function, moving from manual, spreadsheet-led reporting to streamlined systems, efficient processes and insightful business partnering.
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting and financial planning, including scenario modelling to support significant organisational growth and major international funding opportunities.
• Deliver high-quality management reporting for the Executive Team, Finance & Audit Committee, Board of Trustees and major international funders.
• Lead the production of statutory accounts, oversee the annual audit process and ensure full compliance with Charity Commission, Companies House and tax requirements.
• Develop robust financial controls, policies and governance frameworks that support a growing international charity.
• Manage treasury activities, cashflow and foreign currency exposure across an increasingly global operation.
• Build strong relationships with budget holders across the organisation, embedding a proactive and commercially minded finance business partnering culture.
• Lead, develop and mentor a small finance team, fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment.
• Play a key leadership role in organisational decision-making, helping ensure finance is viewed as an enabling function that supports innovation and impact.

The organisation

The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness is the only global alliance dedicated to eliminating the world's avoidable vision crisis. Representing NGOs, professional associations, hospitals, academic institutions, corporations and philanthropies, IAPB works to influence policy, mobilise investment and strengthen health systems across the world.

The organisation has experienced significant growth in recent years, expanding to over 50 staff and securing substantial new investment to support its ambitious global agenda. This includes convening the inaugural Global Summit for Eye Health in November 2026, bringing together heads of government, multilateral organisations and major funders to accelerate progress towards ending avoidable sight loss for the 1.1 billion people currently living without access to the eye care they need.

With strong leadership, genuine investment in organisational development and a culture built around being ambitious, collaborative, inclusive and strategic, IAPB offers an outstanding opportunity to shape both the finance function and the future direction of the organisation.

Essential criteria

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Experience working within an international charity.
• Strong understanding of charity finance, including restricted funding, grant reporting and Charity SORP.
• Demonstrable experience producing high-quality financial reporting, budgeting and statutory accounts.
• Experience improving financial systems, controls and reporting processes.
• Proven ability to build effective relationships with senior stakeholders, trustees and non-finance colleagues.
• Strong leadership skills, with experience developing and supporting finance teams.
• Commercial mindset with the ability to translate financial information into strategic insight.
• Excellent communication skills, with confidence presenting complex financial information to a range of audiences.

Apply now

This is a permanent, full-time position with a salary of £87,000 based on a hybrid working model requiring one day per week in the London office, typically on Tuesdays.

The role offers an excellent benefits package, including a 10% employer pension contribution, 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays, flexible working, enhanced family leave policies and an Employee Assistance Programme.

Our client is a Surrey-based charity supporting survivors of domestic abuse through refuge accommodation, advocacy and specialist support services. They help women and children rebuild their lives and move towards a future free from abuse. They are now looking for an experienced Fundraising Manager to play a key role in securing the income needed to sustain and grow their impact.

Reporting to the CEO, the Fundraising Manager will lead and develop fundraising across the organisation. While trusts and foundations fundraising will be a key focus, the role also offers the opportunity to grow income from corporates, community fundraising, individual giving and other sources. You'll build relationships with supporters and funders, develop compelling funding applications and propositions, line manage the Community Fundraiser, and help shape the future direction of fundraising at the organisation.

This role will suit a proactive and relationship-focused fundraiser with a strong track record of securing trust and foundation funding. You will be an excellent communicator, confident building relationships with a range of stakeholders, and comfortable working both strategically and hands-on. Broader fundraising experience across areas such as corporate partnerships, major donors, community fundraising or events would be an advantage, alongside a genuine passion for supporting survivors of domestic abuse.

Permanent
£35,000 to £40,000
Surrey - flexible hybrid working

At Prospectus we invest in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you with your application. We welcome candidates from a diverse range of backgrounds. Please let us know if we can help you with the application process in any way. We are more than happy to make any reasonable adjustments to enable all interested candidates to apply. If you have any disability and would like assistance with completing an application please contact Jessica Stoddart at Prospectus.

If you are interested in applying to this leadership position, please submit your CV and a covering letter in the first instance. Should your experience be suitable, we will send you the full job description and will arrange for a call and/or meeting to brief you on the role. You’ll then have all the information you need to formally apply. We are looking forward to connecting with you soon.

Job purpose

To lead and manage the DadVocates project, a four-year National Lottery-funded programme training volunteer young dads as peer advocates for young fathers in children’s social care proceedings; delivering professional training to social workers; and working towards the embedding of father-inclusive practice across children’s social care teams in five local authorities.

Hours - Full-time (35 hours per week), Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm, with some evening and weekend working expected to meet the needs of the project

Location - Hybrid, with travel across the North East required and activity based in Middlesbrough, Hartlepool, Gateshead/Newcastle and County Durham

Key responsibilities

1. Project management

•Take day-to-day responsibility for the management and delivery of the DadVocates project across all strands of activity

•Manage the project budget, monitor expenditure and liaise with the CEO and Finance Officer

•Update and maintain NEYDL’s Evaluation Framework with DadVocates-specific indicators and methodologies within the first two months of the project start date

•Ensure the project meets its funder milestones and KPIs, maintaining accurate records of outputs and outcomes

•Produce quarterly progress reports for internal review and contribute to annual funder reports

•Commission and manage the external evaluator for the four-year evaluation

•Identify and escalate risks and challenges to the CEO, recommending solutions

2. Steering Committee

•Chair and manage the project Steering Committee, which meets every two months and comprises young dads, NEYDL frontline staff, the safeguarding lead, social work professionals and academic partners

•Induct Steering Committee members, including young dads, into their roles, providing tailored support to ensure they can contribute confidently alongside professionals

•Use Steering Committee meetings to review progress, identify challenges and agree recommendations for the next period of delivery

3. Co-creating the DadVocate training programme

•Work with training and research providers, young dads and Steering Committee members to co-create a 100-hour peer advocacy training programme for volunteer DadVocates

•Deliver the DadVocate training programme alongside NEYDL staff and delivery partners

•Lead annual reviews of the training programme and update content in response to learning and feedback

4. Managing and supporting volunteer DadVocates

•Recruit and train 10 young dad volunteers per year (40 over four years), all with lived experience of young fatherhood 

•Provide ongoing mentoring, supervision and wellbeing support to all active DadVocate volunteers: at least 50 hours per volunteer per year

•Set clear objectives for each volunteer, conduct regular appraisals and team meetings, and support their professional development and progression

•Recognise that DadVocates are young dads with lived experience rather than professional backgrounds, and provide the high level of structured support this requires, including supporting them to navigate professional environments with confidence

•Support the progression of volunteers into employment, further training and community leadership roles

5. Matching DadVocates with young dads in CSC proceedings

•Build and maintain referral pathways with social services, midwifery, Family Nurse Partnerships, Family Hubs and other local networks across target local authorities

•Match 100 young dads over four years with a volunteer DadVocate (10 in year 1, rising to 40 in year 4)

•Work closely with NEYDL’s Senior Young Dads Workers, who hold cases, to coordinate peer advocacy support within CSC proceedings

•Maintain oversight of active advocacy arrangements, ensuring DadVocates are appropriately supported and that safeguarding obligations are met at all times

•Engage directly with young dad beneficiaries through steering committee meetings, evaluation sessions and project learning events

6. Professional training for social workers

•Co-create professional training content with social workers and young dads on the Steering Committee, drawing on national research and NEYDL’s practice experience

•Deliver half-day induction training to 15-20 social workers per local authority at the outset of each area’s involvement, co-facilitated by young dads or DadVocate volunteers

•Deliver annual refresher training in each local authority

•Facilitate quarterly case review and learning meetings with social workers in each local authority, involving DadVocate volunteers

•Co-design guidance on what father-inclusive practice looks like within children’s social care teams, with social workers and young dads (first version in year 2; updated version in year 4)

•Organise and host two information-sharing events for social care professionals in years 2 and 4 (approximately 100 professionals per event)

7. Monitoring, evaluation and learning

•Coordinate data collection with young dads, DadVocate volunteers and social workers using NEYDL’s evaluation tools and new instruments co-designed for this project

•Produce annual evaluation reports and disseminate learning through NEYDL’s wider networks, events and conferences

•Share learning through stakeholder events, professional networks and NEYDL’s regular sector-facing activity

8. Safeguarding

•Ensure robust safeguarding arrangements are in place for all project activity, particularly for DadVocate volunteers operating within CSC proceedings

•Work closely with NEYDL’s Safeguarding Lead to ensure policies and protocols relevant to the project are current, understood and followed by volunteers and partners

•Act as first point of contact for safeguarding concerns arising within the DadVocates project

9. Collaboration and partnerships

•Work closely with NEYDL’s Senior Young Dads Workers as case holders, ensuring a joined-up and consistent approach to supporting young dads involved in the project

•Build and maintain relationships with academic, statutory and voluntary sector partners

•Work with the Business Development Manager to help secure longer-term Local Authority funding for DadVocates, using evidence of impact from the project to support conversations with Local Authorities and expand the project’s reach beyond the areas and targets in the original funding bid

•Represent NEYDL and the DadVocates project at external meetings, networks and conferences

•Contribute to NEYDL’s wider communications and engagement activity

10. Other

•Deputise for the CEO as required

•Report to the Board of Trustees in person or in writing on a quarterly basis as required

11. Standard clauses

•The post holder must carry out their responsibilities at all times with due regard to NEYDL’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion strategy, policy and statement, and Safeguarding Policy

•The post holder is responsible for ensuring that policies and procedures relating to health and safety in the workplace are adhered to at all times

•The post holder must respect the confidentiality of data stored electronically and by other means, in line with NEYDL’s Data Protection Policy

•This role requires satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance prior to appointment

•This job description is not exhaustive. NEYDL reserves the right to reasonably add to or revise it at any time in agreement with the post holder.

About the role

The Academy runs some of the most valued grant schemes and development programmes in UK biomedical and health research. Springboard Awards help researchers establish their independence. Starter Grants keep talented clinicians in research alongside their clinical work. Leadership programmes like FLIER develop people who can work across academia, healthcare and industry to tackle real-world challenges, and alongside these sit opportunities to spend time working in industry, the NHS or government. Moving between sectors should be a normal part of a medical research career (it is not yet), and much of our work is built with that belief: a more connected and mobile workforce is better able to turn discovery into benefit. Between them, these schemes change the course of people's careers, and the research they enable reaches patients across the UK and beyond.

This role leads that portfolio. The heart of the job is excellent delivery: schemes that are well designed and well run, and that make a real difference to the people they reach. You will work closely with the Fellowship, whose expertise and generosity run through the whole portfolio, and you will make sure the schemes serve the whole of the medical sciences community (across the devolved nations and the regions, in industry as much as academia), not just those already inside the most established institutions. And science is global, so this work is too: the portfolio draws on evidence and partnerships from around the world, and the mentoring and networks around the people we support reach well beyond the UK.

Today much of the portfolio's focus is research talent and careers. That will always be a substantial part of the portfolio, but over time we plan to expand it further. That expansion could go in several directions, and what matters is that we are taking an evidence-based approach to ensure that our efforts are responding to what the medical sciences sector needs. Whatever we launch next, the same principles apply; good design, sound funding, proper governance and solid evaluation, with our effort concentrated where it delivers the most impact. So, the job is twofold: run today's portfolio brilliantly and build the future portfolio. It is a role where you can see your work land in people's lives, with real scope to shape what comes next. And none of it stands alone: what we learn from the people we fund sharpens our policy voice, the community our programmes build strengthens our engagement and public trust work, and insight flows back the other way to shape what we design next.

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will share in the leadership of the Academy as a whole, working closely with the other directors: the Chief Operating Officer and the Directors of Policy, Communications and Engagement, and Translation and Enterprise. The relationship with Translation and Enterprise matters especially. That team will shape new partnerships and initiatives that your team is best placed to deliver, so the two of you will work in very close partnership.

What we are looking for

These are the six areas we will explore with candidates. They match the six parts of the role above, so you can read straight across — and your supporting statement can follow the same structure if that helps. We do not expect anyone to arrive with every part fully formed, but the strongest candidates will be convincing across most of them.

1. Excellent delivery

A strong track record of running grant schemes or of significant programmatic delivery. Much of this is operational: holding an annual cycle to time and budget, catching problems early and getting stuck things moving again. It is also about making sure the portfolio adds up to a coherent whole rather than a collection of separate schemes, with the governance discipline — sound contracts, clean compliance, rigorous oversight — that sits behind delivery done well.

2. Building partnerships and negotiating well

A track record of building and sustaining partnerships with funders, delivery organisations and industry, and the skill and pace to turn them into agreements where appropriate. We will want to hear how you have handled a complex negotiation and brought it to a close. The Chief Operating Officer leads the Academy’s income strategy, so we will also explore how you develop partners in concert with colleagues.

3. Range and credibility across the community

This role runs from Fellows (some of the most eminent scientists in the country) to researchers at the very start of their careers, and from government and funders to industry partners. We are looking for someone with the range to work well across all of them, and the credibility to be taken seriously at every level. We will also explore how you have widened access and drawn talent in from beyond the usual places.

4. A focus on impact

A commitment to looking at what difference the portfolio you lead makes. We are looking for someone who treats evaluation as a source of learning and uses what it shows to decide what the Academy should do next, keeping sight of the people and patients the work is for.

5. Leading and empowering people

A brilliant leader of people: someone who gets the best from a talented team by giving them space and ownership, backing them with real support and coaching, and building a culture where people thrive and develop.

6. Collective leadership

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you would share responsibility for the Academy as a whole, not only your own directorate. We want someone who takes that seriously, brings challenge where it is needed, backs colleagues when it counts, and helps make the Academy a brilliant place to work.

Benefits

We offer a competitive and evolving benefits package designed to support your wellbeing, development and work–life balance, including:

• Competitive salary and pension
• 26 days’ annual leave, plus bank holidays
• Option to buy or sell annual leave 
• Additional paid closure between Christmas and New Year
• Hybrid and flexible working
• Health, wellbeing and employee support programmes
• Cycle-to-work scheme and everyday benefits
• Structured learning and development
• Enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity leave
• Enhanced occupational sick pay

For further information and to apply, please visit our website via the apply button.

Closing date for completed applications: Midday on Monday 17 August 2026.

First interviews will be held 25-26 August 2026 with the CEO, Roz Campion, and the COO, James Lawrence, and focused on two competencies – leadership and delivery.

Second interviews will be held on 1 September 2026 with an external panel.