Chief executive officer jobs in redhill, surrey

About us 

We are an independent charity that supports, promotes and represents public libraries. Our work is driven and led by our membership, which includes almost every library service in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Crown Dependencies (Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man).  

Across the areas we serve there are 176 individual library services with around 3,000 library branches serving over 61 million people. 

Our unique approach is to bring these services together to share experience, expertise and evidence – driving innovation and impact across the public library sector.

While senior library leaders sit on our board and committees, we work with library staff at all levels.

As well as providing practical support, training and advice to libraries, we represent them to government and raise their profile in the media. We also develop and lead national library projects with cultural, academic and corporate partners.  

We work to a strategic plan that runs until 2027, organised around four themes: drive, grow, connect and engage.  

We generate income from membership subscriptions, commissioned services, events and grants. As an Arts Council Investment Principle Support Organisation, part of our core funding in England comes from the Arts Council to help embed their Investment Principles across the library network.   

Our values 

• We are supportive. We respond to the varied, emerging needs of our members and their communities to enable libraries to learn from each other, and other sector leaders, so that they can safeguard and improve their services.  

• We are inclusive. We work with our members and partners to design and deliver our work and to determine our strategic priorities because we are committed to representing the diverse communities and libraries which we serve.  

• We are open. We are in constant communication with our members and partners on all levels to learn from their experiences, reflect on our practice and develop our services. We welcome challenge and new directions for our work.  

• We are ambitious. We believe that libraries are an essential part of the solution to a range of society’s needs. We promote innovation and collaboration to ensure that libraries are recognised locally and nationally.  

Working at Libraries Connected 

We are a friendly, collaborative team of around 20 staff based all around England and Wales. 

We value diversity and are committed to promoting an inclusive working environment. We strongly believe that inclusive and diverse organisations are not only better places to work, they are more innovative, make better decisions and are more successful. We value people who bring unique perspectives and knowledge to our team. 

We want to make our recruitment process as fair as possible. To reduce bias, we shortlist candidates based on their responses to up to six application questions. These are designed to tell us about your values, experience, attitudes to work, and transferable skills. We do not ask for a separate cover letter or supporting statement. 

We offer flexible working as standard, helping work fit around family and caring responsibilities. Many of our staff work their hours in different ways, including flexi time and compressed hours. We are open to discussing what would work for you and be possible for the role. 

All roles are remote and are open to applicants who live anywhere in the UK. We provide staff with a home office set-up including laptop, monitor and phone. There is the option to work from our central London office or use a co-working space if it is not possible to work from home. 

We welcome requests for adjustments to our standard recruitment processes for anyone who needs them. 

Our Commercial Team 

We have a small commercial team with big ambitions for the sector.

Currently, we hold a single commercial contract worth around £3m per year delivered through 12 libraries. Our aim is to reach a point where we have a menu of commercial contracts that all of our 176 member library services can choose to benefit from according to the skills and assets of their service, their focus and strategy and of course the needs of their communities.

In the current funding climate for local authorities and local government services, these contracts are not just about the income and the services they can provide but about demonstrating nationally the power of the library sector, and how national services can be delivered locally through library services and the communities they serve.

Our approach is to identify and secure contracts procured by national government – either directly or with partners to extend the libraries’ capabilities – with an eye to local delivery through the library services. This allows us to centrally hold and manage the risk of the national contract, leaving the library services to deliver themselves.

We see libraries as a solution to many of society’s challenges and this is one route we use to bring the libraries into that solution.  

This area is part of our long term strategy – we are seeking to build the commercial team with this role and while it is initially a 12-month contract, our hope is that with the role in place we can generate the income to sustain and build on it.

You will raise awareness of crime prevention and share stories about communities around the country. As we are a small team, we need to be flexible and support each other, which adds variety to the role. One day you might be creating content for our social media channels, and the next you might be welcoming a Minister to the office.

We are looking for a team-player with excellent written, verbal and digital communication skills. You’ll need to have good attention to detail and be proficient in social media and video production.

You’ll also need to be willing and able to help upskill our volunteers to be able to produce social media content. Being a national organisation across two countries, this role may require some travel to get out and about and support our members.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape a new senior role within our organisation. The Interim Head of Research and Campaigns will lead our Research function and advocacy efforts, ensuring that evidence-based insights drive our campaigns, policy work, and public engagement.

Recently kicking off our new ‘Creating Positive Change Together’ strategy, coproduced by over 130 staff, volunteers, clients and partners, Groundswell has ambitious plans around influencing more change and amplifying voices to promote healthier lives and a better future for anyone who has experienced homelessness. This role directly aligns with these strategic plans, to refine and use innovative participatory research centring lived experience, share and amplify insight from people with experience of homelessness, and increase our campaigning activities to change systems and break down the barriers that stand in people’s way to a healthier life and more hopeful future.

This role has been created on an interim basis to assess its impact and effectiveness, with a key focus on reviewing the priorities, progression and support of our Research Team and making recommendations for the future regarding this new role. The role will sit within the wider Participation, Progression and Creating Change team. 

We anticipate that some form of Head of Research & Campaigning role will continue beyond this 12-month period, and this interim position will very much shape and inform that longer term role. 

Job Title:  Head of Policy and Engagement

Location:  London, (The Foundry, Vauxhall) 

Type: Permanent, hybrid

Hours: 4 days/28 hours a week 

Salary: £50k pa (FTE) 

About Equally Ours 

Equally Ours (previously the Equality and Diversity Forum) is a UK charity that brings together people and organisations working across equality, human rights and social justice to make a reality of these in everyone’s lives.

Through our members and networks, Equally Ours joins up research, policy and communications to shift public opinion and policy in positive and powerful ways. This is an exciting and pivotal time for us. At the end of 2022, we launched a 10-year strategy, 'Together for social justice', which sets out our bold agenda to increase equality and strengthen rights at scale.  

We are a voluntary membership organisation dedicated to supporting networks, communities and grassroots groups across the UK to influence public policy and decision-making processes.

This important new role aims to support London-based members and our wider networks in shaping meaningful, structural public policy changes that address climate action, social justice, and economic opportunity. This role will work at the intersection of national and London government agendas, ensuring that the diverse experiences of Londoners shape a more socially just London and the UK that protect and advances people's equality and human rights. 

Role Overview 

We are seeking a Head of Policy and Community Engagement to lead our policy advocacy and community engagement initiatives. This role is crucial in helping our members develop a collective voice, influence policy at both local and national levels, and drive long-lasting, systemic change. The successful candidate will work closely with London-based members and grassroots organisations, convening and facilitating opportunities to develop a unified and impactful voice and advocate for systemic change on key issues such as climate justice and resilience, employment inequality and economic inclusion, particularly in the context of public sector investment and the green economy. They will have a passion for human rights, equality and social justice, and strong policy advocacy and stakeholder engagement experience. 

Key Responsibilities 

Policy Advocacy & Engagement 

• Support Member Voice: Facilitate opportunities for our members (and their networks) to develop a unified and impactful voice on key policy issues.

• Drive structural change: Advocate for systemic, rather than piecemeal, policy reform on issues relating to climate action, law and economic opportunity.

• Policy research & analysis: synthesize research data, commission research, and stay informed on the priorities of national government, Greater London Authority and local borough councils, as well as those of funders, to provide members with strategic analysis and support in developing and influencing policy. 

• Focus on intersectionality: Promote the adoption of an intersectional, pan-equality, and human rights-based framework in policy areas such as the equality and human rights legal framework, climate justice and social investment. 

Community & Network Development 

• Develop and strengthen membership model: Lead efforts to develop and adapt our membership and engagement model, ensuring it remains responsive to the evolving needs of our London network and the wider movement.

• Equip grassroots groups: Work closely with grassroots organisations to build their capacity and influence on key issues, supporting them to engage directly with policymakers and participate meaningfully in policy debates.

• Promote collaboration and capacity building: Promote collaboration among members, encouraging the sharing of best practice, strengthening their collective voice, and enhancing their effectiveness in advocating for their communities. 

Strategic Initiatives & emerging trends 

• Horizon scanning and trend analysis: Monitor emerging trends in the climate, social justice, and community development sectors, ensuring strategies are adapted to address these developments.

• Network expansion: Identify opportunities to grow our network and extend our reach, ensuring more grassroots organisations are empowered to engage with policy agendas and drive systemic change. 

What skills and experiences we’re looking for: 

• Strong policy expertise: demonstrable experience of analysing evidence from a range of sources (lived experience, think tank and academic reports,) and working collaboratively with communities to identify the root causes of inequality and create policy solutions. Ideally in one or more of the areas of climate justice, economic opportunity, and social inclusion. 

• Community Engagement: Experience of working with grassroots organisations and local communities, with a focus on building capacity and amplifying their voices at local borough, London and UK government levels. 

• Advocacy Skills:

• Strong understanding and demonstrable experience of public policy change processes at the intersection of UK and London government agendas

• Proven ability to develop, lead, implement and monitor influencing strategies that drive systemic change 

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to think creatively and strategically about developing engagement models and responding to emerging trends in social and environmental justice movements. 

• Commitment: commitment to and a sound understanding of how to apply equality, intersectionality and human rights principles to public policy development, and the credibility to build trust with communities. 

• Network Building: Demonstrable experience in growing and supporting membership networks or coalitions, ideally in the voluntary or charity sector. 

• Emotional intelligence: High levels of emotional intelligence and resilience, including the understanding and ability to manage how lived experience of our privilege and inequality can impact in the workplace for yourself, colleagues and external stakeholders. 

• Managing staff: Experience managing at least one staff member, providing both task centered and pastoral support. The ability to hold and manage difficult feelings and conversations with tact and sensitivity. 

• Anti-racism: Commitment to embed anti-racism across all aspects of our work.

Desirable: 

• Experience of commissioning different types of research 

• Experience of working with impact monitoring and evaluation frameworks, for example theory of change methodology. 

This is an exciting opportunity to play a central role in delivering our mission by selecting and distributing brand-new, publisher-donated books to over 190 libraries and NGO partners around the world. These books open opportunities for millions of people to read, learn, and shape a more equal future.

As Partnerships Manager, you’ll be responsible for managing and growing our global network of partners. This includes:

· Selecting appropriate books to meet partners’ needs

· Coordinating book selections with our Operations Team

· Preparing accurate documentation to support timely shipments

· Managing partner enquiries and communications

· Building and sustaining strong, collaborative relationships across our network

You’ll also support the onboarding of new partners and help share insights into the impact of our work, both within the Programmes and Partnerships Team and across the organisation.

We’re looking for someone with:

· Knowledge or experience in international education or development

· Experience with books or book distribution (highly desirable)

· A proactive, detail-oriented, and highly organised approach

· Strong written and verbal communication skills

· Excellent administrative skills and a collaborative mindset

· Experience with databases or CRM systems (highly desirable)

· A willingness to undertake occasional international travel

If you have experience managing stakeholder relationships, thrive in a mission-driven environment, and are passionate about creating access to books and education, we’d love to hear from you.

Job description - Partnerships and Income Manager

Salary: £38,000 per annum 

Contract: Permanent

Reports to: Head of Commercial Services

Hours: Full or part-time hours considered, minimum 0.8 FTE 

Start date: November 2025

Location: Home-based (travel costs paid for meetings) 

Annual leave: 27 days FTE per annum plus Bank holidays (22 days FTE per annum under the Four Day Week) 

Please note that at Waterwise we work a Four Day Week, under voluntary agreements which all staff members sign. This means that you will be contracted and paid as full-time but you will sign a voluntary agreement stating that you commit to employing efficiency tools both individual and team-wide to deliver and be paid for 5 days work within four normal 9 to 5 days - the office is closed on Fridays. Training will be provided and you will be expected to continue to refresh your training and to keep up use of the efficiency tools. Annual leave is also pro rata’d. We can answer any questions you may have about this at the interview/s. On a 20 hours a week contract, you would be spending 16 hours a week at work including the equivalent of 2 one hour lunch breaks, and this can be worked in a flexible pattern, such as two full days or more, shorter days. 

Waterwise 

Waterwise is the leading independent voice in the UK for using water wisely, for the benefit of people and the planet. Our vision is that water is used wisely every day, everywhere, by everyone. We are the UK’s conscience on water efficiency, on behalf of people and the planet, and are experts in water efficiency policy, regulation, research, behaviour and campaigns. Waterwise is a people-led organisation which prioritises the wellbeing of its staff.

Water scarcity is an urgent issue right here, right now, right across the UK - consistent record-breaking high temperatures and low rainfall, and recurring drought, show how climate change and population growth are already putting our water resources under severe pressure, and this challenge is growing. Water efficiency has to be a big part of the solution, and we support and challenge governments, industry, customers and others to be innovative and ambitious on water efficiency. Our work includes campaigns, events, media, policy and regulatory influencing, research projects, stakeholder engagement and services such as Waterwise Training and the Waterwise  Checkmark. We are funded by supporters across and beyond the UK water sector. Our Waterwise Strategic Direction, published in August 2022, tells you a bit more about us. Our UK Water Efficinecy Strategy to 2030 tells you a bit more about our ambition.

At Waterwise we put staff wellbeing first, and our staff surveys show that our team knows, feels and appreciates this. Our values are:

People: We will prioritise staff wellbeing, be an inclusive, kind and positive team. 

Purpose: We will deliver independent and ambitious leadership to drive social and  political change on water efficiency 

Pioneer: We will be forward-thinking and visionary in our approach, being brave and  innovative in challenging the status quo 

Passion: We will campaign to protect water and the planet and work to keep our own  environmental impact as low as possible 

We are always looking for bright, committed people with a diverse set of skills and  experience to help achieve our vision that water is used wisely every day, everywhere, by  everyone. We are a lively, happy, friendly team, and we can’t wait to read your application! 

At Waterwise, we’re committed to driving equity and preventing discrimination at work and in the work we do. Please see more on this below. 

We are also working to reduce Waterwise’s own carbon and environmental footprint. 

Partnerships and Income Manager Role Description

The Partnerships and Income Manager role involves engaging a range of stakeholders to help generate greater impact and income for Waterwise. The Partnerships and Income Manager will be responsible for researching and identifying potential new business opportunities; conducting outreach to new and existing stakeholders to encourage collaboration; building and maintaining relationships with Waterwise partners, sponsors and members; and assisting with developing winning proposals for funding, in order to deepen the impact we make with individuals, communities and businesses across the UK. The Partnerships and Income Manager will lead on delivery against income targets for our services and events. 

Key responsibilities in the role include: 

• Generating income for Waterwise by retaining existing partners, recruiting new partners, selling sponsorship opportunities, and increasing engagement and investment in Waterwise membership and services

• Researching and identifying new business development leads in line with Waterwise’s commercial strategy

• Building and maintaining an active pipeline of commercial and partnership opportunities to drive income 

• Conducting market and competitor research and engagement to ensure we have a clear understanding of customer needs and align our services to meet those needs

• Conducting lead generation and lead nurturing activities, including representing Waterwise at events and conferences, reaching out to potential new partners by email, phone or social media, and conducting introductory meetings with potential sponsors, members and partners

• Acting as account manager for Waterwise partners, (working alongside the Membership and Marketing Manager who manages member relationships), leading on administration such as ensuring Salesforce CRM is up-to-date, conducting Waterwise’s ethical screening process for potential partners, managing partnership agreements and payments

• Working with the Memberships and Marketing Manager to design and implement communications to demonstrate how partnering with Waterwise offers value for money and delivers against ESG commitments

• Working on grant funding proposals and project bids

• Working with the wider team to assist in the development of content for our newsletter, social media, blogs, trade media and press

• Assisting the team with organising events (e.g. Waterwise annual conference)

• Attending conferences, seminars and meetings to represent Waterwise

The above is not an exhaustive list of activities but hopefully gives you a sense of the role  and requirements. 

Partnerships and Income Manager Person Specification

We need someone who is proactive and a self-starter, with exemplary communication and relationship building skills.

• Target-driven and commercially-minded, with a proven track record of income generation through sales, sponsorship and grant funding

• Experience in business development, sales, commercial services or relationship management roles

• Experience in writing successful new business proposals, compelling pitches and funding bids

• Good interpersonal skills to work collaboratively with a range of stakeholders and forge great relationships inside and outside of the organisation

• Ability to approach new leads with confidence, including making ‘cold’ introductions to new organisations 

• Excellent networking skills and confidence to ‘work the room’ at meetings and events

• Strong organisational skills, including the ability to plan and work proactively to meet deadlines

• Proactive and action-oriented approach to achieving income targets and KPIs

• Confident communicator, with excellent written and verbal communication skills and strong negotiation skills

• Ability to positively promote Waterwise and its work

• Ability to work flexibly within a small team that works from home

• Ability to manage own time and prioritise tasks

• Ability to communicate across the team about your work and workload

• Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and wellbeing 

• Eligibility to work in the UK

Benefits 

At Waterwise the wellbeing of our employees is our number one priority. To recognise the  fantastic work our team does in driving water efficiency, and to support their wellbeing, we  have a wide range of employee benefits, beyond statutory commitments. These include: 

• Positive, values-based environment and an inclusive culture where it feels safe for  employees to say ‘no’ on grounds of workload 

• Strong emphasis from CEO on wellbeing and workload management 

• Homeworking and a small allowance for occasional shared office working 

• Four Day week - being paid full-time but working 80% of this (or pro rata equivalent), in exchange for using tools to work efficiently - for full-time employees this equates to a day off every week, in addition to annual leave

• Flexible working

• Part-time working 

• 27 days annual leave per annum for full-time employees (or pro rata equivalent for part-time colleagues), plus Bank Holidays (pro rata’d to 22 days full-time equivalent as we work a Four Day Week)

• Death in service benefit at x2 of salary 

• Paid chartered and professional memberships 

• Individual and team training budgets 

• Maternity leave and maternity adoption leave beyond statutory 

• Childcare costs for activities undertaken outside normal working hours 

• Sickness pay beyond statutory 

Equity, diversity and inclusion 

At Waterwise, we’re committed to driving equity and preventing discrimination at work and in the work we do. We know that simply having a diverse workforce is not enough. We want to create an inclusive environment within Waterwise and in our work and events, where everyone can contribute their best and develop to their full potential. We celebrate and value how different everyone is, and we work hard to ensure everyone is treated with dignity and respect. This aligns with our ‘People’ value that we will prioritise staff wellbeing, and will be an inclusive, kind and positive team.

We are committed to treating all current and prospective employees fairly and to ensuring  that our workplace and employment practices are free from discrimination, harassment or  victimisation on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil  partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. We  strongly encourage applicants from a wide range of backgrounds and with different identities and experiences to apply. Everyone in our team has a role to play in helping Waterwise become more diverse and inclusive, and we hope you will join us for this next stage in our journey - for this role we therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be under-represented in Waterwise’s workforce. These include people of the global majority, LGBTQI+ people, and men.

We want to ensure that our recruitment process is inclusive of and accessible for everyone.  If you are interested in applying for a role with us and think you may need some additional  support or reasonable adjustments made to any part of the recruitment process, please get in touch.

How to apply 

To apply for this role, you will need to answer role-related questions. Please provide evidence and examples from your work history or other aspects of your life to  answer the questions and demonstrate how you meet the criteria required. Please refer to the person specification when you are doing this.

Our goal is to remove bias from the hiring process and so rather than asking you for a CV and cover letter, we have set up role-related questions which will allow us to assess your approach to a problem and understand what knowledge and skills you have. Your answers will be anonymised, randomised and reviewed by the selection panel. We will use these scores to shortlist for interviews. We also think giving feedback is incredibly valuable for candidates, so at the end of the process, you'll see how well you performed during the application process.

The closing date for applications is 23:59pm on 31st August 2025. There will be a two-stage interview process. First interviews will be held on 17th September 2025 and second interviews will be held on 29th September 2025.  First interviews will be held online via Zoom and second interviews will be held in person in Birmingham (venue TBC).

We’re looking for a dynamic, strategic and articulate professional fundraiser to drive forward our emerging major donor programme. Working alongside senior Laureus staff and stakeholders to connect, cultivate and steward high net worth individuals around the work of the Foundation, the post holder will be expected to design and support the execution of a range of high-quality events leaning on the excellent brand profile assets at Laureus’ disposal.

Experience of creating bespoke donor journeys, delivering long term engagement and an understanding or experience of the third sector will enable success in this fast-paced and varied role.

KEY TASKS & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Coordinate all HNW activity ensuring that:
  • Appropriate levels of communication are established and maintained
  • Records are kept fully up to date and are appropriately reported
  • Key staff (Chairman, CEO, Development Director etc) are prompted and supported with communication and activities

• Create and/or deepen partnerships with organisations where mutual benefit can be received, including Richemont maisons ; other Laureus partners; new prospective partners with connections to pools of HNW individuals

• Assess existing events and amend/develop a revised calendar of events annually that supports outreach, conversion and stewardship of HNW pool of supporters – whilst also ensuring profit is made on the event itself

• Encouragement and support of HNW supporters to create their own activities to raise funds and/or broaden the network of Laureus donors

• Provide first class stewardship to the International Council/Friends of Laureus group of HNW supporters whilst also exploring if other products or partnerships might offer attractive benefits to donors

• Work with programme colleagues to create opportunities for programme visits open to key donors – either in the UK or internationally, whilst also extracting key programme asks for funding

• Work with talent team colleagues to create engagement opportunities with Laureus Academy Members and Ambassadors that support HNW engagement and stewardship

• Use sector knowledge and insight to keep on top of best practice around HNW donor engagement, cultivation and stewardship

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• Proven track record of successful fundraising experience
• Experience of building long-term, trust-based relationships with HNWI
• Developed or contributed to HNW fundraising campaigns 
• Strategic and result-driven approach to planning donor journeys and stewardship programmes
• Proficient in using donor databases (e.g. Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce) for tracking contacts and income and data analytics/ prospect research
• Experience in organising bespoke donor and facilitating networking opportunities between donors and charity leadership or beneficiaries
• Skilled in writing tailored proposals, impact reports, and stewardship updates
• Ability to manage stakeholders relationships (trustees, directors, senior volunteers)
• Understanding of Philanthropy Landscape

We offer our employees a competitive benefits package including pension scheme, private health and life insurance, generous holiday allowance, ride to work scheme and employee friendly policies.

We offer flexible working with one day per week working from home.

You'll play a vital role in developing work experience opportunities for adults with learning disabilities as well as supporting our team members into permanent employment. This is a new role which will require you to show heaps of flexibility and learn-as-we-go in order to shape and develop our impact into the future.

If you have pints of personality and want to work for a fantastic cause, we want to hear from you. You’ll be experienced in coaching or mentoring, be well organised and understand the barriers faced by people with a learning disability when moving into employment.

You'll support and develop our team. This means:

• managing a caseload of between 6 and 10 people who are neurodivergent and/or have a learning disability, and who are looking to move into supportive employment locally
• preparing our team members for long-term employment by supporting them to understand their skills, aspirations and goals by offering employment profiling, job matching, action planning and skill development opportunities
• working to a minimum target of 2 adults moving into long term employment by the end of your contract
• undertaking monthly work coaching sessions for team members to develop and upskill them in brewing and bar management skills
• supporting team members to reduce work-related barriers such as travel-to-work, better-off calculations, disclosure of health & wellbeing needs and budgeting
• providing in-work support to assist team members in maintaining and retaining employment, including frequent in-person meetings during the first few months of a successful employment match

You'll be responsible for our employer engagement. This means:

• undertaking tailored job searches and proactive engagement with employers to source supportive, paid job opportunities which meet our team members preferences and match their developing skillset
• identifying potential opportunities for employment within their businesses and sales opportunities amongst employment partners
• providing education and support to employers, which may include negotiating adjustments and on-going employer support to ensure job retention
• building Ignition’s profile as a skills-based, local employment specialist

You will develop our wider employability programme. This means:

• organising and facilitating regular employment taster days for people with learning disabilities looking to move into work in order to raise aspirations and developing an understanding of the workplace
• planning & running CV development workshops to help adults with learning disabilities prepare for the world of work
• developing our evidence-based employability model, drawing on good practice from other sectors, in order to constantly improve and refine the model

As part of your 20 hours per week, you will also be required to undertake one evening or weekend shift per week of up to 6 hours, as a Taproom Supervisor.

What we need from you (the essentials):

• experience of working or volunteering with neurodivergent adults or people with learning disabilities
• experience of leading, teaching, coaching, mentoring or otherwise supporting groups of people
• an understanding of the barriers to employment experienced by adults with learning disabilities
• proven experience of meeting and exceeding outcomes and targets
• well organised with experience of managing a varied workload
• outstanding interpersonal and communication skills with an ability to build rapport with people
• good administrative skills with an ability to use IT and tools such as Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• a flexible and hands on approach with an an ability to think and problem-solve independently
• being comfortable trialling new approaches and learning in response

What we’d ideally like from you (the desirables):

• experience of supporting people to obtain employment
• knowledge of the benefits system and how to navigate this when moving into employment
• experience working in a bar or other customer service setting

Job Title: Refuge Worker

Location: This is an onsite role, located within the London Borough of Hounslow, there may be a requirement to occasionally work in the London Borough of Hillingdon.
Salary: £17,314.27 per annum (Inclusive of London Weighting, which may not be applicable depending on your home location
Contract type: Part Time, Permanent 

Hours: 22.5 hours (days to be discussed)

Are you passionate about supporting women and children escaping domestic abuse? We are looking for a compassionate and dedicated Refuge Worker to join our team, providing vital support in a safe and secure environment for those in crisis. This is an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals when they need it most.

As a Refuge Worker, you will be responsible for delivering practical and emotional support to residents, ensuring their safety and wellbeing while they rebuild their lives. Key duties include conducting risk assessments, safety planning, supporting access to benefits and housing, liaising with external agencies, and maintaining accurate case records. The ideal candidate will be empathetic, resilient, and highly organised, with experience of working in a support or advocacy role, ideally within the domestic abuse or safeguarding sector.

This is a rewarding role where your work has a direct impact every day. In return, we offer a supportive team environment, opportunities for training and development, and the chance to be part of a cause that truly matters.

Closing Date: 09:00am 13 August 2025

Iterview Dates: 18 and 19 August 2025

Refuge is the UK’s largest provider of specialist services, and we are proud to be a leader in our field and an employer of choice, with leading edge systems for supervision, quality management and development.

Refuge offers a variety of exciting opportunities to learn, develop and grow in your career. We recognise the value everyone brings to the organisation to achieve our aims and are dedicated to developing and rewarding our staff. More details of our benefits can be found in Job Information Pack.

Job Title: Housing Independent Gender Violence Advocate (Housing IGVA)

Location: The GAIA Centre (Lambeth, London)
Salary: £28,857.12 per annum (Inclusive of London Weighting, which may not be applicable depending on your home location and any agreed permanent homeworking arrangement)
Contract type: Full time, Permanent

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

The Housing Independent Gender Violence Advocate (IGVA) will be embedded within borough housing teams to facilitate the dual working that will ensure that survivors’ safety and housing needs are met. This includes:

· Close working relationships with Housing colleagues 

· Provision of specialist knowledge relating to DA for Housing Officers and Homelessness Teams to draw on 

· Specialist support for survivors at the moment of crisis 

· Provision of advocacy; supporting survivors to access safe accommodation 

· Ongoing support from the IGVA from wider DA service, including access to group clinical supervision, casework management meetings, reflective practice sessions, one-to-one supervision from service manager 

The Housing IGVA will work closely with victims of gender-based violence from the point of crisis, to provide high quality independent advocacy and support to survivors of gender-based violence at the highest risk and their children. The role will be part of increasing the ability of partner agencies to recognise, reject and respond appropriately and safely to all forms of gender-based violence (including domestic violence, sexual, financial and emotional abuse, female genital mutilation, forced marriage and honour-based violence).

The job involves working within a multi-agency framework consisting of the MARAC and local partnership protocols and procedures that prioritise the safety of survivors. The job involves informing survivors of the full range of civil, criminal, housing and practical options that might increase their safety. The post holder will empower survivors by providing them with emotional, practical and personal welfare support especially around complex housing needs.

The job involves ensuring that women are provided with a safe, supportive and welcoming environment, enabling them to access their rights, make decisions and increase their life options.

This post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

Closing Date: 09:00am 26 August 2025

Interview Date: 4 and 5 September 2025

Job Title: Partnerships Manager

Reports to: Senior Partnerships Manager

Location: Hybrid work with 40% from Breaking Barriers’ offices in London, Manchester, Birmingham or Glasgow

Salary:  £33,000 - £39,000 for London, £31,000 - £37,000 for other locations

Hours: 5 days per week (37.5 hours), open to flexible working arrangements

Contract: Permanent

Overall purpose

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in the national development and delivery of our relationships with the private sector to maximise income and impact to support refugees into meaningful employment.

The main purpose of the Partnerships Manager role is to deliver first-class account management and development of corporate partnerships to drive Breaking Barriers mission.

Working closely with Senior Partnerships Managers, Head of Corporate Partnerships, and members of the Income & Engagement and Services Directorates, you will be responsible for launching, retaining and developing a portfolio of partnerships ensuring we deepen and strengthen relationships whilst identifying opportunities for growth.

You will play your part in delivering and developing strategic relationships to bring value to our refugee clients and our employment and education programmes.

The successful candidate will have experience managing corporate partner relationships, including making fundraising asks and managing external communication with donors and partners at all levels of seniority. You will deploy your influencing skills and ability to build profitable relationships to great effect as you take a leading role identifying and nurturing future strategic partnerships. An understanding of Corporate Social Responsibility would be advantageous.

To view the full job description and person specification, as well as details on our accessible recruitment process, please view the attached recruitment pack.

Other considerations

• As part of our safeguarding commitment to our clients, we carry out pre-employment checks to ensure that successful applicants are suitable to work with adults at risk. These include basic DBS checks, obtaining references and verifying a candidate’s identity and right to work in the UK.   
• We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity status, race, religion or belief.

How to apply

If you are looking for a role where you can make a real difference, we want to hear from you. To apply, please submit a CV and statement (up to approximately 500 words/1 A4 page) outlining:

• Why you are interested in the role
• What skills you would bring to be successful in this role
• Any experience you would like to highlight
• Any reasonable adjustments you require for the interview process
• Disclosure of disabilities if you wish to do so (as a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, we guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role)

Please note that applications without a covering letter will not be considered.

Closing date for applications is 11:30pm on Wednesday 03 September. Please note that interviews will be held on a rolling basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if a suitable candidate is found. Early applications are strongly encouraged.

We belong to the Experts by Experience Employment Initiative, which advocates and supports organisations to employ more people from a refugee background. With this in mind, we particularly welcome applicants with experience of seeking asylum and/or a refugee background. 

If you are an expert by experience (a refugee or a migrant with direct, first-hand experience of issues and challenges of the UK asylum or immigration system), you can ask for an independent and confidential support for your job application from the Experts by Experience Employment Network. Please reach out to HR Manager Rebecca Hughes for further details (we are unable to include email addresses in this advert, but you can find contact details on the final page of the attached recruitment pack).

�� Location: Hybrid (expectation to travel for team days/as business requires)

⌚ Contract Type: Permanent, 35 hours per week

�� Salary: Starting from £64,866.26 - £78,488.17 dependent on experience and location

What is a Head of Digital, Data and Technology? 

As the Head of DDaT Portfolio Delivery, you will leverage your extensive experience and deep understanding of the technical project lifecycle and key delivery methodologies. Proficiency in Agile, Scrum, DevOps, and Waterfall frameworks is essential for effective governance and optimisation of complex project portfolios.

This role offers a unique opportunity to apply your skills and passion for change in a growing healthcare organisation, supporting over 110,000 clients annually.

You will collaborate closely with various heads of departments and colleagues across the business to ensure all DDaT deliveries are strategically aligned, rigorously tested, delivered on time and within budget, and fully adopted by the business. This role drives seamless execution from small enhancements to large-scale projects, enhancing the client journey, operational efficiency, and business impact for MSI UK.

What can we offer you?

• �� Expenses incurred while traveling outside your base location will be reimbursed.
• �� Birthday Bonus with an additional day of annual leave dedicated to celebrating your birthday and long service recognition rewards programme 
• �� Perks and discounts at over 4000 retail and hospitality outlets through the Blue Light Card

In addition to the perks outlined above, there are many more benefits alongside what is written above for you to enjoy. Find out more during your interview!

What you’ll be doing:

The role of the Head of DDaT Portfolio Delivery will have:

• Deep understanding of software development, IT infrastructure, DevOps, Agile, and Scrum practices, with experience in AI, ML, RPA, UX, design, end-user testing, and requirements gathering.
• Ability to analyse complex problems, devise solutions, and make informed decisions under pressure.
• Identify risks, implement mitigation strategies, and ensure projects stay on track.
• Ensure deliverables meet standards through effective QA and testing protocols, with continuous monitoring and evaluation.
• Comprehensive understanding of project lifecycles, tailoring Agile, Scrum, and Waterfall methodologies for timely, budget-compliant delivery.
• Capable of troubleshooting technical issues and understanding software or product development intricacies.
• Expertise in system architecture, DevOps, risk management, ITIL, technical documentation, and programming languages.
• Oversee testing quality internally and with vendors, ensuring robust methodologies and evidence collection.
• Familiarity with technologies used, capable of troubleshooting technical issues.

What we’re looking for:

• Extensive experience delivering complex digital and tech-enabled programs, with deep knowledge of healthcare technology ecosystems (e.g., NHS Digital, EPRs, FHIR, GDPR, DSPT).
• Proficient in Agile, Scrum, DevOps, SAFe, Lean, and Waterfall, ensuring efficient delivery across cross-functional teams.
• Proven leadership in digital/data/technology strategy, including authoring and presenting strategic documents to executive teams.
• Skilled in developing and deploying client-facing digital solutions (e.g., portals, remote monitoring, digital health apps), ensuring compliance, usability, and smooth go-live transitions.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and vendor management skills, including RFPs and procurement via NHS frameworks (G-Cloud, Digital Marketplace).
• Expertise in demand and capacity planning for DDaT, aligning delivery with business needs, compliance, and budget.
• Experienced in BI and data strategy projects, including integration, analytics, automation, and emerging technologies (RPA, AI, ML).
• Able to gather technical requirements aligned with business goals and system capabilities.
• Skilled in measuring ROI on tech initiatives using KPIs and cost-benefit analysis.
• Strong project management skills across the full lifecycle, blending PRINCE2 governance with Agile and Waterfall delivery.
• Experienced in Agile product development—from strategy to launch—and translating complex technical concepts for non-technical audiences.
• Deep knowledge of emerging digital trends and their strategic applications.
• Flexible to travel and work outside core hours as required.
• Established and led PMO practices to ensure strategic alignment, risk management, resource planning, and continuous improvement.

Location: Remote (based in England & Wales with occasional travel required for biannual team days in London, termly Support Coach Team meetings in various locations, and twice termly vists to facilitators in various locations). Due to location of regional hubs, we would encourage applications from the Bristol, Liverpool and Manchester areas.

Salary: £28,665 - £30,765 pro rata (£22,932 - £24,612 actual)

Hours of work: 4 days a week (28 hours)

Contract type: Permanent

Why work for Kids Matter?

• Generous annual leave – 25 days (plus bank holidays) per year pro rata, with time off between Christmas and New Year's additional to this allowance.
• Remote working contribution – receive £26/month pro rata towards the costs of working from home and/or using a co-working space.
• Access to coaching sessions, training opportunities and our Employee Assistance Programme (a confidential support service for staff).
• Flexible working across weekdays to suit your schedule.

About us​

Kids Matter is one of the UK’s fastest growing children’s charities.

Our vision is to see every child in need raised in a strong family. Our mission is to reduce the impact of poverty on children through community-based parenting programmes.

Research shows that group-based early intervention parenting groups are the most effective way to support children in need. We train peer facilitators in local churches - the largest voluntary body in the country - to run our affordable, accessible and highly effective parenting programmes, written by Clinical Psychologists. They come alongside parents and carers, building long-lasting community in addition to encouraging confidence and learning positive parenting skills.

We value difference and diversity, and we want our workplace to be built on shared values of equality and mutual trust, with team members representing the wide range of backgrounds and experiences that exist within the UK. We therefore actively encourage applications from people of diverse backgrounds and varied experiences, particularly those who are African, Afro-Caribbean, Asian or part of other minority ethnic communities, who have lived experience of the impact of low-income/low-support circumstances, and who are living with a disability or identify as being neurodivergent.

About the role

The Support Coach role involves:

• Supporting volunteer facilitators by coaching them through the opportunities, challenges and obstacles of running a Kids Matter programme
• Training and upskilling facilitators by helping run events and develop new resources
• Working with the wider Kids Matter team to encourage and strengthen Kids Matter’s church partnerships

At Kids Matter, we are committed to delivering effective coaching. All Support Coaches are given the opportunity to go through the coaching accreditation process with ICF to become an Associate Certified Coach (ACC). Kids Matter provides the support and supervision for this to take place, and will cover the cost of the accreditation if the individual remains employed as a Support Coach for the two years following applying for accreditation. If the individual leaves before two years, a percentage of the accreditation cost will be required to pay back.

About you

Are you someone who enjoys coming alongside others, encouraging and challenging them as they learn and grow? Do you have a strong understanding of the disadvantages many families face in the UK? Can you sensitively and effectively communicate with people from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences? Are you a Christian with an active faith in Jesus? Do you have a passion for Kids Matter’s vision to see every child in need raised in a strong family?

Then we would love to hear from you!

How to apply

You can apply for the Support Coach position by clicking ‘Apply via Website’ and completing a copy of our online application form.

The deadline for applications is 4pm Monday 1st September 2025. All successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified by email.

We also ask for all applicants to submit an Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form, which will be sent to you to complete following the submission of your application. This form will be used for anonymous analysis to ensure our overall recruitment procedures are fair and transparent. It will never be viewed or used as part of the selection process. It is optional to submit this form.

If you would like any application/interview support or you need any reasonable adjustments throughout the application process, or if you would like an informal phone call to ask questions or discuss the role, please contact Katie Washington (HR & Systems Coordinator).

Please see the job pack for more details on the role and application process.

Action for Refugees in Lewisham (AFRIL) are recruiting for an Expert by Experience Coordinator to join our supportive and growing team. The Expert by Experience Coordinator is a new role in our small dynamic charity. The postholder will work to ensure the voices and perspectives of individuals with lived experience of asylum and forced migration are integrated into the design and delivery of AFRIL services and policy work. This role involves facilitating communication, promoting co-production, and empowering individuals to share their expertise to improve services and guide policy priorities. 

The post involves coordinating our monthly Members Forum, and working with the core team to feed this into policy and service development, alongside thematic and sometimes practical support to our Allotment Steering Group, Rainbow Club Youth Council and Asylum Hotel Residents Forum. The postholder will develop the AFRIL ambassadors scheme, creating opportunities for former clients to continue to be involved in shaping AFRIL, and work with the Director to develop a governance level co-production structure as agreed with the Board of Trustees. 

We are looking for a good people person, able to engage and inspire others, who demonstrates a collaborative approach to working with a range of stakeholders and in particular AFRIL clients who come from a variety of backgrounds. The postholder will be highly organised, have good project planning and execution skills, and a good working knowledge of the issues affecting refugees and asylum seekers in the UK. Community language skills are an asset.

About AFRIL

Action for Refugees in Lewisham (AFRIL) is a registered charity that supports asylum seekers, refugees, and vulnerable migrants in South East London. We support people to lift themselves out of poverty, assert their rights and rebuild their lives in the heart of our community. We provide both crisis support to meet immediate need, and longer-term, flexible programmes to tackle the underlying problems that lead people to be in crisis, supporting people to integrate, contribute and thrive. Our work is grounded in the values of professionalism, inclusivity, and solidarity. Our clients are at the heart of what we do and our approach is one of co-production and empowerment.

AFRIL delivers the following core services in the London Boroughs of Lewisham, Greenwich, Southwark, Bexley and Bromley:

• Rainbow Club Supplementary School - providing weekly supplementary education in English and Maths, arts, music and sports activities to children from refugee, migrant  and asylum seeking backgrounds from 4-11 years old, plus youth volunteering programme and Youth Council (NRCSE and Sanctuary Status). 

• Casework and Advocacy Service: providing AQS accredited advice, casework and legal interventions in asylum support, community care, housing, welfare benefits and related matters. Pre-Action Protocol letters to challenge unlawful public law decisions. The service currently provides Level 1 immigration advice under the Immigration Advice Agency.

• Destitution Support - a fortnightly Food Bank in partnership with St Peter’s Church providing food, food vouchers, toiletries, and other essentials, alongside a warm hub with free cafe, information and support. Small grants for essential items and cash payments for food in emergencies. Securing and distributing gifts in kind, e.g. winter coats, laptops and data. 

• Allotment of Refuge - a welcoming community of food growers that supports improved health, wellbeing and integration of members, whilst protecting the local environment. 

• Immigration Project in partnership with Southwark Law Centre, providing free legal advice and representation to support people to regularise their immigration status. 

We also use our frontline experience, together with our clients, to engage in Policy and influencing work to improve the services and policies that impact our client group. This includes advising the GLA on 3 asylum related working groups, and as a member of the London Housing Panel.

AFRIL is an equal opportunities employer. We are a diverse staff team and particularly encourage applications from BAME candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates and those with lived experience of asylum/irregular migration. We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support our staff to flourish.

We are proud to be a member of the Experts by Experience Employment Network which aims to increase representation of people with lived experience in the charitable sector. Please feel free to use their information and resources which may help in preparing your job application.

Please read full Job Description and Person Specification. Applications will only be accepted through CharityJob - please submit a CV and cover letter (no more than one side of A4) detailing how you meet the person specification.