Chief financial officer jobs

The INSPIRE Foundation, a charity whose objective is to promote research into the development of practical systems for people with damage to the spinal cord by the use of the latest advances in electronic, mechanical, and medical technology.

JOB PURPOSE

The Director is involved in every aspect of the running of INSPIRE, which includes raising funding from a variety of sources, formulating a winning strategy to grow INSPIRE, husbanding resources in the most effective and efficient manner and leading a small staff in their support roles.

SCOPE OF THE JOB

As Director, you will have a large amount of freedom to drive change, grow the charity, set the strategic vision going forwards and use your talents and leadership to ensure INSPIRE thrives. You are to ensure the charity has sufficient funds to cover all routine day-to-day expenses, to pay invoices quarterly for current projects and to plan for taking on medical research projects which are vetted by the National Science Committee (NSC) and agreed by the Board of Trustees. You will be actively supported by a Board of Trustees, to whom you report in your role as Director.

You should be qualified to degree level, ideally with an MBA or an equivalent business qualification. Some knowledge of spinal cord injury and its effects on an individual or of disability more broadly would be advantageous, as well as having a proven fundraising background from working in the 3rd Sector. The ideal candidate will have the following skills:

• Financial management or accountancy knowledge

• A high level of written and verbal communication skills

• Excellent inter-personal skills and the ability to interact with people from all backgrounds

• Standard keyboard skills including the ability to summarise meetings succinctly and clearly

INSPIRE is based in offices at Salisbury Hospital, Wiltshire and you will have a small, dynamic team to help and advise you as you settle into the role.

This is a rewarding opportunity to lead the development of this new department which is focused on providing excellent experiences and opportunities within our Community Centres for local people, in ways that generate income, and helps support the financial sustainability of the charity.  You will shape and grow our Community Centre offers, focusing on what local people value and would like to have available within our centres, whilst upholding the charity’s values and long-term vision. 

Reporting to the CEO, this position is responsible for leading our Centres & Events Team, which includes the Facilities Team (who maintain and develop our buildings), the Front of House Team (who welcome people and provide information, along with managing room hire), our community Events Manager, our Catering & Café Teams, plus Design and Communications Team. 

As part of our Senior Management Team, you will also help shape the wider strategy and culture of the organisation, working cross-departmentally and contributing to the development of our annual budgets. 

Who we are 

We are a well-established charity and community anchor organisation, based across two sites in Southville and Bedminster.  Through our centres, café, nursery, and community programmes, we work to improve the wellbeing, health, happiness, and sense of belonging of people living in the local area. 

We’re passionate about helping our staff grow, whether that’s through professional development or creating space to thrive in their roles. 

Who you are 

You are a systems and process-orientated leader, able to bring teams together to create a cohesive, efficient and effective whole.  You bring: 

• Strong leadership, organisational, commercial and communication skills. 

• Experience in organising diverse areas of operation and developing efficient systems and processes. 

• An ability to empower others to lead and make decisions. 

• Creativity and confidence to develop new offers in response to local needs. 

• A desire to support the financial sustainability of the charity. 

Your ability to develop efficient, effective and integrated systems and processes with your teams, as well as to identify offers that local people will engage with, value and pay for within our Community Centres, will be essential to your success in this role. 

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging 

We are committed to ensuring Equality of opportunity and access, celebrating Diversity, and promoting Inclusion and Belonging.  This commitment is vital, not only for our service users, but for our staff and the community we serve. 

Contract Type: Permanent.

Hours: 37.5 hours per week.

Salary: £38,987.69 per annum.

Holidays: 31 days including Bank Holidays, plus additional long-service leave (capped).

Benefits: Pension scheme, subsidised under-fives childcare, employee assistance programme, training and development opportunities.

Closing Date: Monday 11th August. 

Interviews: Week commencing 18th August. 

Main Purpose

This is a key role in Learning and Work Institute, leading our team and work in Wales and part of L&W's Senior Management Team. It aims to further increase our impact on learning, skills and employment in Wales, including by: growing and diversifying our income; increasing our profile; managing our strategic partnerships and exercising influence at the higher levels in Wales; and ensuring we deliver high quality policy, research and events that makes a difference to policy and practice. The role is also a member of L&W's Senior Management Team, working across the organisation, ensuring we work in a joined up way, that L&W is an engaging and supportive place to work, and leading on specific organisational initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities

Income generation and diversification. Identify and secure new sources of income including the production of high quality, successful funding applications, working with colleagues across the organisation where appropriate.

Strategy and financial planning. Lead development and implementation of L&W's strategic plan in Wales, including working with our Wales Strategy Group and maximizing opportunities for impact, and ensuring the financial sustainability of L&W’s work in Wales.

Stakeholder engagement. Build effective and productive relationships across the public, private and third sectors in Wales, including with ministers, special advisers and senior officials in the Welsh Government, and other key influencers, to maximise our impact

Leadership and management. Be an active member of SMT and organisational leader, promoting joined-up working and L&W as a great place to work. Lead our Wales team, ensuring they have opportunities to further develop. Act at all times in an inclusive, collaborative, open way that lives our values.

Project management. Ensuring our portfolio of work in Wales is delivered on time, on budget, and to a high quality, and making the links between projects so they have maximum impact.

Strategic communications. Proactively promote L&W’s external profile and key messages through PR, marketing and media activity. Ensure L&W adheres at all times to Welsh language standards.

Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the CEO, including travel to other L&W offices.

Person Specification

Essential

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to engage a range of audiences. You will be confident on national platforms dealing with the media; writing for a range of different platforms and social media.
• Leadership skills that include developing and motivating staff and teams, and ability to work collaboratively as part of the Senior Management Team
• Ability to build and enhance networks, alliances and relationships at the highest level across stakeholders in Wales including politicians and policymakers
• Well developed knowledge of the political and policy environment in Wales in the areas of learning, skills and employment
• Ability to develop new business and income streams for L&W including responding to tenders and generating proactive funding from trusts and foundations
• Excellent written and oral communication skills to influence and persuade, a confident presenter with the ability to relate to a wide range of audiences
• Ability to effectively manage a portfolio of research and policy projects and events, delivered on time and on budget to a high quality

Desirable 

• Understanding the fields of learning, skills and employment policy and practice across the UK and network of contacts in Wales and the UK
• Knowledge or experience of governance requirements, such as working with Boards, in the third sector
• An innovative and creative thinker with a record of transforming ideas into practice and ability to understand and analyse a range of research and policy
• Ability to communicate through Welsh, and the confidence to do so

Learning and Work Institute works across the UK, and staff are expected to work across the organisation. Our work in Wales is led by a Cardiff-based team, but all staff are required to follow the guidance set out in our Welsh language scheme when working in Wales.

Benefits Package

Salary of £64,450-£77,880 depending on experience and location

- 31 days' holiday increasing to 33 days after 5 years’ service, of which 3 are shutdown days in addition to public holidays.

- Generous company pension scheme with 8% employer contribution

- Group Life Assurance 3*salary

- Hybrid working (with 40%-60% of your time in the office)

- Flexible working practices

- Employee Development Scheme

- Retailer Discounts

- Enhanced occupational maternity, adoption, paternity and shared parental pay

- Enhanced occupational sick pay

- Eye care scheme

- Employee Assistance & Wellbeing Programme

- Gold award in Investors in People

Charity Fundraiser

The Vine Centre is looking to appoint a fundraiser.

The Vine Centre is a community based Charity offering inclusive support to those living in Rushmoor and its surrounding areas. We specialise in offering mental health, anger management and addiction support. Our offer also includes employment & training services, budgeting, energy support, IT skills and benefit support. We run social groups, yoga, therapeutic art and cookery classes. We run a community pantry which offers food to those most affected by the cost of living crisis.

The Vine Centre is a one stop shop for support working with the most vulnerable in our area our premises are in Aldershot but our reach is across Surrey & Hampshire. 

Previous experience necessary - good IT skills are required, particularly with MS Office, Word and Excel.

The role is offered at 18 hours at  £16,848 - (full-time equivalent 37.5 hours - £35,100). This includes 25 days (Pro-Rata) annual leave (plus bank holidays).

The Vine Centre offers flexible working along with pension contributions.  Opportunities for Training and Development as well as perks and benefits from Bright Exchange.

Closing date is Monday 28th July  2025 @ 5pm.  Interviews will be held the week commencing Monday 4th August 2025.

We’re looking for a passionate and experienced leader to head our sector support and grants team (maternity cover). You’ll bring strong project and people management skills, a commitment to social justice, and a track record of delivering impactful support to external partners. With experience in funder plus support, grant-making, and stakeholder engagement, you’ll help legal advice agencies thrive. This is a high-impact role guiding the development of our sector support programmes to ensure we best meet the needs of organisations providing vital legal help to those most in need. You’ll lead a small, dedicated team and work collaboratively across the organisation to deliver meaningful change.

See attached Recruitment Pack for more details.

Hybrid – London and Home-based 
Location - Central London

Are you a strategic finance leader ready to shape and drive high performance in a complex, purpose-led organisation? We’re seeking an exceptional Associate Director of Finance to lead a talented team and embed a culture of financial responsibility, transparency, and best practice.

About the Role
This is a pivotal leadership role responsible for the full spectrum of financial management. You will lead and develop a committed finance team, champion operational excellence, and ensure robust governance and compliance across the organisation.

As a trusted partner to the Chief Operating Officer and senior leadership, you will:

• Provide strategic financial leadership, driving insight and clarity in decision-making.

• Lead group statutory and management reporting, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and commercial support.

• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, cashflow management, and investment planning.

• Ensure effective financial controls, risk management, and policy development.

• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including boards, auditors, bankers, and investment managers.

• Inspire a culture of customer service, continuous improvement, and professional development within the finance team.

Key Responsibilities

• Actively contribute to Finance Board and senior committees, offering clear, data-driven insights.

• Oversee monthly management accounts, statutory reporting, and year-end audits.

• Lead budgeting and forecasting cycles, delivering clear, actionable outputs for decision-makers.

• Ensure robust management of the balance sheet, assets, cash, and investments.

• Support the development of financial systems and tools to improve efficiency and accuracy.

• Motivate and develop a high-performing team, fostering professional growth and excellence.

• Manage key supplier relationships, ensuring value, compliance, and strong performance.

About You

• We’re looking for a qualified accountant (minimum 5 years PQE) with:

• Proven experience in a senior finance role, ideally within a complex or group structure.

• Strong leadership capability with a track record of developing and managing effective teams.

• Commercial acumen and the ability to see the big picture while maintaining operational oversight.

• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to simplify complex data for diverse audiences.

• A collaborative and inclusive leadership style.

• Commitment to continuous improvement, professional excellence, and delivering results.

Desirable

• Experience within the not-for-profit sector.

• Experience working across multi-site environments.

• Previous involvement in systems improvement or implementation.

What’s on Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits.

• Hybrid working – home-based with London office presence and occasional travel to other locations.

• Opportunity to work in a values-driven organisation committed to inclusion, integrity, innovation, and making an impact.

If you're a strategic finance leader seeking your next challenge in an environment that values innovation, integrity, inclusion and real-world impact, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply now and help drive financial excellence across an organisation making a difference every day.

Are you a highly organised, reliable, and calm administrator?
We are looking for a full time 35hrs per week, proactive Team Administrator to play a key role in keeping Lupus UK running smoothly by providing vital support across all teams and functions. If you are someone who can confidently manage multiple tasks and priorities, enjoys working in a collaborative environment, this role could be perfect for you.

About the role: 

You will provide high quality administrative support across all departments to help ensure the smooth day to day running of our office and operations. This includes being the first point of contact for incoming telephone calls, organising meetings, supporting with event logistics, and maintaining effective internal processes. The role requires strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and excellent communication.

This is a hybrid role, you will be based at our Romford head office three days a week, with two days working remotely.

What we are looking for:

· Proven experience in an administrative or office support role is essential.

· Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise and manage a varied workload.

· Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.

· Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel).

· Comfortable handling sensitive and confidential information.

· Confident coordinating meetings and events, including logistics like booking venues and managing communications.

· Experience supporting senior leadership with diary and meeting coordination.

For a full list of duties and responsibilities, please see the attached job description.

Application Instructions
Please submit a CV (no more than three pages of A4) and covering letter with personal statement (no more than two pages of A4).

Your covering letter should explain why you are interested in the role and how you meet the person specification, with examples where possible (unless clearly shown in your CV)

Interviews will take place online on Tuesday 2nd September 2025.
Shortlisted candidates will then be invited to our Romford office for a second-stage informal meeting with SLT and meet staff.

About Blagrave

We are a social justice funder committed to shifting power, dismantling oppression, and supporting communities to thrive. We fund organisations and young people creating change, with a strong focus on lived experience, anti-oppression, and systems change.

We are committed to centering the voices of those we seek to serve. Our board and staff team have relevant lived and learnt experiences to help us fulfil our mission. We listen to the communities we seek to serve both directly and broadly to have as accurate of an understanding as possible about the issues that they are facing. 

As we come to the end of our current strategy cycle we are ambitious to explore how we can put our full asset base to work in support of mission and we have some exciting plans unfolding. This new role will be instrumental in ensuring collaboration is at the heart of our next strategy, with our funder peers, young people, the youth sector and local government.

We fund work in England, as well as having a specific focus on several counties in the South East of England. 
 

About you  

You believe in the power of young people to lead change and are passionate about social justice. You’re a natural relationship-builder with experience working across public, private and voluntary sectors, confident engaging at both national and local levels. You understand how to develop partnerships that are equitable, transformational, and that centre the voices and needs of young people. You have a track record in bringing in substantial partnerships in service to organisational goals.

You bring strong problem-solving skills and experience managing people. You’ve worked in, or alongside, organisations going through growth or transition and thrive in complexity. You care deeply about genuine partnerships and have a track record of working collaboratively to build collective power and challenge injustice.

We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and are especially keen to hear from people who can help diversify the voices shaping philanthropic work. We are committed to creating an equitable environment where everyone can thrive.

Purpose of the Role

This exciting new role is about creating connections, building ecosystems and developing and strengthening relationships that power social justice movements. As a member of the Senior Management Team, you will work closely with the CEO to lead our partnerships and community engagement work — creating the enabling conditions and networks that help youth-led movements grow, sustain, and make lasting change.

You will take lead on:

• Partnering with other funders to resource youth-led change, including co-designed and co-held programmes with other foundations.
• Developing community partnerships based on the needs and priorities of the young people we are here to serve - including charities, local businesses, and local authorities.
• Understanding the landscape of youth-led change and social justice work, identifying gaps in support and guiding our investment to help fill them, both at the national and local level.
• Monitoring and communicating the impact of our work with external audiences.
• Ensuring our work is grounded in safeguarding practices that minimise harm and uphold our commitment to care, equity and justice.

Success in this role looks like:

· A stronger Blagrave presence and impact at a local level.

· Growing networks of trust and solidarity across youth-led social justice movements, nationally and locally.

· Greater capacity, visibility, and long-term sustainability for youth-led organisations.

· Strengthened support for collective action and systems change.

· Young people and communities feeling ownership of, and connection to, the work.

Location: Hybrid / London
Contract type: Permanent
Salary: circa £75,000 FTE
 
Job Advert
 
The London Community Foundation (LCF) exist to improve the lives of the most disadvantaged people in London by working with donors to invest in small, local charities and community groups. LCF empower local community organisations and leaders to identify their needs and solutions and connect these groups with funders, distribute resources, and help increase their impact. Additionally, LCF promote the value of local organisations, encourage philanthropy, and build relationships between communities and funders, and have given £127 million in grants to grassroot organisations in London since 2010.
 
The Director of Development will be responsible for developing and achieving LCF’s income strategy, with particular focus on developing, prospecting, and building relationships with high value donors, corporates, financial advisors, and wealth management. As part of the Senior Leadership Team, this role will be a strategic Director, whilst also leading on key donor facing relationships. This role will be critical to leading and executing successful engagement strategies for both internal and external stakeholders, with the support of a small team of two.
 
The successful candidate will be able to evidence setting strategy and delivering successful high value income generation growth. This person will be able to demonstrate identifying and securing gifts of a six-figure plus level. They will have a proven track record of developing and maintaining strategic senior networks. This person will have managed other team members before and be a strong communicator with other senior internal stakeholders and external donors.
 
To apply for the role please submit your CV together with a supporting statement (of no more than 2 pages).
 
REF-223124

Dedicated to creating social change through music, AudioActive  provides free open-access sessions, workshops, and opportunities  that empower young people in Sussex to explore their talent, find  their voice, and shape their futures. Whether it’s emerging rappers,  producers, or vocalists, AudioActive nurtures raw potential,  providing young people with the tools to turn passion into purpose.  From grassroots sessions to talent development, AudioActive is  where music meets social impact. We are restless, unafraid, and  excited about what we do. 

The Director of Operations is a delivery-focused leadership position  responsible for ensuring AudioActive runs like clockwork. This  role is perfect for someone who thrives on creating order from  complexity, enjoys the satisfaction of well-oiled systems, and takes  pride in operational excellence. You’ll be the backbone that ensures  everything functions seamlessly, allowing our creative teams to  focus on their transformative work with young people. 

As part of the Senior Management Team (SMT), integrity and  discretion in handling sensitive information will be paramount.  Our ideal candidate thrives in a collaborative environment, ready  to contribute to the growth of our organisation. Enthusiasm, a  positive attitude, and a passion for our mission are qualities we  highly value. If you are a proactive starter-finisher with these  attributes and a commitment to making a difference, we invite you  to join our team.

Responsibilities:

LEADERSHIP

• Contribute to ongoing development of the business and strategic plans
• Lead implementation of operational plans and decisions
• Deputise for CEO when required
• Support learning and development of direct reports
• Develop and maintain key stakeholder relationships
• Identify operational development opportunities for the organisation

OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT

• Lead organisational governance and operational functions
• Develop and maintain operational systems and solutions
• Responsibility for building and asset management
• Ensure compliance with statutory requirements
• Oversee GDPR, insurance, and health and safety protocols
• Implement and maintain quality management systems
• Oversee IT infrastructure and digital systems
• Manage the Trustee Meeting organisation, document generation, trustee communication and administration
• Explore ways to make operations and facilities more environmentally sustainable as Environment Lead
• Ensure environmental considerations are factored into organisational decision making. 

SYSTEMS EXCELLENCE & PROCESS MANAGEMENT

• Design, implement and continuously refine operational workflows and procedures
• Establish and maintain comprehensive process documentation and standard operating procedures
• Conduct regular systems audits to identify inefficiencies and implement improvements
• Working with the Business Analyst, oversee the creation and maintenance of operational dashboards and performance metrics
• Develop fail-safe procedures and contingency planning across all operational areas

HUMAN RESOURCES

• Design, implement and continuously refine operational workflows and procedures
• Establish and maintain comprehensive process documentation and standard operating procedures
• Conduct regular systems audits to identify inefficiencies and implement improvements
• Working with the Business Analyst, oversee the creation and maintenance of operational dashboards and performance metrics
• Develop fail-safe procedures and contingency planning across all operational areas

See attachment for further responsibilities 

Grow is an exciting, grassroots organisation making a significant impact. Our small, vibrant, and dedicated team has a profound influence on the lives of young people in Sheffield.

Our Head of Fundraising role could be your next exciting opportunity! We are seeking a candidate who is passionate and focused on resourcing our nature-based youth development work. The role provides an opportunity to build and shape our next fundraising strategy, focus on planning, income generation, and relationship building, and support the expansion of Grow’s programmes into 2026 and beyond.

Strategy

• Lead on the development and delivery of an overarching fundraising strategy for Grow
• Increase funding revenue through statutory, corporate and individual donors and build this into the fundraising strategy
• Manage and develop Grow’s Fundraising Team
• Deliver Grow’s ambitious fundraising financial targets
• Manage strategic bids and reporting processes
• Develop and oversee fundraising events in collaboration with the Head of Marketing and External Relations including promoting Grow to a wider audience

Management

• Manage and mentor our Fundraising Assistant 
• Manage the fundraising budget
• Conduct regular 1-to-1s and manage relevant performance management processes
• Prioritise the development of the Fundraising Assistant through developing KPIs, identifying training needs, and accessing training with support from the People & Culture team
• Reporting to CEO
• Lead compliance in relation to CIoF code of conduct

Wider responsibilities

• Showcase the impact of young people - investing time in understanding the faces and people that are at the heart of Grow’s mission
• Play an active role in Grow’s team and key activities, including attending social and fundraising events (likely to be during evenings and at weekends)
• Occasional evening and weekend commitments

We are looking for someone who is a fantastic relationship builder who can interpret and deliver an understanding of our mission to others and ultimately gain their support. We want someone with a track record of working in the third sector and who can develop and deliver high-impact fundraising strategies so that we can take our nature-based work to the next level and expand our programmes in the Sheffield area.

Any role offer is subject to an enhanced DBS check.

You must be available to work on Mondays.

Training

• Support and training will be provided as needed to ensure the post holder's success and development in the role. Initial development needs will be identified and addressed during the probation period.
• Monthly training sessions take place at 10.30am, on the first Monday of each month. This is for all employees to come together to learn and socialise.

War Child’s mission is to reach, protect, educate, and stand up for the rights of every child living in conflict zones. They want a world that is safer for children to live in. Very sadly, at the moment, 1 in 5 children are living in or fleeing from conflict – that number is too high, and War Child wants to change it.

War Child is looking for an experienced fundraising leader to step into a key senior leadership role during a year of real momentum.

As Interim Director of Philanthropy and Partner Engagement, you’ll lead a high-performing team of around 15, covering major donors, principal giving, trusts and foundations, institutional funding, corporate partnerships, and gaming. Together, the team brings in around £10m of War Child’s £15–16m annual income.

You’ll report to the CEO and sit on the Senior Leadership Team, with shared responsibility for income generation, strategic planning, and organisational leadership. This is an opportunity to guide a strong team through its next phase of growth, support exciting developments already underway, and help shape the future of War Child’s fundraising.

We’re looking for a confident, strategic leader with experience at director level, or someone ready to step up from a senior head role in a complex organisation. You’ll bring a strong track record in high-value fundraising, with the credibility and judgement to operate at executive level and lead a diverse team through a period of delivery and growth.

As Interim Philanthropy and Partner Engagement Director, you will:

• Oversee and support a multi-disciplinary fundraising team spanning major donors, partnerships, gaming, principal giving, institutional funding, and events
• Lead strategic planning and budgeting across the function, ensuring strong performance, income growth and long-term value
• Maximise outcomes from Winter Wassail (December 2025), War Child’s flagship gala event with a £2m target and major stewardship opportunity
• Support and strengthen the corporate partnerships function, working closely with the Head of Partnerships to refine strategy and unlock potential
• Guide the development of the principal gifts function, with a new senior hire expected before the handover
• Shape next steps for gaming and digital partnerships, following an external review
• Take a strategic view of events-based philanthropy, identifying opportunities to evolve and diversify

Ideal skills and experience: 

• Significant experience in corporate partnerships, with the ability to develop strategy, support senior fundraisers and identify long-term opportunities
• Strong knowledge of high-value fundraising, including major donors, principal giving and events-led philanthropy
• Experience leading managers and senior fundraisers across multiple income streams, ideally within a similarly sized or complex organisation
• A strategic mindset, with hands-on involvement in planning, budgeting, forecasting and performance reporting
• A collaborative, emotionally intelligent leadership style that combines high challenge with high support
• The ability to influence across teams and departments; experience in international development is helpful but not essential
• The confidence to represent War Child with major donors, partners, and senior stakeholders, both internally and externally
• Willingness to take ownership of compliance areas, including GDPR, gambling regulation and trademark risk, with support from internal specialists

Benefits include: 

• Flexible working – War Child recognise the considerable benefits that flexible working can bring and are happy to discuss any possible flexible working options with employees from hiring. For most roles, the following types of flexibility are usually possible: flexible hours, an element of working from home, compressed hours.
• Annual leave – 28 days per year (full-time), plus UK bank holidays
• Pension – all eligible employees automatically enrolled into a Group Personal Pension Plan with a 5% employer contribution, with minimum employee contribution on a salary sacrifice basis
• Health & wellbeing – employees may take advantage of a healthcare cash plan and a range of wellbeing initiatives and training. In addition, all employees have access to free, confidential one-to-one wellbeing consultations with trained counsellors.
• Learning & development – dedicated to the investment in learning and continuing professional development for all our employees
• Range of flexible benefits such a Cycle to Work scheme and season ticket loans

We're looking for a confident and compassionate Co-Director to lead our mental health charity using gardens, creativity & community for recovery.

**We offer mentoring support for applicants who might benefit from additional guidance - please see the full Job Description for further details**

About Sydenham Garden

Based in Lewisham in South-East London, Sydenham Garden is a unique wellbeing centre utilising its gardens, nature reserve and activity rooms to help people living with and recovering from mental and physical ill-health. We provide nature and arts based creative, social and therapeutic activities for co-workers (the name we give to our primary beneficiaries).

About the role 

Our Director has been in post since November 2021 and on returning from maternity leave in January 2026 she will be working 3 days a week.  We are seeking a Co-Director to jointly lead the organisation going forwards as we have made a positive decision to move towards a co-director model.  This is an exciting opportunity which can have benefits of increasing capacity, efficiency, and transparency and allow for a broader range of identities both to better reflect the diverse populations they serve and as a way to include more diverse leaders. It is a model that can also reduce burnout, build equity, and support flexible working.

As Co-Director you will be jointly responsible for leading and manage the day-to-day running of Sydenham Garden for the benefit of our co-workers.  This will involve overseeing implementation and regular review of Sydenham Garden’s strategic plan and to ensure all governance arrangements are in place to monitor the work of the organisation and to report to the Board of Trustees and to funders.

You will ensure fundraising and financial plans and processes are in place to deliver the agreed services, including fundraising from Trusts & Foundations, community fundraising and developing contracted services as necessary.

The Co-Directors will be jointly accountable to the Trustee Board for all aspects of the job description. You may take lead responsibility on particular areas which will be discussed and agreed with the existing Co-Director and Trustee Board.

About You

You are a confident and compassionate leader with a commitment to the mental health and wellbeing sector.  You bring a thoughtful, strategic and inclusive approach to leadership.

Your communication skills are excellent, and you’re able to build strong, trusting relationships with colleagues at all levels, as well as with external partners, funders, and stakeholders.  You are deeply committed to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, with a clear track record of putting these values into practice.

You have a proven experience in securing income for charitable work and are confident in financial management and planning. 

You also understand the value of co-production and have experience working collaboratively with volunteers and co-workers (service users), ensuring their voices are central to service design and delivery.

We’re looking for someone who is dedicated to the mission of Sydenham Garden and has relevant experience at management level in a mental health charity of similar organisation. 

How to apply

Candidates will be shortlisted based on:

· Experience of working at a management level in a mental health charity or comparable organisation. 

· An excellent strategic thinker with experience of input into strategic development and implementation.

· Good communication skills and the ability to build relationships with colleagues at all levels in an organisation and with external contacts and partners. 

· A proven commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

· Experience of line managing and developing staff, including through appraisal systems. 

· Proven ability to secure income, manage fundraising processes and to manage and produce fundraising applications. 

· Experience of financial management and planning, including managing budgets. 

· Experience of working with volunteers and co-workers (service users). 

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Sydenham Garden is committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). We want to build a diverse and inclusive staff, volunteer and trustee team where everyone feels that they belong and that reflects the profile of the communities we serve. Therefore, we will welcome and consider applications from candidates of all backgrounds and protected characteristics, and we particularly encourage applications from people of African or Caribbean heritage to ensure our staff team represents the communities we serve.

To apply, please send us a CV together with a supporting statement (maximum 2 pages, minimum font size of 11) that addresses how you meet the Person Specification listed above.

The People Department puts our people at the heart of service delivery. Our aim is to recruit, retain and invest in our people to be the best they can be and to support our leaders and managers to deliver outstanding palliative and end of life care services through their people. Our commitment to our staff and volunteers is to value and support them to do their jobs well.

Our organisational values are CORE to everything we do. We value equality, diversity and inclusion and we are working to ensure our leadership and workforce is representative and responsive to the communities we support.

Main duties of the job

Working as part of the Business Partnering team, the People Business Partner will build constructive working relationships with a portfolio of executive directors, senior and middle managers in support of the achievement of shared organisational objectives, partnering leaders and managers to turn their people plans into reality and address issues that may hinder performance and service delivery. Designing, implementing, and evaluating People (staff and volunteer) initiatives that support the Hospice’s strategic aims, and the ambition of the Hospice to move from being a ‘good’ to ‘great’ employer.

Working for your organisation

Every person at North London Hospice plays a role in supporting people to live their lives as well as they can for as long as they can. From our nursing, medical and clinical staff, patient and family support and health and wellbeing teams, cleaners & caterers to communications, finance, HR, retail and fundraising support - we all work to ensure exceptional care.

As an organisation, we are committed to offering a healthy work/life balance, with accessible mental health support, an extensive range of lifestyle and health benefits and excellent training and development opportunities, and hence, we offer the following range of competitive benefits:

• Competitive rates of pay
• Generous annual leave
• Transfer of NHS pension scheme
• Pension - Employer contribution pension scheme
• Access to clinical supervision
• Fully funded Health Cash Plan
• Life Assurance cover
• Flexible/Hybrid Working
• A range of opportunities for professional learning and development
• Access to our 24/7 confidential Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Travel incentives
• Family friendly and special leave
• A supportive and collaborative work environment
• Blue Light Scheme membership and carers’ discounts
• Social events throughout the year and much more…

Please review the attached job description and person specification for more details on the role and type of individual who would suit the post.

North London Hospice is an equal opportunities employer and a proud member of the Disability Confident Employer Scheme. We value diversity, and we acknowledge that we currently have an underrepresentation from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people. North London Hospice job opportunities are open to all, and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age.